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I got tired of explaining they were a drover dog. And I sure didn't know what someone was talking about, a "ROck", a what? a "rock, that wnet on and on, until somehow I figured out she was talking about a dog, the rotties. OMG !
My Heidi was tiny, her mom weighed in at 100# but the dad was smaller. THe litter mates were cookie cut outs. Nice dogs all. My HEidi though was brilliantly smart. As a pup I took here everywhere on the farm. One day she wasn't paying attention to my commands so I left her in the sheep pen. And wallked around to another paddock. Now I had walked a 360 circle and was back next to her with a 5 oot woven fence between us. SHe now wants to be with me, wagging her tail, so I point to the gate about 50 feet behind her, and command go. I totally made up command to fit the momment. after several times repeating, because I had too much to do to go get her, she bounded off way from me and zoomed around to greet me. I thought all dogs where this smart! SHe never missed a command again when I said it was time to go. Her son Barron was brilliant just like her. THough his temerament was difficult because he was very insecure. THat dog taught me so much that would be useful raising kids. I could call my kids ANgel and Barron.
Heidi went to her first show in Worcester the night after the terrible fire in December 1999 , I think, when 6 firefighters died. I can't go by the Centrum without thinking of that day. Great dog she was-- she was a good ambassador for the breed, very friendly to everyone. SHe would race up to a new person and throw herself down for a belly rub. I had to warn people before letting her come introduce herself. A bit much for some people. My father loved her-- his first reaction was' in a gruff voice 'What do ya want a Rottweiler for?" My response was simply, wait until you meet her.. That dog sat on the couch next to him all weekend!!
Sometime I think back to a tgreat dog I had, and thought I woudl never have one as good as he was; then Heidi came along, and now ANgel. SOmetimes it is easy to think there is only one favorite. Naught.