BY LESLIE MCDONALD
A working horse farm has a myriad of important roles to fill. From trainer to groom to cleaner to mower, but ultimately the most important position belongs to the “Dog-in-Charge.”
Long hair, short hair, scruffy coat, smooth coat, waggy thick tail to happy wiggle butt docked tail greeting, they all proudly paw up to the job. It’s a tough career to master, but the learning curve is made easier for an eager, novice pup when he’s lucky enough to have a senior mentor to emulate. No matter the fur or the frame, they are ever proud to assume the mantle of “Dog-in-Charge” from those who have devotedly patrolled and protected the fence lines and barn aisles for years before, walking proudly in the prints of their ancestors’ paws.
As official head of the farm welcoming committee, it’s imperative for the “Dog-in-Charge” to always put his best paw forward to anyone entering through his gate. Once a vehicle stops in the stable yard, a quick sniff up and down tires and the driver’s pant legs ascertain whether friend or stranger, determining the proper stance to be assumed toward the visitor. Status established, a wagging tail and wet nose to the crotch seals the greeting.
As soon as the driveway meet-and-greet formalities are concluded and the visiting human is properly captivated by the ever-engaging canine, it’s time to move the agenda forward to the serious business of the barn beg. As any professional stable dog knows, few humans can resist the cute tilt of a furry head backed up by a soulful gaze, locking in imploring eye contact. Add into the mix a willingly offered paw, and it’s a certainty that the target will reach into a pocket or tack trunk for a delicious, well-deserved reward.
Separate from human interactions, the resident horses present an entirely different scenario for the “Dog-in-Charge”. Early on, a pup is instructed by his mentor that the oversized, grass-guzzlers with arrogant attitudes have no intrinsic value to a dog’s immediate needs. However, their existence must be tolerated as the humans who ride them are also responsible for supplying the dog with his lifestyle and tasty treats.
As a necessary consequence of the unavoidable equine relationship, a truce is established by all parties at the four-board fence line. The protocol of “keep to your own side, plus no chasing or no kicking” is to be honored by all the farm’s four-legged residents.
The only exception to this protocol is the farm’s tuxedo cat who would never agree to be bound by what she considers senseless rules. Her body language makes it abundantly clear that her personal space is a “no dog” zone to be totally respected upon an unspoken threat of unimaginable pain from claws that can slice a mouse open in one swipe. Any dog considering crossing her threshold for a curious sniff is quickly warned off by a barely perceptible hiss and quick tail flick. Woe be unto the foolish dog that requires more than one warning!
Early every morning the tuxedo cat can be found tightrope walking the top board of the fence lines. She casually strolls the length of the pastures to complete her job criteria of ridding the farm of bothersome rodents. Hidden deep in the fenceline grass, the mice blissfully go about their business, certain they’ve cleverly avoided her practiced jaws of death until, with horror, they look up to realize she is stalking them from high above!
With the arrival of spring, the “Dog-in-Charge” waits in anticipation for the return of the barn swallows. The intrepid tiny feathered flyers have been seasonal residents at the farm for as long as anyone can remember. Remarkably, each spring they make the demanding journey north from their winter quarters in Central and South America to build their nests in the rafters of the indoor arena, bringing another generation of swallows into the world. Despite the annoyance of their constant chatter and dive-bombing antics, the “Dog-in-Charge” has to admit they do an incredible job controlling the bothersome summer insects that are always biting his coat.
The start of every farm day is heralded by the “Dog-in-Charge’s” cheery wake-up bark, driven by a wagging tail as they trot ahead to assist in morning feeding. Eyes ever alert, they quickly gobble up any grain carelessly dribbled from the feed box openings by the sloppy grass guzzlers.
Once bellies are satisfied by pirated grain and treat-topped kibble, the next task is a perimeter walkabout to patrol the fence lines and pastures for any foreign prints and scents left by overnight intruders. It’s one of the “Dog-in-Charge’s” most important duties to make sure all traces of unwelcome visitors like coyotes or deer are long gone before the horses and humans in his care venture out and about on the property.
When everything appears in satisfactory order to the discerning canine nose and eye, it’s on to supervising his primary human’s activities. From teaching lessons to schooling horses to office paperwork, it’s the “Dog-in-Charge’s” responsibility to remain ever vigilant at her side throughout the daily routine. The reward for such faithful, devoted service is the regular dispensing of tasty treats delivered from the bottomless reserves of her pants’ pocket storehouse. If pushed to complete honesty, he would have to admit that in his heart she ranks a tick above even those tasty treats.
When the stable chores are complete, the horses settled back in their stalls, and the clients have driven out the farm gate, the most anticipated time of the day has finally arrived. With all the two-legged and four-legged distractions set aside, it’s finally one-on-one quality time with his human. Time for a frisbee toss or, better yet, a walk down the back lane where the challenge is to find the perfect fenceline stick to proudly carry home as a trophy of their adventure.
From morning roll call to evening sundown chores, the “Dog-in-Charge” remains faithfully on duty, ever vigilant to fulfill any need from call-to-action emergencies to nurturing companionship. But it’s the very end of the day that he longs for most when he receives his favorite reward of a lift onto his mistress’ big, fluffy bed. As the lights turn out, he curls into the quilt, pushing his shoulders against the welcome small of her back as they both drift off to sleep to dream of the next day’s adventures.
Leslie McDonald is the author of 6 books. She is a Grand Prix level dressage trainer who lives on a horse farm in southern Ohio where she happily teaches lessons and writes books about the special people and animals in her life.
