Sheeps And Dogs

Yesterday was a first for both the children and myself: watching sheep dogs in action. These working class dogs were doing what they're actually bred to do at the National Sheep Dog Finals held in nearby Sturgis.

This is quite a change from observing our own doggie do nothing but sleep in various spots throughout the house, eat bonbons, sleep some more, and bark at people and other dogs outside the window.

Shreve's breed, the Keeshond, was actually bred as a Dutch barge dog. Except for an occasional bath, Shreve's closest encounter with water and/or vessels was when he took a tourist boat ride with Mikel and me while vacationing in Kennebunkport, Maine, in the pre-children era.



Technically, Shreve's in the non-sporting class, but Mikel has always joked that he's a member of the non-working group (which doesn't really exist).