My good Abilene/Drover pup….KAT Ballou is proving to be a fine dog in all ways.
She is willing to do anything I ask or show her to do…
One day we were moving the flock thru the foot bath chute. A couple sheep turned around and to avoid a real problem I asked KAT to get in there. She could not! So I picked her up and she went on the backs of the sheep … to the spot she was needed at ! Took care of the problem and the sheep flowed on into the foot bath with out an incident! My dog KAT “backed” the sheep!
Thursday two weeks ago one of the ewes went after a dog at the fence and I happened to be in the way! I never saw her coming…she was aiming for a friend’s dog a young pup…KAT tried to get in there and stop it I think…The ewe hit my leg and dislocated my right knee…As I hit the ground I heard what sounded like a dog fight but was the two dogs moving the ewe off me. Then KAT laid down at my side. My friends were afraid to try to move me …because KAT was beside me and still she would not move…I was putting my knee cap back into place and that takes a minute or two…LOL…It hurts and seems like 30 minutes! KAT was right there and went to the house with me and stayed with me constantly even in the bedroom as I slept!
Next day KAT and I stock handled. I had to have her be exact. No extra steps. No anything that might push the stock into my leg…
Here is what I noticed…The more exact I asked her to be…the better she did the task. But I had to be on it and paying close attention.
I learned much…She can do what I need and want …when I want, I just have to be clear and make it so!
What a fine dog she is!
Latter on Saturday KAT worked the awesome working Call Ducks of Sue and John Amsden’s and did mighty fine work! We earned our HTAD Level III on ducks!
I love working this good dog!
Eight Months ago I would never have believed I could work another dog and have the relationship I have with Drover…Not Ever! But…KAT and I are better than Drover… we have only begun!
This takes NOTHING away from “My Little Buddy” it just means I have two very awesome dogs! Both very different…but Amazing! What a gift from above!
