My entire life, I have been told by humans that I am a Border collie. I was rescued as a stray, homeless, in Adams County, southwestern Illinois, along the Mississippi River, near Quincy. A woman found me eating garbage out of a dumpster, I was just a baby. I was kept in a shelter with other dogs. A very sad place. A man from Great Lakes Border Collie Rescue drove me from Quincy to Crown Point, Indiana, where Kathy P. fostered me. I remember Kathy, she was very nice to me. She talked to me a lot, and you now what? I understood everything she said to me. I had never lived with humans, never set foot in a house. But I realized, deep in my soul, in my spirit, that humans were good. My Dad came to Kathy’s house and as soon as he saw me, I remember him saying, “He’s perfect, I will adopt him.” And two weeks later, I was living with My Dad and his Border collie, Cody. Four weeks later, Cody crossed the bridge. My Dad was very sad. But, I knew My Dad was very happy with me. He taught me, very patiently and quietly, to not lunge at cars, how to go for rides in the car, how to go for walks without a leash, how to listen very carefully and also watch his hands. I have always been a very quick learner. So, take a look at a few of my pictures. Don’t I look like a Border collie in the “classic sense?
And Border collies have some distinctive traits, that I have, too.
- Plop and drop – no spinning around in circles for BCs. When we lay down, its plop and drop…more efficient
- Eye – I use this on My Dad a lot. Let’s him know I am ready, willing, and able for the next command. I also give “eye” to dogs who are checking me out. I stand my ground, and give the prospective friend “eye.”
- Very intelligent – I am a quick learner and I respond immediately to My Dad’s commands.
- Watchful – My Dad can leave me outside and I watch everything. I will NEVER run away.
- Herding instincts – Gripping is a herding dog’s way a getting the attention of the stock they are in charge of. I grip My Dad on the back of his left thigh to get his attention. No damage. When I am out for a ride in the car, I will “herd” cars when we are stopped – twirling rapidly, always counter-clockwise.
However, I do not have an undercoat. And my BLACK fur is VERY black. Think, deep-black, ink-black, coal black, pure black. But my fur also has a shiny luster to it.
And this brings us to the “reveal.” My Dad’s sister, Jean, who coincidentally is the proud owner of an Australian Cattle dog, gave My Dad a Wisdom Panel Canine DNA test for Christmas. And My Dad retrieved the results today. Drum roll…….
I know, all of my loyal and faithful readers are looking up Catahoula Leopard dog. So, seems like my mom or dad were full Border collie and my other parent probably looked like a Border collie…because I certainly look like a Border collie, right? Everyone says I am a bit tall for a Border collie – perhaps the Catahoula in me? And I have a great nose, I am very good at tracking, and have a strong prey drive. The Catahoula, again?
Well, time to go for a walk, the last walk of the day. And I may keep the results SECRET. All of my human and dog friends (except for one idiot Newfoundland) like me VERY much and are secure in their belief that I am a Border collie. I see no need to confuse them.
