Falkirk
Writers' Circle

A New Collar for Bob

by Isobel Quinn

 

"Oh!  Bob, I hope you do well today" said Suzie to the farm collie as she

vigorously brushed his sleek black and white coat.

 

Bob knew this was a special day, because Uncle John had given him a bath that

morning, and for weeks after work they had been herding a few sheep through

fences and round posts and into pens.  Uncle John even made Bob put all the sheep inside a circle marked with sawdust and told him to take one away from the

others, shedding he called it.

 

Suzie and David loved spending their summer holiday on their aunt and uncle’s

farm near Dumfries in Galloway.  Suzie liked feeding the hens and helping aunt

Betty to collect the eggs, while David helped Uncle John with his herd of Belted

Galloway cows.  Uncle John explained that they were called that because of the

white band or belt around their middle, and most farmers called them "Belties".

Suzie thought they looked like the Oreo biscuits in Aunt Betty's biscuit barrel.

They had two black biscuit ends with white cream in the middle just like Uncle

John's Belties with their black heads and bottoms and

white middles.  Uncle John also had sheep, and ducks and of course their was

Ginger Tom, the farm cat.  But the sheepdogs were Suzie's favourite, especially

Bob who was the newest and youngest.

 

"It would be wonderful if you won first prize," continued Suzie giving Bob a

hug.

 

"I know it's your first trial and Uncle John says you'll be up against a lot of

really experienced dogs, but I know you can do it."

 

"Hey! Suzie! Are you ready yet?" shouted her brother David from the farmhouse

door.  It's time to go or we'll be late."

 

Suzie ran the brush over Bob one last time.  "You'll be the best looking dog

there." Bob wagged his tail and the two of them hurried over to the old farm

truck where the others were already waiting.

 

"Watch the picnic basket." exclaimed Aunt Betty as Suzie and Bob piled into the

truck.

 

"Here we go then", said Uncle John s they headed out of the farmyard and into

the countryside.

 

"Look Uncle John!" cried David excitedly.  "There's a sign for the Sheep Dog

Trials."

 

Uncle John followed the signs and was soon parking the truck alongside others in

a big field.

 

"What a lot of collies." exclaimed David as they walked towards the field where

the trials were being held

 

"None of them are as handsome as Bob." replied Suzie who was holding Bob

firmly by his lead.

 

"Now remember," said Aunt Betty, "Don't be too hopeful.  This is Bobs' first

time at a trial and anything can happen."

 

"I know, but Bob is really clever." said Suzie stoutly defending Bob.

 

They joined the spectators watching the dogs doing their runs.  Uncle John was

soon chatting to his friends about how the different dogs were performing.

Everyone cheered when they finished well and sympathised when things went wrong.

 

At last it was Bob’s turn.  "Good luck." said Suzie crossing her fingers behind

her back.

 

"Don't they look smart." commented Aunt Betty as Uncle John and Bob made

their way to the starting post.  Uncle John was wearing his best tweed jacket and

his good 'bunnett' as he called it. "Just look at the shine on Bobs' coat.  You

did make a good job of brushing him, Suzie."

 

Suzie beamed.  She was very proud of Bob and her Uncle John of course.

 

Bob was eager to get started, but he had to wait until his sheep were brought

out.

 

By the time Uncle John gave the "away" command Bob was quivering with

excitement.

 

The trio watched anxiously as Bob made his way swiftly to the sheep and began to

drive them back towards Uncle John.  On the way he had to put them through a

gate.  Just as the sheep were nearing the gate one of them stopped to eat some

grass and when Bob tried to move her she stamped her foot at him.  Suzie and

David held their breath, but Bob wasn't frightened from a sheep and he soon had

her back with the others and trotting through the gate.  Everything else went

smoothly, even the shedding, where Bob had to take one of the sheep away from

the others.

 

"Didn't Bob do well." said Suzie with a sigh of relief.  "Some of the other dogs

didn't do as well as that."

 

"I know." replied Aunt Betty, "But it's not over until all the sheep are in that

pen over there and Uncle John has shut the gate."

"Bob will do it." said David standing up on his toes so he could see better.

 

Aunt Betty crossed her fingers.  Bob was driving the sheep towards the pen and

Uncle John was holding the gate ready to shut it as soon as the last sheep was

in, when suddenly the same naughty sheep who had stamped her foot at Bob broke

away from the others and ran round the back of the pen.

 

Uncle John whistled for Bob to bring her back.  Bob set off to catch her and one

of the other sheep sensing that Bob's attention was elsewhere decided that she

too would have some fun and dashed off in the opposite direction.

 

"Oh No!" wailed Suzie.

 

"Don't worry" comforted her brother.  "Bob will get them."

 

Aunt Betty crossed her fingers more tightly and held her breath.

 

Bob chased the two naughty sheep, but they kept teasing him by twisting and

turning away from the pen.

 

Suzie's heart was beating so fast she thought it was going to jump right out of

her body.  After what seemed an age Bob managed to bring the naughty sheep under

control.  A big cheer went up from all the spectators as Bob put all the sheep

into the pen and Uncle John quickly shut the gate.  He gave Bob a pat as they

walked back to the others.

 

"Never mind dear," said Aunty Betty to Uncle John." Bob did very well for his

first trial."

 

"I know and I'm very proud of him, but I think Suzie and David are

disappointed."

 

"It wasn't Bob’s fault." said Suzie holding back a tear.

 

"It was those silly sheep." agreed David.” They were very naughty.

 

Bob just wagged his tail and trotted beside them.

 

Before long the trials were over and the judges were announcing the winners.

 

Suzie and David clapped and cheered as the winning dogs went up for their prizes.

 

“I would like to announce a new prize this year.” said the voice on the tannoy.  “It is to be presented to the best newcomer at the trial.”

 

Suzie held her breath as the voice went on.  “It gives me great pleasure to tell you that the very first winner of this trophy is Farmer John Brown and Bob.”

 

“I knew he was the best.” shouted Suzie jumping up and down with excitement.

 

Everyone cheered loudly as they were presented with a silver trophy for Uncle John and a shiny new collar for Bob.

 

“Suzie you’re spoiling that dog.” laughed Uncle John as they made their way homeward.

 

“He deserves to be spoilt today Uncle John.  It isn’t everyday that he wins a new collar.”

 

Bob wasn’t really sure what he had done to deserve all this attention, but he was enjoying it and his new collar was comfortable and smart.

 

Soon Apple Tree farm was in sight.  “Home again.” sighed Aunt Betty.  “It’s been a good day, but I’m glad to be home.”

 

“Yes I’m ready for a cuppa” agreed Uncle John.

 

“This has been the best day of our holidays.” enthused Suzie as she got out of the truck.  “Don’t you think so David?”

 

“Yes it has been exciting” agreed her brother.  

 

Bob jumped out of the truck, stretched and looked around for Ginger Tom, the

farm cat.  There was no sign of him in the yard, so Bob headed towards the apple

orchard.

 

"Ginger will be very surprised to see my new collar." thought Bob as he walked

off head held high so that his bright new collar shone in the evening sun.