Whistles in the Field: Verb Tenses at a Sheepdog Trial

Juno's First Trial

1Thea Lindqvist had waited all summer for the county sheepdog trial. By the time the morning finally arrived, she and her border collie, Juno, had practiced nearly every evening in her grandfather's back field. Now they were standing at the handler's post, and Thea's heart was pounding.

2A sheepdog trial is a test of teamwork. Far across the field, a helper lets out a few sheep. The dog runs out in a wide curve, gathers the sheep, and brings them back toward the handler without scaring them. The handler stays near the post and guides the dog with whistles and spoken commands. Thea had taught Juno that a short, rising whistle meant "go left" and a long, falling whistle meant "go right."

3When the judge nodded, Thea gave her first whistle. Juno shot away across the grass. Halfway up the hill, though, she stopped and stared at a crow that was hopping near the fence. Thea held her breath. If Juno chased that crow, their run would be over in seconds. Thea whistled again, low and steady, and Juno turned back toward the sheep.

4The rest of the run went better than Thea had hoped. Juno circled behind the sheep and walked them gently down the slope. She guided them between two gates and toward a small pen. At the pen, the sheep paused, and one stubborn ewe tried to slip away. Juno crouched low and waited. After a long moment, the ewe trotted inside, and Thea swung the gate shut.

5Thea and Juno did not win a ribbon that day. Even so, Grandpa Nils was grinning when they walked off the field. "Next year, you two will be running in the bigger class," he said. "If you keep practicing, you will surprise the judges." Thea scratched Juno's ears and made a promise. "By next summer, we will have learned every whistle by heart."