Goodbye Winston



Winston August 2010

More than 13 years ago Winston II came to live with us at ThunderRidge Ranch.  He was one of the smartest dogs we ever knew.  He loved working cattle, rounding up chickens and kids or just helping us fence.  We could stand on the top of the ridge and communicate with hand signals while he would round up the cattle and bring them to the feedlot. 

Winston thought sport was created for dogs not people. He played hockey, baseball, soccer, frisbee, touch tag, football and volleyball.  He loved to be in the middle of everything we did.  He was an aggressive member of the team and all of us have had the experience of the nips associated with playing for the other team.

Aaron's graduation pictures bear witness to the fact playing frisbee with Winston could be hard on a body.  The fat lip he sported in front of the camera came from trying to wrangle the frisbee away from a competitor who didn't quit.

He was a protector of women and children when we were in the bull business.  Even the oldest most cantankerous momma cow couldn't take Winston on her best day.  The bulls only respected two things, Winston and Buzzcut the donkey, either of which could put the run on even the most aggressive young prospect sire.

Yet for all of his strength and aggressiveness, Winston could be tender and sensitive.  Watching him gather the chickens each evening using his nose was a lesson in skill and patience.

More than once I have been struggling under a tractor or some other piece of equipment absolutely frustrated with a situation.  Winston seemed to know just when to lick my face or lie down beside me.  As if to say, 'I don't do repairs, but I can support you with the presence of a good friend'.

In later years, like many Border Collies, he grew to hate thunder, but even that was something of value - we met the new neighbours, we tested the PetLynx recovery system and travelled down roads we otherwise wouldn't have visited.  

Four or five years ago he was run completely over by the New Holland 8160.  I held him in my arms as I waited for Aaron to bring down the truck.  We decided to make him comfortable in the horse stall until the others came home.  He surprised us by making a full recovery.

Over the years he had to put up with the various strays and befriended animals that Lisa brought home.  I'm sure he always thought Ben, our Great Pyrenes, was dumber than a sack of hammers when it came to working cattle or ducking under an electric fence. But he never laughed or sneared when invariably Ben would ruin the cattle move or have a shocking experience.

When Tiarus came along Winston put up with the disrespectful antics of a puppy.  One that even now can't manage to jump into the back of a truck.  And he tolerated the various cats that came our way.

It was an unintended kick by one of the Percheron mares last Monday that finally brought his life to an end.  But the memory of Winston will live on in our hearts and in our stories. 

Goodbye Winston. Thank you for the patience, the commitment and the love you had for all of us!