A Dog Day.

I am SO overdue writing about this amazing experience we had on the South Island of NZ but I wanted to give it it’s own post, so special was the day.  And I have been a little time strapped since then, wandering through that country and New Caledonia as I have been.  Okay.  I’ll be honest, with this hot weather I have also become a little bit lethargic.  Maybe even a little lazy……..

When Jo and Co were in NZ 4 years ago, through a series of fortunate events, they befriended Francine and Stu, their hosts at one of the homes the group was renting.  So of course it only made sense that we book to stay at their rental again this time.  A delightfully fun and warm couple of Brits, they also have a small ranch operation, complete with cows, sheep, horses and my beloved border collies.  It was #1 on my very, very short list of New Zealand goals, that I see collies working sheep so imagine how happy I was when Stu took us out and put the dogs through their paces, moving the sheep and the rams around.  And then a visit to the pasture where we were one with cows (and you should know by now how much I love, love, love cows!) including #400 who was so very friendly and came right away over to say hello to us.   

The whole experience lasted no more than a couple of hours but it truly was a dream come true for me.  These dogs are just so attached to Stu, so attentive to his every command, commands which by the way are so simple- whistles and hand signals.  There are 3 collies and 1 other dog who’s breed I can’t remember- the latter was more a puppy and crazy with enthusiasm and had to be reigned in a little but even she complied with quick adherence to Stu’s admonishments. 

Watching these dogs move the sheep around was so amazing.  If you have never seen it please try to find a video on YouTube or better still, go to a live trial if you can.  The collies were all so stealth, so professional.  The sheep complied without hesitation, gathering themselves as directed, moving along as required.  Moving en masse from one end of the pasture to the other, from one pasture to the other…. It was all unbelievable really. 

To top it all off, the proverbial icing on the cake, Francine allowed me time, very controlled time I might add as a horsewoman I am not!, on her horse for a little ramble around the yard.  Heaven. 

There were many, many, many good memories of the past 8 weeks- little ones that will undoubtedly get lost in my memory over time and big ones that will never ever be forgotten.  I will write more about it all but for now, I leave you with the dog story.  And the notation that when you travel and get the chance to meet the locals, like have dinner and play cards and go to lunch with them as we did with the lovely Francine and Stu, wow!  Priceless indeed. 

As I sip on a wine glass full of homemade lemonade, lemons from the hosts trees sweetened with honey, pool at my feet, I bid you au revoir for now….

From New Caledonia,

xo