In the concrete canyons of New York City, dogs give us humans a welcome link to nature. But in rural areas of the country, where there’s nothing but nature for miles around, things are very different, as the new documentary “Sweetgrass,” running through Jan. 19 at Film Forum, reveals.
Hardworking border collies are as rugged as the terrain, helping cowboys herd flocks of sheep into Montana’s Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains for summer pasture. Urban hounds are led around on a leash, but the “Sweetgrass” dogs don’t just walk unleashed, they lead entire herds of sheep — animals much bigger and stronger than they are!
City dwellers invent jobs to keep dogs from getting bored, coming up with creative outlets for K9 physical exercise and mental stimulation such as therapy-dog volunteerism and doggie daycare. But out West, boredom is not an option: A border collie’s job keeps him busy 24/7.
“Unlike urban pets, and like ranch kids, ranch dogs work — and they work hard,” says filmmaker Ilisa Barbash, whose husband Lucien
Castaing-Taylor also worked on the film. “They are more like service animals than pets.”
But the bond between a cowboy and his loyal K9 co-worker is just as strong as the one between a Park Avenue princess and her pampered pug. Tough-guy wrangler Pat Connolly is caught on camera having a tender talk with his dog Tommy, which fascinated the filmmaking husband-and-wife team, who have a mutt named Persephone.
“While it’s true that cowboys are less sentimental than urbanites about their dogs, they love them to bits, hug them, scream at them, stroke them, and take pride in their herding abilities, dexterity, athleticism and ability to perform tricks — as we all do with children,” says Barbash.
Here in the city, many dogs experience separation anxiety while their owners are away at work. But on a ranch, working dogs are never out of their owner’s sight, so they don’t miss them. Plus, out West the “office” is the great outdoors, which is every dog’s favorite place to be, whether he’s an urban hound or a country K9.
FYI: United Action 4 Animals will now offer a free spay-neuter clinic starting at 8 a.m. next Sunday. Call 212-249-9178 or visit ua4a.org for details.
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