December Monthly Moos {Belle The Farm Dog}

A few years ago before we moved to Tennessee we bought a little Australian Shepherd puppy.  We named her Belle and she was a tiny little ball of fur that fell in love with our horse, Promise.   

 We could not keep her out of the horse corral no matter what we did.  We finally decided to just leave her alone - even though we knew all it would take was one little mis-step of a horse hoof.   But this bond developed between the horse and dog that was unbelievable and it wasn't long before the two of them were completely inseparable.  

When Belle was about six months old we made the move across the United States from the sand in the Southwest to the grass in the Southeast.  Its a very long story for another day, but our horse Promise had a very hard time adapting to life in the humid South.  Belle became almost a life line for her - maybe a bit of a reminder of "home".    We believe that it was Belle that kept her alive.  (Now aren't you curious for that story?!)

Belle is 3 1/2 years old now and Promise is still her very best friend!  You rarely see one that you don't see the other nearby.  While Promise grazes, Belle naps.  

Belle loves her cows too.  She isn't the greatest "cow dog" as far as helping with them - at least the way we would like her to help; however, she thinks she's helping!

This is a very common sight on these cold winter mornings.  Belle laying on the crest of the hill with the horse, but keeping a watch out for deer!  

And then when they've had enough of that, they nap together in the warm winter sunshine!

Eldon and I asked our daughter if she would mind taking a picture of us for our Christmas cards... we were never intending to have any animals in it but here came Promise sticking her whole body between us and of course there is Belle looking up at her beloved horse.  

The two of them are rascals and get into lots of mischief.  Recently I was sitting at my piano and realized that there was a strange noise at the front door.  So I turned to look and what did I see but horse AND dog standing on the porch with faces pressed against the front door just listening to the music.   Couldn't capture it with my camera in time though!  

Belle is probably my favorite dog of the few that we have owned in our married life.  She is the perfect farm dog that loves all the animals, the grandkids, and us too!  She never has a bad day!