Drover…

It has been a grey, cloudy, cool spring day. The kind of day that if you did not take the rain coat you know you will get wet before you get back from what you are doing.

The dogs and I turned the sheep out of their pens this morning and the sheep ate all the sweet, wet, tender grass they wanted. Timber stood at the gate and watched quietly… two months ago I would have had to hold her collar but she is learning!

Last night I waited to way after dark to put the sheep up. Sheep like people do not see well in the dark. I took the gator with lights but Drover and I could not get the sheep up to the barn. They kept going back into the sheep pens. (Who ever said sheep were dumb?) The sheep knew it was late and were expecting the coyotes, because they visited night before last! No harm but I wanted the sheep in the barn where I know they are safe.

Around 7:30 PM  Drover and I walked down while we still had good light… I had left the gate open to the pens, and the sheep saw us coming and put their selves up! Made for some interesting work!

Drover had to go in and bring the sheep out and they did not want to come out! I sent him “Away” and he went round the sheep quietly and smoothly and then brought the flock out, but wait ! There were three that turned and went back at the gate while the whole flock stood in the gate not wanting to come out! (Tell me the sheep know they are safer in that pen!)  Drover worked the three sheep and then had them all together but they did not want to move out to the field! I told him “Watch em!” He snipped one on the nose and gave a couple of short sharp barks and the sheep got with my program!  Across the terraces and wet rich spring grass we walked towards the barn.

When we hit the driveway the sheep passed me …(So I thought let him drive the sheep) … Drover “DROVE” the sheep to the barn as I followed in behind (way behind but in sight) When they got to the barn he held them at the corner and I walked on by the flock. They followed me to the stall door and Drover put them in the stall!

As I shut the gate he was inside with the sheep in the stall. I thought “It is time to see how he does in a tight place with commands”…So I sent him “Away” and he walked quietly counter clockwise round the sheep in the stall and did not disturb none of the sheep with his presence! I opened the door and he walked out!

OH YES! He KNEW he had done good! I bragged on him too!

What a fine dog Drover is!

Thank You Carol Greet for allowing me to have him! And Mary Peaslee for your foresight and wonderful breeding program that produced his sire!