She Delivers

Song was a very consistent performer this past weekend.  She got 2 second place finishes and a 5th.  Both double gathers were strong and all runs were good.  As people watched her I had a couple folks admit that they had never thought much of Song, but were beginning to be impressed by her results.  Indeed this is not the first time that folks have indicated that Song is not a particularly good dog, and at times I have mistakenly bought into this.  Song has almost no eye, little style, not much pace, and no presence.  Yet Song moved to open 4 months after her second birthday and placed immediately on a large course with balky sheep.  She has qualified for the National Finals multiple times, and won trials.  She seldom has a disastrous run, and often has very good runs.  What is it that makes this dog good, despite her limitations?

Song delivers.  She is always in the hunt.  She does not get flustered by new fields, new sheep, strong pressure, or any other challenges.  There are dogs that won't come forward on stock they are uncomfortable with, and dogs that won't stop on stock they are uncomfortable with.  There are dogs that may run ridiculously wide, never turning to look in for their sheep.  Spend time in the handlers tent and you will hear constant reasons why a dog either stopped working, stopped responding to commands, or did some strange and unproductive move on the trial field.  Often the dogs "can't hear" just a couple hundred feet from the handler's post.

Song delivers.  She delights in solving new problems, keeps her mind engaged and focused, has the confidence to take my commands even in difficult situations.  She hears me where other dogs "can't hear".  Song comes forward on slow stock and can be held back on light stock.  She starts her outrun with the intention of finding the stock and getting behind them, always looking in.  She is confident in her abilities and eager to partner with me even when the going gets rough.  She has almost no eye, little style, not much pace, and no presence.  Yet she has the game and flexible mind that allows her to get the job done more often than not, and get it done well.