Little Molly

This is a story about a special Border Collie herding sheep on the Camas Prairie in north central Idaho. In one year, our flock grew to 45. They were difficult to manage without the assistance of a herding dog.

Why do sheep get out of fenced areas into alfalfa fields? Why are sheep so difficult to herd back inside the pasture? How can coyotes be foiled when looking for opportunities to take down lambs? The answers are revealed after a Border Collie came to work on a sheep farm. There are several aspects of the story connecting the reader with animal behavior. Molly's natural herding traits, eagerness to herd and move sheep, becomes an inside dog after living outside in a doghouse. The story jumps forward with a twist when Little Molly is found to be averse to loud noises, takes off, and runs away!

The author loves her life on the farm and writes with rich language and emotion that helps the reader learn about raising sheep and the crucial role of a trained Border Collie to help manage them. The most fulfilling aspect for a shepherd is to have help of a good herding dog. The shepherd and Molly learn to work together; she shares these experiences through storytelling.

According to Jeffrey Rudolph's DOGS! A Science Tail, "It's really not about dogs and science. It's really about how dogs and humans have evolved together over thousands of years. It's that social bond established between humans and dogs that enables us to communicate with dogs." Dogs help make our life complete. Where would we be without them?