Happy 14th Flash

16 August 2003 and Flash was born in Grosskitzighofen, Bavaria, Germany, the village we lived in from 1995-2001.

At that time I had convinced a friend and farmer in the village, Alois, who drove his milk cows out from the farm in the village to pastures twice a day that he needed a Border Collie to do the work of the 4 or 5 humans who battled with gates, roads, gardens etc. He was somewhat more than sceptical but the opportunity arose for him to acquire a 5 month old bitch who was getting too much for the owner and the flat they lived in. He agreed to go and see the dog and indeed returned with it saying "it won't be any good but at least it is out of the confinement of the flat and can run about freely on the far,m"

Within weeks this town dog had made all the helpers redundant. A natural herder. Alois then in the coming years bred from her once a year and always asked us to take a puppy as "thanks". We kept refusing as we were both working in Munich and didn't have the time. Then in 2003, Alois said we had to now take one as this was the last litter. We agreed and so Flash came to us in November. We were luckily able to organise a dog nanny to take him out during the afternoon, I having done a good morning walk and Angie the evening ones.

He has been a central part of our lives ever since. A splendid friend and a good helper to have around. He's extremely large for a Border and doesn't have the typical agility but he did inherit much of the instincts.

In the last few years he has had some rough times. Arthritis not helped by his very heavy body, a prostrate problem requiring an operation, then a massive cancer tumour which also meant removing his spleen and then two years ago a very bad bite from another dog which nearly ended his life  This Easter a series of heart strokes ought to have finally closed the curtains.

But in his quiet, ever so sensitive way, he has battled on and though he nowadays often doesn't hear that we need to get in the horses or round up the hens, when he does, he jumps up and is ready to do his duty.

Every day he is with us is a blessing. We know time is not on his side and try to convince ourselves we are ready for it but we both are dreading the day.

This evening Angie took him on one of his favourite walks, the Schickling Walk near Ottobeuren. He even manages to get down the banks in to the river to quench his thirst - see extra photos. .