Missing sheepdog who had to have its leg amputated after he was found injured is back to work on the farm
A sheepdog is still rounding up animals - despite having its leg amputated.
Border collie Boss went missing while out working, and despite an extensive search - even using a drone - the pooch was nowhere to be seen.
Shepherdess Anna MacKinnon, 25, was sick with worry until eight days later an injured Boss was spotted limping over a hill on the farm her dad manages in Amulree, Perthshire.
The four-year-old dog had nerve damage to his front left leg, and Anna had to make the difficult decision to allow vets to amputate.
She feared Boss would have to retire as a working sheepdog - but just three weeks after the dog's stitches were removed, Boss was out chasing sheep again.
Despite missing a limb, the collie is just as speedy and efficient at rounding up the sheep on the farm Anna works on.
Anna, from Dunkeld, Perthshire, said: "From the very early stages we could tell there wasn’t much chance of him getting any feeling back in his leg.
"The outcome wasn’t going to change.
"It was really hard to make the decision to amputate as it just seemed so drastic.
"But we knew it was the only thing that was going to be the best for him.
"He's always wanted to do more and been ahead of the recommendations.
"Once the anaesthetic wore off, he was keen to get out and have a run around, so I took him 100 metres up the road and back again.
"He had his stiches taken out at the end of September and three weeks later he was back out chasing sheep!"
Boss went missing while out rounding up sheep in July and it is thought he disappeared over the hill beyond the farm.
He was found eight days later.
Anna said: "I couldn’t believe it – I was shaking.
"My dad had gone up on the quadbike up the road and saw a black movement up the hill.
"He readjusted his eyes and was like ‘oh my goodness, that’s Boss’."
After six weeks of vet consultations and waiting to see if Boss' leg would improve, Anna made the choice to amputate.
"After the anaesthetic wore off he just went back to how he was before – although a little less stylish!" she said.
"He was really really excited to get back out there.
"Even when he was an eight-week-old pup he was wanting to chase sheep and run around after them.
"He’s a once in a lifetime dog and he’s done everything I’ve ever asked of him.
"I'm so happy and proud to see him bounce back doing what he loves, but also it’s hard to watch him be vulnerable.
"Before he was very hard, and nothing would phase him.
"If he got hurt he’d just shake it off and continue, he still has that mindset but obviously I have the extra worry of him really hurting himself.
"Going forward I have to just see how things go in his recovery, as much as I’d love to see him back working fully, I’d never risk his safety!"
