She's BACK

[stash247]

After a two and a half year, two owner odyssey, my little red heeler, Georgia, has come home, again!
I worked this pup, from a 3 month old, until she was 9 months, for a lady friend, with whom she then resided, to the point that she all but read english; a wonderful animal, but definitely requiring attention, out of her 'energy level'.
Her time with the GF was nearly two years, and the two are to this day, the best of friends, but, as red heads go, the quadriped was smarter than the biped, so it was far from a 'marriage made in heaven', for them.
Outplaced her, to a second home, with a guy I know who has all the knowledge, and skills, to make her a 'productive citizen', but lacks the time(my oversight), and, in less than four months, I got "the call", again, last Saturday morning, telling me of all her 'anti social behaviors', legal ramifications, etc.
So I drove down, to pick up the dog, and was immediately charged by this little terrorist, who promptly rolled onto her back, at my voice.
We have spent the last three days, re-learning simlple rules, and she is on the bed as I write this.
Yesterday, excepting a half hour, at the Vet's, on a tab, she spent eleven hours, at work, at heel, without an issue, and never leashed!
I own some stupendous guns, with history, documentable, but never have been owned by such an amazing animal. Makes one wonder, I guess, what is really important, in this life!
My post is to announce the celebration of my re-evaluation, of my purpose in this vail: suddenly, I am thrust into the role of 'dog owner' again, when, in fact, the dog owns me.
More, tomorrow, as the plot develops, Terry

[rosierita]

red heelers/blue heelers take ALOT of time & attention... we had to put our blue heeler down this past summer bc she got into a nasty habit of biting people (we put up w/ it for over 2 yrs, but she just got worse). she was well trained elsewhere, but not worth the liability.

well, she was never trained to herd cows, which was our intention when we got her, but she was a faithful couch potato. my parent still have her sister.

sounds like that dog is 1 lucky girl to have you back.

[Craig]

Stash: You are one very lucky person to be with such a friend.

Sounds to me like someone is trying to tell you where that dog belongs.
Take the hint, and keep her.

[berto64]

Good boy stash, sit, now scratch my ears. lol

Sounds like you've got a partner for life if you just let it happen.

Just like my wolf & Me. She picked me and is the best thing that ever happened to me.

[Bruce FLinch]

Congrat's Doggy Daddy!

[stash247]

Guys. if there'a a God in Heaven, he's steady teaching me! (Rosarita, you are included!)
This pretty little girl's momma chewed me up, twice, once on the hand, once on the ankle, before she was 48 hours old!
I know dogs will bite, and expect the odd happening, but, not here.
I took her to her second home, that of an old friend, when the lady who owned her expressed concern for agressive behavior, toward bicyles, old men, and diesel vehicles, but all of this was reported, not observed; the second owner, as well, reported the same kind of behavior, and a fear of lawsuits from the same.
I worked this little girl, from 3 months old, 'til 9 months, on verbal and hand commands, and have never had a more apt student.
Cut to the present: she has spent the last 4 days with me, at a 'Radio Control' airport (Model Airplanes), my home, my work, which is a fairly busy Garage, at a very busy intersection, totally of any restraint, excepting only the half hour, at the vet's.
NO issues, of any kind!
I wanted her the day I saw her, and worked her like she was mine, when she was a pup, rewarded by affection beyond most humans, whether she was being praised, or scolded, fior the benefit of her then, owner, my girlfriend, of several years.
When she couldn't cope with Georgia, any longer, I found her a 'Country' home, with a fellow I thought, could.
He struck out, as well, and called me last Friday nite, telling me of her transgressions. I told him I'd be down to get her in the morning, as I would not suffer her loss. WAY too good an animal!
Rolled up to his door, and the dog charged, with all the voice she has, and rolled on her back, at the single word "Rousch", tongue a gaggle, and tail wagging, shortly to be up in my face, and licking!
Rosarita, this is the littlest dog I have ever owned, most before being Dobies, Boxers, Rotts, and such, but there is so much personality here, I cannot resist!
Just last night, in a trip to pick up my reading glasses, the GF asked "If you trust her so much, how about letting your grandson ride his bike, in front of her?"
She provides 'after school care' for him, til mom can pick him up.
Sure, I answered, if Giovanni wants to play!
Kid rode out, at her instruction, and up and down the street, for a half an hour, with the little red heeler, at my ankles, the whole time; he even called to her, "Georgia, come get me, come bite me" several times; talk about invitation, and temptation! She knows him, and well. (Georgia)
She's been with me, two full (11 Hour) days at work, with cars, trucks, busses, and really every low IQ individual, in the county, with absolutely, NO ISSUES.
I realise the warning you offered is appropriate, to 'typical' animals, and totally agree, as they are a 'herding' breed, and do what they must, to get their job done.
This one is almost human! I would walk thru the rowdiest Kindergarten class on earth, with her, off lead, without reservation.
Rosarita, I appreciate your concern, and advice, but let me throw you a real curve: Is it possible, that a little Red Heeler could pick the home she wanted, and then manipulate the owners, until she got what she wanted??
I am normally pretty logical, but in this case, I really gotta wonder!
Bottom line is, she's here 'til one of us dies, off the lead, and provided for, should I be the one to die, first!
Response is welcomed>

[Marlin T]

Ya buddie, I know how you feel!!!

Your story brought a tear to my eye and smile to my face.

So this is how things work around our house. Me, shadow belongs to me. Virginia, she belongs to shadow. To tell you the truth, I wouldn't want it any other way!!



Sorry the pic is a little dark and you can't see his no tail having ass, born that way. Not cropped.

[rosierita]

stash ~ i think it's quite possible!! dogs have GOOD memories & they know when someone REALLY cares for them.

our yote (her name) wasnt doing the herding type of nipping, she was all out visciously biting people. something wasnt quite "programed" right up stairs. she was extremely SMART, so there was no sending her off to my parents' house, bc she would NOT stay. she was like a homing pigeon. (my parents wanted her & would have taken her, had i allowed them to.) over a 2 yr period of time, she got WAY WORSE & she got to were she would NOT listen.... troy is the reason we waited so long to put her down. his final straw was when he witnessed some of her behavior himself (she bit an electrician sub) & the day i almost got trampled by 2 young horses bc we couldnt call her off of them. (i had a pulled muscle in my back that day, so i wasnt moving very fast either.) anyway ~ i hate that it turned out like it did... her sister has NEVER displayed the behavior that yote did & my parents still have her.

[stash247]

Originally Posted by rosierita

stash ~ i think it's quite possible!! dogs have GOOD memories & they know when someone REALLY cares for them.

our yote (her name) wasnt doing the herding type of nipping, she was all out visciously biting people. something wasnt quite "programed" right up stairs. she was extremely SMART,
Rosie, I wish I could have worked her for two weeks.
Dogs and kids respond in exactly the same ways, to life's rules, and training, though I will offer the opinion that dogs learn quicker, and ask a lot less questions!
Both require structure, in their lives, and consistant rules. Both have to understand who the 'Alpha Dog', the patriarch, or matriarch, of the pack.
"Because I'm the Mom, and I said so", will fly for the first ten years, or so, but then you need more!
With dogs, one must understand the behavior of their mother, as she 'counsels' pups, and as any other adult dog would do, if of higher 'pack status', if multiple animals are present.
Georgia is far from my first dog, and not the first Heeler, either, just one with a ton of heart, and personality. Most of my dogs have been 'problem animals' at my acquisition; all, to date, have learned to live responsible, productive lives, although a couple cost me a ton of stitches, to get there.
Back in '69, or '70, I kinda 'stole' a Sentry dog, from the Army, because she was far too good to be shot up for surgical training, then put down.
90 # Doberman, who had lost her handler, in a traffic accident, near Ft Bragg. I talked to the Doc, paid for his (long) dinner, knocked her down with Atropine, muzzled her, and hauled her home, put her in the unused back bedroom, unmuzzled her, and promptly was attacked.
Of course, she was close, and I had my hands at her head, taking off the muzzle, when this developed, so I grabbed a handful of neck, and put her on her side, out of reach of her teeth, until she quit snapping, kicking, and began to whine, the sign of submission, in dogs. 10 years later, she cost me close to three Large, in legal fees, for blowing a pervert out the front door in Los Angeles, Ca, and taking about an ice cream scoop of his face, in the process. The legal fees were mostly 'Contempt Charges' because I continued to run with my, then, 3 Dobies, every morning, even after the "Quarantine" notice was posted. City wanted to know who did the biting, and I played dumb, so they "Quarantined" all three. "Sorta like arresting everybody in a bar, if somebody gets stabbed", I told the guy from the Health Dept; and threw 3 Shot Records, on the counter. "These dogs are healthier, better behaved (ask the cops who made the call), and likely smarter than your children!"
I'm good with 'hopeless cases', perhaps, because there was a time when most of my world was ready to 'write me off', and I knew it.
The first rule, of course, with dogs, is to be smarter than the dog, which, in Georgia's case, may have been overlooked; as with Yote, she is smarter than some of the guys I work with!
She absolutely knows that I will put her on the deck, in a heartbeat, if she goes 'over the line' in her behavior, but as well, values "pretty girl, good girl", a million times more than"Bad girl, bad dog"; that will put her tail between her legs in a New York minute!
We have established, long ago, that I am the 'Alpha Dog', around here, and she understands her status; I am merciless with correction, if I think the 'rule' might not be clear, in her mind, or 'punishment' if she has worked to the rule, in the past. Every day, the same way.
For dogs that just 'go off', I use 20' or so of 550# parachute cord, on the collar, and 'round a chunk of broomstick; yank them over on their back, every time they charge a stranger, bicyclist, diesel truck, and they learn, pretty quick, if you are there to pin them to the ground, 'til they whine!
This is 'Monday Morning Quarterbacking' in your case, I know, and I wish I had heard of the problem, sooner!
I truly believe that God makes no 'Bad' dogs, but a lot of 'less than knowledgeable' owners.
Come up to speed, and understand them; they are the most faithful and willing friends on the earth; My little red terrorist has come home, and will remain, until one of us dies, because I will do what I must, to make it so, and, as the 'Alpha Dog', have the power to do so!
I truly believe they are more noble than people, in their loyalty; it never varies, and a good dog is a better companion, than a good(?) spouse!

[berto64]

Agreed!

[stash247]

Berto, I'm not sure what we agreed upon, but 'bad dog' salvation is one of the lights in my life; most of their problems are attributable to lousy handlers, or owners.
Unfortunately, my means are limited, so I must be selective, in my 'rescues', but there is no excuse for a good dog, with a few bad habits, to be put down!
If I can teach a dog to perform, in two or three languages, at no more than a spoken word, and trust the animal, anywhere, how hard can it be?
I'm not real smart, but I don't have to be, just, smarter than my charges.
Just now, Georgia followed me out to the kitchen, and, when I turned back to the office, simply looked at me; "Lai dei", and she followed, a point, and a snap, of my fingers, and she's back on the bed.
A friggen Texas heeler, working to Vietnamese; who would have believed?
My point is uncertain, but my aim, confirmed
I would gladly spend the rest of my life, rehabilitating alleged 'problem dogs' if I could find the way to do it!

[rosierita]

stash ~ i wish i'd known before.... i'd have sent her to you!

unfortunately, my time these days is scarce. i've enjoyed working w/ problem dogs in the past & have even been offered $$ for working w/ other people's problem dogs & 1 time, a problem WOLF! (w/ the wolf, i was 5 mos. pregnant w/ ashley at the time, the owner was a TOTAL LOSER & i turned him down. when i turned him down, i told him he was a LOSER & didnt deserve that animal.)

[SouthernMoss]

Stash, that's great to hear that you and Georgia are together again!

[berto64]

I was agreeing that a good dog is a better companion than a Good(?) spouse.

Pudgy is my rock. Always there.

[stash247]

Berto, what's a 'good spouse'?
SoMo, we are,and it's a marriage made in Heaven
The both of you, it's not without legal risk, or potential problems, that we rejoin, but rather, she's too good a dog to be put down!
I do 'Hopeless cases' not out of love for the owners, but for some damned fine dogs, worth far more than the idiots, who formerly owned them; whether they go back to their former owners, is at my discetion, by prior agreement!
Georgia was owned by my girlfriend, an 'animal smart' lady, but not up to this 'Personality Plus' dog; she needed an 'out' which was, at the time, a former military dog handler, 30 miles south.
So. I pick up, and re-locate the dog, a 'Honeymoon' that lasted four months, with David, until he called, Friday Night, having poblems, with her!
To me, in most cases, a dog is a dog, but this litltle lady is far and away the smartest I have ever worked; she 'get's it' in an hour, where other dogs take a day!
She works to hand signals, or verbal commands, like a robot!
Better yet, 'Bad dog' is all the initiative she needs, to change behavior!
Spent the morning, with Rachel, in Harper, Tx, shopping for doves, at a livestock auction, and the afternoon, in Luchenbach,Tx, with the dog at heel, 3 feet from my feet, amidst a hoarde of loud motorcycles, with no issues; she was a perfect lady!
She spent last week, 11 hours a day, with me at work, in a busy garage, people in and out,all day, every day, without issue, as well!
And, I will add, the 1/2 hour of 'on leash ' time was at the vet's, by his rules; Saturday, at Luchenbach, they request the dogs be on a leash, so, complied, but gave the other end to the dog, as that was not real specific!
A lot of folks spoke to me, about the dog being 'on her own leash', all on the 'plus ' side, and several wanted to take her home, to which my answer was, of course, 'not a chance'
I'm beginning to think that the root problem was that the dog was smarter than either prior owner; I work her hard, like walking around a grocery store parking lot, with many distractions, lots of people, animals,and vehicles, on a short, but verbal, lead, and yet have to deal with problems; she's just that good!
I've worked a couple of 'smaller' dogs, before, but most of my experience is with 'substantial' animals,Dobies, Rots, Shepherds, and such, dogs that could darn well 'take you home', right now!
This little girl has the heart of a lion, the a** of a lamb, with no regard to the difference, and would go to the wall, in a heartbeat, if she thought I were threatened.
WTF do I do, with her? As I said, "too good to be put down", and "too smart for previus owners", seem to apply, we have a happy deal, up to the moment!

[henry0reilly]

I had a German Shepard mix that I raised from a puppy. I was living with a woman who had three kids when we got him. The deal was I would take care of what went in and the youngest boy would take care of what came out.

When she and I split up I kept the dog. He lived to be almost 16 and I had to have him put to sleep when he couldn't get around any more.

A more recent ex g/f has Jack Russell/Blue Healer cross. He's the cutest little thing and he loves me to death because I let him "be a dog" when I took him for walks. She tries to make him "behave" but he rebels against that.




This is the same photo but photoshopped just a little

[stash247]

Originally Posted by henry0reilly

A more recent ex g/f has Jack Russell/Blue Healer cross. He's the cutest little thing and he loves me to death because I let him "be a dog" when I took him for walks. She tries to make him "behave" but he rebels against that.




This is the same photo but photoshopped just a little

I believe you may be on to something, there, in letting a dog 'be a dog'
Georgia is a Heeler, a name derived from the tendancy of this herding breed to 'nip' at the heels of cattle, sheep, horses, or anything else they are employed to herd; how shall I take this out of her genes?
I can't, and wouldn't, if even I could, because it is the essence of who and what she is!
Rather, when we go out the front door, I accept her for what she is, with only the admonition, "work close", as we depart!
We were in Fredericksberg, Tx, in the AM, had lunch, in Luchenbach, amid probably 100 loud motorcycles, and 400 people, and got home, around 1800 hrs, with a stop in the afternoon,at the local Grocery Store, for the GF to buy supplies.
NO issues, excepting a loud, obnoxious Chihuahua, who lives up the road, whom was 'sent home', at about 20 mph, at my request, by the heeler; the chihuahua was out in the road, harassing an old, and obiously uncomfortable, old lady, who was walking.
I put the dog on the Chihuahua, called her home, once the work was done, and continued to pull weeds, in the front yard, with the heeler back at my feet.
The old gal stopped, looked, and remarked "do you do these things for everybody, or what?", to which I couldn't, but laugh. "No Ma'am, just when she is otherwise unemployed", my response, of course, resulting in a long and telling conversation, about how she has three times been chewed on, by small breeds, without manners; she asked about Georgia, what she was, how she could react and move so quckly, and I explained to her, what the little girl was about, that to move horses, you have to be faster than they are, to her total amazement.
So far, so good, and nothing but paradise in the future!

[Marlin T]

Hay Stash






Where are the pics of your puppy doing some tricks?

[stash247]

I'm not too computer literate, admittedly, to post all the pic's, and effects, that some are able to post; sorry. She's across the hall on my bed, as I write, with a week behind her, without a nip.
Yesterday, we rode a hundred miles, maybe more, with stops in Fredericksberg, to visit, and Luchenbach,for lunch, and to look at the motorcycles, with no issues, as expected.
Girlfriend still swears I trust her too much, and that she'll 'go south' on me, sooner or later, but this is a dog, not a computer, and dogs, I understand!
We spent the afternoon, yesterday, at the grocery store in Boerne, Tx, in the parking lot, looking at cars, people, dogs, et al ,in the area, with little result, beyond a man asking, about the dog, about breed, and such, with the response that he wished his dogs would 'work close' as well.
I will study some, and find a way to post some pictures, as this is not only te smartest, but the prettiest, animal I have ever worked with.

[stash247]

On her third week, still at the shop, every day, on my bed, every night, without issues; the fuel bill's killing me, as we have not resolved a way for her to ride the bike.
I ask you all: is it possible, that 32 pounds of canine personality, could have decided where she wanted to live, two years ago, and "acted out', in three different homes, just to get back?
It seems to me, obvious, that she was some smarter than her prior owners, but for her to "come home" to me, after more than two years, and behave as a civilised dog, from the gate, after all the problems, enroute, stretches my imagination!
I know she is happy, here, and 'home to stay', until one of us dies, and have spoken to my attorney,to modify my will, should I go first, to provide for her; still, the idea a dog could 'act out', to the end of being where she chose to be, challenges me.
All of your thoughts are welcome.

[stash247]

Well, we've wore out the third week, with little Georgia still on the mend, and well.
Went to a "Stock Dog" trials, in Helotes,Tx, this morning, to watch some serious 'working dogs' move sheep, a big deal event with the "Hill Country stock dog breeders Asociation" almost to my chagrin; these were mostly Border Collies, with clumsy handlers, trying to put four random sheep in a pen, against the clock!
Most moved too fast, spooking the sheep, a couple , DQ'd , for actualy 'getting into' the stock, with their teeth, overly aggressively, for the game!
The one Heeler in the competition spotted us, in the stands, and fell 'off the job', entirely, watching Georgia, instead of the sheep!
Funny, to me , because the words, "Bring 'em in", will move a pen full of cattle into the chute, with no formal training, on our part!
The 'Little Red Rocket' continues to grow, in my estimation, because of her judgement, and heart!
In the afternoon, we went home, and met the GF's son, who has a huge Chocolate Lab, who the youngster felt the best dog on earth, until challenged, this evening. I'll allow, that as Labs go, Cole is a good dog, albeit, somewhat warped, in his training. I told him, right from the gate, that he was out matched, but he would not listen, "Cole will eat her for lunch', or some such, his response.
Somebody, please explain the obvious(I was there) to me, in how a 32 pound heeler puts a hundred pound Lab, on the run, in 30 seconds, or less! True enough, she nipped him on the balls, right from the gate, to get his attention, but she was outweighed, 3 to 1, in this deal!
True enough, he put himself between she, and me, and is sorta goofy, all the time,but Georgia deals with 'stupid', every day!
She still deals with day to day challenges, with, apparently, the thought that I might 'run off and leave her' as a primary concern, but continues to grow, and work 'wide', so long as she can see me. We were both tremendously embarrassed, yesterday, watching dogs doing things on command, one step at a time, and,frankly, not too well, that the little one does on her own, with nothing but a release, and a command to herd, between stock and results; I point, and the cows, or horses go where I am pointing, without exception, or excitement, of the stock, and she has done such work, from three months.
To watch, as we did, a dozen high dollar dogs, with profesionnal handlers, doing the job so poorly, yesterday, was a real 'reality check', at least for me.
Here's the kicker!
We spent the whole day, 'off lead', while most of the 'trials dogs', spent the day on a leash, except for their time 'working', in the arena, with the sheep, and in the company of a couple of thousand people, dressed in kilts, and such, in the carnival, with her first owner, my girlfriend, Rachel, who was more or less astounded,that I would do such a thing, in such company.
But, why not? I live with this dog; I work with this dog, daily, and I trust her like no other; she will recall, on a word, from a 'full charge' situation, and works to heel better, without a lead, than with!
We are working now, on a different 'release word', for which I may be in error, for 'agressive behavior',of which she is most certainly capable of, in my or her defense, but not a typical situtation, to solve the problem of big dogs, and nasty people.
It's a hard call, sometimes, for me, as a human, to decide what course of action is apropriate, in any 'given' situation; the last thing I want is a dog, with the same misgivings, so we are working to 'understand' the conditions under which, biting people is a 'good thing' .
Stopped to buy cigarettes, yesterday, and was accosted by a bum, in front of the liquor store, asking for money, on my way in; I offered a $20 bill, on the seat of the truck, windows down, if he wanted it badly enough; the bum's comment, when I left, was "don't you ever feed that dog?"
The money was still on the seat!
She's a 'natural protector', and would, no doubt, lay down her life for me, but, she's too good a dog to lose, for an intemperant bite.
So, we continue to work, daily.
I guess my quandry lies in the area of expectation; this bitch is smarter than any dog, and most people, I have ever worked (with).
Sometimes I wonder, who, is working who !
But the bottom line is, She's home, to an environment where she can be all she can be, with total acceptance, given a bit of judgement, on her part, and will be here, until one of us dies, subject of course, to the limits of social behavior, in most cases.
Friends, I've worked a lot of dogs, in nearly sixty years, good dogs, smart dogs, dogs that would do things most people find extrordinary, but this little red bitch is the smartest, most alert, and most affectionate, in my memory.
She does with a third the mass, things that I never would have expected, of much larger, more capable animals!
Not bragging, but rather praising, Georgia is everything I have looked for, for many years, and finally have found (again-Boy, am I dumb!).
Will report again, should conditions change, but at the moment. are gearing up for a trip to the Lake.
Terry

[stash247]

Got dragged, on short notice, into an 'inservice' training class, tonight; told the guy , an old friend, who was promoting the class, that because of short notice, the dog would be coming, too, which resulted in immediate resistance, as it was new ground, for him. She dined on deep fried Catfish, tonight, and pure clean water, and sat or lay, beneath my chair, for four hours. I know the instructor, quite well, having worked with him for seven or eight years, and he made the only acknowledgement that she was present, telling the others that if they did not fool with her, she would not fool with them; how telling, based only on trust, Glenn on me, me, on Georgia. No issues.
Something I somehow forgot to report, in my last post, was the serious offer, checkbook in hand, of $2500 dollars, for this dog, last weekend, by the lady she 'pushed into the shadows' at a competition, at age, 6 months!
Hell, she was an $800 dollar pup,at 8 weeks, and a bargain, at that, but few but me, saw it. Too short, too stout, I heard all the objections, and we took her home, anyhow, and too cheap; the dog can move cows, by herself, quicker by far than I can, on a horse!
She works sheep, like a computer game, Llamas, the same, and on a (stupid bet) I find she can herd cats, as well!
Obviously, she has a home, as long as one of us is breathing, my attorney has already seen to that, but tell me, and true; Have anyone of you turned down that much money on a dog???
In all fairness, this dog was bringing in 2-300 dollars, a weekend, working stock, at six months; I expect, in the next 90 days, working hard, to more than triple that!

[Marlin T]

, and on a (stupid bet) I find she can herd cats, as well!

That is funny!!

There are just some things in this world that man can't sell.

[stash247]

MarlinT, I have no need to sell anything!
David, Georgia's last custodian, has a bang tailed cat, Manx I think.
We were sitting in his yard, talking over Georgia's 'Behavior problems' when I saw the cat. I pointed, said "bring em in", and had a cat in my lap in three minutes, or less; this is, by breeding, a 'stock', or 'herding breed', animal, prone, in generalities, to be somewhat 'nippy', with anything moving, yet she has spent the last three weeks with me, at work, in a busy garage, cars, customers, in and out, few to none, known to her, without issue.
We went to my vet's, her first Monday back, to insure her shots were all up to date. He insists that all animals be on a leash; that is the only time, about a half an hour, that she's seen a leash, since she came home, and that really pissed the vet off, as she had both ends!
This animal I have worked since she was ten weeks old; I could not afford her, as a $800, 8 week old, pup, but worked her, gratis, for the lady that could, because she was just that good!
She won close to a grand, in prize money, and side bets, before she was 9 months old, against adult stock dogs, and never broke a sweat!
A lady I know, president of the local stock dog club, whose Border Collies, this little girl shamed, at 6-9 months, in herding trials, offered me more money, last Saturday, than I ever thought I could refuse, for a dog, upon recognising her, and upped the offer, by $600 US, yesterday!
She's really that good!
She's 3" short of what the AKC says is 'right' for a Heeler, and my vet says she is all muscle, but long, for her height; still, last Saturday, she had no problem with the belligerent owner of a hundred pound Chocolate Lab, or the dog. She simply explained the rules; the lab may now have some relief from his scrotal pain, the owner, my girlfriend's son, has an ankle that is 'improving'.
She will herd, to point of aim, anything with the ability to move, under it's own power, but is totally devoted to being a 'good dog', until directed.
And, she's two years out of practice.
Bro, I would trust my life to a good dog, over a man, anytime.
I've been lucky enough to snag several good dogs, dogs that could almost walk on water. A lot of Dobies, that would take a man out of a tree, 12 feet off the ground, and hold him; NEVER, have I worked a smarter, more reliable animal.
This 32 pound bundle of energy is the best of the best; she is smarter, I'm afraid, than her previous owners, thus, their 'issues', with her, but we have known one another since she was a day old; her momma, also an exceptional animal, chewed my wrist, and ankle, quite well on the day I met Georgia, I guess that is the price of admission.
Please feel free to call BS on my post; if you have a cat, we are relatively free to travel, to accept appologies!
I've worked dogs for forty years; this is the one I wanted, never knowing it, the whole time.
The best of the best.

[stash247]

Saturday morning, and it's drizzling.
As expected.
Buddy of mine has an ol lady who raises, trains, breeds horses; guess we'll head to his place (he knows we're coming, she does not), and get even for one of her horses chewing paint off the hood of my truck; Georgia needs the work, she has the stock, and John simply don't much care, about 'stressing' the horses!
And, Marlin T, she has delivered the second 'flying cockroach' (A Bull Grackle), to my feet, after it dared to invade her food bowl, at work.
By comparison, cats are an easy animal to work!
I figure, with 90 days, or so, more work, she's gonna be the terror of the stock dog club, here, and be making me some serious money, again.
Joanne, president of the local club, sees it coming; she's the one who wants the dog so badly, as she has shamed her border collies, mature dogs, as a pup; Rob, who works an excellent, 9 year old Border collie/Heeler Mixed breed, does too, but he's more 'up front' about it. His bitch works the 'clean up' detail, at the trials, putting the sheep, cattle and such, thru the chute, after other dogs 'time out', without getting the job done, and she's a darned fine worker, but geting sorta long of tooth.
Rob is the only one in the club to see Georgia work in open pasture, and his first comment was that he could not believe his eyes; how could one dog move a hundred plus Angora Goats, and never lose one, in half a mile?
I'm told she is mistreated, being allowed to sleep on my bed, ride in the cab of the truck, etc., but refuse to make her a tool, when she is such a bundle of personality, and affection.
Fact is, she's my buddy, and a good and protective friend, and if she never worked again, I'll still feed her til she dies; that she is as good a stock dog as she is, is simply the icing on our cake!
gotta go, and harass some horses!