From four O’clock on, Ton sits next to Lady Astor and Aunty Del , who were very laid back all day yesterday, he is in whatever field they are – his little black ears like mickey mouse ears sticking up above the long summer grasses. He did this with Daisy too. He knows milking time is coming and his job is to bring the cows in. He does not encourage the cows to come in but his presence tells them it is time. (Aunty Del comes in too- she is a house cow in training – John rewards her with tomatoes). So when they slowly saunter in he is on task high stepping behind them. Looking all serious.
Ton is a very intelligent dog. Border Collies are notoriously clever. Though Ton spends as much time as possible with out looking very clever at all. Then he will do something that makes us do a double take.
Here is an example:
When Amanda was here she was working in the garden one day and TonTon brought her a really big stick to throw. A huge stick. That is TOO big, she said. If I throw that we will break something. Bring me a smaller one. She went back to the weeding. He took the big stick and moved it closer to her feet. Then crouched again ready for her to throw it. No, she said, it is too BIG TonTon, TOO BIG. Get a small stick. He tilted his head looking at her. Again he took the big stick and moved it closer. No. A small stick, she said, bring me a small stick, TonTon. He cocked his head. Staring straight into her eyes. His head on the side. He went still and watched her.
OK TonTon, she said (she told me this story later) . She left her weeding, pulled off her gloves and sat down in front of the dog. (She is a teacher you see). She picked up the big stick and said, This is a big stick TonTon pulling her hands out wide. BIG . She said, shaking her head. We want NO big sticks. She shook her head again. No. Then she put the big stick behind her and measuring with her hands she said – A SMALL stick TonTon, bring me a Small stick. Small, she said, again measuring the small space with her hands. Small.
He cocked his head again. Went still for a moment. Looked sideways. And then turned and ran off.
She sighed and went back to weeding.
As much as a minute later Ton was by her side again with a really SMALL stick.
Could this be a coincidence? She said to me later? She said to Ton. Did you understand me? He laid the very small stick at her feet then crouched ready to retrieve it. Eyes flashing. They played with that small stick for ages after that. And he never brought her a big stick again.
The Cadet loves Little and spent the afternoon getting the bad sticky seed weeds out of his pen.
BooBoo is also very intelligent. As I was writing the other night Boo was lying on the floor at my feet.( While Ton watches over the entire farm Boo watches me and lies at my feet until the coyotes call then he is the guard dog. )
Anyway he was fast asleep then suddenly he raised his head in surprise, looked at me, then turned sharply and looked at his tail. Then his bottom farted. Loudly. Oh. He said. Weird. Then cast his head onto the floor again with a thump and was immediately asleep again. Like I said – Intelligent!
Here is Difficult Bobby. Ton is always in her stall watching her. Just in case. She is not better yet but is not worse. And is still eating and drinking like a sailor on leave.
I hope you have a lovely day.
Love your friend on the farm
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
54 responses to “Intelligent Dogs”
The Husband *loves* that story about Ton. He finds dogs much nicer and cleverer than people much of the time, which perhaps says something about the people he as to work with… I’m willing to bet Ton understood perfectly well about a Smaller Stick. Difficult looks better than I feared; she doesn’t have that glazed expression of suffering you get with animals who have given up. And Little has decided to live, I think. He’s engaging beautifully with the Cadet.
You’ve got very good dogs – they had a good teacher! I bet Ton wishes he had a heard of cows to bring in for milking, he could round them up one by one. Boo had me LOL 😉
We are building our herd!
At least Boo didn’t look at you accusingly 🙂 Dare I say it, those bobby’s have earned you miles of 5 star fencing! Laura
So right!
no no, it’s always the fellas who blame the dog
Always love hearing about Ton Ton and BooBoo!! They are quite the joy!! Love the picture of Ton and Difficult – such a caregiver. Dogs and their sticks!! When we were in Lugano by the lake, a guy had his dog with him and he would throw the stick way out in the water and his dog would swim way out and fetch his stick!! Bring it back to his master and ready to swim out again!! And crazy Boo!! Did he say “excuse me Mamma”?!!!
Border Collies are beautiful and intelligent..I had one many years ago , she came from Wales….
Have you found Camera House? Have you found earring?…Itolf my Friend all about it and I feel sure that they will be found
I found Camera house but no the earring – my ears are Naked!!
You must keep looking..it is there!
I love the dog stories. I love stick smart. And fart smart. So clever, they are. My heart always goes out to the Cadet too. She is a girl after my own heart.
I love your dogs. Both of them. Ton is in the perfect profession. Those border collies need to work and herd. I can’t wait to see him herd the piglets. And Nanny Boo needs youngsters to tend–or Celis.
“House cow in training” is a very special expression for Aunty Del. Like it.
The TonTon story with Amanda is really sweet. So nice to read, feel as if I were in the audience to watch… Kudos and applause for you, Celi. Well done.
Oh, and so nice the Cadet with Little and with the cats, too. She’s like a professional animal cuddler. So lovely.
Difficult and Ton both fit so nice together all in black and white. Lovingly caring dog. So glad that Difficult is ok so far.
Your post today is an homage to your dogs. 🙂 They have deserved to be honoured, haven’t they?
Have a nice and lovely day, Celi.
Aw, poor Boo….. my beagle Doc would growl and bark at his own farts. Of course, I growled and barked too -> they smelled horrible!
Its very fashionable to wear one earring!…..Keep eyes peeled it will turn up!
I suspect Difficult has the earring!
In that case it is a case of waiting , straining, and watching…bit of a yucky job
You guys!!
aaww us anipals always listen and know what you mean. It’s just at times, we have selective hearing – snorts. Love your stories my sweet friend. Happy Friday. XOXO – Bacon
Happy Friday darling Piggie!
I think that Difficult Bobby’s name should be something sweet and inviting…..maybe Dear Bobby….or Daring Bobby….or Dearheart Bobby. Each time I read Difficult it seems to be imprinting that very thing. Such dear and wonderful animals and all of you take such good care of them. I especially love the story of Ton and the stick(s). I once took care of a friend’s German Shepherd who wanted in and out and in and out for ages one day. I was in the basement taking care of her other animals and the Shepherd came down and was asking to go out Again. I remember just saying to her ‘I don’t have time right now. Go let yourself out.’ Well, that didn’t even seem possible…..that is until I heard the upstairs storm door open and close and I looked out to see her playing in the yard. She had done just what I flippantly told her to do.
Thanks for sharing your dear animal family with us.
what a lovely story! I love dogs
Someday Miss C, when you are gray and wrinkled and moving ever so slowly and have a much smaller little group of friends living with you stories such as these (and so many more from this blog) must be compiled into book form and/or I envision you as Garrison Keillor-esque with your own version of “The Prairie Home Companion”. We must never allow your words to be lost.
Deb you are a darling – I cannot imagine such quiet!
Ton is clever, but so was Amanda: she knew that the best way to learn is by repetition. I’m glad the calves are responding so well.
Love,
ViV xox
Wishing you all a very peaceful and sublime weekend, c. >