My Biggest Accomplishment

There are a few things in my life I have been happy to accomplish - becoming a veterinarian, working terriers, working border collies, and making loads of friends.

My biggest accomplishment occurred on Christmas Day. Three Wisemen came bearing gifts (however I was wiser in the game of cards) and I cooked Christmas dinner.

In all my years on earth - this was the first turkey I had ever cooked.

No- it wasn't a National Lampoon's turkey - although it could have been if I hadn't put the timer on the stove.

Merry Christmas to all!!!!!

Christmas Time Is A Coming

These past few years, I haven't been much in the Christmas mood - not sure why - used to be a favorite holiday of mine. But this year is a little different, am getting a slight itch (maybe I have fleas - we see that a lot in this clinic). I can remember when I would count the days until the red fat guy would come, and I can see that in my young niece and nephew as well. Let's face it, the holidays are meant for the kids, and opening gifts are always more fun with a bunch of kids tearing things apart. Chris has often teared things apart as well, but that just makes me irritated since I have to pick up the paper. Holiday gift bags - that's the ticket - highly recommended.
I guess our Christmas gift is the impending move - if you want to say stress is a great gift to have. One of my friends has convinced me to look at it as a new adventure - and that I will.
Sometimes our family gives gifts got from garage sales - a kind of environmental thing for us - perhaps I should think about wrapping up some things that will go into the garage sale we will have in the future - you remember those macrame plant holders - I am sure they are still in style somewhere.

Changes in Life

Life tends to throw you curves. We have just hit a speed curve, and need to slow down so we don't go over the edge. Chris and I are in the process of finding a ranch in Saskatchewan to move to - the family farm has been sold, and things will have to be in order in a few months. So, one of the many things that will have to find order is our dog situation - we have to really cut down on our dogs. I may have to throw in a pup with the purchase of every dog - two for one deal! The jury is still out, I may not be able to do any dog trialing next year - in the meantime, I will still put my entries in hoping for the best.
I haven't had a major move in my life close to 20 years ago - I have a feeling this won't be any fun. I will let you know when the garage sale is - give me an offer! If I don't have to pack it, the better it will be.

Trial Season Is Over With Agribition

The final trial this year was Agribition - 40 dogs (would have been more, but the US contingency couldn't come because of the vast amount of snow that had fallen). A little bit different setup this year for the courses, there were no retries for obstacles, so during the first round there were 5 full point runs (I and my dogs were not one of them). The sheep were lambs, and grips were allowed-which was probably a good choice, since many of the sets needed to get an attitude adjustment to get them going. Fly had the fastest run, but I goofed up and let one ewe miss the obstacle - thus losing by one point. Gin got third fastest time - but once again, my glasses have to be checked as I missed an obstacle all together. Oh well, had a good visit with my sisters and learned about how to make Wiener Water Soup (somehow, I don't think Chef Ramsay would like this delicacy). In the end, Ed Hunter, Chris Jobe, Jamie VanRyn, Peter Gonnet and Campbell Forsyth got their dogs in.
2010 trial season is officially over - now to work for 2011. If only I didn't have to work so much, I would be out there more with the dogs. It may be next year that I will once again train on the trial field. Not a recommended technique, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do.