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You are here >>> Breed Advice >>> The Working Sheepdog >>> Welfare Issues - A Simple Analogy |
| Border Collie Rescue - On Line - The Sheepdog and the Car - A Simple Analogy |
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| Imagine your a young 'rep' - a travelling salesman - you rely on your car to get your work done and guarantee your income |
| It's now 7.40 am and time to get going - you rush out to the driveway - you have 20 minutes to get to your fist call. |
| There are 3 cars on the drive - |
| The old Morris Minor - you haven't driven it for years but it was your first car - now it's rooted to the spot - covered with a 'Tarp' - engines runs but only on a good day - tyres a bit bald - grass growing around the wheels. |
| Your Ford Escort - 1 previous lady owner - needs occasional slight attention - has the habit of stalling at the most inconvenient time, but is a good, economical little runner when given a bit of regular attention - you keep it under the car port and use it now and then. |
| Dad's BMW - starts every time - kept in the garage - comfortable ride - older than the Escort - full service history - reliable engineering, albeit a little juicy - nice looking car - never let you down. |
| So - your behind schedule - which car do you take? Which car is most likely to guarantee you to keep your appointments and your job? |
| Imagine your a young Shepherd - custodian of flocks - you rely on your dog to get the work done and guarantee your income. |
| It's 7.40 am and time to get some Ewes in for the Vet - you rush out to the yard - you have 20 minutes to get the job done. |
| There are 3 dogs in the yard - |
| The old retired dog - hasn't worked for years, but he was your first dog - now he stays in the yard - chained to his kennel - legs are a bit stiff - claws have grown long - the fur sticking out between his toes reminds you of a Hobbit. |
| Your young sheepdog - 1 previous kind handler - needs a bit more training - has the habit of driving the sheep in the wrong direction at the most inconvenient time, but is a promising little worker when given that regular bit of attention to training - you keep it in an outhouse. |
| The Boss's fully trained ISDS registered trialling dog - very obedient - responds to every command - older and more experienced than your young dog, but won't let you down - reliable - nice looking dog - lives in it's own purpose built kennel and run. |
| So - your behind schedule and Vet's time costs money - which dog do you take? Which dog is most likely to guarantee to get the job done. |
| Tempting to take the BMW and save yourself some stress - in fact all through the bad weather you do! |
| Tempting to take the Trials dog and save yourself some time - in fact all through the bad weather you do! |
| One spring morning, after many months of regular use, the BMW didn't start! The first time this has ever happened. |
| One spring morning, after many months of regular use, the trials dog seemed to be lame! The first time this has ever happened. |
| You go to the Ford Escort - 1 previous lady owner - needs occasional slight attention - that doesn't start either - its been out of use for too long - grass is growing around it's wheels too - shame you didn't keep up that regular bit of attention |
| You go to your young sheepdog - 1 previous kind handler - needs a bit more training - lost a bit of muscle because he hasn't been used all winter - his claws have grown long and he's not very fit - shame you didn't keep up with the exercise and training. |
| What about the Morris Minor? - no use - not even road-worthy - the Escort needs some serious attention and the BMW is broken. |
| What about the old retired dog? - well the spirit may be willing, but the flesh is too weak - the young sheepdog needs some serious attention and the trials dog is lame. |
| Dogs - like cars - need regular attention - regular care - regular servicing and annual overhauls - if you only have one and you wear it out - you end up with none at all - if you have several, but use one and neglect the rest, you will have nothing to fall back on. |
| How easy it can be to end up with nothing - even through you knew that something would always be needed to keep you in your job - your home - the security of your family - and your lifestyle. |
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