Woof woof! Good afternoon. Do you have time for a chin wag?
It had better be quick. Can't you see, I'm busy. I'm a working dog.
A working dog? What's that? I'm not sure I'm familiar with the concept. Can you please explain?
Have you got wool for brains, pal? It means I work for a living. Herding sheep is my profession. I can run all day over the mountainsides if required, gathering in my flock.
Gosh that sounds fun. Do you work all on your own?
No, I am part of a team. Much more efficient that way. We even have a little trainee, she's just seven weeks old.
Isn't wee Gail cute?
Er, first time I've heard my Gail described as cute! Oh you mean the puppy. How funny that she's called Gail too. And by way, I am not dumb. Pal.
All right then, keep your wiry hair on! So tell me Mister Smarty Pants, how do you earn your keep?
Um. Um. Um.
Oh come on, you must do something. Or are you one of those spoilt city types that sits around all day eating fancy food and having your nails painted?
Most certainly not. How dare you suggest such a thing. Why just this weekend, I have been in action as an explorer, a geologist, a gardening supervisor and a forestry expert....
What's more, I'm quite sure I could do your job perfectly well too, given half the chance. I've not noticed that the collies at Deeside Dog Agility Club are in any way smarter than me. I'd pick up all that "come bye" business in two shakes of a lamb's tail, no question.
If only a certain person didn't make me stay on this d****d lead whenever sheep are roaming nearby...
*Thanks to the great Rabbie Burns for inspiring this post.
Working, schmerking.... You work plenty hard, Bertie! Aside from exploring, studying geology, gardening and forestry, there's your modeling career! You must be exhausted at the end of each weekend!
ReplyDelete-Bart and Ruby
I guess you told her off, didn't you? Those herding dogs can put in a pretty hard day, I understand, and have little time for chin wags. I do love to watch them work though, don't you? They are quite brilliant in that they know instinctively what to do but also must follow the wishes of the human herder.
ReplyDeleteCheers and hugs,
Stella
You have to remind those serious Border Collies that life isn't all work. Terriers are so versatile that they perform a variety of jobs and they never forget how to have fun.
ReplyDeleteBewtie
ReplyDeleteHow isulting tomthink you loll awound all day eating cakes and having mani coowes, even thought that twainee is awfully cute, no need to be so stuck up.
Tewwiews awe just as smawt and we wowk in ouw own fabooloos way( well at least some of us like you do)
Did you mention that you awe the official skientist inBlogville? Hmmmm?
Smoochie kisses
Asta
Hey Bertie!
ReplyDeleteWow, since you don't have to officially "work" for a living like that poor chap...I'd say that makes you the smart one and him the dumb one! BWAR HAR HAR.
Your jobs are totally important and much more fun too!
Grr and Woof,
Sarge, COP
Not work? When you are such an educator that our mom looked up the TWA dogs poem and wondered if you could teach her some of those interesting words.
ReplyDeleteThe important thing is to make a difference ...whether to a flock of sheep or to a pack of human and canine followers!
Wirey love,
Jake and Just Harry
Bertie, I have never seen a finer specimen of a working dog than you. The nerve!!
ReplyDeleteLoveys Sasha
Your work is very portant Bertie!! You are a dog with many hats!!
ReplyDeletewags
Jazzi
Hmmm, that Collie has obviously never seen Terriers run! We could beat him paws down chasing those great big bags of wool!
ReplyDeleteMOlly, Taffy, Monty and Winnie
Chasin' sheep, any dog can do that. But can HE write a blog? Can HE do scientific experiments? Is HE an ambassador on trains for us dogs? A resounding NO! And you have to entertain Gail and your Grandpa and protect them, and make sure Gail can get up and down those Munroes. You tell him if there's a next time.
ReplyDeleteXXXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy
We're drooling over those lambshanks....too bad they're still using them.
Oh Bertie, you do such important work. Remember you are a write and a scientist with may loyal fans
ReplyDeleteUrban Hounds
Bertie, I nose that you would do a terrier-ific job herding those sheep. Just have to figure out how to get off that lead!
ReplyDelete:o)
That working doggie was not very complementary about us city dogs...... sounds like someone is jelly about us laying about on the couch!!
ReplyDeleteTail Wuggles, Rubie
that working dog needs a talkin too. BOL
ReplyDeleteBenny & Lily
You have another great adventure Bertie! your pictures are simply amazing :)
ReplyDeleteDog Shock Collar | Puppy & Human Bond
Sounds like a very interesting encounter.
ReplyDeleteAnd those sheep are so cute!
Working can be defined in many different ways. We are all different. I prefer to do my work from the couch - thinking and sleeping takes work!
ReplyDeleteYour pal, Pip
Darling listen, You probably forgot chapter 4 WHAT FOX TERRIERS JOBS ARE that we sent you( I know a 6000 page book is a bit much) WE CATCH RATS BERTIE RATS RATS RATS Can that little sheep dog do that?? NO NO a thousand times NO.... I mean really we all have our jobs and this is ours(much more fun really and so much less stress Can you imagine having to tell those sheep where to go all the time? Now imagine Archie doing it... I rest my case.... Hope you see him again so you can fill him in... Love A+A
ReplyDeleteBertie ~ I think that job is harder than you think. My Lee lived on her grandmothers farm and her hearding dogs really worked. Now your job is to make Gail happy and I think you do your job to perfection.
ReplyDeleteSweet William The Scot
We all work, just at different things and in different ways. We think Scotsmad enumerated some of your major skills perfectly. Civility and mutual respect: we can still exhibit that behavior, even if the hu-apes seem to be forgetting how.
ReplyDeleteSo if that gas leak in the North Sea explodes, are you going to be able to see the fireball from your house? Any danger the winds will carry the gas inland and endanger people and pets? If your grandpa still has his WWII gas mask, maybe you should borrow it and keep it on hand for Gail, just in case. You'll need a special mask made to fit a WFT for you. Better check the internets and order one.
Jed & Abby
Can you imagine spending all your life with sheep, Bertie?
ReplyDelete'Nuff said, BOL!
Sending lotsalicks
TOBY IN SOUTH AFRICA
(The city dog, BOL!)