The Border Collie King Waited for His Flock to Gather
The king sits proudly on a carved wooden throne with a lion's head on the arm, and one white paw rests on it. His black and white face has a bright, wide-eyed alertness under a gold crown, and a fluffy white ruff of fur pushes out from a red velvet robe with gold fleur-de-lis and an ermine collar. A candle burns at the left edge of the picture and lights the gold embroidery. He looks very much like a king who is waiting for his flock to gather.
Border Collies have a famous intensity, but even the busiest mind needs downtime. A tired Border Collie is a content Border Collie, and a mix of physical exercise and mental games works best. Hide-and-seek with treats, learning the names of toys and basic agility on household objects keep clever dogs engaged. These dogs can become anxious or destructive if they do not get enough stimulation, but too much can also leave them wound up, so a calm, predictable routine matters. Teach your dog how to settle on a mat as well. Many Border Collies are sensitive to sound and motion, so a quiet space helps. Your vet can help with exercise advice and signs of stress.
The kingdom is in order. All sheep, children and slippers have been rounded up, and the king can finally rest.
