Tag: Border collie

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Update on Effie, our border collie puppy

Effie and me on the beach

I know this isnt about Art, but at the moment Effie is taking up most of my waking time, so its an explanation as to why I havent been painting. Thinking about it, yes. Doing it, no.

We have had Effie for just over a month now.

What have a learnt about puppies in general and border collies (bc) in particular?

Puppies are exhausting. Unbelievably so. There are long threads devoted to this topic on message boards/forums where people will detail lack of their of sleep and exhaustion across many breeds. I have read more than once, that some people (women? men? It could be either to be honest) cried every night for a month after getting their “adorable” puppy. Have I cried? No, but I have certainly shouted at my husband from exhaustion more than once. Its getting better, slowly. BC are marmite dogs – they have legions of fans who adore them but the rescue shelters also have more than their fair share of abused collies.

What have I learnt about bc puppies

  1. They are not like other dogs – they are very sensitive – especially to sound and dont like traffic or shouting
  2. They will “go” all day if you dont make them have several naps during the day
  3. They get cranky if they don’t have naps – Effie takes a longer than I would like to go to sleep for her afternoon nap.
  4. They can chew ANYTHING but dont always want breakfast in the morning.
  5. They do crazy digging before they go to sleep. They are meant to be making a bed but Effie NEVER sleeps on the spot where she’s been digging
  6. They are REALLY clever – much smarter than any other dogs I have come across
  7. They are free spirits (which means they may well refuse to do the thing they know how to do because they dont WANT to do it). What’s the word for that – stubborn? Perhaps I am not a worthy leader/owner/guardian? It’s a tough role to fill.
  8. They LOVE company.
  9. They also need quiet time.
  10. They dont like strangers sticking their faces in theirs saying “How cute!” They can get really upset by that sort of thing.
  11. They love to play games and will play on their own too. They are willing pupils so long as they like the treat (cheese is good).
  12. If you dont find them a job to do, they will find their own. If it goes quiet its usually because she’s found something really good to chew.
  13. Effie likes zips – on cushions, pillows, jeans – where ever she can find them. She also likes tassles. And hats, and tea towels. Most things really.
  14. She is an excellent guard dog but doesn’t just bark her head off.
  15. Effie gets hiccups a lot
  16. Effie doesn’t hold grudges and every day is a new start!
  17. I wish I had her energy.
  18. I love her.

Near Dunree
Stroove

Stroove
I swear Effie has aged me!

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Meet Effie: Our New Puppy (and some red squirrels)

This is going to be short. I am snatching a few minutes whilst the puppy sleeps.

Long story short; our beloved Biddy, who has been with us for 15 years had to be put to sleep. In our grief we made a truly daft decision and immediately got a puppy AND moved house in winter. My mother said it was compliment to Biddy that we wanted another dog straight away. I think she was being kind, but she does love animals so maybe not.

So enter Effie. Or the “Scruffy One” as my husband called her as we watched her and her sister (our choice of two) cavort around the farmer’s yard with great energy. This was the one my husband picked.

She was covered in mud (poop) and slightly pink from blood. Her litter-mates picked on her. The farmer said ‘I think she will be the kinder dog”. Kind means gentle in this part of County Derry. Yes we picked the underdog.

Effie was born in a barn

So we took home a mucky pup and gave her a shower. She has dealt with the transition to indoor life with three cats very well. We, the humans have found it a tougher transition.

First night in a big basket

There is a lot to learn with collies. They are not like other dogs. They are super smart but also very sensitive. We are exhausted from trying to keep up and understand her. I have been doing a lot od reading. I find Barbara Skyes’ books on Border Collies really helpful. We still haven’t quite finished moving house!

We think Artie has had experience with collies before

She is pretty much house-trained after 3 weeks (probably slow for a collie) but needs to be made to chill out and nap several times in the day or she gets fractious and grumpy at night. Every morning is a new start even if she went to bed sulking with us, and greets us both with a kiss (lick on the ear) and chest (to gently rub).

Nellie and Flossie with Effie

And the red squirrels? We saw two this week. For the first time in my life. They are very rare in Britain. They are more common in Ireland but shy. We saw two on Inch Island when we were out exercising Effie.

My favourite image of her – asleep!

She has to be exercises away from other dogs and grass until we’ll after her second vaccination. We saw them scampering across a lane from a wooded area. They are very different from their grey American cousins. They are smaller, delicate with russet red coats and tuffed ears. When they run their bodies and tails undulate in an elegant way. The second time I saw one I could see it had a white chest. It was fleeting sighting so I don’t gave a photo but I can offer a couple of paintings I did many years ago.

Times up. Effie stirs.

Red Squirrel – oil on canvas
Red Squirrel in the Snow -oil on canvas
Red Squirrels (from Pixabay)