Ranch Dogs - A. Blackstock

We have a small ranch based in Lamoille, Nevada and have a few cattle. I can’t seem to live without a canine in my life, so naturally, we have dogs designed to love working cattle. When I say dogs, I mean that we currently have four and who knows how many more we will have, because I have a tendency to fall in love with every puppy or rescue that I see. My husband has managed to keep the numbers down to four, but he is partly responsible for what dogs we do have, because he decided to adopt two pups at once. I thought he had lost his mind at the time and the pups truly presented us with the puppy challenge for a while. I truly enjoy these two little sisters, and they definitely love to chase cows. I’m not the best when it comes to training these furry friends, but I’ve been around them enough to appreciate their natural love for herding and their loving attachment to their family. That is why I decided to write a little something about our working ranch dogs. I believe that they deserve a lot of credit to be given to them. Think about it. Who usually is the first to greet you when you drive into someone’s yard? For the most part, you will meet up with a smiling face and may even receive a wet kiss if you allow that to happen. This same dog gives endless amounts of love to his or her family in the form of warm, happy smiles, hugs and can even be a baby sitter. These dogs are always ready and willing to give constant support to their families where it is needed. These same dogs can turn on a dime and willingly perform a job for us when we are working or moving livestock. They may be kicked, stepped on, rolled and experience any amount of danger that can be involved with their job. We may even yell at them once in a while. With all of this, they will be back for more, because it is their job. I stress the word their, because they form an attachment for their work and they love it. It is in their genes, just as forming an attachment for their families, four wheelers, trucks or hay wagons. I read somewhere that border collies are like geniuses who are on methamphetamines. Well, I think the first part applies to most herding dogs and mine are no exception. They are smarter than I am half the time, but I don’t know if I agree with the methamphetamine part. I only know that they are very focused and determined when it comes to doing their job. The rest of the time, they leave their work behind and become our loving, genius members of the family. We had a border collie in our lives who really brought all of these qualities into our lives and we will be forever thankful that she shared her love with us. Her name was Patches and she not only had a natural instinct for her herding job, but possessed a shining rainbow that followed her everywhere. It was a given that she took her herding job very seriously, but she could also turn away from that to become our loving family member when her job was done. She loved everything and everybody, including her partner for life, Zeke, who was our tough boss of the roundup. When he was away from his cattle, he was just a gentle ben who protected Patchy. She had a habit of adopting things, like stray kittens. Often, when I had her out and about with me, people would stop to talk with Patches. It was easy to carry on a conversation with her because she possessed a huge vocabulary. I can truly say that Patchy was one of the rare individuals who managed to accomplish what I think was her mission on this earth. She managed to make the world around her a happier place and if all dogs were allowed to do this, the world would be much better for it.

Patches definitely left her mark on us and the world around her. We are constantly reminded of the warmth and love that she brought into our lives. We miss her terribly, but when we think of her, it is as though we are receiving a warm hug. So, you see, she is still giving us the loving support that she was always ready and willing to give us in life. That is why I felt the desire to honor her by writing a book about her. With the book, I hope to carry on her mission of spreading her love. I also entertain the idea that I can encourage the better care and treatment of animals through her book. I hope that you will stop and give your dog an extra pat or even a loving hug today. They will be so grateful and will do whatever they can to show you their love. The following poem is an excerpt from Patchy’s book, Cowgirl.

Cowgirl

I smile as i watch her work, Focus intent upon her face, So quiet, so agile and quick As she crouches, then darts Only to spin and run until She feels her work is done And the herd is in it’s place Only then she will come to me With her open, smiling face, I can tell her over and over What she still needs to hear But again, I will gladly tell her Good cowgirl my dolly Patchy very good cowgirl

by Annie Blackstock (Pen Name: Ann Blackburn)

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