A Border Collie and a Baby Goat Sat by the Pond. Nobody Said a Word.
Lily pads float on the still surface of the backyard pond, and two quiet figures sit at the water's edge taking in the view. A blue merle Border Collie, its coat speckled with silver, black and gray and its amber eyes thoughtful, sits tall beside a fluffy cream baby goat with tiny horns and a calm, faraway look. Cattails and grasses grow around the bank, a green watering can lies tipped over in the background, and a pale house and a stack of garden tools wait at the edge of the yard.
Blue merle is a striking coat pattern seen in Border Collies, Australian Shepherds and several other breeds. It is caused by the merle gene, which dilutes patches of the base color, creating the marbled look. Responsible breeders avoid pairing two merle dogs, because puppies that inherit two copies of the gene are at higher risk of hearing and vision problems. Border Collies of any color are energetic, highly intelligent working dogs. Near ponds, it is good practice to supervise both dogs and young goats, since goats do not swim easily and slippery banks can be tricky. Fresh drinking water is safer than pond water, which may contain algae or bacteria.
There is a stillness here that feels almost thoughtful, as though these two are pondering the same big question. Most likely, they are just enjoying the quiet together.
