Bought a border collie and told my (now good friend) I never intended to use it on sheep. Promptly enrolled in sheepdog lessons, met cool people, traipsed about and ended up in Wales on a sheep farm.
Now in England, with more collies, still in search of (my own) sheep but in lieu – happy to write and photograph these lovely dogs.
Technically a veterinarian, but would prefer to tell people I clean fish tanks. Less controversial (funny – that’s not how the job was advertised). If it moves oddly, I try and fix it. Master of the multiple project game, so a little side quest, here.
Enjoy.
The real draw from Florida to England is, of course, the weather.
Golden retriever in a past life. Forward, athletic and kind.
Convinced everything must involve FOMO. Runs more than her puppies. Much to write in her nature diary.
Bought from Stan Mellor in 2015 as a graduation present to myself. Pen lives in the present.
One does not precede the other.
Copper is bright, instinctive and larger-than-life. If she's working, she's operating on a baseline talent that deserves respect. If she's playing, she's not slowing down. Bend your knees.
She tries to exist somewhere between the two, as a lap dog. She's got a wee sense of humour, though she saves it to tease you with.
Kept Pen's golden retriever nature in terms of food. Food is life.
She loves to run, and stand in water. Best if combined.
(Unless the couch is available. Dibs.)
Brew is - without a doubt, one of the most intelligent collies I've owned. She thinks rapidly, takes commands faster, but steadies when clock demands it.
She loves patterns, and has a keen sense of fair and unfair - following that, she's a trusting little teammate, cheerful and all in for any scenario. Kept Pen's kind streak, but is more collie about her friend choices.
She loves being shown and set a task, isn't bothered about learning mistakes, and ends with a grin - asking to repeat.
She doesn't often blink. She also doesn't sleep on the floor. Can't? Won't.
