Petra! Sorry for those of you routing for Natasha. I just can’t yell that across several pastures.
It’s been a week since Petra arrived and I feel terrible I haven’t introduced her formally. I wanted to give her some time to adjust, and to be a dog. Yes, “be a dog,” a notion that is somewhat foreign to me.
I’ve spent my entire life loving dogs, often going beyond that by dressing them up, the babying, cooking their meals, etc. And I will still do that! But these dogs (Livestock Guardian Dogs) are different. They don’t want all of that, and of course they don’t need it. So as much as I want to scoop these adorable puppies up and love on them constantly, I don’t. I let them do what they love – work.
They’re still in the bonding phase where they are getting to know all of our animals, and vice versa. They are fantastic with the goats and donkeys, but can’t be fully trusted not to chase a bantam chicken yet.
Petra was ready to work from the minute she got here, feeling more comfortable around the goats than me. Don’t get me wrong, they love us too, but are even happier romping with the goats all day. They don’t come bounding at me when I call them, and that’s okay. I want them to prefer staying with the animals.
This has certainly been a unique experience for me, considering I never imagined myself raising working dogs outside. I learn something new every day and know these dogs are happiest while working. I will not interrupt that. I’m so thankful they are in our lives and will soon be protecting our animals. We hope you will follow along… the adventures of Boris & Petra have just begun!
