 So
we wanted to get another "farm dog" type to hang out with Gleann
off-leash in the yard and woods , a young one, as the pack is all
middle aged now and probably female, although that didn't matter as
much. A friend on FaceBook, who we met through Greyhound stuff many
years ago, contacted us as she knew we were considering another and
she had a friend desperately looking for a good home for her Australian
Shepherd/Border Collie cross before she left the country. And the dog
was 11. Well, so much for young or female. But he needed us.
He actually was 10 when we met them in November 2010. There is a certain scariness in taking an older dog, you know that
there won't be a lot of years, you know what your setting yourself up
for. Of course, you never know how long you have with a young dog, or other animal,
either, shit happens and it happens far too often. So we met them and who would even know this dog
was 10? He came out of the car into the park we were meeting at at a
run, barking and demanding that everyone around throw something for
him.
He also has Lyme Disease and we were warned about not letting him
overdo. Which really can be a problem, he's go-go-go all the time. Our
vet's assessment is that the Lyme Disease is in total remission, don't
worry about it unless he shows fatigue issues. He hasn't. We can take
him for a run and he'll expect to play fetch immediately after ward.
Given his face, and some of his behaviors and looks, he has a good bit
of some sort of Spaniel in there too. When a fetch object is involved
it seems he can give that BC intense staredown combined with soft
Spaniel puppy eyes that will melt your heart. It just doesn't seem that
could be combined but it is most effective to get someone to throw
something for him. He lives for the fetch, btw.
He is so small compared to our two 70+ lb boys and at least 65 lb
bitch, weighing in now at about 33 lbs. Yet he's the one who denies any
ability to be a lap dog. He'll cuddle, but does not like to be held on
the lap or to be picked up while I think Cù would be delighted if we
would carry him around in are arms 24 hours a day.
 Despite
his small stature, Sachairi has blended in with the pack very well, his
personality is plenty large enough to make sure he has his space. He's
turned out the be the, nearly, perfect farm dog companion for Gleann
(he did have a little accident with a chick, but typically is fine with
the chickens). He's the best at going after small critters which might
be going after the chickens, having tackled rats, weasels and minks.
He, however, is a bit overly obsessed with squirrels.
Sachairi is also a talker, making various sounds as he interacts with
us. He's keenly concerned with our emotional state as well, getting
into our faces when ever there is some drama going on and checking in
with us. We also will never have to take a shower or go to the bathroom
alone. He feels that the room is quite dangerous if he is not there to
defend us.
At other times, he just guards the boots to make sure we don't get out without him knowing.
Contents and design, except
where noted otherwise below, copyright © 1998-2011 Kym Lambert and
Aaron Miller
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graphic from the World of Celtic
Art
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