In this corner, we have Al. Weighing in at . . . too damned much . . .
Al is a registered White Dorper ram. He is 5 - 6 years old and in his prime.
In this corner, we have Briar. Weighing in at about 80 lbs . . .
Briar is a Big White Dog, and all hair. She is beginning her third season and entering her prime.
Briar is taller than Al. Al outweighs Briar considerably. Briar, however, is smarter than Al.
"Don't get excited. That's not sayin' much."
Yesterday the sheep were near the front gate as we were driving the truck out. Other Half was opening the gate, and in his own little world, oblivious to the drama playing out in my rear-view mirror.
Al saw the open gate leading to the open highway and decided, as sheep are wont to do, that it would be a good idea to explore the "other" side of the gate, so he began walking quickly toward the highway. Briar, who has gotten in trouble for exiting this gate in the past, blocked the ram and politely told him,
"Off limits for sheep."
Al puffed up at the dog. Suddenly Briar didn't seem as big in my mirror.
"Who says?" the ram demanded.
Briar puffed up. Hmmm. . . Objects in mirror are closer than they appear. Briar blocked him again and growled,
"I says!"
The ram then tried to bull (ram) his way around the dog. I noted that Other Half was reading mail and thus not privy to this conversation. The Border Collies were in the house. It was up to Briar to avert this disaster.
She didn't attempt to get into a ramming contest with him, but merely stood taller, growled and refused to give ground. The big ram hesitated. Briar took her chance and stepped forward. Al took a step back. Then Briar backed that ram away from the gate, step by step. He finally gave up, turned around, and walked off. Briar turned around, wagged her tail, and ambled toward Other Half, who was blissfully unaware this exchange had taken place.
If Briar lost this battle, the ram would be on the open highway and things would have gotten hairy.
"Hairy" is my middle name!"
"Oh, gag me . . ."
