I dreaded the evening chores.
This Sunday has been a cold, grey, windy day …Spitting rain… at times…and just plain miserable if you were out in it.
I put my long rain coat on with the hood and had my ear muffs on as well as my gloves. The smell of my coat reminded me of long ago Shepherds and how they coped with weather… I wondered… No polar fleece, no High Rock Hosiery Warm wonderful socks, no water proof boots by Ariat, (I smiled) …No shepherds staff from Tractor Supply (PINK in color) …
But they did have good dogs! As do I! Drover waited for me to pick that pink shepherds staff up and then for me to say “come on Drover lets get the sheep up!” He was ready sore paw and all! (seems a toe nail is paining him)
We opened the gate to the porch and I left the other dogs on the porch. This was a job for Drover! We walked out into the thick wet mist of the evening. The air was cool and the wind about 15 miles and hour. The sun had set and it was that dark grey light unique to an evening like this. I zipped up my long coat and pulled the neck tight. It was cold! Dover was happily at my side and as we walked down the drive way my mind took off!
I could see my flock down across the green field and off to my far right. The clean, fresh, cool air filled my lungs … I felt alive and at peace and very pleased. For I had my good dog with me … The trees were green and leafed out. The greyness of the evening could not dull the beauty but added to it! The tiny droplets of rain more a fine mist stung my face as they hit my cheeks. In my mind I imagined I could see Drover and I on some wild moor alone and looking for a Ewe lost and ready to give birth ! We were tracking it and hoping we would find it in time! As we walked down and into the field my mind raced….Up and down and all over hills, hedges, rocks and hiding places! The rain was falling faster now and really stung as well as made a te te te te te soft sound on my hood. (Thank goodness I had worn the coat)! We walked thru the soft, wet, green grass and it had a wonderful smell. But for some reason I could all most smell salty air, and hear waves crashing against rocks in the distance and the soft bleat of a ewe !
As we got closer to the sheep pens ….ALL my flock came running and baa hing … Drover and I walked up to the gate as the last sheep went thru and we shut the gate and locked it for the night! (smile not hard work tonight but then it is Sunday!)
We walked back up the hill to the house and the warmth of a nice fire in the wood stove. My imagination still running strong. I thought about the Shepherds, their life style, and the good dogs they bred. I am very thankful to all the 100’s even 1000’s of years that have given us today’s Herding Breeds! Especially to the ones that have given me my English Shepherds! May there all ways be such good dogs ! The life these dogs have lived and been bred for …have caused them to be the good dogs that they are! May we never change the breed and all ways strive to keep them as they are! It is their job that has made them what they are! And the understanding and foresight of breeders…
