Competition

Went to the National Sheepdog Trials today. It was the final day, seven dogs left from a competition of 200. Almost all the dogs were border collies who, I was told, are gentler on the sheep than the Kelpies.

This particular family pack came from a sheep farm between Bathurst and Orange, New South Wales. When their owner comes to compete, he has to bring them all since no one is left at home to look after them. He introduced me to Marshall, Billy, Tara and Caesar. When the big girl confessed she wanted a dog, he said, 'Pick one!' Not possible, sorry.

Most people in the competition had a caravan onsite with at least five dogs nearby. They took the opportunity for a chin-wag and were proud of their dogs' skills and intelligence.

Having lost a faithful border collie to pancreatitis a few years ago, we have a soft spot for these dogs. Most of them were eager for some attention and were gentle with the kids. My boy, a cat lover, even said that maybe dogs were his new favourite animal! Bub was dangled in a puppy pen and lost her socks to an eager biter. It was sunny and warm, and we came home full of farmy cheerfulness.