My wife asks if these border collies are from a working line.
She has a story about Teddy - a border collie owned by a yachtsman at a marina near ours.
She was visiting a friend's boat when Teddy showed up with a ball. The friend (clueless about border collies) did the usual baby-talk.
My wife talked to Teddy like she'd talk to any other person. She played with him briefly, then told him that they were busy on the boat now but he should come back in the morning with his ball - after they had had breakfast and cleaned the dishes - and she'd play with him some more.
Teddy picked up the ball and went back to his person's boat.
Next morning, after Teddy's people were done with breakfast, Teddy showed up with the ball. My wife told him "Not your breakfast, Teddy. After we're done with our breakfast and cleaning the dishes." So teddy picked up his ball and went back. And once the dishes were done he came over again for some more play.
The friend had thought my wife was crazy at first, but finally said "That dog understands you!" My wife, a country girl, said "Of course! He's a border collie."
