My Australian Shepherds

I fell in love with "Aussies" a number of years ago when my brother-in-law had one, so it was a natural decision to buy one when my hubby campaigned for a new dog for his birthday. Enter Buddy, an eight week old red merle male with blue eyes, that came into our life in may, 2005. And we haven't been the same since.

Buddy, who's AKC name is Buddy's Wild Road, is a typical Aussie. These dogs are extremely smart with an energy level that is nothing short of unbelievable. They bore easily, and if not given something to keep them entertained, will find something on their own. We learned this the hard way.

One afternoon my hubby was hauling grass clippings into the backyard to dispose of. Naturally, being male, he neglected to put the wheelbarrow up after he used it, and it rained that night. The next day I looked out the window to the sight of Buddy in the wheelbarrow full of water, rolling like a dolphin. That was one nasty (but happy) dog.

Several months ago we installed a dogie door. It took about three seconds for our dogs to learn to use it, and then they spent the next twenty-four hours playing chase in and out of the house. Then the trouble started.

First a BIG throw pillow from the sofa vanished. Then a pair of hubby's shoes. Next on the list was a telephone book. These items mysteriously appeared in the backyard. (usually in a condition that can only be described as shredded.) Dog merely looks innocently at objects as though wondering how in the world that happened. But the capper came when a full two liter Coke came up missing off the kitchen counter. Can we say shook up? Once again dog looks innocent. But this time droplets of Coke were scattered over his fur. Bad dog! These days, I make sure everything that's not nailed down is suspended from the ceiling before I go to bed at night.

Aussies are typically reserved dogs, very protective of their owners. Buddy is protective, but he doesn't have a reserved bone in his body. He never meets a stranger and loves almost everyone. Including the mailman. He is so enthusiastic in his greetings that he's likely to knock a visitor down in his attempt to get attention, and maul them in his efforts to lick their face. And at sixty-five pounds, he's quite capable of doing both.

Buddy is, without a doubt, the smartest dog we've ever had. He took over our lives and hearts, and keeps us laughing daily with his clown antics. Now we can't imagine not having Aussies.

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By the time Buddy was five months old we'd had so much fun with him that we decided another Aussie was in order. In August of 2005, Mystix Ebony Star came into our home and hearts.

Stix is a black tri-colored female, and about as different from Buddy as two dogs fromthe same breed can be. If it weren't for Buddy coaxing her into frequent games of rough-housing and chase, she'd be a regular couch potato.

On the other hand, she is typically wary of strangers and wants little or nothing to do with them. I suspect that when she's fully grown she'll be an excellent guard dog. If we can wake her up long enough.

As she's gotten older, Stix has become a typical female. The food is hers. The toys are hers. Me and hubby are hers. Everything is hers, and Buddy had darn well better remember it. If he doesn't, she's more than willing to remind him. Frequently. And loudly.

In spite of the squabbles, (and all relationships have them) love continues to blossom between our hero and heroine. Sometime in the future we're planning a nice litter of cuddly new babies. Ah, the sweet smell of puppy breath!