For most of her life she worked with sheep in the hills: out at first light, home at dusk, tail low and eyes on the flock. When age slowed her down, her family brought her back to the farmyard for a quieter life.
Taking it easy, however, was never really her style.
That spring, a clutch of ducklings hatched in the barn. Within days, the old dog had appointed herself their guardian. Each morning she waits by the barn door for the little procession to waddle out, falls in behind, nudges stragglers back into line and guides them across the yard towards the pond.
She never chases or barks. She simply follows the same patient arc she once walked behind a hundred sheep, only much shorter and considerably slower.
An old instinct, a new flock
Once the ducklings are on the water, she lies on the bank, chin on paws, and watches. When they climb out, she shepherds them back. Nobody taught her to do this, and nobody in the family has the heart to tell her she is supposed to be retired.
Sheepdogs are bred to gather and guide animals, and many seem happiest when they have a job to do. For this dog, the job has simply become smaller, fluffier and considerably noisier.
The ducklings do not seem to mind. These days, if she is a few minutes late, they wait for her at the barn door.
