RUBY'S AUSSIE PUPPIES

When Ruby first came into our lives, we had no idea how deeply she would shape our understanding of what it means to be a working dog. She came to us through a friend who knew a Basque shepherd—a man who had depended on Ruby for years but felt he could no longer keep her after learning she was pregnant. Whether his decision was born of necessity or something else is open to interpretation, but for Ruby and for our family, it became a blessing. She needed a safe place to whelp, and we were grateful to provide one.

Ruby had been with us only a few days when she gave birth to five warm, wiggling, impossibly soft puppies. Their arrival was joyful, exciting, and—if I'm honest—a little overwhelming. Amid the excitement, we faced a decision that has long been debated: whether to dock their tails.

For generations, many owners of Australian Shepherds and other working breeds have chosen to dock puppies' tails, believing it may help reduce injuries for dogs that spend their lives herding livestock through brush, fences, and rough terrain. Others prefer to leave tails natural. Ruby herself had been a hardworking stock dog, and we believed her puppies would inherit the same instincts. After thoughtful discussion, we decided that docking was the right choice for them.

My father-in-law volunteered to perform the procedure. My wife trusted his steady hands more than mine, believing he could do it quickly and with the least discomfort to the puppies. They were only a few days old, the age at which docking has traditionally been performed.

Ruby was understandably anxious each time a puppy was briefly taken from her. The procedure itself lasted less than thirty seconds for each pup. As soon as it was finished, the puppy was returned to Ruby, who immediately cleaned the tiny wound and comforted her baby with the calm assurance that only a mother dog can give.

After the first puppy was returned safely, Ruby seemed to relax, as though she understood no real harm had come to her little family. The puppies healed quickly and soon became sturdy, bright-eyed bundles of endless energy. Watching how gently and efficiently my father-in-law handled the procedure gave us confidence that we had made the best decision we could with the knowledge and experience we had at the time.

Some people may question our choice, especially if they assume the puppies were unlikely to become working dogs. Our experience turned out to be quite the opposite. Their herding instincts appeared almost as soon as they could run.

Our three-year-old niece often visited our home. We lived beside a busy dirt road, and although we watched her carefully, children have a way of moving faster than adults expect. More than once, we watched one of the puppies trot over, gently press against her legs, and guide her away from the road—herding her exactly as Ruby might have herded sheep. It wasn't something anyone had taught them. It was pure instinct.

Those moments convinced us that Ruby's puppies had inherited their mother's remarkable working abilities, along with a natural desire to watch over those in their care.

As the years passed, every family who adopted one of Ruby's puppies shared similar stories. Their dogs herded children, chickens, cats, and occasionally even adults—to the amusement, and sometimes the mild frustration, of their owners. Yet each story reflected that unmistakable Australian Shepherd instinct: an eager desire to guide, protect, and keep everyone together.

Looking back, we remain thankful for the decision we made. In our experience, it suited the lives these puppies were born to live and the work they seemed naturally driven to do. Whether people agree or disagree with tail docking, we hope Ruby's story encourages thoughtful consideration, informed decisions, and, above all, a deep respect for these remarkable dogs.

Ruby's puppies grew into confident, intelligent companions, each carrying forward something of their mother's legacy—her loyalty, her gentle spirit, and her unwavering desire to work for the people she loved.