If you’ve seen our social media feeds recently, you know there’s a new puppy at Star & Sparrow. This decision was no whim. Bryon and I have been considering the need for a livestock-oriented dog for a while. Between being home a lot and more farm animals on deck for this spring...the timing seemed right when a neighbor shared pictures of puppies available from her Australian Shepherd’s litter. It didn’t hurt that Bear is adorable. (Or maybe we’ll call her Stella—still haven’t fully settled on a name.)
Australian Shepherds are known for being very smart, as well as great herding dogs. Here at Star & Sparrow, we have chickens, ducks, geese, and a turkey with more of all categories heading our way soon. We also have pigs arriving in late Spring. And of course, there’s a resident blind dog who sometimes wanders uncomfortably close to the pond. An extra set of eyes would certainly be helpful.
Our plan is to train Bear to herd the birds when we are moving their pens or bringing them back from free-range time. Such assistance would have been handy a few weeks ago when our beloved Welsh Harlequin ducks swam away on the large seasonal lake (flooding put much of our property under water). My attempts to shake a can of food and call them were deafened by the joyful splashing and diving, as the trio moved further away. I spent a couple hours defeated by the fact they might be gone forever, perhaps taken by one of the local hawks or eagles. Luckily, Wendell, Mary, and Ruth eventually waddled back on land and I returned them to their pen. But I’m sure a herding dog could have sped up the process.
Having a dog with specific skills is important for us to move forward with our farming intentions. But it led to some personal introspection for me. See, in our past life, Bryon and I volunteered with several animal rescue groups. Both Buster and Whiskey came from shelters, and we fostered a baker’s dozen of dogs over the years. So it was difficult to come to terms with foregoing adoption in favor of a purchase, despite knowing it’s important to have a breed compatible to training for the necessary tasks.
So that’s how we found ourselves in the midst of sleepless nights, attempts to house train in the rain and cold, dog/dog and dog/cat tussles, and repeated lessons about not chewing on this, that, and the other. Those tedious moments are balanced by puppy kisses, snuggles, and finally seeing all three dogs sleeping together peacefully, while the cat reclaims one of her various thrones in victory.
We look forward to Bear’s progress and sharing it with you.