While in the Netherlands, we came across this shepherd and his flock and three dogs; two dogs were working, one was retired because he was deaf but still accompanied his master and sheep. The sheep were grazing in woodland, and not being fattened for meat but were cropping the undergrowth to keep the woodland in good order.
The shepherd commanded his dogs in English, “Come by, lad, come by!” which is apparently the international sheepdog language. God dogs can sell for thousands, one of these had cost £1000.
The tall, gangly, gentle shepherd was an interesting man, and somehow seemed from another time… or maybe another pace in another time!
Lois Elsden 
One Comment