Intelligent Dogs

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