A Day in the Life of Herding Nugget: Tales from Bailey, the Sheltie Superstar
Hello, friends! Bailey here, your favorite fluffy, spunky Sheltie. As a 3-year-old with enough energy to power a small city, I take my job very seriously around here. What’s my job, you ask? Herding, of course! It’s practically my destiny. But instead of herding sheep, I have the next best thing: my grumpy, floofy, slower-than-a-snail “brofur,” Nugget. Nugget is a senior Pekingese with a face like a tiny grumpy old man. He’s got a heart of gold somewhere under that fur, but he’s mostly a lot of grunts, groans, and disgruntled sighs.
Morning: Operation “Keep Mama for Bailey”
Every morning, Nugget trots over to my mom (a.k.a. MY human, thank you very much) for his morning head scratches. Now, I’m usually a pretty generous pup, but this is where I draw the line. I’m very attached to mama, and Nugget needs to know that I’m not sharing.
As soon as I see Nugget approach mama, I spring into action. With the precision of a highly-trained herding dog (which, let’s face it, I practically am), I position myself right in front of him. Nugget grumbles, squinting at me with his little smushed face as if to say, “Kid, I was here first.” But I give him the ol’ side-eye, followed by a gentle nudge with my nose, and slowly start directing him away from mama and over to his bed. He might be a bit hard of hearing, but even he knows when Bailey’s on a mission!
Afternoon: Backyard Patrol
By noon, Nugget and I are ready to head outside for patrol. (Well, I’m on patrol. Nugget’s usually sniffing around, looking for the perfect sunbeam.) Now, as a mighty Sheltie, it is my sworn duty to protect our backyard, and Nugget’s sort of…my sidekick, I guess. Not by choice, mind you. It’s more of a “where Bailey goes, Nugget eventually follows” kind of thing.
When Nugget wanders a little too close to a shady bush, I know my herding instincts need to kick in. Who knows what could be lurking there? Leaves? Squirrels? Imaginary backyard monsters? Nope, nope, nope. I get right in front of him and steer him back to the middle of the yard. It’s like I have this sixth sense for danger, even if sometimes the “danger” is just the neighbor’s garden gnome.
And if he starts to wander too far out of my watchful eye? Herding mode activate. I nudge him ever so gently toward the door, making sure he stays on a safe path. Poor Nugget’s eyesight isn’t what it used to be, and he sometimes stares off in the wrong direction, looking slightly baffled. But don’t worry, brofur—I’m here to guide you!
Evening: Snuggle Time…Well, Sort Of
After a long day of herding Nugget and making sure mama is properly guarded, I’m pretty much ready to call it a night. Nugget, on the other paw, waddles over to his favorite bed with a sigh that only an ancient, slightly cranky Pekingese can manage. I don’t like to admit it, but even though I spend all day herding him away from mama, when it’s dark and quiet, I don’t mind snuggling up a little closer. It’s like I’ve got this unspoken deal with the old guy: by day, I’m the bossy little sister; by night, we’re two cozy fluffballs sharing a bed.
And just between you and me? I think Nugget appreciates my herding skills. He might groan and grumble, but deep down, I know he feels safe when I’m watching out for him. So, until tomorrow, Nugget, get ready—I’ll be back to my job bright and early!
