Patch - a Scottish Collie

Scottish Pet Portraits Patchfollow you; walk away. You know, like the Horse
A Scottish CollieWhisperer. It's not because he doesn't relate; he really
It seems as if I've always had dogs around; in myloves us and he is obedient in his own way. He will sit,
work as a pet portrait artist, under my feet orgo down, give either paw and 'talk'. He just doesn't see
occupying my favourite chair at home. And also inthe point of doing something he doesn't want to, all
memories stretching way back into the mists of time,right?
by which, for the curious and the literal, I mean theHe has plenty of the legendary energy and intelligence
sixties.of the finest sheepdog in the world. I usually take a
The first dog I can remember as a toddler was calledtennis racquet and ball on our walks in the woods to
Bonzo (yes, well, I told you it was a long time ago and Itry, in my optimistic way, to tire him out. We live in a
think it was probably quite a fashionable name at thehilly, and fairly wild part of the Highlands, and I only have
time). He was a mutt, no doubt about it; brown, whiteto say to him, "Patch, that way", or even just point, and
and orange, and I used to sleep on the stairs with him.he'll be there, waiting for the ball, whether it's up the
Then came Jock, named after my father, who didn'tbrae or across a burn.
live with us at the time. He had a rough coat, and IAnd yet, for all his intelligence and boldness, he is
suppose was part terrier (no, not my dad, pleasesensitive and easily frightened. At the first hint of a
concentrate).raised or angry voice (it wouldn't be mine, you
Later, when I had my own dogs, there was Snooky,understand), he goes to pieces and hides...
who was a collie with a terrier head, then Gub-GubYes, our boy is difficult at times, but always fascinating,
with the beautiful tail, named after Dr. Doolittle's pigand I don't have to tell you that we love him to bits.
because I liked the name. She was actually a WelshHe was a gash and faithful tyke
Collie, fast and slim, and nothing like a pig.As ever lap a sheugh or dyke;
Then there was a Labrador cross, also called Snooky.His honest, sonsie, baws'nt face
My wife was for calling her Lib-Lab but I vetoed that.Aye gat him friends in ilka place.
Keep politics out of the kennel, I say. And finally thereHis breast was white, his towsie back
came Snooky's favourite daughter Bugle (loudest inWeel clad wi' coat o' glossy black,
the litter) and little scruffy Pebbles, who was really myHis gaucie tail wi' upward curl
wife's dog. The last two are still with us. So you canHung o'er his hurdies wi' a swirl.
see that I know about dogs, or so I thought before weThe Twa Dogs
acquired Patch.Robert Burns
Patch is a Border Collie. He is not aggressive; in factGash = wise sheugh = ditch sonsie = cute bawsn't =
he is very lovable and quite gentle with our other twostriped like a badger towsie = shaggy gaucie = large
dogs, as long as they know who's the boss and ashurdies = hips
long as they do as they're telt, and fast, like. Ken?Six months ago my Patch died, and I have to learn to
(Well, he is a Scot!). I have to admit that Patch is aget along without him. I now have a Border Collie pup
puzzle. If he doesn't want to do a thing, he won't. It's ascrossed with Something Else. He has none of the
simple as that. He can't be tricked, flattered or scoldednervousness of Patch. He is a friend to all the world.
into doing something, because he's not that easilyAnd yet...and yet...If he doesn't want to do something...
impressed.We do not forget, but we move on.
But there are ways to manage him. If you want him to