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Enter Hamish-- the `barn dog'? We added a new employee to the Brown Farm a couple weeks ago. His parents hail from the UK (mom is from Wales and dad is from Scotland) and he arrived at the Brown Farm wired for sound and ready to work. Hamish (named in true Scottish manner) is a border collie, and just celebrated his six month `birthday' May 9. At six months, he's a `tween'-- you know, between a puppy and an adult. Acquiring Hamish was something of an impulsive move for me. The Sidekick and I had been talking about getting a border collie to help move the sheep around, but it was one of those `when we get around to it' sort of topics. As fate would have it, I came across an online ad. After I read the description and emailed the owner, I was smitten. The Sidekick was, well, a bit hesitant. "I'm not a dog person," she proclaimed, "Dogs and I don't get along-- they, uh, ahem, you know, sniff you." "And they have a `smell'," she added, "I don't really want a dog in the house. Whenever I go into someone's house who has a dog, I can smell `dog'." "But this one will be a barn dog," I maintained. "We've always had a barn dog when we had animals years ago, and he'll be no exception. He'll hang around with the sheep and the veal calves." The Sidekick agreed to `take a look at him'. Besides, she's always happy to go for a road trip somewhere. Since Hamish's owner resided north of Elora, we decided to meet halfway in Guelph. As his owner pulled into the parking lot, Hamish was seated on the passenger's seat, fearfully watching the road unfolding in front of him. He didn't look great. As his owner led him out of the van, she was already apologizing-- seems Hamish gets car sick, very easily. And he'd thrown up on the seat of the van. His mouth was drooling like a tap. But once out of the van, he morphed into a different dog than the one in the van who looked like he was an inch short of dying. And who does he head straight to 7 Independent & Free Press, Thursday, May 13, 2010 Ted Brown with his ears up and tail wagging? You guessed it, The Sidekick. She squatted down to him, took the leash and the two of them walked up and down the parking lot, as she talked to him, and he wagged his tail in agreement. A major suck-up dog if I ever saw one. "It seems he likes her," said his owner. `Yup, her but not me,' I thought. And who did all the calling to get him, and set up the meeting? Yup, you guessed it--me. We exchanged paperwork-- I wrote a cheque, she handed over his pedigree, and we were on our way home. Things were looking good as we drove home, but when I turned into the farm drive-- it happened. He puked in MY TRUCK!!! The Sidekick was quick to defend him and baby him and do all the sorts of things that mothering types like her do. The rest is history. Once home, he has settled in nicely, usually comes when called, is fully house trained and loves playing in the barn when we're at work. And that `barn dog'? Well, so far, he's still sleeping in the kitchen. "It's too dark in the barn at night," says The Sidekick defensively. "No darker than in the kitchen," I counter. I'm fighting a losing battle-- me vs. them. So our `barn dog' is a part-time barn dog. And The Sidekick still isn't a dog person. Yeah, right... "SHUFFLEBOARD" ON THURSDAY MORNINGS 9:00 TO NOON STARTING MAY 27TH 2010 FOR 10 WEEKS AT THE ACTON CURLING CLUB - 242 CHURCHILL RD. N $20.00 FOR THE SUMMER OR $3.00 PER DAY A SUMMER PROGRAM OF FLOOR SHUFFLEBOARD AND BOCCIA GRASS BOWLING ADULTS WELCOMED - ADVERTORIAL - Why Choose Asbuilt? Dear Jeff, I just thought I would drop you an email from a customer's perspective on my first experience with Asbuilt. First off, when I had you out, the project may have been more expensive than what my needs were at the time. As a result you provided suggestions and recommendations that allowed me to make intelligent decisions on what to proceed forward with that made sense. When we agreed to the work, you were in constant communication with me (in my world of computer security, this is KEY) about when things were planned to happen and that they did happen. The service guys that came out were both professional and looking to implement the service in the cleanest fashion for someone looking to finish a basement. OUTSTANDING job by them. And to finish it all off, they were insistent on giving a tidy up quickly at the end, even though I had said not to worry about it. So, as a first time customer..... would I recommend your company. You bet! LASER HAIR REMOVAL Since 1999 ONLY 4-6 TREATMENTS NEEDED! To free you from that unwanted hair. · Affordable · Safe · Gentle · Permanent Hair Reduction For Him: chest, back, shoulders, etc. For Her: bikini, facial, underarms, etc. Call today for a free consultation ·Certified Electrologist & Laser Technician Regards, D. Carey Rockwood Bare Image Electrolysis & Laser Inc. 61 Main St. South, Georgetown 905·873·6388 downtowngeorgetown.com 905-877-8023 www.AsbuiltClimateCare.com