On The Road Again

After a few days work last week in Nanton, the weekend arrived - and I packed up the minipac (Yola the Jack Russell, Piper and Mitch, the Border Collies) into Dora the Explorer and started our short adventure weekend. We ended up (minus Piper, who is currently is being tried at a new place - be good Piper, be very good) at Eagle Creek Livery. A quaint place, nice people and good hospitality - and a great place to start the young dogs. There was an afternoon of working dogs (and me working on getting vaccines into the dogs) and socializing - quite a hard feat. Almost had to break out the Jager to give us that afternoon boost. An old Scotsman was in the group as well, and being recently Robby Burns day, gave us the rendition of "The Ode To The Haggis" - of which I am currently looking for a translator to find out what was said about this fine delicacy (try it Mikey, you'll like it!). I saw Dan (who is a Gin x Don pup I had raised and I recently had a weak moment and let a certain Bowdian get his hands on him), and wished I could have turned back time so I could have said no to this fellow when he asked for Dan. The livery owner showed his Gin pup as well - balancing and such - almost as good as Glen's Alice (I have this urge to throw young lambs out for lil' Becca now and get training done-guess she will settle for cats for now). The newbie couple brought their dogs out as well - and I figure I should leave my young dogs with them to get started. I brought Mitch out - maybe he will grace the field this year - and did some drills - you know, throwing a cane or two and whispering sweet nothings in his ear. The livery owner and his wife let me stay overnight, work Mitch again, and then I made it back to Nanton to work. Before I got to Nanton though, I went to the newbies and worked (or worried) their sheep with Mitch. Man, I wish it was light out longer at night - I would be there after work every night if I could. They are probably thankful it is dark early, so I don't show up on their doorstep! I do know when I get back to sunny Mankota, there will be regular workouts with the dogs - the trial season is not that far away, and there are dogs to be trained. In the meantime, I will watch the 2011 USBCHA Finals DVD that the newbies let me borrow, and I will study very hard so that hopefully a trip to Klamath Falls, Utah will occur in September for the 2012 USBCHA finals.
I just have to find the canes in the snow - if Mitch would only play fetch.

Cast of Players

Livery Owner and Wife - Randy and Val Dye

Scotsman - Abe Marshall

Bowdian - Don Grant

The Newbies - Naomi and Bill Shields

Mitch - as himself

I Think She Has A Split Personality

How can seven pounds scare a person to the point of peeing one's pants? No, I am not talking about the weight gain over Christmas holidays, but rather Claire (the names have been changed to protect the innocent), the Siamese cross (and she was pissed) cat I dealt with today. Really, it wasn't going to be a big deal, I just needed some pee, that is all. Claire was all nice and unassuming to start with, but when it was decided to give her some subcutaneous fluids, that is when all hell broke loose. Thank God she was declawed, but that didn't stop her from getting her back claws into my hand. "I love my job, I love my job", I said under my breath as I tried to give some needed fluids. It kind of reminded me of The Exorcist - head spinning and such, but at least there was no vomit...yet. She was going to be uncooperative, to put it nicely. "Let's put her back in the kennel to chill out," was my plan of action. One half an hour later she was the picture of perfect, purring and stretched out in pleasure. A butterfly needle was what I had up my sleeve - an ingenious piece of medical equipment - a needle at the end of a long hose so that you don't have to be anywhere close to the crazy end. The fluids were administerd, albeit with a few jumps (from her and from me). Now, I will pray for the pee Gods. If she doesn't give me a gift of urine, I will have to knock her out to get the golden juice. Maybe I will pee in the jar for her, it might be easier.

Having Sheepish Thoughts

We have been regular sheep farmers around these parts.

The last week, it had been quite cold (putting it mildly), and most of the youngsters saw the world first in the barn. As it got warmer, the big outdoors became their new home.
There is quite a few left to lamb - perhaps they are waiting for nicer days - I know I would appreciate it!

Big old Daddeeoo is quite proud of his harem.

Who's your Daddy?

These days are full of lounging around...

...going to the snack bar.....

....and when you want to call on a friend....

...they come a running.

No matter who they are!

Calling All Urban Shepherds

When we in the middle of buying our new spread, I had told some trialers out east about it - they thought the idea to have a get away from the hustle and bustle from citylife to the quiet of the rolling prairies was inviting. So.....here's your chance! Chance of an opportunity - throw away your cell phones (well they wouldn't work anyway, there isn't any service) and have a week (or two if you like) and be a shepherd with our sheep(a mosaic of Scottish Blackface, Khatadins, and a hodge podge of other non-descript sheep) - get away from the rat race (no we don't have rats here, even if we are in Saskatchewan) - come to sunny McCord, Saskatchewan (promise it won't be -30 out) and use your dog(s) for intensive grazing. Dogs, exercise (just a mile to the grazing area), sheep - who needs a membership to the gym? Roughly starting May 10th-come for a few days or a few weeks - it's up to you. You can even ride a horse if that tickles your fancy -cowboy hat optional. If you don't have a dog, we'll give you one (and you can train it since I don't seem to have the time). All this and a bag of chips! It may not be the world trial..but it's our world! Only breathing individuals need to register.