Many times over this past month I have asked the question "what was I thinking?" What the hell am I doing with a teenager at my age? The energy is boundless, she sleeps 12 hours a night, is up at 6:00 a.m. wet nose in my face, ready for the new day. Oh, I am referring of course to Nell (fka Ellie), my four-legged teenager. I proudly annouced to Leslie last Saturday that she was finally responding to her new name. HA! Let me rephrase that - she responds to her new name when it suits her, like chow time. I am happy to report that I took a deep breath and let her off the leash. I'm an old hippy and I believe in the "if you love something, set it free..." ditty. She ran and ran and ran - but she stayed in a large circle around our property. She knows where home is.  We built a large pen, but she was miserable - Border Collies were not meant to be penned up. Funny thing is...now all she wants to do is be where ever I am - trailer, office, craft studio. If I open my car door - in she jumps, loves the car rides. She still runs, but seems to have gotten most of it out of her system. We are almost at the end of Sand Canyon, dirt roads, no traffic. I don't let her out after sundown or before sunup, we have a pack of coyotes who sit outside and call...."Meescha, Nell, Daisy, Liliiiiii, come playyyyyyy..."

She did go missing for a short period one day. I called and called, as I approached our construction site I heard a noise. I began searching among the piles of lumber and stacks of plywood. Sure enough...she had chased something in between a pile of lumber and a door that was propped up against the pile (all covered with a tarp) and had gotten stuck - face foward. The noise I was hearing was her tail wagging when I'd call her name. She couldn't go forward, and couldn't figure out how to back out (she must have been a blonde in a former life - sorry Susie, lol). My husband had to move the door and lift her out. She at least had the courtesy to look embarrassed.

Just like a teenager, she doesn't understand money. In less than two days she threw away $16.00. My husband bought her a huge rawhide bone (this dog can chew through ANYTHING regardless of what it is made of!). I opened it, handed it to her and out the door she ran with it, it was never to be seen again. I'm sure the coyotes are enjoying this unexpected treat. The next day I bought her one...same thing. Another gift for the coyotes. She's not a chewer of things forbidden, thank goodness, she just buzzes through everything we've bought her - well, except for the rawhide bones.

Because we live in a "camper", I was putting her inside my craft studio/future guest house at night. I knew she wasn't happy about it, but she never barked or cried. About three nights ago, I wasn't really paying attention, and right about the time I normally would take her out, she silently snuck over to my side of the bed where she curled up on the floor - now this is a camping trailer mind you, and she is 50# of dog - I would be screaming from claustrophobia, she just curls up and goes to sleep. My husband came in and thought I had put her in for the night. I just laughed and pointed over to the sleeping area. I can hear her nails scrabbling on the wall when she turns over, or she kinds of grunts when she changes positions in that tiny space. Anyway, that's where she now sleeps - in the trailer with the rest of the pack.

Happy news in the sibling department! Both my little dogs have realized the interloper is here to stay. The Chi actually plays with her, attacks her and follows her around - the real Mutt and Jeff, lol. Nell doesn't realize her size, and likes to pounce. Once in awhile I hear the Chi squeal, but she gets up and goes back for more. The Dox will sort of play, and will sleep next to Nell, but still doesn't like her near me. Best of all - MY CAT finally emerged from the shop loft where she had taken up residence since Nell arrived. She actually stalked right by her, growling all the way, but Nell, good girl that she is, just sat and watched Meescha after I told her no to chasing her. lol, she wanted to chase that kitty soooo badly. 'No' is iffy...sometimes she obeys, other times she just gives me the look - like a teenager.

I've discovered that she may have been harshly treated. One day I picked up a newspaper and she freaked. Couldn't get out of the trailer fast enough. Same thing this morning when I picked up our barbecue spatula and a cable.

She is exasperating but oh so lovable...and happy!