Mikey is behind the black dog Ofcharka in a mld play session when the sun was shining and they were warm.
And here is the warm fuzzy face with gentle brown eyes that I love so much.
Mike is a Maremma and Great Pyrenees cross. He came to the Fat Ewe Farm along with his brother in June last year, making him a year and a half old. He was just five weeks when he arrived, earlier than expected, because his mother was hit and fatally killed by a car the night before he came here. Mike was shy right from the start and let Joe lead the way, but slowly as he is maturing, he is finding his own place in the pack. Joe still tries to steal food from him, but now Mike turns one lip up and gives him a growl and Joe shows him respect. He does not challenge the other dogs, but is no longer turning on his back and showing his belly, which is a sign of subservience.
Mike was raised in the sheep pen with the sheep, first a group of younger lambs and then the older ewes. He was watched extremely close and only once did the two pups cause a real problem when they used a lamb's ears as chew toys. The lamb was really unharmed, but I am sure she suffered a great deal of pain when those puppy teeth penetrated her declicate ears. The lamb was removed from their area and they were severely reprimanded. They have not done anything esle untoward the sheep.
Mike tends to spend more time near the sheep than Joe, placing himself on a bale or near the pen where he san survey his charges, however; he also is now part of the pack and goes on the pack walk about with the other big males (the females generally stay home and guard the yard). They mark their terriotory and check for violations and sometimes they hunt. They brought home a young deer in several bits and pieces, either one shot or hurt by someone, or one they killed. It would be nothing for the pack of big dogs to take a deer down. Usually, not even a bunny or squirrel come into their territory or they will chase them away immediately. Killing is not their first choice, though they will kill to defend the farm.
Mike is gentle giant. He sits when he is spoken to, as he was taught as a youngster, and loves to be petted and to be near me. I love that dog! I was thinking the other day, that if I had to chose to keep only one dog, it would, of course be Robbie, my faithful constant companion border collie, but I would have a very hard time deciding between any of the others. Each is unique and brings so much joy to my life. Life without dogs is just not the same. I am grateful for these protectors that would lay thier lives down to keep the farm safe. They put a smile on my face every single day.
Mike was raised in the sheep pen with the sheep, first a group of younger lambs and then the older ewes. He was watched extremely close and only once did the two pups cause a real problem when they used a lamb's ears as chew toys. The lamb was really unharmed, but I am sure she suffered a great deal of pain when those puppy teeth penetrated her declicate ears. The lamb was removed from their area and they were severely reprimanded. They have not done anything esle untoward the sheep.
Mike tends to spend more time near the sheep than Joe, placing himself on a bale or near the pen where he san survey his charges, however; he also is now part of the pack and goes on the pack walk about with the other big males (the females generally stay home and guard the yard). They mark their terriotory and check for violations and sometimes they hunt. They brought home a young deer in several bits and pieces, either one shot or hurt by someone, or one they killed. It would be nothing for the pack of big dogs to take a deer down. Usually, not even a bunny or squirrel come into their territory or they will chase them away immediately. Killing is not their first choice, though they will kill to defend the farm.
Mike is gentle giant. He sits when he is spoken to, as he was taught as a youngster, and loves to be petted and to be near me. I love that dog! I was thinking the other day, that if I had to chose to keep only one dog, it would, of course be Robbie, my faithful constant companion border collie, but I would have a very hard time deciding between any of the others. Each is unique and brings so much joy to my life. Life without dogs is just not the same. I am grateful for these protectors that would lay thier lives down to keep the farm safe. They put a smile on my face every single day.
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