Happy Birthday Navarre!

My big goober puppy is three! And still very much a puppy. In some ways a little MORE of a puppy than he used to be. As Navarre has gotten older he’s actually gotten more sensitive and clingy, he wasn’t like that when he was tiny. I think he trusts me to take care of him though, and when he is uncertain he definitely is the dog that wants to crawl up in my lap and make everything okay. It’s very sweet, he has a child-like endearing quality that the other border collies never had, they are just way more self reliant. Navarre ‘needs’ me a little more than they do – but he’s still a border collie, he only needs me so much!

Navarre continues to be the puppy I wasn’t looking for, but what I ended up really wanting. I thought I wanted this athletic, adventurous, pushy dog. But as soon as I saw Navarre I knew he was the one for me, and I knew he wasn’t really going to be any of those things. I didn’t know I was looking for sweet mellow goober until I saw him, and he just always felt ‘right’. Even when he was such a goof of a puppy he had no interest in playing with me, I knew he would get there. There was never any drama with him or expectations of him to be anything other than Navarre.

My perfect Navarre, such a smart, nerdy dog. So incredibly thoughtful when training, he takes it all to heart. He knows the most things of all my dogs, he really does understand the behaviors way more than the other dogs. He really THINKS and processes things, he understands them completely. My other dogs tend to gloss over things, but not Navarre. If he doesn’t know something, it’s my issue, not his.

Navarre is actually a very athletic dog, and in a very thoughtful way. I don’t have to worry about him throwing his body around. I let Navarre get the toy 99% of the time, as Bright and Haku are just STUPID about it. Navarre is so graceful and thoughtful, and very fast and powerful. Not one of Nature’s Turners, but his forward stride is awesome. And just his understanding of his body, he knows how it all works and body awareness games are no issue to him. I’m sure he could jump 24 in agility, but I’m glad we stuck to 20 – which is really barely a jump for him. I don’t want him to have to think too much about it, agility and jumping is comfortable and effortless for him. He has been such a fun dog in agility, we very much enjoy it together.

Of course, there are things he thinks are stupid – and it’s hard to convince him otherwise. like obedience, he KNOWS the behaviors, but he doesn’t approve. I’m not sure because of the lack of action or what, but you can see him rolling his eyes at me before he does it. Navarre is not shy about letting you know when you ask him to do something he thinks is stupid. Still, he is a GOOD dog, he wants to be right and he is not pushy at all. He’ll do it, because he’s a good dog. Which is not a good enough reason for me to do it though, so he’s fired from obedience until he’s older.

Now, sheep have been another story. He approves of herding, but he thinks I’m doing it wrong. He wants to be a good dog, but I believe he thinks I’m a herding moron that doesn’t understand what is SUPPOSED to be happening. On sheep is when you see Navarre’s iron core. He has never quit, never wavered, he is 100% committed no matter the pressure. I used to think he’d never actually figure it out, but I’ve changed my mind – I think he will. He may not be the most naturally talented sheep dog, but he’s got the brains and determination. He’s going to get there … someday.

And as a pet, Navarre is the easiest dog to live with. He is the most mellow, relaxed dog in the house. People come over and the other dogs are racing around like they’re on crack – and Navarre is just sleeping on the couch. There is a time and place in his mind, and at home is not the time for shenanigans. He’s sweet, cuddly and so well behaved. SUCH a good boy, the perfect pet.

So, yeah, Navarre has been just about perfect for me – and he just felt right from the day I picked him out at three days old. He has this solid, comfortable energy that just fits with me. He was just who I thought he was going to be when I met him at four weeks. I thought Dove would be the party girl and Navarre would be ‘good dog’, and that has played out – and I adore them both. They are funny, different, quirky dogs – not your typical border collies, but just perfect for who they are.

Happy Birthday, Navarre – you are perfect!