The Nose Knows

The weather is turning and we’re getting back outside. Shiloh has begun his rituals of checking the fence line for any furry invaders. He may not be able to see well but his nose appears to be working fine.

Life's Lessons

Patience is not my virtue! Last year at this time I was waiting for Trekker to grow enough to join our household. Time could not move fast enough. Now it seems hard to believe that we’ve only had him a year, he has weaved his way into all of our hearts and I can’t imagine not having him.

I have decide that this time of year comes only to teach me patience. IT’S NOT WORKING!!!! We are in limbo again. Will we be putting our house on the market and moving to Arizona or will we be staying? The control is out of my hands and is in the hands of the manager in the company my husband works for that I don’t know. He doesn’t seem to care that the limbo is killing me. In the meantime, we continue to prepare for both scenarios. Each day I expect the decision and each day we wait again.

On the positive note…we’re able to get outside and Shiloh is feeling pretty good. My two boys try to teach me to live in the moment. Will I ever learn?

New Discovery

Trekker here---I'm excited. I'm so excited. I found a rabbit and I chased that rabbit through the whole yard over and over again. I had to go faster than I've ever gone, I even passed Shiloh and Mom said she didn't know I was that fast. When Shiloh got tired and rested I kept going after the rabbit. I had him cornered when Mom called me for breakfast. What was I to do? I came running for a quick breakfast and then went right back out. That rabbit didn't wait for me! I checked the whole yard and couldn't find him. I finally know why Shiloh likes rabbit so much. No more am I going to only check the yard for Shiloh, I'm going rabbit hunting for me. Mom says next time she'll have the camera little more handy. Got to go there are rabbit to find!

Seeing Eye Dog

Trekker has found a new job at our house, seeing eye dog. The vet tells us that Shiloh’s sight is getting bad and Trekker seems to feel that it is his job to assist his best buddy.

Shiloh has always believed it is his job to keep our yard clear of squirrels and rabbits. Actually he’s done a good job, but over the past months he’s begun to miss some of the invaders. Trekker, on the other hand, has never cared whether they’re in the yard or not but was aware of Shiloh’s interest. As it became apparent to all of us that Shiloh couldn’t see the distant intruder, Trekker began to sound the alarm. Trekker spots the invader and runs for Shiloh. Shiloh becomes alert and Trekker leads him to squirrel or rabbit. Then other senses seem to kick in and Shiloh is on duty. With a job well done, Trekker heads off for more interesting adventures.

The dogs were kenneled while we were in Phoenix. I was told that while gone Trekker became very protective of his older charge and did not want Shiloh out of his sight. The only way to quiet him was to place Shiloh directly across from him so that he could stand guard.

Shiloh’s aging process is sad to watch and yet it’s gratifying to watch Trekker come into his own. He doesn’t herd livestock, but instead herds his buddy so that they both fulfill their destiny.