Mondog

What a Save!

Posted by Ellie
A young black and white border collie is standing on the green grass of a football (or soccer) pitch in front of a goal post. Her tongue is hanging way out and her black ears are half raised. She has a big red ball in front of her on the grass.
What a Save!

When Joni was this age, we couldn’t take her off the leash near any ball game that might be happening nearby. She would (and did) run in and get involved. And, trust me, you’ll not easily get a ball past her. This is what she was born to do (with sheep, not balls, but you get the idea). The first time this happened was at a school tryout and she was accepted for the team as a goalkeeper. Joni! Joni!

The newest thing, it seems, is a game called Sheep Balls, where the balls represent sheep, with her playmate (me, I guess) moves the balls (at least 3) in such a way as to exercise her natural herding ability and blocking skills, as well as disciplining her to follow instructions rather than acting randomly. I will have to wait for spring to try this one out, but am grateful for a reader who told me about this great new game, invented specially for border collies. It looks as if it’s a great exercise for her trainer, at the same time. Just what I need!

Joni and the First Blue Ball

Posted by Ellie
A black and white border collie pup is lying on some old beige floor lino. She has a blue ball between her white paws and has her mouth over it, chewing it. She is looking up at the camera sideways, with her lovely brown collie eyes.
Joni’s First Blue Ball

It’s a day for a puppy photograph. Thinking about it, though, most days are good days to see a puppy pic. This was Joni when she was about 10 weeks old, with her first blue ball. She was a terrible chewer, as you can see, and was on her way to destroying this, but was able to spare a few seconds to glance up at me.

A friend posted that she wished she could hit rewind on her life and just pause for a few moments. So this is my rewind moment. Joni is now almost 10. Have a lovely day, friends.