Trespassers will be pursued

One day, when old Tudor was still young Tudor, I heard voices from the back of the house and went to investigate. The back yard was a large wide-open milk-yard. A place where noisy milkmen came to restock their smelly vans in order to dump sour milk at people's doorsteps during the night. To Tudor it was paradise - he would roam it all day long, and it was a courageous milkman who would dare to challenge him.

However, this day was different. Up the yard strolled eight to ten young hooligans, tartan scarves wrapped around their hips, making purposefully towards our house. Tudor was by my side, barking furiously. I decided to find out what the trouble was and approached the invading army. Halfway there I developed doubts as to the viability of this strategy. Six foot five against ten times five foot six are not good odds, and the boys looked mean and drunk. I sport a foreign accent, and some people object to this handicap, so I got worried.

Tudor was obviously dying to have a go, so I said:"Whoosss whoosss" which in tudorspeak meant :"Off you go. Do whatever you think is right.". 

There followed a demonstration of professionalism the likes of which I have never witnessed before or again. The young boys were spread out in a long line across the yard, heading towards me. Tudor raced straight to the guy on the left, snarled furiously and jumped up in the air. He didn't wait however and went straight down the line, growling at every single one of the backstreet heroes. He honoured the last one by snarling, jumping high and bouncing off his chest. Again he didn't hesitate but made his way straight back down the decelerating line. It was such an obviously competent performance that the fellow on the far left hadn't the courage to await another attack, but turned and moved away. The closer the dog came the faster he ran. By the time Tudor had reached him, he was in full flight.

I know that police dogs can do such things - they are trained for it, but how a pet border collie could know how to turn  ten people - every one of whom was a giant compared to the dog - is something I still can't fathom. I reckon the dog saved my health, if not my life.