Nickie, an Australian Blue Heeler, was a very sweet natured dog. As our vet said, he wouldn't hurt a flea.  Yet he was alert to everything around him and warned me of a couple of men outside my bedroom window once when my husband was out of town.  He was very intelligent also.  Nickie learned to turn door knobs and open doors, making him a frequent visitor in the middle of the night. 



Nickie lived up to his breed's instincts too. He herded us by nipping at our heels, especially when he was in a hurry to get outside. This unnerved people who had not been exposed to such behavior. Those not around dogs much thought that Nickie was trying to bite them. Never.



Nickie had friends everywhere. He never met a person who didn't like him. And most dogs did too. He even got email from friends all over. Everyone loved that sweet boy.