THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 26, 1995 TAG: 9508260013
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
I read Mal Vincent's recent review of the movie ``Babe'' with some concern.
The movie is about a piglet who is adopted by a kindly border collie named Fly. The dog teaches the pig to herd sheep.
Certainly, the movie is wholesome family entertainment. My concern is that children, after seeing the movie, will want a dog ``just like Fly.'' While border collies are cute and are remarkably intelligent dogs, they do not necessarily make good pets. By nature they are working dogs and require a great deal of physical and mental exercise. If they don't get it, they can become bored and destructive.
Their cleverness makes them quite trainable. It can also make them quirky, stubborn and willful. All too often families purchase a border collie only to discover they haven't the time or energy to give the dog the care and attention it requires. The dog then ends up in an animal shelter. This scenario happens with such regularity that it has become necessary to establish a 24-hour National Border Collie Rescue Network (315-597-3669).
See the movie and enjoy the dogs. A working border collie is a delight to watch. But consider the matter carefully before buying a border collie. GREG FALLIS Norfolk, Aug. 9, 1995 by CNB