
This is a story I was asked to write for the newsletter at my Obedience Dog Club back in 2001/2.
April is a Border Collie, born on a dairy farm on 4-4-1993. We started training at DTC in July 1993. April had a quiet life at home for 7 1/2 yrs except for training days when she plods along in her own sweet time. But if she sees another dog running, jumping or doing dumbell work & she's doing off lead work or a recall, off she goes to chase them. Then along came Sooty............
Sooty was born on 10-16-2000. My son brought her home from work on 11-24-2000. April's 1st experience with Sooty was when she walked under April's belly & put her mouth up to her teat. April jumped in the air in fright & ran outside. Whenever Sooty saw April she would go up to her to play but April would either run away or turn her head as if to say, "That annoying pup's not there." On day 4, April finally started to play with Sooty when she approached.
Sooty adores April, she watches her to see what she's going to do before she does it herself. Sooty has learnt to bark at & chase the birds from our backyard, she has learnt to watch for our cat when we let her out in the mornings & chase her when she jumps over the fence. My parents live next door & each morning they sit on the back steps & watch intently for my mother to give them some leftovers. (They still do)
They like to play tug-a-war together & both take turns instigating the game. Sooty lopes around the yard, trying to get April's attention so she will play with her. April sometimes gets cranky with Sooty & snaps at her, but Sooty always comes back for more. Sooty is a ball-a-holic & when they go to the park Sooty chases the ball, while April chases Sooty.
When I come home either one or both dogs will be waiting at the side gate. Sooty will wag her tail & smile, then April comes around the corner all excited & crying. Sooty blocks her way & nuzzles at April's mouth. April gets cross with her because she wants to get to me. I try to always pat April 1st but Sooty gets in the way which makes her more cross & she growls & snaps at her.
I think having a second dog has done April the world of good, she has become very fit chasing around after Sooty, even if she annoys her at times. I think April likes having Sooty around as well.
Due to April's arthritis, they haven't played tug for a few years & April has lost all the muscle she built up when Sooty was younger. April still chases Sooty, chase a ball in the backyard, even though she sometimes trips over.