Marvelous Mav

Much of the staff’s job at Glen Highland Farm is ‘outsmarting’ the dogs themselves— keeping their intricate minds stimulated—we have to try and be a few steps ahead of them in order to make sure they get to use their minds and stay intrigued. Maverick, or Mav, is one such dog… he is constantly on the prowl, continuously interpreting, exploring his world.

Mav is very much an ‘old soul,’ more of the classic BC type, a true farm dog at heart, he really enjoys just following around the caretakers and watching them change water buckets and yard cleanup, as he monitors and remains on the lookout.

 He soaks the world in with those huge and eager amber eyes, like a black and white lion roaming the plains… though Mav happily trots about patrolling the paddocks here at the farm. You can see his mind churning the incoming thoughts about his head—a real thinker and problem solver—always ready to confront his next challenge, his next adventure.

Sprakers Update

Everyone at the farm would unanimously agree: our lives and perspectives have been forever altered by the Sprakers dogs.

Many have been adopted by their fosterers.

It has been a remarkable experience to watch their journeys unfold and observe the incredible progress they’ve made. Certainly the physical change is significant and overpowering—as these dogs literally healed physically from the trauma and neglect they suffered—but to feel and see the psychological and spiritual healing of the Sprakers group is unforgettable. They seem lighter, their spirits lifted; they no longer cower or flee in fearful anticipation.

Perhaps most importantly however, they are actually becoming dogs. They run, bark, play, and frolic, as would a typical dog. Not to say that these dogs are normal, and some never will be. But they, now feeling the freedom provided by the farm, are able to truly let go and enjoy life, rather than having to fight for survival and warmth.

To realize where these dogs came from, and not only where they are now but what they have ahead, a limitless future, is to reflect on true hardship and true potential. They deserve utmost respect. If these dogs can overcome such a scarring and damaging past, what paths can’t they tread in the future? We, as their guardians, will route for them with hopeful eyes and eager hearts as their true personalities unfold and they learn how to love, and we will continue to provide them with nothing less than what they have shown us to be possible.

Here are some of their transformations. (From January 2014 to Summer 2014.)

Seen below are two other Sprakers dogs, Annie and Owen, enjoying the good life.

Welcome to the Highland Howl!

Welcome to the Highland Howl, Glen Highland Farm’s online blog dedicated to providing Farm lovers with a more insightful, meaningful peek into Farm life. A place to share all the happenings and adventures that take place here, amongst the wonderful, herding BCs that romp about the Highland hills of upstate NY.

The Farm is a place built by and for BCs, and it’s the only place of its kind where they can truly let loose their inner nature and simply be themselves. As each dog receives what they need to heal, each leaves a piece of themselves—a paw print on the farm—which ultimately assists and supports future rescue rescue dogs.

Some find their freedom by joyfully racing around the paddocks; others enjoy finding “work” by inventing herding games with other BCs. Whether it’s a classic game of fetch, trail walk or swim in the river, the dogs live to bound across the land, ears and whiskers riding through the wind.

So, we’ve created this weekly update to reveal what the dogs themselves experience and what exactly that experience entails. Here you will find pictures, videos, reviews and recommendations… truly a “BC’s eye view” of Glen Highland Farm. We invite you to “stalk” our page, comment and interact with us! We hope that in doing so, we will be able to share the remarkable, determined spirit of all the border collies but also to share the unleashed essence of the Farm itself.

Herd on!