It's a Dogs life

As retired farmers we have
 always had dogs, working dogs.

Working dogs are an essential part of farm life
To muster sheep a well trained sheepdog is a must.

 A good dog saves many many hours of labour. 
The bond between dog and its master is close.

With a few whistles and gestures the dogs will take control of a mob of 300 or so sheep.
 They loved their job and we loved what they did.

Ours became very much a part of the family.
When we retired the dogs retired too and came on our travels.

Alf and Monty  trying to find any little bit of shade from the heat of the outback.

Alf (l) perhaps the ugliest dog ever with a big heart and great working ethic.
Monty his son (r), also a great worker, handsome with a great nature.

Times moved on and they went to doggy heaven.

 Sir started to fret with no dog.

 We had retired.

A cute little lapdog would be the go.

 Nooo

What do we do.

 We get another Kelpie.

 Der  

Now Kelpies are  great sheep dogs either working  flat out or flat out. 

Very intelligent.

Needing a lot of exercise and stimulation.

Anyway

 Rusty came into our family. 

Super energetic and Super intelligent. 

Putting a a spring back into Sirs step.

 Keeping everyone on their toes.

But 

The weirdest thing, he loves telly.

 Any wildlife show he will sit still and watch avidly.

We wonder what he's thinking sometimes.
 Especially when he throws us a look over his shoulder
 as if to say ssshhh you in the back row!

 Apart from the time he got bored.
One Christmas Eve, 
we left him with the telly while we popped out for drinks.
He had his own party. 
Getting into the presents under the Christmas tree.
To say I was vexed was an understatement!

It's a dogs life in our family. 
A good one.
 Stuck with a couple of oldies, no sheep to herd
 he's spoilt rotten. 

But not to worry keeps himself busy mustering  the chooks

xDee

Life is a Mirror - Be Yourself