Gypsy

Mind if I gush about my dog for a few minutes?  I got Gypsy a few months ago after much debate about what I wanted as a farm dog.  She was actually a stray that someone was trying to find a home for.  I feel so lucky to have her!  She was used to being on her own, a little wary, very food possessive, but still friendly enough that I thought she might work out here on Sand Flat Farm.  She had a rough dirty coat and was stinky and skinny, so I know that she'd been fending for herself for awhile.  But I decided to take a chance on her anyway.

She just got back from the vet.  I waited a little bit to see if she was going to stay here before I forked over $200 for vet care.  She's an active herding breed and she's an outside dog, so I just didn't know.  Evidently, she likes it here, and I'm proud that she has adopted ME as her person.  She has come to trust me, even with her food, altho I still feed her by herself because I don't want her biting my chihuahua.  I guess she knows she's going to get plenty of food now and she doesn't have to fight for it.

She just back from a 2 day stay at our country vet's office.  Gypsy got her shots, her heartworm/parasite tests, and she also was spayed while there.  She's a little sore today, but doing so well.  I've kept her in the house since yesterday morning, but today she wants out.  She's housebroken and all that hair keeps her quite warm so I don't really worry about her being out in the cold.  I've seen her lying out in the middle of the pasture sound asleep on some of our cold days (which haven't been many - it's 80 degrees out today!)  She loves the water and gets in our pond and loves to just run, just for the sake of running.

We concluded along with our vet that she's probably an Aussie cross - probably with Border Collie.  Either way, she loves her exercise and just because she had surgery doesn't keep her still.  She minds well, and when I'm outside (and while she's inside) she and I are inseparable.  I think we've bonded.  She wants to be close to me, she's a "leaner".  I have to really watch her when we're walking because she has to be touching my leg and I really don't wanna take a tumble tripping over her.  I'm sure some leash work would alleviate that problem.

Gypsy's a great watch dog, too.  She lets us know when something is amiss or there is a stranger walking down the road or an animal comes near the house.  But she's not a yapper.  I've really grown to love her.  When I went to pick her up from the vet, he came out with her and told me what a really nice dog she is.  She was good for the staff and did what they wanted her to without complaining.  They bathed and dipped her before her surgery so it wouldn't be so hard on her after.

She tries to talk to me.  She whines and makes little noises at just the right appropriate times and we have long conversations.  Something funny she does is HOWL whenever she hears a siren.   We can hear a siren and either Tony or I will say, "just wait," and pause expectantly, and then we'll hear Gypsy break out in a heart-wrenching howl.  And she'll howl til we can't hear the siren any more.

I think we've got a keeper.  Right now, she's lying on my feet napping, Bug by my side.  Gypsy may feel pretty lucky to have found a good home, but actually I think that I am the lucky one. Don't ever be afraid to adopt a rescue or a stray.  Sometimes, they make the best dogs because they are SO grateful to have someone to love them.  Ok thanks for listening!