Jo&Tex Posted July 15, 2010 Report Share Posted July 15, 2010 My border collie - rough collie, Skip, passed away suddenly last Saturday. I'm still not sure what happened. His behaviour became increasing erratic over a period of 2 weeks and I just blamed the extreme heat and a recent move to a new farm. One minute he'd be calmer and better behaved than ever, and then suddenly attacking my other dogs and swiping at me. I didnt have an autopsy performed. Skip was a shelter dog and appeared to have had a birth injury or trauma to his head. We suspect that was the cause of his sudden aggression and subsequent seizure. I picked up Skip at the shelter on his last day. He was a black and white rough collie, obviously a mix and although he looked like a bc, he just wasn't. He was good with the sheeps and adored his poultry flock. He took his job of patrolling the farm very seriously. He figured out that I got upset when the chickens and ducks went into my vegetable garden so he guarded it. No bird was allowed past the corner of the house towards the garden. He was learning to herd..slowly...as he didnt like to turn his blind eye towards the flock but he was getting the idea that he needed to stay behind and stay calm. He and Loki were a good team. They were inseperable on their constant rounds to keep the peace at Windcrest Farm. My neighbours kept cattle. I had to walk thru their cow-calf field to get to my horses pasture. One day I was walking back and a big black bull challenged me on the laneway. There wasnt supposed to be a bull in that field. Loki ran away but Skip went right at that bulls nose and distracted it until I could climb up onto the square baler. Skip battlled that bull away and I made a dash and rolled under the electric fence. Skip trotted over like nothing had happened. Last winter, another neighbour came by and complimented me on my good 'wolfdog'. I was confused so he told me how he looked out one morning and Skip was fighting with a coyote on the front lawn. The man stepped out with his gun and shouted at Skip. Skip backed off and the coyote dropped down onto the snow. The man shot the coyote. Skip sauntered back over, sniffed his fallen rival, cocked his leg on it and went home. Skip wasnt a working border collie, he was just a darn good farmdog and he'll be very missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShoresDog Posted July 15, 2010 Report Share Posted July 15, 2010 I'm so sorry for your loss. Skip gave you his best, didn't he. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrisK Posted July 15, 2010 Report Share Posted July 15, 2010 I met Skip when Jo picked him up. He was a good looking fellow with a sweet disposition. I'm know that Jo gave him a really good life and whatever went wrong with him could not have been forseen. RIP Skip...have a game of tug with Jazz at the Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancy in AZ Posted July 15, 2010 Report Share Posted July 15, 2010 Skip may not have been a "working" border collie, but he sure did the work you needed him to do, just when you needed him to do it. I'm so sorry for your loss, Jo. Skip sounds like he was a wonderful companion. RIP Skip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc4ever Posted July 15, 2010 Report Share Posted July 15, 2010 Even though I didn't know him, I like Skip. Fearless, loyal, with attitude. Gotta love a dog like that and from the stories you shared, it's obvious that you did. I'm sorry for your sudden loss. That'll do Skip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urge to herd Posted July 15, 2010 Report Share Posted July 15, 2010 Thanks for sharing Skip with us, I loved the stories you told. RIP, your memory is treasured. Ruth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted July 15, 2010 Report Share Posted July 15, 2010 I'm sorry to hear that you lost that gorgeous, wonderful dog - "darn good" is what's important, not the breed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildFlower Posted July 19, 2010 Report Share Posted July 19, 2010 I am so sorry for your loss. RIP Skip. Good dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody & Duchess Posted July 19, 2010 Report Share Posted July 19, 2010 You served Skip well- as he did for you. So sorry for your loss. If sounds like you made a great team. He was a really handsome boy. Thank you for giving him such a great life and a purpose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Good Shepherd Posted July 19, 2010 Report Share Posted July 19, 2010 A great big hug from New Mexico Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSmitty Posted July 19, 2010 Report Share Posted July 19, 2010 I'm so sorry for your loss. Run free, Skip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippin's person Posted July 19, 2010 Report Share Posted July 19, 2010 Godspeed Skip. RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted July 19, 2010 Report Share Posted July 19, 2010 Skip was one gorgeous dog. I'm sure he was grateful to you for giving him a chance and it sounds like he rewarded you well. Rest in peace, Skip. J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushdoggie Posted July 20, 2010 Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 Wow, what a gorgeous dog he was! I'm so sorry for your loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BustopherJones Posted July 20, 2010 Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 I lost a treasured friend today, The little dog who used to lay His gentle head upon my knee And share his silent thoughts with me... He'll come no longer to my call, Retrieve no more his favorite ball; A voice far greater than my own Has called him to His golden throne. Although my eyes are filled with tears, I thank Him for the happy years He let him spend down here with me And for his love and loyalty. When it is time for me to go And join him there, this much I know... I shall not fear the transient dark For he will greet me with his bark. ~ Author Unknown Via con Dios, Skip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sea4th Posted July 21, 2010 Report Share Posted July 21, 2010 Skip had heart. I'm so sorry for your loss, but it was destiny that your paths crossed. Good farm dog but his job here was done. You were so lucky to have had a dog like him in your life, and he to have had you in his life. Rest gently, Skip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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