Most years, outside work slows down by this time of year.
But this year, we’ve had record-breaking warmth and keep doing all we can out there. 
I can still lay in the sun, though it is not quite as warm. But too long is not a good thing.
Leave a Heeler idle too long, and we can sure think up trouble.
Just this week I was lazing in the sun, watching the boss work in her limping, lurching, old-person manner,
smiling at the sight.
And – completely unintentional I assure you – my mind began to think of ways a good dog can embarrass the boss. Or maybe cause a touch of frustration and wonder, at least.
For us cowdogs, being too smart, too observant, too used to bossing the boss – it is ridiculously easy of course. 
Our loyalty, love and dedication usually keep that in check.
But laying here, eyes closed, absorbing the sun – I let my crafty cowdog mind wander into dark territory!
Here is a Reddie Rose list of embarrassing cowdog actions:
Staring – a good Heeler can bring down anyone with this. 
Very vocal fluent dingo – leave the human puzzling to figure it out, or responding with their own attempt at dog howls!
One of my favorites is to bark urgently, not just at a strangers arrival – but when they head for their car too. Now that confounds them all!
My predecessor, Ladysmith, had perfected the art of riding agreeably in the truck, then suddenly erupting in a snarling rage – when she saw a dog. This works best if the driver did not notice the innocent canine – the reaction is so much better.
And what you can’t see here, is the neatly chewed door – yup, she did that too!
I have been known to pass gas and clear a room.
When I lay down, the boss answers questions about the broken dog.
I will bark, yap, stare and bring toys if my boss sits down in the evening to relax. It is the best time to focus on the dog!
At times, I admit to darting in front or drifting out of my lane, being a furry trip-hazard, or perhaps requiring fast braking on the four-wheeler.
I leave a lot of hair on the couch, truck seat and any clothes I can. The boss has spent time picking hair off, before going out in public, and travels with hair removal tools. It rarely helps – Heeler hair wins.
As a happy and grateful rescue dog, I truly love my home and family. I really don’t plan and plot humiliation or trouble. Seems like sometimes it just happens to be where I am! After I think of my arsenal of embarrassment tools, then I make another list of all the ways I am such a joy and blessing around here.
And that is the one I work on the most.
