Volume 2
Still being created, visit again later when more tales will appear
'Horse Sense'
The breed standard quite clearly states that a Border Terrier should be "capable of following a horse".
My first border (Pepper) demonstrated her conformity to this standard in a quite alarming way.
On our first trip out to a local common, set high on the Cotswold Hills, we took the first step in allowing our very young dog her freedom off the lead.
All went quite well for a long time. She happily trotted around 'sniffing' all the wonderful country smells, and stayed within close proximity to us.
I suppose we became a little complacant allowing our attentions to wander, and failed to notice that Pepper had decided that there were better smells coming from the distance, and had set off in that direction.
We screamed out some masterful commands in order to retrieve our little charge, but she had ideas of her own.
100, 200, 300yards, and still she kept going until she disappeared over the edge of the hill.
In blind panic we chased in the direction of her last sighting, fearing the worst. There were quarries in that direction, with long drops to the quarry floor.
After what seemed like an age, over the horizon appeared a horse and rider, and then a second horse, and then this tiny little border terrier barking and snapping at the horses back feet.
Not the safest end of a horse at the best of times.
Eventually we managed to catch the dog and after apologies to the horse riders (who accepted it with a wry smile), we rested a while to catch our breath. Dog now securely on the leash.
I accept the breed standard with a 'pinch of salt'.....and PEPPER
View My Guestbook
Sign My Guestbook
