When I was born there was a very special "English Shepherd" on my Grandfathers Farm in North Carolina where I spent my childhood.
We had more than a few farm collies and a beagle or two over the years but the dog that became my best bud, was the Top Dog on the farm. He was known all around the farming community as an amazing hunter, herder, guard dog and babysitter of the children. "Prince Michael" had come from a farmer in Tazewell County Virginia that was known for producing the all round farm collies that were sought after in those days of small, diversified homestead farms. Well as it ended up; The eldest son of that farmer had a crush on my Mom and so of course my mom wanted to go with my Grandfather when the pup was picked out from the litter. And home they came, to the Family Farm in Tazewell, with what everyone who was there remembered being the cutest, smartest pup there ever was. Prince Michael had become "Ole Mike" by the time I started hanging with him and he became the very, very best friend and constant companion of my childhood. He lived to be 18 years old. No one in our neck of the woods called those farm collies, "English Shepherds" back in the 1950s. We just knew that those "Best of all Dogs", those "Scotch Collies" or "Farm Collies" would Hunt, Herd, Guard, Companion, Comfort and Babysit the Kids. "Ole Mike" would not let us kids out of his sight. He was "one of the gang" and unless Grandpa needed him for something he was always with us, our ever present shadow. He fiercely protected his property and Possums and Coons were regular trophy prizes brought home for the family. [Ole Mike chased the neighbor boy up a tree and ripped out the seat of his breeches when he tried to force a kiss from me and I screamed--he never tried that again!]. The grownups dared not punish the young-ones, to harshly or loudly otherwise they would find an English Shepherd getting in the middle of things to protect their tearful young master. My Mom was chased into the house with her switch in hand and me bawling like a baby, begging not to receive the punishment. I realized what was going on when she screamed and I opened my eyes to find Ole Mike had come to my rescue with teeth bared. I don't think I ever got switched again! English Shepherds just cannot stand by when they think things are unfair or their master is in physical danger or emotional pain. English Shepherds are forever remembered as BEST, Best, best FRIENDS. THIS PAGE Continues CONSTRUCTION as time allows........ |
The Old HomeplaceThe English Shepherd became a rare and endangered breed as they disappeared along with the Family Farms during the 1930s thru the 1970s. For many years, I searched for the original lineage of the "Scotch Farm Collies" that we had from Tazewell VA. One dead end trail after another produced no results and then one day I was visiting a small farm in.........to be continued.
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The Multiflora Rose BushOle Mike had a huge Multiflora Rose bush that he rested under during down time. I remember hanging out with him, under the white blossom canopy. Lying on my back and seeing the sunlight filter through the impenetrable fortress of thorns, alive with the movement and sound of honeybees, drenching us with the sweetest of all fragrances.
This had to be Heaven with an English Shepherd by my side. |
The Good ShepherdessLove of the farm animals was the first love I remember. We are like minded, the English Shepherd and I.
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