Our Old Dog Moss

Farmers always seem to 'collect' dogs, and we certainly have an assortment. This is a picture of our old sheep dog Moss.He is in his 15th year, and I have had him since a puppy. Philip trained him when he was Two and a half and ever since then he has been with Philip a faithful companion. he has had some hard times having ate something poisonous several years ago and having to have a major operation, where he died on the table and they resuscitated him, and more recently, well only four weeks ago having a large growth removed from just behind his right ear. When he had had enough of being a sheepdog,(well he still sometimes liked to potter) he was fortunate enough to retire as a butchers dog! and sat on the doorstep of our butchers shop at Nantleach where Philip worked a lot of the time. After his operation he was demoted to Kitchen dog and spends all of his time again with me. he is totally deaf, but responds well to sign language however this sometimes means running up the road to get in front of him so he can actually see you!

Then there is Pip. Daughter of Moss and born on Philip's birthday hence the name Pip. a totally useless sheepdog. Oh she can do it but she clocks on and off, she will only work if she feels like it.

Lady our rescue Spaniel about 12. Very happy - aren't all Spaniels loves hunting and putting things up but is totally gun shy, much to Philips disappointment. But she is a happy dog her tail wagging all the time, is still frightened of any strangers, but just happy to be with any of us.

Saffy Layton, our lovable hound dog is back from the hunt season. and it's like she never left. She is just like a naughty child. After a visit from a consultant last week he started in his car up the hill, then half way up began to reverse back down. he got out and said to Philip " I think i have something of yours here" and in the back Saffy Layton had jumped in and was sitting in the middle back seat looking around as if to say Ok where are we going, this looks like a good adventure. If he hadn't looked in his rear view mirror she could have gone all the way to Builth Wells with him!

Then there is our new sheep dog Turk 2 1/2 and Philip is now training him seeing as Moss is retired, he very rough around the edge but a big dog and hopefully he will come on to be a good sheep dog.

So a menagerie of dogs but great fun and what makes country life all worth it - apart from the dog food bill at the end of the month!