It started innocently enough. A very small boy knocked on the front door one evening and asked if Bree could play. I answered in the affirmative, if they went into the back yard. The boy called ‘Dante, come play with Bree!’ and another, slightly taller boy came around the corner. By the time we reached the back there were three.

The boys got to know Bree and she them. This dog constantly surprises me; she had a wonderful time with the kids, but more than that, she seemed tuned in to each of them. The last boy to show up was the largest of the three, but the most unsure… especially of Bree. She sensed that immediately, and because he hung back from the others, who had taken to playing basketball, she went to stand by him and allowed him to pet her ever so tenderly.
Watching her weave in and out, playing ball with one then the other, was fun… but what really got to me was how she never, ever jumped on them. Never got rough with them while playing… like she does with me! She gave the smallest kid a kiss by raising up on her hind legs almost in slow motion, without putting her front paws on him at all, and touched her tongue briefly to his face.

I was in awe of my dog. And the kids. They’re great! The second night I put the largest boy in charge of the gate, because I was cooking dinner and couldn’t stay outside. The blinds were open, though, so I watched as he took his job very seriously, letting other kids in and out, admonishing those who didn’t do it right. It’s not a proper gate, but an ex-pen jury rigged to act as one.
More kids came and went the second night and whenever I heard the gate I’d look up… at one point calling Arthur over to the window. Two precious pairs of little hands were holding Bree six feet back from the gate so someone else could come in.

The third night there were eight kids in my back yard and Bree was getting nervous and came in quickly. She didn’t know most of them and had no chance to get to know them… they were there for the basketball.

Last night was the fourth night and Bree was having none of it. Seems word had gotten around that we have a basketball net in the back and all kinds of kids were pouring in!
One girl was chasing Bree, which she hates, and then hugging her, which the dog put up with, but the girl screamed with glee as she was doing it! As this was an older girl, poor shell shocked Breagha wanted to come inside immediately.
When she does come in, whether it’s because of the heat or the chasers, she always watches them from the window.

I hope the original three come back; she bonded to those little boys immediately and I’d love to get some pictures! But I have to tell you, I’d no idea there were so many kids in the neighborhood!

Overwhelmed by my collie girl and her instincts, I called my sister-in-law. “You won’t believe what is going on in my back yard!” I proclaimed, telling her all about the kids and Bree’s friendship. “She needed a job” replied Deb.

Yeah, she needed a job. And now that I know how good she is with children… um… what?