NJ: May 2, 2006: A tri-colored Collie was severely frightened this afternoon after coming face to face with a mother sheep at a local farm.

The owners of the dog, proponents of dogs in the herding group for quite a few years, were taken aback and visibly shakened by the apparent abject fear elicited by their dog. One of the owners was heard to utter "It was a terrible display of ineptitude" as they led their dog in disgrace back to their van.

And so begins the latest tale of woe, grief and heartbreak, set in the tranquil environs of a certain "Garden State" on the East Coast of the US.

The dog had been walking with his owner in a local park. When they came to a fenced in area, they both paused to see what the pen held. In a few moments the bleating of sheep was heard. The dog, standing in rapt attention, closely watched the developing drama. After a second or two a sheep appeared, with a couple of its small offspring in toe. When the mother sheep saw the Collie on the other side of the fence, it locked eyes with it.

The dog, only a year old and not knowing what to make of this strange turn of events, stood stock still. But when the sheep took a step forward and stamped its foot as if issuing a confrontation, the Collie dutifully took a step backwards. It was apparent the herding genes were not yet activated in our dog.

We've all probably heard of the flight or fight syndrome. The Collie didn't run, but showed a deep respect for the vicious animal that was safely held behind a secure fence in a country park open to the general public.

At home later, the Collie was none the worse for wear and romped around with the fellow members of its pack in blissful ignorance of its failure at even making an attempt at showing the sheep his true colors.