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 The
rams huddled. They stared. They refused to budge. By chance,
Chubby was running around outside. He saw that his owner,
Josh, needed help moving his sheep back into their pen. Chubby
took control. He rushed at the rams and nipped their heels.
It worked! They ran for their pen, with Chubby in hot pursuit.
Josh couldn’t believe his eyes. Chubby is a Californian
rabbit!
Josh
lives on a ranch in Montana, where he and his family raise
a woolly breed of sheep called Navajo Churros. Josh also raises
six breeds of rabbits, including Californians. Californian
rabbits have red eyes, a soft white coat, and black ears,
nose, tail, and feet. They’re usually calm and friendly.
In fact, many people who own them say they’re downright
lovable. Anyone who sees Chubby in action might say Californian
rabbits are brave—and smart, too.
 Usually,
sheep ranchers use working dogs, like Border Collies or Australian
Shepherds, to move their flocks. These talented dogs learn
to obey commands like, “Away to me!” (Circle around
from right to left), “Come by!” (Circle around
from left to right), “Take time!” (Slow down),
and “That’ll do!” (Stop what you’re
doing).
Josh says
he never was a “dog person,” so Chubby the Working
Rabbit suits his style. Josh simply tells Chubby, “Go
get ‘em!” That’s enough to send the eight-pound
rabbit hopping after any dawdling sheep. Adult Navajo Churro
rams can weigh as much as 150 pounds, but Josh says none of
them argue with Chubby. Even the toughest ones decide it’s
time to move when the little rabbit chases after them. Maybe
something in Chubby’s red eyes says, “I’m
the boss.” Or maybe the rams just don’t want their
heels nipped.
 Chubby’s
talent doesn’t stop at herding. Sometimes Josh has to
give his sheep shots or trim their hooves. Then he needs them
to stand STILL, not run away. Josh counts on his rabbit to
corner the sheep and hold them steady, while he catches each
one and cares for it. Chubby moves his head back and forth,
scanning the sheep to make sure they all stay cornered. Of
course, he always gets a reward for being such a big help.
Can you guess what his favorite treat is? Yogurt-covered raisins!
Chubby
doesn’t always feel like running around after sheep.
Like us, some days he wants to take things easy. That doesn’t
stop Josh from being very proud of his “special boy,”
the only one of his litter to survive. “Chubby is definitely
one-of-a-kind,” he says, “and well worth his weight
in gold.”
Learn
more about the Navajo Churro sheep!
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