Der Schuster Loisl

Nadja, Marleen, Alois, Nalii (Aussie Cattle Dog) & Sally (German Hunt Terrier ) from Grosskitzighofen, the village we lived in until 2001, came to visit this afternoon.
The four dogs all got on with one another as if they were always together even in the confines of the house. Not a single moment of disquiet.
I think this is due to Alois' influence. Back in 1995 when he was looking for a dog to drive out his cows daily, I showed him a video from the BBC's "One Man & his Dog". Alois said such small dogs could never cope with his cows & bull. A few days later, I saw an advert in the local newspaper from someone selling a young Border as she lived in a flat & could not cope with the dog. Persuaded Alois against his will to go & have a look. He came home with "Asta" and probably thought so what if yet another animal runs around the farmyard. Well within just a few days Asta took over the cow management & where several of the family had to be present to do the job, she did it alone with just one person to open & close gates. Alois was amazed & in the course of the years bred several litters with Asta & always offered us a puppy but as we were both working we always declined, until 2003, when we finally fell for Flash. Alois is a natural talent with all animals, he ouzes calmness and security. You ought to see him galopping bareback over a ditch on a snowy moon lit night. It's as if he is one with the horse. I am convinced that the quietness he projects is transmitted to the animals. Strange really as Alois was the "wildest" of the younger Grosskitzighofener inhabitants, well known for his pranks & his like for the odd beer. However he was always there to help everyone in the village.
A bit quieter now thanks to Nadja's influence (not just because she was (is) in the police force) and since the arrival of Marleen (3 days before Luna was born), he still sends out the vibes. He no longer has a Border as he has moved on from farming directly - still keeps the odd pig and does his own butchering- but the connection with such dogs has continued with Nadja's cattle dog. My 1st impression of the breed was that they were aggressive but this was 100% wrong. Wonderful family dog. Nadja wrote on her Facebook page that with a Cattle Dog you don't need any other baby sitter! Luna & Nala were also inseperable, playing together constantly.
It was great to see them all & thanks for coming out to ADW to visit us, it's always a great pleasure and hopefully it won't be long until we can try your homemade Leberkaes! At the latest, perhaps we may meet up in 2013 for the Annual Grosskitzighofener Wanderritt when Nadja can spend a bit more time in the saddle and I can also take part!