I remember heading out to the barn for evening chores the first miserably wet and cold evening after we got Hank. I really wasn't sure how I felt about him being outside in that. I knew how much Iris and Tilly enjoy sleeping in the warm kitchen, but I'd been told not to worry. That livestock guardian dogs were different.
I looked in all of Hank's normal barn spots and he was nowhere to be found. I looked around the corner of the barn thinking he was hiding out in one of the horse stalls. No. I knew it. He was miserable and had run away from home...and then I spotted him. He was out in one of the paddocks running laps with a big happy grin on his face.
Hank and I actually prefer cold weather :-). Running laps and bouncing around playing chase and catch me became our nightly routine that winter. During the hot summer we both played let's just sit out on the hill after the sun starts to set, but when winter returned, the games resumed.
Evening seems to be a common time for animals to play. I've watched rabbits and foxes and skunks come to life as the sun starts to set. Big fields of lambs race around jumping on and off round bales or tree stumps until their mouths are open, panting. Hank and June get completely silly, too.
I'm not sure if it's just the playing time of day or if this is some sort of evening warm up, but this is their nightly routine. They are good about playing away from the flock, but I have to really watch if I'm out there so I don't get run over. Luckily I can hear them coming. If you didn't know they were best friends... :-o
June being here has been really good for Hank. If you'd have asked me a month ago if Hank was "old" I'd have said no. But as soon as we put a young dog next to him...we both had to admit Hank is getting old :-/. A month of Camp June has put a little fresh pep in his step.
Remember June's second night here? When they divided up the work and she took the front field and Hank stayed out back? Now when they feel like there is a threat, Hank works the smaller front field and June works the entire back of the farm. She can get to the fence line next to Stella's house in just a matter of seconds!
There was some action the other night and June raced up the hill while Hank and I stayed with the flock at the barn. Once everything had settled back down I gave both dogs a chew bone and they sat side by side out back, prepared for the rest of the night.
They are a good team. It's been fascinating watching them work together. If we'd have had any idea how much Hank would love June, we'd have gotten a second dog much sooner. Or maybe he wouldn't have loved anyone but this June. Hank and June were Tim's grandparents. In case you were wondering how they got their names :-).
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A huge thank you for all the calendar and farm shop orders over the weekend!!! Everything should go out this afternoon. If you sent an email and I haven't responded, let me know.
15 comments:
It is wonderful that as much as June is a co-guardian with Hank he now has a loving playmate. Great companionship for both.
It is lovely to see the color of your trees this Fall as ours have been very dull after our big storm.
I had a Maremma, Oley, as a companion dog for 14 years. He was never happier than when the weather turned cold and the first snow happened. Much bouncing and romping happened. Love the Hank and June pics and happy that they're such good buddies.
This makes me very happy to see them like this!! I love happy dogs!!!!
Awwwww.
So good for dogs to have appropriate playmates (right size, want to play the right games....).
So glad they are such good teammates and friends.
I don't think of myself as "old," either -- but I would surely be glad to have a youngster to be the one who races to the far edges and works the bigger part of the property.
Everything about this makes me smile [with tears], including the identity of the original Hank and June. :-)
ps -- thinking about "If you didn't know they were best friends" -- I don't know what this looks like in real time, but in every single one of these captures, their faces are so soft and happy. Looking at the stills, there's no doubt they are best friends. :-) :-) :-)
Hank could teach a lot to people who have been misinformed about LGDs – those who believe that 1) they are NOT pets; 2) they will NOT tolerate other dogs; 3) that they are ALL business. All animals are so much more complex and capable than most humans give them credit for; your chicken-transporting sheep; sheep-piloting chicken; and playful, cooperative, effective LGD team (who clearly communicate with their charges) are all proof of that.
Our GSD is 11+. I don't think of her as old, but I know that word will start coming up in the next few years. I know I'll never be ready for that. We do have a plan to buy her a young companion that she can teach everything she knows about how to be the best GSD in the world, but I don't think any could ever outshine her.
There is nothing like a good pup to liven up an older dog's life. June has been a great addition to your family.
They are very sweet. It’s great how they work together and enjoy each other.
This is so heartwarming. Glad to see them working together AND enjoying each other's company.
It's so much fun to have a BFF!!!!
Such happy faces! I love to see them having so much fun together.
Hank and June look SO happy! Best thing ever! Thanks for sharing this fun ~
I love the photo of Hank’s play bow to June. And your recounting that “Hank and June” were the names of Tim’s grandparents. Surely, in Heaven, Hank and June love this too.
Yeah for Hank and June It looks like they will be best of friends! Chance always perks up when he gets Miney and Little Elvis company...I think he wishes he wasn't an only dog:)
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