Back in October 2024 a little Border Collie named Jenni was dropped off at the ranch (tied to a fence, no demonstration, no commands, just “he’ll be back later to show you how she works”).
He never came back.
We learned exactly one command: “That’ll do, Jenni!”
We yelled it roughly four thousand times in the next year.
She bit quad tires.
She peed in the living room like it was her life’s mission.
She harassed the dairy cows every single morning.
She laid down 20 yards behind the quad when we actually needed her to move cattle.
More liability than help.
Last summer I told the previous owner to come get her.
He did.
I lost my bedside buddy, but I got a dry floor and an undamaged quad.
Fast-forward to this morning, November 24, 2025, 4:30 AM.
I open the back door to start chores and there she is (little Jenni curled up in a tight ball on the mat, exactly where she always wanted to be).
She came home.
She walked straight to me, sat on my foot, pressed against my leg, and looked up for pets like nothing had changed.
She’s asleep in the crate in the kitchen as I write this (warm, safe, finally quiet).
Charley wanted to murder her on sight.
It took every ounce of obedience I’ve ever drilled into Charley to keep the peace.
Here’s the hard truth:
I love this little dingbat more than I ever admitted.
But love doesn’t pay for dog food when you’re already stretching every dollar to feed three 100-plus-pound guardians and a growing ranch.
We still don’t know her commands.
We still can’t trust her loose in the house.
We still don't have the resources for another mouth that doesn’t earn its keep.
So today I’ll call the previous owner and she’ll go back… again.
Maybe in a year the ranch will be in a different place.
Maybe by then we’ll have the margin to feed her, train her, and give her the job she was born for.
Until then, she knows where home is.
And I’ll never forget the sight of her waiting for me at 4:30 in the morning, choosing us anyway.
All the best,
Your soft-hearted but ranch-first rancher,
Tim – CNP, OHP
BellMar Ranch & Gardens
2 comments
Thanks for the amazing job you’re doing on the farm there. I love reading your posts and emails. You have a very busy life but you’re doing something you really believe in and providing amazing food for people. I wish Jenni could stay there with you as it looks like she really loves you.
I commend you,Tim and family for your determination and drive to fulfill a dream which includes giving people the opportunity to choose quality food raised on your ranch. Thanks (Stay and dress warm) 🌨️