The Loyal Dog

The Briard has been bred for centuries to herd and to protect their flocks. To domesticated briards, their family is the flock.  (Wikipedia).   These dogs were often left to their own devices to protect the flock and developed a certain independent streak and the ability to make decisions on their own.  They deeply bond with their owners, but remember they view the family as the flock they are to protect and direct.  This can lead to some interesting behaviors and negotiations.

It is one thing to read something it is another to see it in action.  Nana and I spend most of our time living in Sonora caring for my father.  Nana clearly sees my father as a more vulnerable member of the flock. One  she has to keep closer tabs on.   She has developed a morning routine guided by her internal clock.  She will decide that I have slept enough and pounce or stick her nose in my face.  If this is not enough to convince me to get up she has been known to grab the covers and pull them off the bed.  Once I am out of bed and moving she will then go to my father's room and lay down with her head on her paws outside his closed door until he gets up.  It doesn't matter how long or what cat walks by - she is there until he rises.  I always know my father is up because I can hear Nana clattering down the stairs, a vanguard to my father's arrival in the kitchen.

 She is happiest when we are all in the same room, but will settle for being able to lie where she can see us both.  Dad spends a lot of time in the library of the house dozing on his couch.  This is an acceptable place for Dad to be and Nana will wander in and out, beg me to play tug-of-war, escort me on my daily activities, try to play with or herd the cats.  But she always keeps track of Dad.  Dad has reached an age where he is often cold. We have had a few warm days and Dad has taken advantage of the warmth of the sun to sit and soak up some warmth.  Nana is wild if Dad goes out without her.  It doesn't matter if she can see him through the window her job is to be there next to him while he sleeps in the sun so he is kept safe from harm.  While wolves may be a thing of the past in Sonora, her DNA tells her otherwise and she is taking no chances with the most vulnerable member of her flock.