Slight Detour: Come Bye, Bridie

We told Bridie on the way out to Robyn's yesterday that she was about to experience a brand new adventure in her 3-year-old life.

Bridie didn't seem to get the message at first.

She saw sheep in a pen for the first time ever in her life.

BUT

She wanted her mommy and her daddy.

We handed over the leash to Robyn who took Bridie into the makeshift pen they had set up for Bridie's first session with sheep.

"Distracted" was clearly the word to describe Bridie during these first few minutes.

Every so often, while Robyn was leading Bridie around to get her acquainted with the sheep, Robyn would suddenly come running our way, holding on to that leash.

Bridie was pulling Robyn across the enclosure.

After a few minutes, I asked if maybe it would be good for Bill and me to go sit in the pickup. Robyn thought that was a good idea.

So, we led Foster back with us, climbed in and closed the doors, hoping we'd turn invisible.

Soon, Robyn's husband Bob came over to visit. While listening to us, he kept his trained sheep-herding eye on Bridie.

Bridie continued to make an occasional lunge our direction as she and Robyn circled the pen, but then, in almost a split second, her focus completely changed.

Good bye, Mom and Dad.

Hello, sheep!

We were excited, and I know Robyn was also but ever so briefly.

Suddenly the sheep took off and, in an instant, Robyn lay on the ground.

One of the sheep had connected with her leg at high speed and knocked her to the ground.

Robyn was hurting.

Nonetheless, before Bob had a chance to help her up, she lay there and announced, "We got her turned on!"

It was a bizarre few minutes watching this lady who could not put weight on her leg, seemingly putting pain aside in favor of that wonderful moment of accomplishment.

Indeed, Bridie's switch turned on to those sheep.

We stood there still in a bit of shock as Robyn managed to stand without weight on her injured leg and Bob brought her a rocking chair.

This session was not going to end because of an irritating injury. Robyn continued announcing the plan, and soon Bob took Bridie and continued on.

As Bob took Bridie around the pen, Robyn noticed that she tended to be one-sided in going with Bob behind those sheep. Bob kept reminding Bridie to get back where she belonged.

Part of that routine included the common command of "Come Bye," which means the dogs must go clockwise as opposed to "Away to me," which is counterclockwise.

Bill and I know next to nothing about the fine points of herding, but both Robyn and Bob have practiced the strategies well enough over the years to win a few "top dog" awards.

Part of Robyn's plan for yesterday included giving Bridie a 15-minute break and then bring in their 4-year-old Collie Piper to practice working the sheep.

Piper and Bridie both gave each other an introductory snarl, and then Piper went to work.

During Piper's time off, she chose me as the person to throw the pieces of wood for her to retrieve. Piper has that game mastered, for sure.

Again, I must say yesterday's session at Robyn's was a bit bizarre with her unfortunate injury, but it was obvious that Robyn is just as focused on her passion as her dogs are with their sheep.

It's neat to be around someone who loves the sport and the animals as much as Robyn.

And, we really appreciated Bob who has taken up herding over the past several years, achieving some great success in his own right.

Robyn got us started on Border Collies 18 years ago, and when she's back in form, it looks like she's may take us a step or two further with this remarkable breed that we love so much.

We're excited, and we figure that on the next trip out to Robyn's, Bridie probably could care less about Mom and Dad once she sees those beautiful sheep.

Thanks, Robyn and Bob.