Elka!

Meet our new arrival in this menagerie!  Elka is a border collie puppy who came to us at eight weeks old.  She’s now 9 1/2 weeks.  My god she is so smart.  She learns everything quickly and eagerly, with a look in her eyes that seems to say, “what now mom?”  She follows me around, having more interest in me than the other dogs or animals.  However, she has already shown herding instincts, following behind the goats, watching them intensely and crouching in the border collie way when they stop.  On her third day here, I took her to the Quabbin.  When I waded in up to my knees, she dove into the water and swam out to herd me back in.  This bravery was on her eight-week birthday!

We love her dearly already.  Oscar clearly enjoys her.  His back legs are not functioning well due to a congenital cruciate ligament issue, for which he is getting surgery next week.  But he can stay laying down while she jumps all over him.  They can play for an hour this way.  Pumpkin, of course, hates her just like she hates everything, but the fact that she can sleep on the bed while Elka has to sleep in a crate makes up for the insult.

Oscar will have his second knee done in about a month and will spend the entire summer recovering.  However, by Halloween, he will be able to be the young, vibrant dog he is in his heart.  It will be so good to have him back as my hiking and riding companion.