Here's one more still from the film Sweetgrass. Though the movie's most dramatic scenes focus on vast herds of sheep heading for the Beartooths, as much as anything the film is really about the herders and their dogs ... and that struck a chord with me, because I'm an unabashed fan of herd dogs. They're remarkable and wonderful beings.
And the people are interesting, too ... though in a very different way. Many people remember Sweetgrass because it contains one of the most remarkable soliloquies ever captured on film: a solid, three-minute string of sheepherder cuss words hurled from a mountaintop with amazing force. It's worth seeing the film just for that!
Firebrand in Fall: Let me walk in glory
5 days ago
Oh, this is great! We had Border collies all growing up...according to my dad and Gramps, that was the ONLY kind of dog worth having. They're so, so smart! And need to have a job, or they'll make one, and it won't always be a constructive use of time....
ReplyDeleteI've not seen the movie, but now I want to!
Yep, I'm totally in agreement with your Dad -- the herding breeds are the only kind of dog to have. They're smart and engaged, and they're amazingly good companions. Of course they need lots of attention and quality outdoor time, but all dogs deserve those things.
ReplyDeleteThe last dog I had was a Border Collie, and he consistently proved himself to be more intelligent than me. Charlie, the dog I have now, is an Australian Shepherd ... he's not quite the genius that the Border was, but he's not far behind.
If you see the movie, I'd be interested to hear what you think. It's a very realistic portrayal of live at a sheep ranch ... sometimes slow and not always pretty, but very poignant.