Shepherds and their Dogs by John Bezzant
Author, journalist and small-holder John Bezzant brings together a charming mixture of folk history and countryside tales in this heart-warming account of that remarkable working partnership: shepherds and their dogs. He weaves in tales of their remarkable courage, devotion and endurance as these clever animals interact with their masters to achieve some unbelieveable feats. Bezzant covers the sheepdog at war, stories of some of the most famous sheepdogs in history, drovers and their dogs, some outstanding shepherds, how they train their dogs, bizarre shepherding incidents and the shepherds' seasons. The book is fully illustrated with evocative black and white photographs. A touching, informative and anecdotal account. Editorial Reviews About the Author John Bezzant runs a smallholding in Aberdeenshire and has been involved in animal husbandry all his life. He is author of several books on rabbiting, terriers, air-rifle shooting and tools and machinery for the smallholder. He has written for many country magazines including Country Smallholding and Dogs Monthly. Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Let's begin with the story of a sheepdog by the name of Sheila, who by an act of courage found herself at the centre of the nation's affections for a couple of weeks during the war with Hitler. It was a dark afternoon on 16th December 1944. At the base of the Cheviot hills, a blizzard was raging, obscuring the peaks. John Dagg was in his warm little cottage at the base of the hills, sitting comfortably in front of a roaring fire, talking with his wife who was preparing their meal. Sheila was lying in her kennel in a bed of straw when suddenly her ears pricked up, discerning the distant roar of aircraft engines. Mr Dagg now heard the same almighty noise and rushed to his door to see what was coming - the largest American bomber of World War II, flying barely higher than the roof-height as it burst through the cloak of snow. Mr Dagg's heart froze with the realization that the aircraft on its present course would never clear the Cheviots but would smash right into them. As the plane passed directly above the house, the ground shook ? then the aircraft disappeared into the blizzard. Moments later a mighty crash was heard. Mr Dagg waited for the subsequent explosion but it did not come. Mr Dagg told his wife to go to the village to call an ambulance and get help, adding that he would go up the hill to see if anyone was still alive. Mrs Dagg knew that climbing the hill in this blizzard was fraught with danger but that if any man had the skill and endurance for it, it was John Dagg. As she hurried down the lane to get help, John fastened his boots and wrapped up warmly, then went to fetch his dog, Sheila, who was waiting at her kennel door in anticipation. I'm going to need you up there to find them, he said, letting her loose. John Dagg took on the north side of the Cheviot, a three mile face that presented a daunting challenge even on a summer's day with its steep precipitous crags and plunging drops, dominated by Bizzle Crag with its burn far below. To tackle such a crag in a blizzard that was restricting vision to no more than a few inches, was only possible for someone like John Dagg, who could have made his way up the deadly face blindfold, every facet and feature of the climb being etched into his memory. Even so great care had to be exercised for this was a free climb and one slip on the snow-covered rocks and John Dagg would plunge to his death. Even if he survived a fall, no-one would be able to find him in this storm till it was too late.
Overview
Title:
Author: John Bezzant
Illustrator:
Binding:
Pages: 192
Language: ENG- English
Book Condition
Publication Details
Publishers: Merlin Unwin Books
Location:
Year: 2011
Pages:
Illustrators
Edition
Dimensions
5.5 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
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