Happy New Year!!!

Well the new year, Chinese New Year that is, was brought in with a bang.  No, there were no fireworks or the sorts, nor was there shots fired - just wait ....there was. 

My weekend started when I stopped at Louanne Twa's and did a training session on the young girls - Nan and Kelly -who are my working partners this month while I am in Alberta.  The shots were about to be fired by Louanne's husband Kyle at visiting coyotes, but the plan was thwarted as he got stuck in the field with his truck.  The coyotes lucked out on this one.  My next stop was at the owner of Randy's Real Rooster Ranch at Bowden, Alberta.  I do believe Randy was mistaken in thinking it was the year of the Rooster (it is the year of the Snake), since it was discovered that in his hen house, some of the residents came out of the closet, or nest that is, with bigger combs than some of their comrades.  Yes, the four egg per day production was correct - the other seven could only join in the production through a crowing rendition of Sonny and Cher's "I've Got You Babe."

Don Grant stopped by with his dogs, Gem and Cher (Sonny was nowhere to be found), Abe Marshall bought his Tell and Cap, and along with Randy's Kate and Ben (Kelly's older brother), Jocelyn Dye and her dad's (but would rather be with Jocelyn's) Sweep  and my two gals, we thoroughly made the sheep happy for the light to be turned off later that evening.  Visiting was done after, with harrowing renditions of hunting expeditions experienced by Randy and his family and friends (in which I don't think I would have the guts to handle - swollen rivers, steep cliffs, jackknifed wagons and runaway horses seem a little to much for a day of riding).  The next morning, a few more sessions were done, I said my goodbyes, and I and my travelling partners stopped one more time at Louanne's.  Last Sunday was the first time Louanne saw the girls, and the first time I witnessed Louanne's Gus (Kelly's brother) doing large outruns, driving, and doing all his flanks.  The next on the learning agenda for Gus would be whistles.  Last weekend, Louanne (and Naomi Shields) witnessed Nan not wanting to stay put as a very short outrun was attempted, and Kelly showed she did not have a good feeling about walking up onto her sheep. This afternoon, I believed Louanne was flabbergasted (I do believe "WTF" was mentioned)  after showing Nan and Kelly's driving skills (there is plenty of walk up), pretty fair outruns (no 20 pointers for sure, but at least 10 pointers), some off balance flanks and an inside flank from Nan.  I have decided by next weekend the girls will be fully on whistles, there will be shedding and look backs,  and next Monday, Gus and the girls will partake in a double lift.

More likely, several backward steps will occur, and they all will forget their names (but that would be totally my fault, since I have been calling them every name under the sun except their own-perhaps the Year of the Snake is allowing my memory to slither away!)

Trial Hosting 101

So, even though we are in the midst of winter, many dog handlers are checking their calendars, seeing what trials they can make during the year, and making sure they can get holidays to correspond.  Those that host trials are also looking at calendars - making sure that there are no conflicts so that their trial can be the best it can be.  For those that haven't put on trials - it isn't really hard - really anyone can do it.  You just have to remember the important things.

1. Sheep - lots of them if you can.  Hairless, wool, Serta - whatever you can get your hands on.

2. Judge - ask for his/her most recent eye test.

3. A field to have it -if you can have it on a golf course - even better.  Apparently there are dogs out there that don't work in grass higher than their knees.

4. Scribes.  Ability to add and subtract is optional - there is always a backup person with a calculator checking the scores anyways. 

5. Setout people.  There are many people who want to set sheep for those whose dog is just not quite ready.  They always need the practice to run after a dog hanging off of a sheep.

6. Cheese - for all the whiners.

7.  Water.  Tubs for the dogs, tubs for the sheep, and if you can swing it, tubs for the people.

8. Two way radios.  When the going gets tough, make sure you can tune into your favorite music.

9.A stick - to draw the line in the sand.  What you say goes, and don't back down from your decisions.

10. Toilets - not that you will have time for you to use them.

11. A stiff one.  Drink that is, you won't have time for anything else.

12. Calculator - so you can work out the payouts quickly, even when three different people have dropped a class, added a dog, and cross entered. This exercise keeps your brain in practice.

13.  Another drink.

And the last requirement to host a great trial,

14.  A good sense of humor - laughter is the best medicine.  But don't overdose on it - you may find yourself in the loony bin (since all trial hosts have to be touched in some way since a normal person wouldn't go through all this for just a dog sport!).

For all trial hosts, after your trial, please look in your telephone book for your closest A.A .meeting.

What A Weekend

Well after a full week at Nanton working, I spent the Saturday with my best friend Penny.  It was only last weekend that we spent a day at the spa - I am afraid that the money spent did not last.  Sad, very sad.  Obviously the drying air of Alberta requires a lot more cream spread on the skin.

Penny however, got a cute little haircut since the facial.

 And this is Roger - the dog.  I do believe he is need of a dental.

 This is me - I think I need a cucumber for the lines around my eyes. Or maybe a rest from all the running around.

I had a good sleep and got well refreshed to go out to Louanne's for a little dog training.  Naomi Shields was there, a full year older since it was her birthday- somewhat looking like me in the picture above.   Unfortunately, my battery was dead on my camera, so no pictures were taken for proof - either of the dog training or the fact that Naomi looked older-that may be a godsend in hindsight.  Hopefully a few more training sessions will occur in my time in Alberta - hopefully with pictures.

Please believe me when I say the night's rest did wonders of good.  Really, a miracle.

I don't feel so much like the walking dead.

Forcasting The Weather

Weather forecasting - a very exact science, using highly accurate instruments to forecast the next major cyclone, high and low pressures.  I am sure the pressure of being a weatherman has its ups and downs - the (barometric) pressure of giving the public the next days forecast, right down to the probability of precipitation - it must lead to many migraines.

Every year on February 2nd, they bring out the biggest gun they have to predict the next 6 weeks - a long range forecast.

Marmota monax is the secret weapon needed for this highly accurate prediction.  There are only three areas in the world that I am aware of that has this equipment - Pennsylvania (Punxsutawney Phil), Ontario (Wiarton Willie) and Alberta (Balzac Billy).  According to stats, they are correct about 39% of the time - slightly higher than the weatherman seen on the television.

McCord had its own spring weather indicator - a slightly smaller model - McCordian Marmot. Unfortunately it was damaged when Dora the Explorer drove over it during last summer.

It saw the shadow of Dora's tire before it ran over it's head.  As predicted - no spring in the near future was seen.