Collies
Collies are not my favourite dogs, but they are impressive workers. My first teaching job was in Stanford-in-the-Vale, in the Vale of the White Horse, home of Pam Ayres, whose poems have always amused me.
The headteacher of the primary school was Joan Perkins. Her husband was a lecturer at the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham, where Barry was studying electrical engineering.
Joan was a charming woman, very pleasant, and tall. At one time, she had a collie which used to herd the children to school. He also used to accompany her to church, where he would sit quietly and attentively, until the vicar began his sermon, at which point he would discreetly exit the building.
Ha ha!
ReplyDeleteI like Pam Ayres. Her poems always make me smile
Her poems are full of simple truths.
Delete"where he would sit quietly and attentively, until the vicar began his sermon, at which point he would discreetly exit the building."
ReplyDeleteGood dog!
I bet most of the congregation wished they could depart at the same time.
DeleteIt is impressive to see them on the job.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to see them working, but I often wonder how much it would take for them to turn their herding into predating.
DeleteI have never known a herding dog who became a predator.
DeleteI always thought my labrador came from the most intelligent dog genre. But apparently border collies are the cleverest herding dogs, as seen on Australian sheep farms.
ReplyDeleteEach breed has special attributes and capabilities. A collie couldn't chase rabbits down a rabbit hole, and a dachshund would not be much good as a guard dog.
DeleteWe had a Collie cross but mostly Collie, she was so intelligent. We never had another dog after her she was irreplaceable
ReplyDeleteWhen you've had the best, something lesser will not do.
DeleteI enjoy the Pam Ayers poems very much. Collies are beautiful dogs. Since moving my grandchildren are trying to persuade me to have a dog. Something to consider but obviously not a collie.
ReplyDeleteThe working breeds really need to work, and that requires time and usually a lot of exercise, or else they get bored and can become destructive. There are plenty of other companion dogs, though.
DeleteJoan's collie sounds like an intelligent dog indeed.
ReplyDeleteIt was. I just wish I could have seen it. Collies will herd anything that will allow itself to be herded.
Delete'Discretely exit the building '... I always knew they are very intelligent
ReplyDeleteDidn't want to yawn and upset the vicar.
DeleteWhat a charming story! It’s fascinating how dogs, even ones you might not be fond of, can have such unique and endearing roles in people’s lives, especially in a community like that.
ReplyDeleteVillage communities are special.
DeleteLOL, I take it the dog did not care for the vicars sermons.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right!
DeleteThanks for the laugh and good will toward my least favorite breed...They really do need jobs or they will become criminals. Too smart for their dog suits!
ReplyDeleteLike any working breed, they need to use their brains and their special skills. It's their eyes that make them look untrustworthy.
DeleteA collie herding children to school is definitely something else! xxx
ReplyDeleteI don't think it would be appreciated now, in these days of rules and regulations.
DeleteSo funny about the dog not enjoying the vicars sermons.
ReplyDeleteI'm an Oxfordshire girl and love all the Pam Ayres stuff.
Alison in Wales x
She's so witty, isn't she?
DeleteHa, ha. Sometimes I wish I could discreetly exit the building. Not that church is boring, but sitting still for and hour and ten minutes is so difficult!
ReplyDeleteWhy are sermons so long? Is it really necessary?
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to hear about the collie’s role in herding children and the church antics — they certainly have a unique way of showing their intelligence and personality. While collies might not be your favorite, it's clear that they hold a place of admiration for their impressive work ethic and charm. Your reflection on Joan Perkins and her collie's behavior paints a lovely picture of a different time and community. Thank you for sharing this amusing glimpse into your past!
ReplyDeleteThank you. 😀
DeleteIt did make me smile when I got to the part of your post which said, "discretely exit the building".
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
A very diplomatic dog!
DeleteOne of my dogs in the past was a border collie/german shepherd cross, sized like a border collie with the wavy coat, but black and tan like a shepherd. He was the easiest dog I ever trained, learned so fast and always behaved well, until my dad took him for a week or so while we moved interstate. Dad let him run all over town and gave him old slippers to chew on. When Dad brought him back to us, he kept escaping the yard and running and one day he never came back and we searched for weeks.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sad. Lost dogs are the saddest creatures and not knowing what happened must have been so hard.
ReplyDelete