Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-01-17
Katie; Sheep Dog

mesa was where met Katie, the sheep
dog. While I was chatting with her
master, and she peacefully dozed.
party of sheep decided that they would
start out exploring.
The herder saw and stood up. "Hi!"
he shouted, where are you going?
You'd better turn back there!"
The band stopped short and gazed
at him. They plainly hesitated. Then
the old eve which was leading gave a
defiant shake Of her head, whereupon,
followed by the others, she impudently
moved on.
Katie" said the herder, softly,
do you see those sheep, and what
they're doing? Go after them, Katie.
Turn them back. Show them what's
what"
Away sped Katie. with all her
might, straight for the errant band;
and in the time that it takes for the
telling she had launched herself in
front of the band. The very sound Of
her crashing through the brush had
made them stop-they suspected what
was about to happen. Then, at first
glimpse of her, in panic they wheeled
like a cavalry squad and rushed for
the main herd. Across their heels
darted Katie, back and forth. One
little lamb must have lost its wits
for it insisted upon running in the
wrong direction. Katie made after 1t.
She tried to turn it right, but it was
as obstinate as any pig; until finally.
exasperated. Katie seized it by the
nape of the neck and gave good nip.
Then Katie looked back at us.
The herder raised high his right
arm, as signal for her to cease. Then
he brought his arm down, and briskly
slapped his thigh Katie understood.
When the sheep we're grazing too
far up the valley, or were getting too
scattered, away out Of sight, he would
send Katie to turn them and round
them up. Here, Katie!" he would
say, waking her instantly. He would
wave his arm indicating the direction.
go way round them, Katie-Way
round!"
Off would dash Katie in a headlong
run. disappearing amid the timber or
round a hill But all along her course
we would see the sheep scuttling in
from outlying points-twos and threes
and Fights and tens Of them, old and
young-until the herd was compact
once more Presently. perhaps OPP
posite us. there would be Katie, stand
ing and gazing for further instructions.
The herder would slap his thigh and
signal her in.
One might talk to Katie just as to
a human being. "Now, Katie" would
instruct the herder, "1 want you to
herd the sheep from that rim rock
wonder to the timber. Don't let them
stray outside"
Yes, Katie understood. She sat and
watched the sheep. The herder went
to sleep. Katie made an occasional
circuit. and if any sheep were found
beyond that rim rock, or in the timber.
they were sent scurrying back.
Or he herder would say: Katie,
there's lamb there I want to catch;
but we'll let the eve alone"
Once Katie knew which lamb it was.
she would pay attention to no other.
nor would she pay attention to its
mother, the eve. That one lamb. in 2
bunch of a thousand other lambs. she
would stick to unerringly, until with
her assistance the herder had caught
It.
But how he loved her! They were
alone together in the safe brush by
day and in the tent by night, out there
on the great western range. He fed
her the best that his menu produced.
He talked to her. and she to him.
And he put his arms about her silky
neck and kissed her, and she kissed
him back.
"Why don't you have another dog
to help herr" I asked once, when she
was particularly footsore at the close
of hard day.
NO. he replied; 1--WE sheep herd.
ers have a saying, One dog is good
dog: two dogs are half dog; three
dogs are no dog at ALL Katie and
can do the work: can't we. Katie?''
And Katie laid her head in his lap.
Edwin L., in Chicago Record Herald.