A Shining Star

Here is a little about Star, since she has informed me that she will not be making her appearance on the red carpet as people come to meet her babies.

Taffy's second litter included this spunky girl. Someone asked me "Was Star pick of the litter?" And I had to think. In reality, when I stopped to remember, Star chose us. We didn't realize it. She was the one choosing us.

Someone told me to choose a calm one, but we decided on Star instead. She was a leader in her litter, making fun games and causing others to join in. I joke that she had Remy wrapped around her little paw, because it was true. So fun to watch.

When I had asked Elaine how to choose the pup who would stay, she said "Look for the puppy who sits up and makes eye contact". Star is the expert at that. Whatever we were doing, she was keeping her attention on us. I have a photo of her on the back step, watching us through the door, as the other puppies napped or played.

When her sister Wisp was being visited, I asked Sue W if she would test my theory, and see if Star seemed right for them rather than Wisp. No... Star was not engaging with anyone else, except for us. She was just wired that way. Another friend was interested in one of the two females who were left, and we checked this theory again. Kitty (now Ellie) was right for them. Star was ours.

So, as the littermates left for their new homes, Star was the one who stayed. This is where we made a mistake, and did not follow our own advice. As the siblings' world grew larger and the owners took the advice to socialize their puppies, Star's world grew smaller as littermates left. We did not take her to puppy class right away, and her farm home was not expanded on. Star romped and played with best-bud Remy, and honed her amazing stealth and speed skills as she outsmarted him, every morning. She learned the farm work with her mother, Taffy, , but took on more of a "court jester" role, with her humorous antics causing us to laugh. Taffy was queen, so Star found a different role.

Star did eventually pass STAR Puppy class, and was one night away from getting her Canine Good Citizen award. But we missed that last class, and did not go back for the certificate. She was shy in class, and the instructor helped us a lot in knowing how to encourage. Taffy took the class by storm, once she knew the expectation. Star needed quiet praise and soft encouragement.

Star would have excelled in agility if she had had the confidence built up for being in new situations and not on the farm. Every morning, we had a little routine where she did some made-up agility tricks as we walked through chores. She is incredibly smart, with a very eager-to-please personality, and very bonded to the people in her circle. With that 2017 litter, like with others, we worked on having the pups sit at our feet with eyes looking up towards us. Star does that without ever stopping to think, 8 years later.

Star with her prized frisbee.

Around age 3, Star really started to shine. When I took her out by herself, she could do all of the jobs that Taffy usually did. When it was Star's turn to be in charge, she did so quite willingly. Star had been learning even as Taffy claimed the jobs, and knew what was needed. This comes to mind, from 2022. Star's litter was new. She had just delivered the last pup about an hour before. I was teaching her one year old daughter Trixie how to move the sheep when Star came out for a breather. Star, seeing her daughter not getting it!, took charge, bustled the sheep to where they needed to be, then made a beeline back to the door to be let in for her newborn litter. I laughed out loud.

Star is a loving, bonded to us, very intelligent English Shepherd. She loves our family members and adores the grandkids. She is not usually thrilled to have visitors and we watch for when she needs time away from noisy activities. Our vet said once "Laura! You are showing your suburban roots every time you yell for your dogs to be quiet when people arrive!". He was right. I thought dogs needed to be quiet and welcome everyone. But farm dogs, with few visitors, are meant to bark and sound the alarm. Star does that.

My regret is that we did not expand her world outside of our farm, but! She is perfect here, and definitely prefers being at home. (Not so different from her owner)  

For a Star puppy, my advice is... socialize them. Don't let your home or farm be their only outlet. Take them to class and don't stop at just puppy class. Expand their world. Keep their world open to more than just the home or farm. It might be that dog parks are not for them, because dogs there do not follow any rules (many English Shepherds do not enjoy dog parks). Remind the pup that people and dogs outside of your usual circle are OK, and that they can feel comfortable because they are with you.

The pups usually do quite well in class, within their family circle, and they impress their owners with intelligence and sometimes humorous wit. They also need socialization with both people and other dogs, within reason (and this might not include dog parks), and will thrive as the bond grows between themselves and their owners. 

Star will never have patience a dog park. She would absolutely hate the commotion and fun being had there, with dogs who had no idea of rules. With her best bud Remy, she was free to stalk and dash and outmaneuver, even with teeth flashing, and no other dogs could clumsily try to join in.

Hopefully this gives you a glimpse into the life and personality of Miss Star, who I have also jokingly called “Princess” for almost eight years now.