A Cowdogs Advice

Grip up, America!

A Ladysmith List

5 Top Cowdog Traits, plus Heeler Favorites

by

This site may contain affiliate links.

I am so busy this week! Mom has me helping with cutting those nasty thistles [ I usually set her out on the task, then head for some shade and supervise from there], canning [Blubarb and Zucchini Jam this week], the ongoing saga of cleaning, sorting, throwing, selling, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have to say, my cowdog mind usually runs too fast to be contained in lists. But once in awhile, I like to order things this way to keep routine and direction.  Lists, charts, tallys, and maps can do that. 

 

 

 

 

 

The great Ladysmith was better than I at such organization; I lean toward bearing teeth, barking, nipping, and heeling! So I’ll look to her wisdom and try to further develop my stellar cowdog charecteristics.

I do find it gets easier the older I get! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a Heeler’s list  of 5 top cowdog traits,  plus a few you may find a bit less so!

 

Working dogs have many great characteristics of course. We cowdogs in particular have some that teeter a bit off either side of good. We are relentless in our pursuit to do the job we were born to do, and to do so with virtuous panache.

Here are 5 of the best traits, straight from the cowdog’s mouth.

 

A Ladysmith List of cowdog traits

 

1. Loyal – All dogs are known for being loyal to their master and their people. We know this is a heavenly assignment. But we cowdogs are relentless in our devotion, we stay true and stand strong beside our people.

Cowdog devoted, cowdog loyal

 

 

 

 

2.  Service – it is in the DNA and very soul of a working dog, to do the job given us with excellence, until the last beat of our heart. It is our intent to give and do for others and make a difference in their life. Ask any rancher what a difference it makes to have a good dog there to work those impudent cows. I’ve been told I am as useful as 3 cowboys on horseback; I try to make it 5! Focus til it’s finished!

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Courage – Not always fearless, but always brave in the face of fear. We don’t give up and we keep going, even when things are tough. This is the strong heart of a cowdog. Sometimes it is courage to get in close behind the hoof of a cow, but sometimes courage is laying close to our person, knowing illness is winning, scared for the future, but staying strong always, for them. No backing up, no backing down, leading with a brave heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.  Joy – I have always heard that a Heeler suffers from irrepressible Joy de Vivre; that means an utter and complete joy in living, in my language. This inner happiness makes a cowdog love every day. Joy makes visible the angel wings God has given to us. 

 

 

5.  Wisdom – By this stage of life, I think I’ve learned a few things, observed a lot of things, gathered a little wisdom. But of course that only counts if I intentionally act wisely, put in into play, use that experience for good. 

 

 

And a few awesome dog -favorite characteristics

  1. I rolled in it! All dogs love finding rank and slimy items to roll in. We like mystery spots, sometimes only we can smell what was there. But by our actions, people know it is something awful and try to stop us, but it is always too late! This time of year, there is good aged cow poop, still a few left-over winter-killed critters, and an assortment of icky things we must transfer to our coat and carry inside. Guess what? We eat that stuff,too!     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Mud – a specialty of spring, with plenty to go around with September rains and January chinooks too. It is guaranteed to arrive inside, laid out in beautiful little designs via paw. Mom is forever picking at my paws now and I do get irritated. But she also digs out pebbles that have wedged between my toes and cause me to step gingerly and limp. She brings out a bucket of water and washes paws before I’m allowed inside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now I will have my own mud boots, just like hers and Dad’s. They take some getting used to.

These boots will look great on me!  

Mud is for playing in, so says little Sprout. Mud is for tracking in. I guess mom thinks mud is for mopping up, constantly!

 

 

3.  Treats – Like every great cowdog, I am always worthy of treats, and I do silly and relentlessly persistent things to get them. There are many savory choices, and I must say I am a bit of a connoisseur. There are baked cookies, meat sticks, jerky strips and the standby bone-shaped biscuit. Mom makes home-made ones for me sometimes, from dried meat, or baked biscuits full of blueberries, sweet potatoes, beef and broth.

My favorite, though, are these flavorful dried beef bits mom always keeps on hand.

https://amzn.to/3dxplRV

The cats have discovered how good they are, though, and now I have to share with them.

I like homemade ones a lot, too!

I am testing fresh biscuits, but I do not like a camera clicking while I eat.

 

4. Sleep – This is so important for rest and recovery. A good Heeler sleeps hard so that we can leap up and get back at it,  full again of lively enthusiasm and energy. We choose weird places and positions when we sleep. We are known for the upside down, oddly twisted shuteye. Now that my old body stiffens up easier, I usually go with the simple, side sleep.working dog traits

 

 

 

 

We also choose strange places to sleep sometimes. I have several very nice beds, and this new one is one of my favorites – “orthopedic” mom calls it. I love my comfy bed. https://amzn.to/3SrTLna

Those infernal cats like it, too. I have lots of beds, but there are times I have no place to sleep, thanks to them! I wish mom would have ordered the Jumbo size this time; Large is a little small for this trim 50# canine, but only because I like to stretch out.

 

Sometimes I just go where Icanget out of the fray and away from the cats!

 

 

So there is a Ladysmith List. While I speak from a cowdog’s point of view, I believe most all dogs would be with me on that second list!

All dog owners: read, memorize and practice number 3. Then we all do better with the first 5.

A Cowdog’s Guide to Dinner – A Ladysmith List

by

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      This post contains affiliate links
The best way to a quick meal, for you or me: https://amzn.to/3eRpiwE

My Favorite Foods

I have always been reserved and polite in my dining. I know most dogs dig right in and eat with gusto, but not me. Even with my past, many months in a shelter and who knows what came before, I still prefer to consider my meal and savor it. Sometimes I sort it out on the floor. Still, like all dogs, I dream a lot about food.

Even though mom always fixes my dinner first, I like to sniff whats cooking and check out what mom and dad are having, and clean up after the cats at times. Only then do I go to my dish. I eat fashionably late, and I get really good stuff!

 

What I dream about in my dish

 

Here is a Ladysmith List of best menu items:

Highland Beef– we grow our own naturally lean, Scottish Highland beef. It is hard for me to imagine that those big old beasts I herd, could also be the highlight of dinner. I prefer a good T-bone or sirloin. I often get excellent elk and venison meat also.

 

 

Chicken – I love poultry and would eat it every day. It works great to get me interested in dining again if I have been sick or just bored with the menu. Chicken and rice works every time!

 

Country Vet Cookies – these are my breakfast cookies. I have them with a dental stick every morning. My favorite is bacon-blueberry, but I wouldn’t bury the Oatmeal-cranberry ones if I had them.

 

Freeze-dried raw mix –  I get Ultimate Pet Nutra Complete. It is mostly beef, plus berries, spinach, ginger and lots of other goodies. Usually mom just uses fresh products, but likes this balanced, read-to-serve food to use if there is no meat ready, or for a topper.  I also like Orijen: https://amzn.to/2SgrpT3

 

Pumpkin – one of my favorites, added to my food. I don’t like my meal too wet or mushy, but this mixes everything together nicely. I like sweet potatoes too, lightly baked or dried into chips.

 

Blueberries – fresh are best, but I like them dried, too. 

 

 

 

 

Bone broth – this is an interesting and trendy thing. Mom was cooking meat and saving the juices for me and all dogs that came before, long before it had a fad name and could be bought ready-made. I’m told it is healthy, but I know it as an aromatic addition for my epicurean delight. I like the smell of it slowly cooking, but  I like Open Farm too: 

 

Supplements – I have many, as I get older, and they help keep me young and spry. I’ve been getting Springtime’s Longevity most of my life, and it is an excellent natural insurance.

I can’t say it slows down time, but it feels a little like that.  Longevity for Dogs

 

From the garden – Mostly, mom fixes my meals as fresh as possible. She gardens of course, but in Montana, we’re not growing anything but snowballs much of the year. I am looking forward to fresh greens soon. Later, I’ll get lots of carrots, my favorite. Here is a good one to plant:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078GH9TML/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=cowdogsadvice-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B078GH9TML&linkId=7860c0208ff0ff7126a368fa2d1ed689

 

 

I know people consider a raw diet best, but I truly don’t like everything raw. I can’t stand chicken liver – it makes me gag; leave that for the cats! Mom lightly braises my meat. I appreciate the aroma and taste, and I prefer the texture, too.

 

Mom has an amazing new machine that can cook just about any way imaginable. She slow cooks soup bones to make broth. The pressure cooker takes just minutes, to lightly cook veggies and a roast.  It can dehydrate, too, to make dried meat or sweet potato treats. She even air-fries chicken for me. Just lightly cooked, but it smell so good! And it works great for human meals too, I hear.  Her magic machine is the Instant Pot.https://amzn.to/3eRpiwE

 

 

 

 

I do fast about once a week, mostly because I am tired out and fall asleep. Sometimes I dream about steak or homemade biscuits.

Dreaming of treats

 

Years ago, in the shelter, I never thought I would be served a supper like I eat every day now. Every dog deserves the pleasure of a fine meal, especially us hard-working Heelers. I hope my short list inspires great dinner ideas for yours.