Pastor Ken
The first time I saw sheepdogs at work was in Australia. At a single command from their owner, two sheepdogs started running to the other side of the hill. In the distance, a few hundred white dots floated. As the black-coated sheepdogs turned into black dots, the white dots began to move. In less than ten minutes, a few hundred sheep walked toward the sheepfold, with the sheepdogs watching and herding. Occasionally, a few sheep would try to stray, but the dogs quickly ran after them and brought them back to the flock. Once all the sheep were in the pen, the handler closed the gate. The two sheepdogs, having completed their task, ran back to their owner for their reward. There was no treat, just a few words of praise and a pat from the owner.
The shepherd explained to us that farm sheepdogs are raised among the sheep from a young age, learning obedience and observation early on. They sometimes form teams to look after the flock. If the sheep face threats from other animals, the dogs will step forward to protect them. Sheepdogs possess common canine traits, such as loyalty to their owners. What impresses me is their eagerness to work and fulfill their duties.
In the UK, there are various competitions every year to see whose sheepdog can most efficiently guide the flock to its destination. Obstacles and different pathways are added to make the competitions more challenging. The number of sheep in these contests isn’t large—just about a dozen. However, the communication and interaction between the owner and the dog are truly amazing. A whistle or the direction of a stick can command the sheepdog on how to work.
I used to own a dog. Before getting it, I read some books on the subject. Dogs can be categorized based on their breed into toy dogs, family dogs, hunting dogs, sporting dogs, working dogs, and so on. Each type needs to match the owner’s lifestyle and personality. For example, if you live in the city and have children, it’s better to have a family dog. Randomly choosing a working dog without giving it work to do can lead to psychological issues. The dog will become depressed and exhibit destructive behavior. I had a Keeshond, which is loyal to one master and has a gentle temperament. When it grew old and weak, it seemed to know its time had come and stopped eating. We had to take it to the animal hospital to put it down peacefully.
Owning a dog requires mental preparation to treat it as a family member for at least the next ten plus years. One must not abuse or abandon the dog. For its safety and the family’s happiness, the owner needs to provide basic obedience training, including commands like heel, stop, and come. Apart from routine check-ups and giving preventive medications, the dog must be well cared for when sick or injured.
Humans are more capable of complex thought than dogs and yearn for happiness in life. Unfortunately, many people treat happiness as a goal to pursue, believing that wealth and material abundance without the need to work will bring joy. Yet, after accumulating wealth, they find themselves still unhappy. I tend to agree that happiness is a by-product. Life needs a clear mission, and by contributing to society and serving others, one can find meaning in work, and derive happiness as a by-product.
