I am a city girl. Sheep and ranching are about as foreign to me as the idea of a working dog who loves living outdoors amongst all of its dangers and discomforts. After all, in the city and in the suburbs these days, nearly all dogs (and cats and bunnies and birds and even reptiles and who know what else) live in air conditioned luxury as someone’s pet.
So, I was very interested to learn about Jax, Protector of the Ranch. After reading about a day in the life of this Great Pyrenees, I’ve got to say, “Wow! What an amazing dog.”
Jax is big and can easily stand his own against predators like coyotes and mountain lions. He is perceptive and can tell when the rain is coming just by sniffing the air. He is protective of his herd and he is protective of his humans, too.
Jax’s sharp wit makes him thoughtful. He remembers words and their meanings but he doesn’t need a human trainer to become good at his job. Watching and learning from the other guardian dogs on the ranch has helped him keep his flock safe.
He learned his trade by observing Bev, the oldest dog on the ranch. She’s an Anatolian shepherd. The new kid, Stormy, is a guardian-pup-in-training. That little Great Pyrenees still has a lot to learn and Jax is happy to be her mentor.
A guardian dog’s work day begins as the sun starts to go down. That is when sheep most need a defender. There’s a full moon on this night. Jax knows that strange things seem to happen when the moon is full. That’s when more predators come out. It’s when animals act up in unexpected ways. There are plenty of uncertainties for the sheep this night.
The author takes readers on an exciting and sometimes, gripping adventure that lasts throughout a very long and scary night. You can feel the tension build as Jax and the other protectors of the ranch do their best to guard their sheep from hungry wild animals. With every turn of the page, you will be wondering and hoping that when the morning finally comes, everyone will still be safe and accounted for.
Ms. Stier really makes you feel like you are inside Jax’s head. My favorite insight into his thought process is when he’s telling us, “Now, I know Colton thinks I got a tough break having to work outside all night. But tonight I look around and see what Sweep and other dogs that stay inside at night are missing. There are more stars in the sky than there are wildflowers in a Texas field.”
Sweep, by the way is a Border Collie. She’s a herding dog and her job is moving the sheep from one side of the ranch to another. She gets to sleep in a soft doggy bed in the ranch house with Gail, the ranch owner, and her grandson, Colton.
You don’t have to feel sorry for Jax’s lack of air-conditioned luxury. He is right where he wants to be, out amongst his sheep where he will do whatever it takes to keep them all from harm.
This is a very quick read and kids who love dogs are absolutely going to devour this very informative chapter book. Each chapter features several black and white illustrations, by Francesca Rosa, that are reminiscent of those by Marguerite Kirmse, who illustrated Eric Knight’s “Lassie Come Home.” They also remind me of those in “The Adventures of Scamp” by Mary Pollack. Unfortunately the illustrator is unknown for that book.
Get “I Am Jax, Protector of the Ranch” for your early reader today. They will love you for it.
9/17/20
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BONUS Post
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9/17/20
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Review Jax
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9/18/20
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Character Interview
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9/19/20
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Review Ava + BONUS Jax Review
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9/20/20
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Jax Scrapbook
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9/21/20
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Ava Scrapbook
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9/22/20
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Review Jax
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9/23/20
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Review Ava
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9/24/20
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Sneak Peek Jax
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9/25/20
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Review Jax
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9/26/20
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Review Ava
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