May’s Dog of the Month is Maybe.
Description: Female border collie
Position: Anna’s extra arm
Maybe arrived in a homebred litter out of a gorgeous little Border Collie called Ollie. Maybe’s father was Trigger, our February “pin-up boy”. She was born 11 years ago and at the time Mark had had a pretty unsuccessful run with Border Collies. Although her parents were both proven workers, there were doubts about their offspring.
So they decided to keep this pup and give her a go. Each day brought its own challenges in the training process and Mark finally settled upon a name for her. How? Simple really: each day he said “maybe she’ll work” or “maybe she won’t”! So Maybe it was – and still is.
When Ollie sadly passed away – far too young – Maybe had to step up and fill the gap left by her mother. And she did it very well, surprising many.
These days she could be considered as Anna’s favourite “jillaroo”. Maybe is much happier working for Anna than for Mark – she’s a little sensitive to raised voices, and sometimes doesn’t appreciate Mark’s sense of humour. She now works beautifully for Anna and is very capable. Like most of us though, she takes a little time to get back into work after a spell.
Maybe has taken on the good characteristics of both parents – putting in a reliable day’s work like Ollie, and with the tenacity, but not physical strength, of Trigger. She is often the first one in to break up fighting bulls, nipping them on the heels and making a hasty retreat. She has established herself as a very handy and reliable member of the Coolana Canines!
When Anna is out of the way she will actually work for Max and Ben. She’s not shy with visitors, who when sitting in the ute or on the motorbike, can often find a furry black and white chin resting on their shoulder.
She is a loving and gentle soul who is very at home with the rest of the team, both canine and human. She can be a little cheeky too, sneaking inside the house when nobody is around. When caught in the act she seems so innocent and looks at you as if to say – “Who, me?”
