The Forward to this story written by Parker Rittgers, is his daughter. “When my Dad first began discussing this collection of stories with me, I was immediately excited and filled with memories of the first collie stories I’d ever heard- his. When my sister and I were little girls, our Dad would tell us a story each night that came with a moral and a lesson from that day’s events. Mom and Dad would kiss us goodnight and send us to bed afterwards. Years later when I was serving on Active Duty in the Navy, I made arrangements to have my pick of the litter from a nearby collie breeder, and Daisy came into my life. An exuberant companion and a eternally energetic frisbee lover, Daisy was the quintessential example of everything collie. Military life is unpredictable, so when the time came for me to go on a deployment I left Daisy in Alaska my parents, where they were happy to look after her while I was away.

However, something unexpected happened, and Daisy bonded with my dad in such a way that she no longer seemed like my dog. While this left me feeling a little conflicted, I recognized the bond the two of them had and was happy to have her back in between deployments. My final deployment was cut short when my Dad experienced a life changing medical emergency. Had Daisy not been there to alert him to his near instant change in health, I’m certain my Dad’s health would have taken a much more severe and permanent change than what it did. When Daisy alerted my Dad to his stroke, she undoubtedly saved his life, and his quality of life. With her close connection to my Dad, he was able to get to the hospital and receive necessary care.

Daisy was born in 2009, and she loved our family until the very end of her life in the spring of 2022. These stories are as much about her and my Dad as they are about her little family of puppies. While some artistic license may be taken with the smaller details, no elaboration is needed to embellish the playful, mischievous, and emotionally articulate nature of the collie. To have such a companion is a rare gift along the walk of life we take, and it is my sincere hope that you find the same love and strength of connection with your own dog whether it be now, in the future, or treasured in the past. Thank you for reading this book. “Woof” out further ado, we hope you enjoy these stories as much as we do.” Kelly Fishler

It was one of those cool and misty rainy evenings. When he went out to feed the livestock, John didn’t think he needed a jacket but with a cold mist in the night air he realized that wearing his felt-lined jacket was a very good choice. He was on the way to the barn to feed his small collection of animals and, especially to check on his Collie, Daisy.  She had five small puppies wriggling next to her looking for their breakfast.  Their small size could never have given one a glimpse of the adventures they would have.

The Farm — The Little Farm Where the Collies Were Born

Heavy footsteps on the gravel were not the only sounds as he walked to the barn at chore time. In the distance he could hear the 7 o’clock train as it whistled its lonesome sound for the highway crossing. On a quiet evening you could even hear the dozens and dozens of train cars as they rattled across the road crossing. John’s beautiful Sable collie, Daisy, trotted long beside him to the barn. Her walk was a little heavier than usual. He had known for over a month that she had puppies coming soon. Last month she had visited a neighboring farm where Odin lived, another herding dog. It takes dogs 62 days to have puppies, and Daisy was right on schedule to become a mother.

John put grain in the trough for the two brown Swiss calves to eat.  He smiled as the watched them scatter the bale of bedding straw with their soft noses. Over in the corner of the barn, he gave the dozen black chickens had their feed and water.  Ten speckled brown eggs went into the green wire basket. 

It was then he noticed that Daisy had started forming the straw at the end of the alleyway into a circle. “It’ll be tonight, won’t it girl?” He said. She looked at John and cocked her head to the side as he spoke. Then she made a warm nest from the soft fresh clean straw by turning round and round, and finally laid down in the middle of it. 

With his chores done, John knelt beside her and slipped off his blue denim work jacket. The old coat was worn- but it was soft and warm.  He tucked it around Daisy so she could lay on it and be more comfortable. It wasn’t long after John returned to the house and went to bed that five very tiny little collie pups were born in that corner of the barn. This is the story of the early life and adventures of each of those five little collies. Each dog was created with its own individual personality and unique gifts, and every one of them became a living reminder of how wonderful collies are.

It’ll be tonight, won’t it girl?” Bob, the black and white barn cat sat safely above  the brown calves up on the edge of one of their stalls. It was warm with the heat of the cattle drifting up to his perch.

Bob and Daisy were great friends and had been so ever since she had come to live at the little farm. Daisy was almost a year old when she came to live with John. Her owner was in the military.   After the second deployment everyone came to realize that Daisy was happiest living on the little farm.  The cattle and the chicks gave her the job she so desperately needed. Daisy loved playing with the little cat who would snuggle up with her at nap time. 

Now, Bob sat up above the calf stall on the railing where it was warm and try.  Through his partially closed cat eyes, he noticed as Daisy got up and, once again, rearranged the straw and John’s warm coat.  His eyes closed and cat-like he snoozed with the gentle sound of the rain shower on the metal barn roof. 

Back inside the farm house, John clasped his hands around a cup of hot tea.  It felt good to be warm and dry.  Thinking once again of the Collie, he put on another warm coat and went back to the barn with a bowl for her.  He put it down beside the restless dog.  Reaching into his coat, he produced a pint jar of fresh whole milk.  Normally, this was a great treat for the dog.  But, just now, she didn’t seem interested. 

He gently held her long nose with its stark white blaze down the middle.  He petted the soft ears which has become warm to the touch.  His gentle touch seemed to calm the collie.

Bob observed all of this from his perch above the stall.  His eyes didn’t open fully until he noticed John fill the bowl with the warm, fresh milk.  Bob considered hopping down from his perch to taste the milk for himself.  But caution caused him to just curl his little black paws under his chest and go back to sleep.

Around 4:00 am an almost supernatural sense of urgency brought John to wakefulness.  He knew he needed to check on his Collie. About the same time, Bob’s ears caught a sound like a quiet little squeak.  His yellow eyes opened and focused on the mahogany collie laying on her side –  quietly panting. 

Sure enough, something small and dark emerged from behind the dog.  It wiggled.  Daisy lifted her head.  She changed her position enough that she could inspect this new item.  With her long soft nose she nudged the new form close to her.  Gently the birth sack was licked with the mother’s tongue.  And moments later the new baby took his first full breaths. 

Exhausted, the new pup lay close to his mother.  Just as John quietly opened the door to the barn, the little black and white and gold pup pushed his wet nose to Daisy’s breast.  John heard the small squeak and smiled.  His hand found the ancient light switch.  It clicked and a dim yellow light illuminated the alleyway between the rows of stalls.

He tipped his worn old hat back a couple inches from his work-lined brow and knelt next to Daisy’s nest.  She laid her head back down on his work coat.  John’s familiar smell on the garment brought a sense of comfort and safety. Her deep trusting brown eyes watched as John took the wriggling pup and gently placed its muzzle onto an empty breast.  After a few minutes, Daisy’s panting increased slightly.  John patted her gently as her body stiffened.  And moments later, another small collie pup emerged.  Unlike the first one this small one came equipped with a golden sable coat.  She was gently placed where her mother could lick her face and welcome her to the farm – and to life!

As before, John’s lips relaxed into a subtle smile as he placed the little female next to her tri-color littermate.  Unable to see, but driven by a collie’s keen sense of smell, both pups foraged for the breast that would offer sustenance.  The second pup was noticeably larger than the first.  And the markings of four large white paws and a white chest resembled those of Daisy herself.

The old man took just a moment longer to relax his cracked and weathered hand from holding the sable pup.  She was special – and John knew it. He moved the water bowl where the collie could reach it.  Her pink tongue lapped the cool water.  As she lay back down the third pup appeared.  Another beautiful sable baby.  A male.  Not as big as the second one.  But with similar markings.  And little paws.  John noticed the small paws.  “You’ll be the quick one” he thought with a smile as he snuggled the pup next to the other two.  Minutes later another tricolor whimpered as she was deposited on the soft straw.  Gently she was placed next to her siblings who were stirring and moving in search of milk. And then, around 5:00 am, as the orange sun came up and drove the fog and drizzle away, the fifth collie pup entered the realm of the farm.  As grey as a rain cloud he wriggled free and rested.  John lifted the little grey pup to his face and touched the little nose with his stubble covered cheek.  “You will be the one who surprises all of us with your collie ways” John softly spoke as the grey one joined the pack. 

Daisy relaxed.  She and John knew the births had finished.  And five little collies had come to the farm where their life adventures would start.  For his part, Bob continued to observe the miracle from his perch on the stall fence.  He could not have known how his barn cat life would be changed by these five little dogs. John made sure Daisy could reach her water dish.  Then the comfortable old blue overcoat was gently draped around  her and the pups to keep them out of the draft.  John went to the door, and looking back, clicked the alleyway light off.  The ancient barn door closed. The black iron latch dropped into place like it had thousands of times before. Back to the kitchen he went for a warm cup of tea to hold in his hands and sip as the orange sun drove off the last of the fog.  He smiled with contentment as he and his wife, Kit made something special for Daisy’s breakfast.

Discovery — Sarah, Danny, Bonnie, Frosty and Osa

Collie pups discover the world around them in a different manner than some other breeds. For a collie, he is always driven by a compass needle that points to home.  No matter how interesting the discoveries become, when he becomes tired the pup will turn his nose towards home .  In the early weeks of their lives collie puppies are always driven home to where their mother is.   At first it is the smell of the mother’s breast that interacts with their home in instinct. After about two weeks of life, their little eyes open and usually, the first one they see is their mother.

Driven primarily by the scent trail, the collie has keen eyesight which provides context for where he finds himself.  Things that appear in his field of view can cause him to stop, cock the head to one side, and stare at them.  An evaluation is made inside the Collies mind as to whether this new item or object of interest is worthy of more investigation. Sometimes, these discoveries are an absolute invitation to play. Small animals who are also under the care of their mother will often enter into play with a collie pup when so encountered. On a farm, the first group of animals that are discovered by a pack of collie pups are usually the barn cats.  Kittens are often willing play partners. Well, at least as long as the dogs aren’t too rough.   There is usually some cantankerous yellow cat, who believes that he is king of the barn. These monarchs refuse to willingly except the appearance of  lower species.

Bob the cat was different.  While trying to stay warm and comfortable in the barn, Bobcat dropped down from his perch and curled up beside Daisy one afternoon . Until that moment all five of the baby puppies had been sleeping. But something made them awaken. With their little soft brown eyes they noticed that there was one more creature next to their mother. Looking somewhat different than their siblings, this creature demanded investigation. Bob was awakened rudely as he settled in for a nice warm snooze by being tackled by three curious collie puppies.  While they did him no harm, it ruffled his regal dignity to be sniffed and mauled.

Bobcat curled his big white paws into boxing gloves. He gave the nearest puppy, a good rap on the side of the head. With an perplexed expression, the chastened puppy stood there, and did nothing while he was contemplating what had  happened.  The two other puppies body tackled Bob since the black and white cat had obviously issued an invitation to play. Disgusted by the frontal assault, Bob murmured a low growl of protest.  He dragged himself from their grasp and leaped back up to the safety of the stall railing.  Tiny puppy teeth that had been grasping for a bite of his long and elegant cat tail were disappointed as the object of their interest effortlessly flew upward. For most of the first two weeks, their lives revolved around sleeping and finding their mothers breast. Their entire life was in that warm stall. But the third week was different. Little puppy eyes had opened and there must be more world out there than they were seeing.   When John came to collect the eggs from the chickens at the end of the barn, The sounds told the puppies, that, indeed, there were other things to investigate. But the stall door had not been opened to them yet.  That moment was soon coming!

Spring Comes to the Farm – Warmer Days and New Life

Daisy sensed the change in the weather.  Head up and ears leaning forward, her nose tole here that the cold, gloomy drizzle had given away to bright, warm sunshine.  Now the sun rose in the morning. Its gentleness could be seen in the soft clouds rising from the hayfield nearby. When John came out to feed her, Daisy looked at the door and asked him  in her own collie language, if she would be allowed to go outside.  “So, you need some exercise in the sunshine?” Asked John as he fed her and gave her fresh water.  All five puppies, except one had bedded down in the straw next to each other and we’re sleeping.  The tricolor puppy that was still awake was openly having difficulty staying alert. He wobbled back-and-forth as he patted around a little straw-lined stall. John and Daisy knew it would just be a couple minutes before he too would be having a nice long nap with his brothers and sisters.

John had left the door open to the alleyway that went down the middle of the barn. The bright sunshine revealed millions of sunbeam particles as it streamed through the open doorway. “Here you go, Daisy” he said. Quietly, he unlatched the stall door, and Daisy, with a last look at her puppies, trotted out the alleyway and out the open barn door.     John fastened the latch behind her and turned around following her with other chores to do.

Daisy knew exactly where she wanted to go. Years of living on the farm had a taught her the boundaries of the place. She had to pass the apple orchard where sweet, smelling apple blossoms perfumed the air. Down the driveway she went till she came to the road. She paused at the mailbox and turned north towards the creek. The creek was a great meeting place in the evening for the deer. Her sensitive collie nose picked up the scent of the doe that of her. The soft resting spot with it’s elevated vantage point allowed her to see everything that was attended the last meeting there. She paused for a moment to catalog the smells in her mind. Then she followed the fence line leading to the ancient sawmill building. John worked his sawmill turning old logs into lumber for people. Daisy liked to lay on the sawdust pile with her legs stretched out in front going on.  And she felt that it was her job to keep her eye on John at all times. After all, he was her person. It was her job to make sure that he was safe.

Two little brown calves were dining in the hayfield. As Daisy came walking along the fence, the two little calves came over to greet her.  They pressed their big wet noses to the fencing.  Daisy paused and sniffed them before wagging her tail and continuing toward the house.  It was time to inspect her food bowl on the back porch. And then return to the barn to check on the puppies. She knew that Bobcat would be keeping and eye on the five little collies.  And, indeed he was.  Feeding five growing balls of energy and fur was not Bob’s job.  It was Daisy’s.  And they were trying to climb the sides of the stall as their mother approached. The tiny voices hurried Daisy to her spot in the straw where she settled down.  With her soft tongue she inspected every one and made sure their faces were clean.  And as they nursed, she settle down for a nap.

Escape – When the Great Outdoors is Discovered

Five week old pups are hard to contain in a small area. Instinctively, Daisy knew it was time for them to have more space. She was convinced after being mauled more times than not by five little puppies then it was time to give them the run of the barn. The Collie pushed open the slide latch on the stall door. With a creak the dusty old door swung open. The sound caught the puppies attention, and they saw their mother standing in the open doorway. She turned and trotted down the alleyway. When she got to the open door of the barn, she stopped and turned to see if the pups are falling her. Yes! They were! All five was trundling  along in fat little puppy fashion. The doorway opened into the yard.  There was a manicured gravel path to the house.  It wound though the orchard where the fruit trees were bursting with blooms.  And past the well house.  There was always a bowl of fresh cool water at the pump.

Daisy stopped to dip her tongue into the bowl while the babies bounced along trying to keep up. The babies stopped at the water bowl.  Next to the well house John’s wife had planted flowers.  Delicate blue flox was in bloom.  Three of the puppies were analyzing the soft scent of the flox when a butterfly happened to flutter among the blooms.  This diverted the attention of the three companions momentarily and they took off through the flowers in pursuit of the butterfly.

The two tri-colored pups noticed that their mother was not nearby.  They seized on the moment to scamper across the lawn.  Past the ancient pear trees they encountered their first squirrel. Nutkin dropped out of the walnut tree to enjoy cracking ripe walnuts that had already fallen to the ground. These he picked up and ate with his hands. The ones that he didn’t open his carried with him and scurried back up to his nest. His nest was near the first fork in the tree.  A storm had wrenched the branch free from the trunk.  Over the years that side of the tree had developed a hollow.  It was the perfect home for a squirrel. 

Only one of the tri-colored pups thought he could climb up that 7 feet to the squirrel’s nest.   A torrent of squirrel curses rained down from the branches.  This furious response to a simple inspection of an old walnut tree puzzled the dogs.  They circled the tree a couple times and decided to look for entertainment elsewhere.  About that time Daisy finished her drink.  Looking for her five little collies, she gave a yip.  All of them heard her.  And four of them waddled off through the flower bed and through the lawn to meet Daisy on the front step of the house.  But one of the tricolor pups, who we will call Frosty, heard her mother – but she ignored the call and went on across the soft green lawn all by herself.  And that’s when her first big adventure started.

Frosty and Derby the Pony – Frosty’s Encounter with Derby the Pony Derby, the miniature pony had lived at the farm for a long time. His job was to pull the little pony cart and provide entertainment for the children who came to visit. He also helped keep the weeds.

down in the pasture.  Most of the time he minded his own business. He would graze gently along the edge of the pasture with the sweetest grass grew. When the children would come, he knew that he would always get special treats. So he would find his way to the gate and wait for them.

Other dogs had lived on the Farm and Derby knew them well. He was particularly fond of Daisy. Sometimes, if the kids were walking down the lane towards the house, Daisy would hop over the fence and go find Derby in the pasture. She would give a little bark, and he would turn around and follow her back to the gate. In the evening, this made it easy to take him into the barn. Because there is something in a horse that seems to trust a dog. It was easy to see why Derby and Daisy we’re so close. But something new had just invaded his pasture. He lifted his head and look towards the gate. One of the bottom boards was missing. While, Derby couldn’t get out it was obvious that something else could get in. There was a little tricolor puppy with a little frosty colored muzzle scooting herself under the bottom board of the fence . Derby was only a few feet away from the gate, so he took his time getting over to see what the small invader look like. While, there was some similarity to his friend, Daisy, a friendly sniff told him that yes, it was a dog like Daisy, he had never seen this little animal before.

Cautiously, the little pup approached Derby the pony. Derby’s nose dropped towards the puppy. They sniffed each other. Frosty stood on three legs, with one foot up in the air, as if pointing toward the pony whose nose was only inches away. Suddenly, the pony gave a moist little snort. At this, the curious puppy turned and bolted backwards for several steps. Then she turned around and faced the pony again.  Crouching as a herding dog would, and with her biggest big dog bark, she gave a tiny collie yip.

Derby shook his head at the little form in the grass as Frosty re-assumed her most forceful pose.  He responded with  a little whinny which brought Daisy trotting to the pasture.  She and Derby greeted each other by touching noses.  Then Daisy pushed the naughty pup with her long collie nose and turned Frosty around toward the gate.  The three of them trotted through the sweet smelling grass.  Through the gate went the collies where they joined the other four pups.

Frosty and Belle Tease Blazy the Tomcat

Frosty and Belle Ambush Blazy the Tomcat

After discovering that the gate by the pasture led to a whole New World, Frosty just wasn’t content to stay in the little dog pen anymore. And it wasn’t just Frosty that knew there was a big world out there, the little Sable collie named Belle knew it too.  Bell had quietly observed Frosty’s return to the pack when his mother brought him back out of the pasture. Her Collie mind was sharp. She knew that there was something going on that she wanted to know more about. So when Frosty suggested that they go on a romp together around the back of the house she thought that would be a wonderful idea. 

After a nice lunch provided by their mother, the five fat little collies were laying on a rug by John’s kitchen door.  The springtime sun was warm and the slight breeze brought tantalizing scents that had been lofted into the air. Their little eyes closed as they lay piled together like so many toys.  Tiny feet were in the air as they napped.

But a vaguely familiar  scent brought Belle and Frosty to wakefulness.  Their eyes opened simultaneously and they looked at each other. They rolled over on their feet and stood up. Sniffing  in the air, they tried to identify the new smell. The only way to tell what it was was to get closer so off to the new adventure the pups went. Frosty, the little, tricolor and Belle, the Little sable collie pup went around the house, looking for the source of this new smell.

Quietly the pair trotted around the corner of John’s house.  On their soft foot pads they were nearly silent.  Belle could tell that they were getting closer to the object they were looking for. She knew that it was another animal.  And Belle thought it might be a cat, since it reminded her of the friendly BobCat from the barn.  There was a little path between the house and the strawberry patch.  Along this rather the two hunters travelled. Coming out by the corner, they spied a long yellow snake hanging from a lawn chair. 

It would twitch back and forth in the light breeze.  And it would sway back and forth. There was no evident source of motion for this extraordinary discovery.  So, the two pups very, very cautiously approached the lawn chair.  In military fashion they crept silently across the grass and into the shaded area under the chair from two directions.  

The furry yellow snake continued to sway back and forth with clocklike rhythm.  It tickled the puppies’ black noses as it switched back and forth.  In an effort to get it to hold still, Belle opened her mouth and clamped her needle sharp puppy teeth around it.  It indeed held still – for the shortest of moments!  Above Belle and Frosty, the yellow cat who actually owned the tail, was taking off vertically and bringing the fuzzy tail with him.  Belle’s bite was too gentle to successfully anchor the cat down.  But anyone who has been around collie pups knows that those little teeth can be painfully sharp!

The cool air parted with a rock splitting yowl from the yellow tom cat as the fur ball launched into an attempted low earth orbit. Up the maple tree shot Blazey the tom cat.  When he reached a safe spot on a limb, he turned around and spat cat curses on the two little antagonists.  They looked at each other.  “So, what now?” Their expressions seemed to say.  So off they went looking for more adventure .

Sarah and the Fish – Sarah Catches a Fish

The little farm was perfect in so many ways.  It had trees, pasture, a small grain field and a nice barn.  A little creek wandered through the property.  Several deep pools offered a safe place for trout to rest. 

The two cows would come down to the creek in the afternoon and drink from its cold water. Trees that grew along the banks formed and arch over parts of the creek.  It was almost like being in a room with a roof. One warm sunny afternoon Sarah, the biggest of the five, found herself following the two cows just to see where they were going.  Bess, the black and white holstein cow and her little calf, Sadie made their way to a grassy area beside the creek.  They ate as much of the sweet gras as they wanted and then laid down to rest and chew their cud. 

Sarah, now 7 weeks old, knew the cows.  They were friends with the little collie.  She, too, was ready for a nap and curled up with her back against the resting cow.  Bess’s rhythmic chewing made her tummy gently go up and down.  Sarah loved the hypnotic feeling of the cow’s warm body next to her.  She quickly fell asleep.

Dogs are unusual in their manner of sleep.  Though their eyes are closed, their hearing and smell are fully functioning.  If something or someone should come within range of their senses, dogs can be on full alert instantly. Sarah was in such a state when a splash in the pool caused her to open her eyes. Her tulip shaped ears pinpointed the source of the sound. Sarah quickly got to her feet.  She trotted to the edge of the pool where the ripples were still expanding.  Looking down into the water she saw a trout which had been hunting bugs on the waters surface.  The trout seemed to be moving .  Quickly the fish darted under the edge of the cut bank.  It was safer under the hanging grass.  Sarah laid down the grassy bank where she could watch for the fish to reappear.  Sure enough!  In a couple minutes the fat little trout forgot about the collie.  He went back to hunting bugs that were floating in the water.  Over the shallow sandbank he floated.  Sarah was watching all this time.  With a mighty leap she landed in the shallow water on top of the fish.  His slippery body was no match for those hook-sharp puppy teeth.

With her wriggling prize held firmly in her mouth, Sarah scrambled up the bank.  Proud as could be, she scampered along the pathway back up to the house.  The other pups noticed her coming.  She held her head high to show them her catch.  Sarah dropped the fish on the grass by the back step.  All the inquisitive puppies crowded around her.  It was the first fresh fish any of them had encountered.  They didn’t know that it was really food.  But the smell !!! Ohhhhh! That was divine to dog.

Soon all them were shoulder bumping each other for a chance to roll around on the slimy fish.  After a few minutes of pure puppy pleasure, the trout was forgotten.  They were all off to play in the grass.  John’s wife Kit, out of concern for her flower garden came outside to shoo them away from the flowers.  She was met with a peculiar oder of puppies wearing eu-de-rotten fish.  Kit wrinkled up her freckled nose.  She knew just what had to be done.  Back to her kitchen she went.  While the tea kettle was on the stove, she got a big washtub from the garden shed.  On her way, the mangled trout was tossed into the compost pile (an action she would regret later).

Kit retrieved a bottle of horse shampoo from the tack box in the barn.   Knowing that she always provided treats for them, they came running.  Her back porch seemed like a good jail for the unruly gang.  So it was there that the treats were placed.  With the hose and tea kettle she filled the washtub.  Then she called the puppies.

Sarah was the first to find out that Kit had a plan and she meant business.  With a fresh treat in her mouth, Sarah was scooped up and deposited in the warm soapy water.  A good scrubbing followed.  After a rinse from the hose, she was dried off with a towel.  Kit turned Sarah loose to finish drying in the sun and scooped up the next little collie.

All five got a thorough cleaning.  Out into the warm sunshine Kit gently ejected them. Frosty, Sarah, Belle and the other two decided it was nap time.  At least for now.

Danny paints John’s Hat – Danny, one of the tricolor pups took a real shine to John.  While the other pups liked to chum around together, wrestling and rolling in the grass, Danny would follow John around the farm,  Sometimes the 6 week old pup would get underfoot.  But he learned to ‘heel’ and when walking with John, he would be right beside John’s left knee. 

If John was working on some intense task, like fixing the water pump or adjusting the motor on the tiller, Danny would sit near him.  He would then scoot his front paws out in front and lay down with his nose on his paws. One morning, John has prepared new fence boards to go around the garden.  Kit insisted that a fence was necessary because “rabbits and dogs and who knows what” were digging in her vegetable patch. And indeed, it was true.  The rabbits had chewed the carrot tops off as nicely as you could have cut them with a knife.  Sarah had discovered that the broccoli was ripening.  She decided that this was her favorite new vegetable.  Kit was furious at what was becoming of all her hard work.

The fence had been prepared in sections which were stacked flat on the ground.  John set his bucket of white paint on top of them. With long slow strokes he applied the paint to the boards.  Danny watched from a few feet away.  His master seemed so intent on enjoying his work that Danny wondered what could be in that bucket.  John’s hand would dip the brush into the bucket and spread something that looked like milk over the fresh boards.  “What could that bucket possibly hold?” he wondered. John took out his handkerchief and wiped his forehead.  Laying his hat beside the bucket, he turned and went into the kitchen for a cool glass of Kit’s lemonade.

Danny looked at the bucket.  He still wondered what kind of milk that it held.  Standing on the fence slats he peeked into the pail.  With one paw resting on the top of the bucket he sniffed its contents. 

Without warning, the bucket tipped over!  Danny’s black legs were splattered with white house paint.  But worse than that, John’s special work hat with the green embroidered tractor on it now contained part of the bucket of paint. The clang of the bucket as it fell brought John’s attention. Still holding his glass of lemonade, he stood for a moment.. The startled pup had grown a few new white spots.  The paint bucket was emptied into John’s hat.  And a pool of white was growing fed from the dripping paint as it slowly flowed from the fence boards to the ground.

Poor Danny sensed that he had done something wrong.  His little face was so downcast.  He could only look down at the hat that earlier proudly was emblazoned with a green tractor and now slumped into a misshapen container of house paint. John stood in front of the embarrassed  little pup.  He surveyed the damage.  A twinkle in his eye appeared.  Setting this glass down, he gathered Danny in his arms and hugged him. “It’s Okay, Little Danny” he said in comforting tones. “It’s just a little paint.  Let’s get you cleaned up.” He carried the little black and white pup into the kitchen.  Fortunately the paint would come off with soap and warm water.  In minutes Danny looked as good as new.  His brown eyes admired John.  Danny licked John’s hand affectionately. Paint or no paint, they were best friends.

Danny and The Birthday Cake – It was Kit’s birthday.  She had gone to town to do some shopping.  John had finished his chores and was in the kitchen. Down from the cupboard came the old red and white cookbook.  Way in the back, Kit had taped her great-grandmother’s cake recipe.  “We’ll make a little Birthday surprise for Miss Kit” John remarked to Danny who sat near the woodstove.  “I’ll start by gathering up the eggs and butter and sugar.  You read the other ingredients to me as I put them in the bowl. “Wait!  You’re not old enough to even go to school – much less learn to read !” John teased.           Danny tilted his head as he listened to John’s voice.  He could tell the old man was speaking to him by the gentle tone of the voice. John turned to the counter.  He combined the flavorful ingredients without really needing to hardly look at the recipe.  The recipe had been in the family for generations.  Everyone knew it pretty much by heart.

Soon the wood stove was happily baking away with the chocolate cake safely tucked into the oven. John turned to the icing.  With fresh cream he combined butter and icing sugar.  It sat on the stove to warm.  When it was ready to cool John opened the back door and set it on the porch chair. Danny had been watching the whole time.  The little black and gold collie with the white blaze grew curious about the pan that John had placed outside.  John hung the dish towel on the door handle and poured himself a cup of hot tea.  Into the dining room he went to wait for the cake to finish baking.  Danny, however, sat by the back door.  His black nose KNEW there was something good on the porch,  He sniffed the dish towel and it suddenly occurred to him to pull on it.  Slowly the porch door opened.  Danny slipped through the opening.  He put his front feet on the seat of the old chair that always sat outside.  His sensitive nose told him that butter and cream and egg whites, all of which are collie favorites were held in the bowl.  Out came that pink tongue.  Danny licked the inside of the bowl. 

His face brightened with the pleasurable sensation. Gently he plunged his muzzle into the soft mixture.  Oooooh, the smell was heavenly! The icing coated his tongue.  It took more and more effort to lick the sweet stuff off his muzzle.  Faster and faster his little tongue went.  Up and around his lips it went.

Moments later the pan clattered to the floor of the porch.  Danny hopped down and pushed his nose back into he soft luscious icing.  Just then John heard the clang of the falling metal bowl. “Danny!” He scolded.  “What are you doing?” Collies instinctively know when a question deserves an answer and when it does not.  In this case, a response was hardly necessary. Danny sat down beside the bowl of ruined icing.  He looked at John.  “Why did you make it taste so good?” His expression seemed to say.

It was hard not to smile at the little collie.  John did his best to look and sound stern so that Danny would know that he had done something wrong. It would have been impossible to totally ignore the compassion and love he had for the little pup.  Danny looked into his eyes.  It was easy to see the bond between them.  Danny finished licking the bowl while John started a new batch of icing.

Bonnie Goes Shopping One of the pups was sassy as well as adventuresome.   A little sable female had been named Bonnie.  She had such a good heart.  BUT, she didn’t like to hear the word “NO!”.  On hearing the word spoken with a tone of correction, Bonnie would back up, bare her teeth, and respond “Bark, bark, bark bark, bark” in rapid and irritated fashion.  She also refused to change the behavior that had originally invited the discipline. Nonetheless the mahogany colored collie had developed a deep friendship with John’s red-haired wife, Kit.  Being 7 weeks old and still living on the farm, Bonnie was developing into a beautiful young dog with a winning personality

When not playing with the other puppies Bonnie would arrive at the kitchen door and wait patiently for Kit to come into view.  She would scratch gently at the door frame.  Kit, a soft hearted grandmother if there ever was one, would stop what she was doing.  Opening the frig, she would select a couple nice meaty treats from her stash and favor the little collie.

Bonnie was made to ‘sit’ or ‘stay’ while the goody was being presented.  She did her best to oblige the woman she regarded as her personal deity.  She would then lay down on the cool kitchen floor where she could watch Kit as she worked. If John was out working in the barn, Kit found herself engaging in conversation with Bonnie.  Bonnie cocked her regal collie head as if listening in great detail.  Kit enjoyed the companionship.  And, as I said before, they became fast friends. On Fridays, Kit would take care of her normal housework and then put on her shopping clothes.

She put 6 dozen eggs into cardboard cartons and put them in the back of her little red car.  Two clean and empty milk jugs were stationed in the back seat to be filled at the dairy farm just down the road.  A quart of cream for coffee and sometimes sharing with the kittens usually came back with the fresh milk. 

The car loaded, Kit tied her red scarf under her chin so that her hair would not get tangled in the car window as she sped down the lane.  She picked up her purse and started toward the door.  “I’m going to town” she called out to John who was working on the big green tractor. “Okay” he replied. 

As Kit closed the screen door, Bonnie was sitting at her feet.  “I’ll bet you would like to go to town, too, wouldn’t you Girl?” Kit said.  The   little collie seemed to understand.  She stood to her feet with an air of expectancy. Kit reached down and fastened a leash to Bonnie’s collar.  Bonnie crossed behind her and stood obediently beside Kit’s left knee.  “I’m taking Bonnie with me” Kit shouted to John. 

“That’s should be interesting” John thought as he raised a lone eyebrow.  “Enjoy yourselves” he hollered back. Bonnie had never ridden in a car before.  But she hopped up into the passenger seat like an experienced farm dog. She seemed to enjoy the rumble of the tires on the gravel as they drove down the lane.  The two cows raised their heads to watch the car as it passed the pasture.  They noticed Bonnie in the front seat which was a new thing.

Kit and Bonnie passed by and the cows went back to grazing. The car lurched as they pulled onto the highway.  The little dog was fascinated as they went past more barns, fields and animals. Kit slowed and turned into a country lane lined with elm trees,  At the end of the lane was a white frame country house.  She left the empty milk jugs on the back porch as well as three boxes of fresh brown eggs.

Back onto the highway the two went.  Kit recited her shopping list to the dog as they drove.  In return, Bonnie seemed to be saying “And add a big package of dog bones to the list.” Bonnie sat in the car like a big girl while Kit went to the grocery store and the druggist.  She put her paws on the window opening and wagged her tail at everyone who glanced her direction. But it when they went to the butcher shop that Kit took the leashed collie inside.

Her long collie nose experienced more beautiful tantalizing smells than she had ever imagined.  She stood beside her mistress with her tail waving back and forth. “So, who do we have here?” Mr. Wolf asked in his thick brrrogue.  “This is Bonnie, Lazer.” Kit replied. “She’s certainly a pretty one” he smiled as he stropped his knife. “What can I get you today?” He continued.   Laser knew from all the times Kit had come to his shop what she wanted.  He was already opening the door on the ground beef case.

Kit looked at her list.  “Two pounds of ground round, please.  And a lamb roast.  And, oh!  Would you have some nice marrow bones ?” “Of course I do” replied Lazer with a smile at Bonnie. “We have five babies and Daisy the mom” Kit said. In two minutes Mr. Wolf had her order wrapped and ready to go.  He came around the counter with something in his hand.  Bonnie sat up and instantly noticed the twinkle in Lazer’s eye. Lazer knelt beside her.  “For you, Pretty Bonnie” as he held out a nice bone to the collie.  Bonnie gently accepted the valuable gift.  She lifted a paw in thanks for Mr. Wolf.  He took her paw and slowly shook it.  “Y0u’re SO special” Mr. Wolf told her. As he stood up, Kit beamed with pride.  Somehow, in the back of her mind, she was wondering what she would do if the day came when a new family would come to take Bonnie to their home. It was a passing thought and she quickly put it out of her mind.

Osa Saves the Day – Osa was the smallest of the five collies.  John wanted to name her “Fly” because she could run faster than the wind But Kit had already decided to call her Osa after one of their farm collies who had served them for many years.  A butterscotch colored sable with that beautiful white blaze down her distinguished nose, she pranced before she ran.  And then it was like the very wind.  Maybe faster.  Her personality showed an inbred determination.  And with the farm animals she was gentle.  Her kindness extended to the litter of kittens that their father, Bob Cat was quite proud of.  Osa made sure that they didn’t wander too far from their mother.  She would carefully lift them by the back of their necks.  Gently she carried them from their precarious circumstances and deposited them back in their nest. The neighbor had brought over two young lambs to put in the front pasture. Osa soon noticed that the sheep were in desperate need of someone to watch over them. It’s a Collies nature to want to take care of and herd sheep. They are so completely loyal to their job. John noticed right away that Osa found a high spot in the pasture and watched over the two lambs from her vantage point. “So, you’re a sheep dog are ya?” He said as he bent down to pat the collie on the head and ruffle her ears.  “Well, if you are, then let’s learn to do it right” he continued.

Her training started that day.  Soon Osa knew “Away to Me” and “Come By” and would move the two lambs to John’s right or left.  She could do “Walk Up” and bravely go right up the sheep.  And when John called “To Me” Osa carefully worked behind the sheep to push them toward John. She was learning fast.  No dog seemed to enjoy working sheep like Osa!  Neighbors heard of her talent.  They would stop at the side of the road and watch John and Osa in the evening.   They would applaud when Osa walked the two white lambs though the two gate panels that were set up in the middle of the pasture.  As the sun began to set, Osa would guide the lambs towards the barn.  The neighbors thought

she was actually herding them. But just like many other animals, they were trained that when they went to the barn in the evening, there would be a special treat for them. Osa trotted  along behind. She knew that this was just part of the job. And she enjoyed it ! John taught Osa how to open the sheep door on the barn and shut it.    The rope hung beside the door.  Osa would grab the rope in her mouth and pull the door open. She even knew how to make the latch close.   She stood on her back legs and pushed the door shut with her front paws. “Ker-click” went the latch when the door was closed.  Then Osa would go to the house and see what John and Kit were doing.  And of course, ask Kit for a treat. John had already poured fresh water for them to drink  and soft hay for the lambs to lay down on.  As the setting sun slipped lower in the west the two lambs snuggled into their warm hay bed. One evening, the sunset was crimson and gold.  Osa finished tending the lambs.  Like other nights, they were warm and safe in their stall.  Osa came to the kitchen door to ask for her treat.

Kit looked past the dog at the beautiful sunset.  “It looks like a storm coming in, John” she said as she slipped a dog goody to the waiting pup. “Sure does” replied John as he slipped into his work coat.  “Come, Osa” he said as he the collie and he headed to the barn.  Together John and Osa went out to check on the cows and the sheep. Everything looked to be OK, so back to the house they went as darkness descended over the farm.  Osa managed to acquire another tasty dog goody.  She then curled up by the back door where a bed was made in a good box lined with a soft old blanket.  From that vantage point, she could see the barn and the driveway.  From time to time her ears would detect the footsteps of a raccoon or opossum as they wandered through the yard.  Her eyes opened and she would see if it was an animal  that shouldn’t be there. 

A few minutes after midnight, an ominous rumble from the other side of the valley announced the coming rainstorm.  Flashes of lightening lit the sky revealing the countryside like it was mid-day.  The trees swayed in the strengthening wind as it hastened through the orchard with a whoosh.  Leaves and dust roared along the road as the wind advanced through the farm. 

The noise of the approaching storm awakened Osa.  She lifted her head and listened to the symphony of sounds.  Wooden gates creaked and banged.  Barn doors rattled.  Trees bent to the wind as it whistled through the leaves. But Osa’s sensitive ears picked up another sound.  The cry of a small animal lost in the frightening storm would never have been heard by any one else.  She jumped to her feet and headed into the growing gale.  Past the old red barn Osa went.  Her sensitive nose then caught the scent of an animal she had not yet met.  She followed the scent and the whimper down across the pasture to the edge of the creek.  In about 2 minutes, Osa located the source of the distress.  In the darkness, it seemed to be a small bundle of fur – like another puppy.  But when the lightning illuminated the pasture, she saw that the wet bundle of fur was red with a white time on a very bushy tail.  Osa had found a baby fox.  The little fox had been orphaned by the storm.  She was wet and frightened.  Osa pushed the little fox with her collie nose.  She could feel the baby shiver from the cold. 

She knew that the baby must be taken to safety and warmed.  Gently, ever so gently, Osa carried the fox kit across the rain whipped pasture.  Around the barn she went and straight to the back door of the house.  She stood up on her back legs.  Still holding the baby, she pushed the door bell button with her paw.  John and Kit were wide awake.  Cradling a hot cop of tea, they had been watching the storm through the kitchen window. “Who could be coming to our place on a night like this?” Kit asked. Without answering, John opened the door.  His expression was priceless.  His eyes opened wide and Osa pushed past him.  Straight to the little wood-burning stove she went with her prize still in her mouth.  She deposited the tiny body on the rug in front of the warm stove. 

Kit knelt beside the collie as she started to lick the tiny form.  “John, get me a dry towel” Kit said. He returned in seconds with two of her best towels.  John opened the stove door and put in more firewood. Kit started rubbing the little fox’s ribs.  Osa was concerned and made sure her nose was in the way so she wouldn’t miss anything.  “I don’t know, John” Kit said.  “The poor little thing is SO cold. “Keep trying” he replied.  Osa looked into Kit’s kind face as if to echo John’s words. Kit continued to rub the tiny fox’s fur.  Gently an kindly went her strong hands over its body.  And then , , , one eye opened, then the other just in time to see little more than a giant looking coil nose sniffing the progress.  A long pink tongue came out and kissed the fox’s face. Too tired to respond, the baby lay still in Kit’s hands.  She put the baby on the floor in front of the warm stove.  Osa continued to dry the fox with her tongue.  Even though it was Kit’s care that saved the fox cub from  freezing, Osa considered the baby HER property since, after all, SHE found the baby. She curled her long collie body around the baby and they slept warm and safe in front of the wood stove.  It was the first of many many times that these two would share some of life’s greatest adventures together.  But we will save those for another story. Author’s note:  Pippi was the actual name of Daisy’s smallest pup.  She lives in Katy Texas.  She has learned to ‘whisper secrets’ in her owner’s ear.  And if you say “Bless you!” She sneezes politely.  

About the Author. Parker Rittgers got his first collie at age 5.  He grew up on a farm in central Iowa, where his family had settled in 1850. After spending time in Canada at Trinity Western College and working at logging in British Columbia, Parker ended up in Anchorage Alaska. Collies came back into his life just like the story tells of Daisy. After saving each other’s life, Parker and Daisy were joined together with a bond that was humbling and amazing. This small collection of stories is meant to preserve some of the wonderful things that happened because of that relationship.  Collie lovers everywhere will recognize the loyalty, intelligence, and courage of the Collies in these stories. Owning a collie is a commitment that lasts for years.  They will share your joys and pain.  Your love and your life.  Love them and they will teach you how deep and strong that love can be.

These stories are dedicated to the memory of Daisy, my Collie who saved my life, and I hers. Parker Rittgers © 2023 – 5 Collies Publishing – 10661 Elies Drive, Anchorage, AK 99507. http://www.5collies.com