We ranch because we love it, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t hard.

We’ve all had days that challenged us, to say the least, and my husband, Clint Johnson, and I are no exceptions. As ranch owners, finding good employees is a perennial struggle.

Dogs are some of the best co-workers we’ve found. Border collies are smart, strong, eager to please and have great stock sense, but they bring so much more to our lives.

As on many ranches, our dogs are part of the family.

When one of our kids falls down and skins a knee, you will always find a dog in their face licking off the tears until they cease. On a sunny summer day, you might find a dog playing chase or tag with the kids.

On the hard days that wear me down and I plunk down on a bench hoping for inspiration, I’m never there long before a dog finds me. Head on my leg, the animal looks up at me as if to say, “It’s OK, Mom, I’ve got you. Tomorrow will be better.”

It always amazes me.

Dogs have a sense and a way of adding to a family dynamic like no other animal I know, and we treat them accordingly.

They’ll lie under my desk on a winter’s morning when I’m at the computer, or on the carpet alongside the kids for some TV time snuggles.

It’s only natural they should get the last three bites of a sandwich on a long day of moving cows. When they’re tuckered out or pick up a sticker, they can hitch a ride back down the mountain on the four-wheeler or even on horseback.

These are the perks you get as an exceptional co-worker at our operation, and I know the instant I open the door to go outside or the minute I arrive back at the trailer they are first in line asking, “What can we do next?”

Clint and I are excited to be returning to the Central Oregon Ag Show to share with the public what these amazing creatures can do.

If you’ve never watched Clint and his dogs at work, you’re in for some fun. The dogs are proud of what they can do and love to show off their impressive skills.

If you have joined us before, you know that every year is different. The dogs and livestock change from year to year, and they like to customize the show their own way, no matter how we attempt to structure it.

As usual, Clint will bring about three dogs of differing ages and stages of training, and this year we’re also bringing a few puppies along.

If you’ve never watched puppies in their early experiences of working sheep, you’re in for a treat. Everything, from their little legs running to keep up with the sheep to my kids running to catch the puppies who are having a little too much fun to stop, will bring a smile to your face.

Come see our family members, co-workers, talented sidekicks. We are so proud of them and can’t wait to introduce you.