He leaves me at home when it’s on, claiming I’d be a nuisance with all that food around and being tempted with fancy animals like angora goats, highland cattle and alpacas arousing my interest.
Then he remembers the train of camels with helmeted little kids riding on them — and shudders as he looks at me. I’m not sure why — I wouldn’t cause any trouble... maybe take a closer look, that’s all.
Which is why I also miss out on the sort of entertainment I know something about, like dogs herding sheep.
He said Paul and Anneke from Beloka Kelpie Stud were there, as they have been for many years, showing how their kelpies progress from pure instinct at puppy stage to well-trained and useful working dogs.
“They aren’t just keen to work, General — they have to work, or they’re very unhappy. They don’t seem to lie around like someone I know.”
I ignored that remark. I’ve done my share of retrieving for him over the years but I deserve periods of rest in my advancing age. Plus a bit of respect. But he wasn’t about to let up.
“They come behind, go to ground and get back to their bench in an instant. There’s none of this looking around to figure out whether you’ll do it or not.
“It’s called instant obedience and you had it once — but it’s just a memory now. You seem to think you are entitled to a choice.”
I thought I’d better keep my mouth shut and look suitably chastened. He’s apparently noticed that I now regard his orders as polite requests, if not desperate pleas.
At Seymour he was taken with a beautiful red kelpie named Rosie, only six months old. He said she had poise, patience, discipline — and clearly wanted to work much more than she wanted to eat.
“All the things that I don’t immediately associate with you, General.”
Again I had to hold my tongue. Little Rosie might have been a pretty thing but she wasn’t likely to plunge into a cold and fast-moving river to collect his black duck now, was she? Her game was herding sheep.
Besides, what’s he going to do with a one-trick pony like a kelpie? He doesn’t have any sheep and he’s not likely to acquire any.
And a six-month old kelpie needs a lot more exercise than I do these days. He’s forgotten what that means. I think he needs to settle down and appreciate what a gifted companion he has in me. Woof!
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