My Aussie's a bird dog

[The Outlaw]

Some of you may know or have met my Australian sheepdog, Joey. She's about the best protector of any flock of anything I've ever seen. She'll happily herd ducks for hours.

I usually keep her in the florida room with my birds when I have to run quick errands. I know that no one is going to enter that room with her on guard. Vistors can absolutely affirm that.

Last night I had a series of very strange events involving a singing bird outside of my window until almost 3 am. It came on the heels of a string of fairly unusual things that I'd rather not go into at this time. However, it was an eerie night.

Today, I had to make a quick trip to the post office and decided to leave Eenie, my GW, the two greys, my Severe and my amazon on playstands and in the their big play cages out there. The post office trip probably took no more than 20 minutes round trip.

When I came back, all of the birds greeted me happily. Joey was on duty, as usual. I then decided to check out my new steamer. An hour later, when I returned to the florida room, Eenie was missing. My heart sank. I noticed that the dog had pushed the screen out in the bottom corner of the sliding door.

I frantically called for her. She's my ONLY flighted bird, though she's never flown. I couldn't find her anywhere. I grabbed my shoes and started looking outside. My macaws were in the aviary screaming because I was still calling her. When no trace of her could be found, I decided to come back inside and search again.

This time I told the dog to go find Eenie. Quick as a flash, she led me to my bedroom and hanging on the side of the mattress was Miss Eenie, who then greeted me with a big "Hi".

I'm not nuts about this dog, but I gotta tell ya, she enjoyed her steak for dinner tonight. She is just the best bird dog I've ever owned.

[FairyMom]

OMG what a scare! Thank God you have a bird dog lol. I am glad you found Eenie safe and sound INSIDE. Sorry you had to go through all that, I am sure you were very upset.


Are you going to have Eenie clipped now? or are you going to leave her flighted?

[The Outlaw]

I'll leave her flighted, but I won't leave the screen door in place if I leave. I'll close the glass sliders instead. She needs to have her wings to help build up her chest muscles. She's older and has been sick. She's recuperating.

[FairyMom]

Thats completely understandable. I'm very glad for both of you that she didnt get out.

[poi_lover]

Way to go Joey! What a smart boy!

[mamalovesrico]

For pete's sake, I turned grey reading your story. Good job Joey! Protecting the flock! Smart dog! Good dog! Cute that you leave him on duty with the birds. Great that you can trust him. Good to know you've got Joey in the house with strange things happening last night! For pete's sake, I am grey!

[The Outlaw]

Aussies are just like border collies when it comes to intelligence and the innate desire to protect. In fact, if they don't have a job, they get into all kinds fo trouble. If someone was looking for a dog in a parrot household, I would absolutely recommend a herding breed.

What really surprises me is when my birds land on her. They all do it and she gets up and delivers them to me. She is their taxi. When the macaws were babies, they would each aim for her as they fledged. She is very patient and apparently very soft to land on. I know I give this poor dog a hard time, for she often does not follow commands, but she does love little kids and my birds. I know she'd lay down her life for me or Lily and I suspect she'd do as much for the birds.

[Irish]

I can vouch for what Nancy says about herding dogs being protective and a good dog in a parrot household. We have 7 Border Collies, and believe me when I say that NO ONE comes into our house or yard uninvited. They watch the birds, they watch over the birds, and 2 or 3 of the colleys will chastise the other dogs if they think that they're looking TOO intently at a bird (some BCs have stronger "eye" and herding instincts than others).

I LOVE my BCs. I trust my life, my home, our birds and our family to their care. You'll never find a better dog, imho.

[jimpierce7]

better luck next time on that hide n seek Eenie!! and yet ANOTHER view changed due to this sight.............bird dog. hehe

[felisdomesticus]

what a smart dog! I'm sorry she was missing because you must have felt horrible but how wonderful that she was safe and sound.

I have heard stories about the intelligence of Aussies and border collies but have never met one myself. That being said, I'm getting border collie puppies tonight . hehehhee