Sixteen-year-old Sheltie Winston walks off leash behind owner Bob Brooker every morning at about 8:30 a.m. “He is a herder,” Bob says. “He likes to keep everything in front of him. If you come up behind us, he will circle around you to keep you in sight and make sure you don’t mess with me.”

 

Bob and his wife Patty inherited Winston from Bob’s mother, who at age 90 rescued the pup from a couple who kept him locked in the basement until age one-and-a-half. The husband didn’t like Winston and as a result Winston was mistrusting of men. Shortly after arriving at Mrs. Brooker’s house on Mabry, Winston ran away. Bob and Patty drove over from their East Club Lane house to help and began combing Mabry looking for the dog. Winston ran from Patty but when Bob called out to him, the Shetland Sheepdog obeyed. “From that day forward, he was my dog,” says Bob. He repeats a joke that his mother’s caretaker used to use: “Winston loves you and tolerates the rest of the world.”

 

Shelties are loyal and protective. If the Brooker grandkids venture too close to the road when playing in the front yard, Winston will jump off the porch, run in front of them, and nip until they go back up the yard.

 

Winston knows the homes on his daily walking route and who lives where. He even recognizes the yard service workers and will go up to them for a pet. He also understands which yards don’t have fences and the houses that back up to them. When he gets tired, he’ll cut through a yard and wait for Bob in the abutting home’s front yard on the next street over.

 

Bob and Winston have developed their own form of sign language since the Sheltie has gotten older and lost hearing. As they walk facing traffic, Bob keeps an eye on Winston. If a car is coming, Bob points left and Winston will jump on the curb and out of the way. When Bob puts his hand up like a crossing guard, Winston will stop and look around to see what’s happening.

 

In addition to signals, Shelties can learn over 150 words, according to the American Psychological Association. Winston is typical of his breed in this regard and listens to many commands. “He understands what the drill is and he is real good at it,” says Bob.

 

Winston also has personality and is popular with the neighbors. Kids know him and moms will stop as they drive by to let their children say hello. “A lot of people call him ‘Mayor of Brookhaven,’” notes Bob. “Once you are his friend, you are a friend for life.”

 

Prior to inheriting Winston, the Brookers owned hunting dogs – pointers, setters, and Brittany Spaniels. “Little dogs like him were for eating,” jokes Bob, who is a bird hunter. But now the two are bonded. “He has really been a lot of fun,” Bob says.