The complete answer to lockdown blues

[Garry Edwards]

Meet my new friend, Win

Well, she was new 17 years ago, now ageing gracefully, she can no longer herd sheep but still wants to Almost completely deaf but fine with hand and body signals.
She owns my youngest son, the conditions are finally right for combining so she's come to look after me until the harvest is in - he will be working almost non-stop until then.

She's delightful, and is forcing me to take the exercise I need

 

[Cobra]

That's a good age Garry,
Long may she continue

 

[Cockney]

Win, meet Rosie. A sprighty 10 year old. Rubbish pic but great dog.

Unfortunately if she spots a camera or phone point her way she's off. Hence very few pics.

 

[Garry Edwards]

I've always been a dog person, my last dog died over 5 years ago and I decided that, at my age, I couldn't give another one the quality of life needed, so I manage without - but having Win here for as long as it will take to complete the harvest has shown me what I'm missing.

I don't know how she's managed to defy the odds, she's managed to eat rat poison several times, she lost half a foot when she tried to herd a tractor that didn't cooperate and has also survived two strokes. She used to be a working dog and still wants to work, she's now a pet who deserves her retirement, she's happy enough just being in the fields when my son's working the land, but can't either sit in a combine harvester for 20 or so hours a day or run alongside it.

Win, meet Rosie. A sprighty 10 year old. Rubbish pic but great dog.

Unfortunately if she spots a camera or phone point her way she's off. Hence very few pics.

Yes. I'm supposed to be a photographer, I need to get my camera out . . .

 

[mj4456]

When our last pal passed two years ago my wife decided no more, now we just borrow /babysit next doors dog, fair weather walkers.

 

[Cockney]

I've always been a dog person, my last dog died over 5 years ago and I decided that, at my age, I couldn't give another one the quality of life needed, so I manage without - but having Win here for as long as it will take to complete the harvest has shown me what I'm missing.

I don't know how she's managed to defy the odds, she's managed to eat rat poison several times, she lost half a foot when she tried to herd a tractor that didn't cooperate and has also survived two strokes. She used to be a working dog and still wants to work, she's now a pet who deserves her retirement, she's happy enough just being in the fields when my son's working the land, but can't either sit in a combine harvester for 20 or so hours a day or run alongside it.

Yes. I'm supposed to be a photographer, I need to get my camera out . . .

Our Rosie suffers with her hips if she runs too far. As you know there's no half measure, it's either run flat out or not at all. Especially when there is a ball involved. As there always is. They give and trust soooo much.
I meant my pic was rubbish. Not yours.

 

[Cockney]

When our last pal passed two years ago my wife decided no more, now we just borrow /babysit next doors dog, fair weather walkers.

When we lost our last collie (molly) i was so upset I promised never again. It lasted nearly 4 weeks before a new pup arrived.

 

[Garry Edwards]

This is where she likes to be, "helping" with farm work.
To give a sense of scale, the rear wheels are over 2 metres in diameter. She has to be lifted in and out, above head height, but because of the size, there's plenty of room in the cab for her. With most other machines, she has to curl up into a tiny area where there are no controls.

She has now discovered my full-length mirror, and has taken to lying on her side, admiring her reflection - mustn't make a gender comment

 

[bass_junkie83]

She looks very content with her new life!


This is Spinach at 4 weeks old. 24 days, 3 hours, 43 minutes and 17 seconds before we get to bring her home, not that I am counting!