** Susan here! A few weeks ago we posted about the dogs of Juniper Moon Farm and several of you asked for a Gnocchi update. I am pleased as punch to let my (other) friend Amy bring you up to speed on his adventures. (Other) Amy lives in the same town as the farm with her husband (other) Paul. We met them when Amy came to Shepherding Camp a few years ago. They are just lovely and perhaps the only people I would have even considered allowing to adopt sweet Gnocchi.**
Remember that sweet little dumpling of a puppy who was the runt of Lucy’s litter?
Well, Gnocchi’s all grown up now and guarding a flock of his own.
In August we were so fortunate to adopt Gnocchi for a livestock guardian dog at our little farm. It only took a Ziploc full of cheese, ½ lb of sliced ham, and 2 fresh eggs to bribe Gnocchi to get in the back of my Subaru to ride from Juniper Moon Farm to his new home 20 minutes away at Sweet Gum Farm. That, and a lot of TLC and patience from me, Amy Karasz and her daughters Oona and Neve. Leashes and cars were new to Gnocchi, but he was such a good sport. He settled right in and now watches over 3 wool sheep, 3 dairy goats, and 7 chickens.
Gnocchi spends his days lounging in the grass or the barn with the sheep and goats. He greets me every morning and evening with the most adorable bouncing happy-dance. He is super snuggly and eager for a scratch behind the ears. Whenever I pet one of the sheep or goats, I can almost guarantee he’ll insert his head between them and my hand to get attention for himself. But if he hears one leaf rustling in the woods, he’s off– always on duty! At night he patrols the pasture, and I’m reassured when I hear his deep WOOF in the darkness. I’m thankful he didn’t inherit his mother’s wanderlust. He’s never once tried to go over the fence.
Gnocchi also gets along well with our other two dogs, Gus and Maggie. Gus is a border collie, and as you’d expect, too obsessed with fetching and herding to pay much attention to anything else. But Gnocchi’s especially enchanted with Maggie, a 7 year old mutt. He would sniff her butt all day if he could. I guess he likes older women.
I adore this big white teddy bear of a dog. And I sleep easier at night knowing he’s out there watching over our livestock.
