I met an absolutely beautiful dog today.

[wnylib]

Sorry, no pics. Didn't have my phone on me.

I went out for a short walk and a new neighbor was out walking her dog. He was a 9 month old blue merle Australian sheepdog. Initially, I saw only his face because a fence post blocked view of the rest of him. Looked like a border collie to me so I asked if he was.

He had the playful, mischievous energy of his breed at 9 months, which brought back memories for me of the border collie that I had several years ago. The owner said she is currently dealing with his penchant for chewing everything in sight, which he obligingly demonstrated for us (without us noticing until too late) by chewing through the connection between his collar and leash while we talked.

The swirled markings on this dog were incredibly beautiful, set off by solid black ears and a white blaze on his face. I think I'm in love with this dog.

[applegrove]

1. I know. I walked behind a terrier puppy who had not yet figured out the concept of leashes.

He kept runny all over at a higher speed and then getting abruptly stopped by the leash. I wanted to say hi to him so bad but figured the owner was having enough trouble teaching him to obey and not check out fun things in a burst of energy. Cute.

Love dogs. In another life i would have had some.

[NJCher]

2. He sounds like a beautiful dog

and believe me, I know the feeling.

A month or so ago, I was asked by a friend to pick something up from a friend of hers. I had never met the friend and didn't know the neighborhood so the woman was supposed to meet me out front of her house.

Out this woman walked with a whippet. What a magnificent animal. This was a young dog, too, so still undergoing some training. So graceful and joyous, bouncing all over the yard.

I went home that night and said, "That dog made my day."

Well, re the sheepdog, maybe you can be the dog's "aunt."

[wnylib]

7. Maybe I can volunteer to walk him for her sometime.

[sprinkleeninow]

3. People on street behind our community have 2 and they are

gorgeous! I never saw one in person ever. Their markings are so beautiful.

I gave a hug and loved on one they walked last evening.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

4. Aussies are beautiful dogs but full of energy

I like herding dogs and have a bearded collie

[wnylib]

6. I have a preference for herding dogs, too,

ever since I had a border collie a few decades ago. This neighbor and I talked about the similarities between border collies and Aussie shepherds. Told her some of my experiences with the border collie. Her Aussie was lively and so innocently playful, but a handful due to his energy. After he chewed through the leash, she had to hold him by the collar which cut our conversation short. She needed to get inside for another leash since she could not hold him still by the collar and we were on a city street where she could not let an energetic puppy loose.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

8. Borders are great dogs

Have you ever been to a herding competition? Borders act like little wolves when they herd and use a "strong" eye to control sheep. Berdies herd sheep by bouncing

[wnylib]

9. I have seen herding competitions

on TV, but not in person. My border collie was a pet, not a working dog, although he did do some "work" for us, out of instinct, not training. I've written about it before on DU. Long stories. The short versions are: 1. The time he saved a toddler before she could fall over a creek bank into deep water with strong currents. He noticed her danger when the people around her didn't, and took it upon himself to give a warning bark and rush to grab her clothes and hold her back until her father got her. 2. The time I set my purse down to untie his leash from where I had put him while I was inside a store. A stranger grabbed the purse and ran. The dog chased and cornered him, scared him into dropping the purse.

He did those things on his own, without training or a command. Remarkably intelligent dog for assessing situations and taking action.

[calimary]

5. Sounds gorgeous!

But then again, all dogs are pretty doggone beautiful.