As it happened, the retired special forces veteran had Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs and offered the sisters a pup from the litter his dog had just had. Initially, the kind offer was refused in the thinking that five dogs would be a figurative (and literal) handful. On reflection, however, it was thought that perhaps a Stumpy just might just be the answer to concerns over daytime security.

The convent’s nearly two year old female Kangal, “Rona,”  adopted “Skipper” from day one.  We’re told that their bond has been one of the most amazing things anyone there has ever seen. A dog not much more than a baby herself has been sweet and nurturing, and the pair are essentially inseparable. Too young to be loose at night, Skipper stays in the dog yard with the older Kangals as Rona “goes to work,” chasing some critter off the premises, but then she races back to the fence to lie next to her boy.

Our friend sharing this story writes, “After having had Kangals for so long, I wasn’t sure what it would be like to have a “normal” dog but Skipper is not a normal pet type dog by any means. He has an amazing amount of energy but is so incredibly focused on his humans that it is mind-blowing. He watches me constantly with what I have come to call the “laser” look. As if he’d pierce through you to the depths to figure out what you want and how he could do it for you. I’m amazed at the combination of gentle, submissive sweetness combined with a bottomless abyss of drive. He is so solid, so tough and is quite convinced that he is a big LGD too. Only thing I’ve seen him afraid of was small dogs at the vet’s office! After living with dogs that are 86 pounds at the smallest, he had no idea what he was looking at!

“Skipper adores people and we’re capitalizing on that, socializing him with many types of people he will encounter in our life. Despite being only five months old, he has a very developed guarding instinct and at night, works right alongside the big dogs, barking at possible intruders with his high-pitched squeaky bark. He models the Kangals in all things, play style, howling with them when the bells are rung, and wanting to do everything they do. But, his level of obedience and desire to please is definitely miles away from any Kangal known to man! I am quite sure that this Kangal/Stumpy [partnership] is one that I am going to be addicted to for life! I love Skipper’s tough and sturdy build. He’s solid muscle but has a very refined look about him. Long legs and fine bones. Rather out of keeping with the sheer solid mass of his muscles. I am really looking forward to seeing how he matures. Skipper was born outside and had never been inside until he came to us. He was easy to crate train and loves his indoor time if it means he is with me but otherwise loves the great outdoors. As soon as he has his snake-proofing, he will be allowed to work at night with the big girls. He will love it. He has the true working dog temperament, just like the Kangals: ‘Give me a job and I will do it or die trying!.'”

We are able to report with relief that the final chapter of this frightening event concluded with court proceedings that saw the gunman given 2.5 years prison time, and five years of very intensive probation. As our friend wrote, it didn’t not look good going into court the other day, so the sisters are very grateful that he got even this much. She adds, “chances are the tragedies that have occurred in the last few days with shootings did not harm our case.”

An additional note that comes just when you think there is no one with any goodness left in the world. After intense and potentially life-threatening weeks of doing guard duty for us, the guard refused to accept any payment for his labor of love. As our friend said, “In the midst of all the craziness in the world, there are still real, wonderful people, doing whatever they can to bring good to the world around them… Perhaps he was a guardian angel in disguise?”

Here is where we add our own editorial note: This post is sharing the insights of an experienced Kangal owner who introduced a Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog to the canine family, it is not a place to share opinions about gun control. Please.

We leave you with a parting photo of the happy new family: