Tova R. Cladouhos, Author

Tova R. Cladouhos
“Little Molly”

This is a story about a special Border Collie herding sheep on the Camas Prairie in northcentral Idaho. In one year our flock grew to 45 without the assistance of a herding dog.

Why do sheep get out of fenced areas into alfalfa fields? Why are sheep so difficult to herd back inside the pasture? How can coyotes be foiled when looking for opportunities to take down lambs? The answers are revealed after a Border Collie came to work on a sheep farm. There are several aspects of the story connecting the reader with animal behavior. Molly displays natural herding traits, eagerness to herd and move sheep, then becomes an inside dog after living outside in a doghouse. The story jumps forward with a twist and surprise when Little Molly is found to be averse to loud noises, takes off and runs away!

The author loves her busy life on the farm and writes with rich language and emotion that will allow children to learn about raising sheep and the crucial role of a trained Border Collie to help manage them.  “The best thing in the world for a shepherd is to have the help of a good herding dog. The shepherd and Molly have learned and done so much together and through her story telling, she shares these experiences, joys, sadness, and great fun together, we recognize the power of a Border Collie ‘people whisperer’ as well as the author’s ability to be a ‘dog whisperer’,” Ann Chapman.

According to Jeffrey Rudolph’s DOGS! A Science Tail, “It’s really not about dogs and science. It’s really about how dogs and humans have evolved together over thousands of years. It’s that social bond established between humans and dogs that enables us to communicate with dogs.” Dogs help make our life complete. Where would we be without them? In this story, the best thing in the world for a shepherd is having the help of a good herding dog.