Out on the farm, dogs have fascinating lives, what with the interactions among themselves and the other farm animals, and the varied likes, dislikes, abilities and needs of each canine. Everywhere you go, visiting any of the farms around us, there are working dogs. The breeds vary widely, as do the personalities (same breed or not), and on these farms, each dog has a specialty – a job to do on a regular basis, often accompanied by great adventures.

These canines tree raccoons, dig up and kill moles, herd sheep, kill rats, keep the cows in line for milking, guard the flock at night, eat dead things, scout out a pasture before the flock moves into it, hunt..., and consequently, they are almost always busy. Many of these skills and jobs are also breed specific, and often it is absolutely intuitive. These dogs are an essential part of farmers’ lives.

Farm dogs lead very busy, fulfilling lives IF they survive the rural dangers: getting run over by tractors or cars, getting bitten by the vermin they’re killing, getting shot (if they’re found causing trouble with someone else’s livestock or chasing deer during hunting season), being abandoned in the country when a family moves, etc.

Inspired by all of this, I created a fine art and educational exhibit featuring the daily drama that is the farm dog life: the various jobs that they do, the wonderfully exciting things they get to eat, and the intuitive relationship between dog and farmer. I also wanted to show that...