How the Kerry Got His Color

On the night of the Winter Solstice, during the full moon, Dog-Mom, Thai.Cat, Hoover the Schnauzer and Rascal the Kerry Blue went for a walk. All of them marveled at the beautiful gold moonlight. Thai.Cat was the first to notice the appearance of his own color, enhanced by the nightglow of the distant yellow orb.

"Dog-Mom," he purred "Why is it that I am so black?"

"Thai.Cat, you were made black and sleek so that you could hide in the shadows and better hunt the mouse." said Dog-Mom

"Roo, roo! Dog-Mom, why is it that I am salt and pepper?" asked Hoover the Schnauzer.

"Hoover the Schnauzer, you are salt and pepper so that you will blend into the cement walls of the city garden and better hunt the rat." said Dog-Mom

Dog-Mom paused and looked down at Rascal the Kerry Blue. "Would you like to know how the Kerry got his color?" she asked.

"Arr, rar, ra roo! Yes Dog-Mom. Please tell us how!" exclaimed Rascal the Kerry.

So Dog-Mom told the story of how the Kerry got his color:

"Once upon a time, on a mist shrouded island many miles away and many years ago, there lived a shepherd. The shepherd was entrusted with a very special herd of sheep. They were magic sheep that belonged to the Man in the Moon. There were only ten sheep and they were a beautiful blue color. In the moonlight, they absolutely glowed. It is said that a garment made from the wool of these magical sheep would ensure that the wearer would be the bravest of brave, truest of heart and most devoted of souls.

The shepherd kept the sheep for the Man in the Moon as I said earlier. To help him guard the magical sheep, the shepherd had a sheepdog. The sheepdog would guide the sheep during the day and protect the sheep at night from the wolves that constantly raided and ravaged the land.

To keep the shepherd and his sheepdog company, the Man in the Moon had sent a gift. The gift was a medium sized black dog with a soft wavy coat. The black dog was called "Kerry."

Kerry was a friend to both the Shepherd and his sheepdog. Kerry hunted small animals for dinner and told stories and made everyone laugh. Sheepdog really liked Kerry and they became inseparable friends. Sheepdog taught Kerry to herd the magic sheep. Kerry could drive the sheep and enjoyed feeling like he was protecting the herd.

One thing Sheepdog would not teach Kerry was how to banish the wolves from the herd.

"You are too small for that." stated Sheepdog. "I am big and strong and it is my job to protect you all."

But one day Sheepdog and Kerry took the herd way further out away from the shepherd then they had ever been. Day turned to night, and Sheepdog realized that they would not be able to return the magical sheep back to the protection of their normal valley.

Seeking shelter, Sheepdog select an area protected on two sides by rock cliffs. He told Kerry to stay in the small valley with the sheep.

The sheep were nervous knowing that they were not near their home. They had eaten too much and knew they wouldn't be able to run from danger. And danger came.

Soon the sound of wolves...many wolves. Sheepdog got right down to business and fought the wolves. However, as great a sheepdog as he was, even he could not head off the onslaught. After dispatching many wolves, Sheepdog went down and moved no more.

Kerry knew he had to do something. Think fast, think fast. I am clever Kerry. Yes, I know. Kerry puffed himself up to look really big. He then charged the wolves and jumped over a rock cliff. The wolves couldn't see exactly where Kerry had gone, but followed him figuring they might as well have some fun with this dog too. They also jumped over the cliff. They knew they had made a mistake when they continued to fall...to their deaths on the rock floor below.

Kerry was clever. He had jumped and kicked himself back, knowing that he could land on a ledge and pull himself up. This took every once of strength that Kerry had. When he reached the top, his paws were torn, his tummy scrapped and he realized that many of his ribs were broken from the initial slam into the rock ledge. He managed to pull himself down the slope and get to his herd of magic sheep. He collapsed in front of the sheep.

The sheep at first thought that Kerry was just resting. When he didn't move, they realized that Kerry was mortally wounded. As one they looked skyward towards the Moon bleating, "Mahhhnnnn in the Moooohhnnn...help us!"

The Man in the Moon heard his sheep call, panic in their high voices. He saw the reason for their plea and raised his hand, spreading moondust over the sheep and Kerry.

"Blow your breath over Kerry," he called softly.

Slowly the magic sheep breathed on Kerry. Suddenly, Kerry started to move. The sheep drew back, waiting to see if Kerry could get up. Slowly, Kerry raised his head and then stood up. He looked down on his legs and whispered, "Look, I am now blue like you, the magic sheep!"

"For your bravery, your true heart and most devoted soul, you will wear the color of my magical sheep and forever be known as Kerry Blue, the Terrier," explained the Man in the Moon.

Kerry hoped up, wiggled his now blue tail and jump straight up for joy."

"And that Rascal, is how the Kerry got his color. What say we all go in and have a cookie?" asked Dog-Mom

Sharon Burnett's Rascal