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A Day In The Life Of An Aussie Farm Dog

Jimmy the Border Collie is living the dog's dream life.
Jimmy from Kalannie, in Western Australia, is a hardworking boy.
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Jimmy from Kalannie, in Western Australia, is a hardworking boy.

Jimmy is a four-year-old Border Collie who lives and works on a family farm in Kalannie, on the Wheatbelt of Western Australia. His owner, Bob Nixon, works him hard. But Jimmy wouldn't have it any other way.

Whether it's shifting 400 sheep from one paddock to the next, inspecting the wheat with his owner, or joining in on a mulberry picking adventure with the kids -- Jimmy doesn't like to be left out.

Farmer Bob Nixon with daughter Isabelle and Jimmy the legendary farm dog.
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Farmer Bob Nixon with daughter Isabelle and Jimmy the legendary farm dog.

Let's take a look at just one day in the life of Jimmy, who is known around town as being a legendary worker, with a heart of gold.

It's early in the morning and Jimmy's getting ready to shift around 400 sheep from one paddock to another. First, he takes time to pose for the camera. Good luck, Jimmy. Go shift those sheep!
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It's early in the morning and Jimmy's getting ready to shift around 400 sheep from one paddock to another. First, he takes time to pose for the camera. Good luck, Jimmy. Go shift those sheep!
It takes a lot of skill, masterful maneuvering, minimal barking and a lot of running around to shift sheep. But Jimmy has his sheep buddies under control in a matter of minutes. After all, he's been training for this since his puppy days.
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It takes a lot of skill, masterful maneuvering, minimal barking and a lot of running around to shift sheep. But Jimmy has his sheep buddies under control in a matter of minutes. After all, he's been training for this since his puppy days.

As an aside, when it comes to sheep, Jimmy is a loyal friend. Recently, this sheep got herself stuck in a tree. Sheep are not known for being highly intelligent. Jimmy alerted his owner, then returned to the scene and managed to rescue the sheep by barking and then using his snout to force the sheep to lift his head. Thanks Jimmy!

The sheep in the tree, rescued by Jimmy.
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The sheep in the tree, rescued by Jimmy.

After a hard morning shifting sheep, Jimmy managed to burn his paws -- the ground gets incredibly hot in the middle of a West Aussie Summer. So, he needed to hitch a ride on the quad bike before Farmer Bob moved to the next location.

Jimmy getting a ride with Farmer Bob
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Jimmy getting a ride with Farmer Bob

Let's go and check out the wheat crop. Jimmy knows the drill.

It's time to inspect the wheat crop and make sure there are no rabbits or pesky roos about!
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It's time to inspect the wheat crop and make sure there are no rabbits or pesky roos about!

Farm life can be dangerous. Recently, poor Jimmy got too close to the truck wash (chemicals used to wash the farm trucks) and was badly splashed in the eyes. Farmer Bob went to extreme lengths to save Jimmy's eyesight, painting a set of swimming goggles red, and keeping him in darkness for two weeks until he recovered. Jimmy took to his new shades and the 'cone of shame' like a champ!

Jimmy was living in darkness for two weeks while his eyes recovered.
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Jimmy was living in darkness for two weeks while his eyes recovered.

It's time for a quick break, joining the kids for a go-karting session on the farm.

Every good farm dog deserves a break - lets go!
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Every good farm dog deserves a break - lets go!

After lunch, it's time to shift another lot of sheep. This lot were a bit more difficult to handle.

There's a sheep loose in the top paddock!
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There's a sheep loose in the top paddock!
Working like a dog.
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Working like a dog.

The working day is over and now Jimmy can hang out with the kids - who delighted in picking mulberries and rubbing the berries over themselves. As kids do.

The Nixon kids, covered in mulberries, with Jimmy who expects to be involved in every activity. Fomo, anyone?
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The Nixon kids, covered in mulberries, with Jimmy who expects to be involved in every activity. Fomo, anyone?

The end of a long day for Jimmy often means rolling in the dirt outside the Nixon farm homestead. Jimmy, you're an Aussie legend. The world needs more of you.

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