Beau

Beau is our dog.  He is three-fourth Australian Shepherd and one-fourth Border Collie and 100% a Mess.  

We had the best dog, Sadie. And after she was gone, I said no more dogs.  I have no idea what I was thinking when I thought we needed Beau.  I think all the dog commercials and Instagram videos of these sweet, calm dogs who were clearly "man's best friend" got to me.  

So, when I saw a friend had puppies for sale--I have never paid for a pet, other than small adoption fee-I knew I needed a dog.  When I saw the picture of this little, black and white fur ball with a pretty orange bow around his neck, I shouted "this is MY dog"....(insert shoulder slump and headshake)

He was an adorable puppy.  Freckles on his nose, puppy breath and some big feet.  I took him to PetSmart to Puppy School.  He didn't do so well.  Not because he is not smart, it was because he is too smart.  You have heard people say that smart children can get bored if not challenged, well, that must have been the case.  He "graduated" but it was not fun.  

So, then I decided he needed boarding school (training) and he went for THREE weeks.  The training was supposed to be two but the trainer said he was going to need three.  Beau did not get along with the teacher.  And while, he did learn how to walk on a leash, sit, stay (for a moment) shake, place, down, come (if he is interested), it is clear that Beau lives life on his terms.

The trainer said he will get better with age.  Beau is now 6 and he is better.  He is excellent and sitting and down (even though we sometimes get some attitude with it).  He loves his crate and will go in there every night and sleep without any trouble. BUT he cannot be unsupervised in the house.  Here is why:

• He ate an entire loaf of banana bread off the counter
• He ate an entire bowl of lifesavers, wrappers and all (which he threw up later in his crate) off the table
• He ate a nice juicy ribeye off the counter
• He ate a sandwich off the counter.

So ANYONE want a dog?  He has cute freckles, LOVES to swim and will sit and shake and even give you a high-five.  But you will need to have some really high counters and even then, I'm not sure your sandwich will be safe.