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.

What's In A Name

Having trouble these days, troubles with picking the right name. The last pup Fly will ever have is now 3 weeks old, and not sure if the name I picked is suitable. Having the number of dogs we have, I don't want names to sound too close, and I'd like to have a name that other people haven't used, but in the same breath, I would like to have a traditional name as well. When I was up at Penny Caster's, the golden child could do no wrong. It did not matter how sharp those little needle teeth were, she was forgiven. I had decided that her name would be Fleet - but now I am wondering if I picked the right name. Fleet has been used in many lines, but often as a male name (even though it could be a female as well).

The Chosen One on the Chosen Niece's Lap

This is where I am asking for help. I was going through some lines last night, and found some other names that twig (yes that is one of the names) my interest. Up for contention is Twig (may have to use a larger stick to beat her off my ankles), Spy (sounds like Fly, but by the time I start yelling her name, Fly will likely not be hearing her name anyway to get confused), Fleece (I like this name, but is it too close to her sister Floss?), Fay (Fay Away?), Bett (you can bet on it) and Lynn (her grandmother's name). Or I could do what many did in the past - just call her by her mother's name. What I know for sure, is when she is 4 months old, I will likely call her unfavorable names, and it will be nothing close to what is on her pedigree. I guess Lass would be close.

One Day Off To Catch Up

Since I took of the summer, I am paying for it greatly - I am working many days in a row and a lot of weekends. Because of this, this prevents me from doing what I enjoy doing, partly due because of the extended hours of work, and partly because of the light at the end of the day - which there isn't much of. Now there is a kennel of dogs not getting the work they need. I had one day off today (I forced myself to) and did a little sheep work. Counted sheep I did, and counted them before I nodded off. The rams got out yesterday and I wanted to keep them back for a few weeks longer for spring lambs - brought Creed out, and I believe some sense was knocked into him, by the help of one of the rams who proceeded to drill him into the ground. I think Creed wondered what train had hit him, and when he figured that out, Mr. Ram had a tuning in of sorts.
Sheep are counted and sorted, and now there are a few hours of light - so will try to bring all the young dogs out to do a little work, and decide who will be staying. Over the summer we had in increase in dog numbers, and that is wearing on my patience. Today Anne went to Ontario, and it looks like that will be a great fit. We have a few pups that didn't go, so there are those to tend to, just because they are here, doesn't mean they don't have to mind their manners. But boy, there are a lot of manners to learn.