HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGIE IN THE MEADOW?

Sheepdog trading is proving a lucrative business for some breeders and trainers as border collies are in demand from shepherds and farmers around the world.

A recent report said that prices have soared with some dogs fetching £6,000. Apparently, farmers claim that the outlay may be costly, but a good, well-trained, sheepdog is worth every penny. Are they being fleeced? Are the sheep worried?

YIN-YANG

Chairman Brian (as opposed to Chairman Mao) sent Lowdown this lovely photograph he had taken of his hounds sharing a bed. It imediately reminded me of Yin-Yang, the ancient Chinese Taoist symbol of the complimentary opposites. Sweet harmony, or what!

NO FOOL LIKE AN OLD FOOL

The world’s oldest dog has recently died. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Pusuke, a fluffy tan mongrel was born on April 1^st (!)1985.

Its owner, Yumiko Shinohara, said at her home outside Tokyo, that the dog suddenly fell ill and refused to eat. An equivalent life-span for a human would be one hundred and twenty-five years. Sayonara!