Maggie was born on April 4, 2010. We chose her from the litter within a couple of days and couldn't wait to bring her home. When she was ready, we picked her up and decided that we were going to keep her in the house so she could really attach to the family. For us this was different because in the past all of our working dogs stayed outside. We knew Maggie was different...we knew that she was going to be something special in that very first week. She loved to cuddle and always wanted to be in someone's lap. She was very curious but also very docile. She was serious business with the cows and a loving pet with the girls.
As she has grown, Harry has worked with her and trained her to be his right-hand gal. She loves doing her job and as a matter of fact, when she isn't doing it, she drives herself a little batty with an obsessive need to chase something (usually ends up being the other dogs!).
Harry uses commands such as "go out, easy, trail 'em, and drive" to alert Maggie when help is needed. The commands" that'll do and down" tell her she is finished. She is amazing to watch in the field as she focuses on only two things: the cows and Harry. Border Collies are obsessive by nature and Maggie is no different. She wants to please Harry, but more than that she wants to do her job. Here on the farm, we use Maggie to help us move cows from pasture to pasture because she is gentle with the animals. Her agility and quickness allow her to be right where she needs to be to help move or turn the herd. One thing I know for sure, her situational awareness as Harry calls it, is much better than mine. I am positive she is a better helper than I will ever be!
