Duck Wrangling – 2004

Did you ever know that Duck wrangling is a very tough job? Just ask my friend, Ron. (The names has not been changed to not protect the not-so-innocent). He will be more than happy to tell you of his exploits as a fine Duck Wrangler. Then again, he may never speak to me again after I tell you of his exploits. I guess that probably would include my exploits too.

Over the years I have been mainly concerned with running my dogs on sheep. One fine year, say about over eight years ago, my herding pal, Kathy roped me into going back to doing arena type trials (Not AKC). I was running field trials with my Border Collies and had been jaded with arena trials a few years earlier and vowed never to go back.

So I was filling out the forms and Kathy suggested (as in told) to me that I needed to check the duck and cow section of the form and send my money in for that portion. I dutifully did as she told me and checked not only sheep but also ducks and cows. Word to the wise here, do not ever check boxes like these unless you actually have worked said stock prior.

So on the day of the trial Kathy shows up and picks me up and off we go on this grand adventure. We arrived at this arena trial and check in and are given numbers. I see by my run order I am one of the first on cows and ducks. Then I realize maybe I should see exactly what I need to do in this arena course and watch the runs before mine.

I see several of the ducks runs, feather flying, ducks quacking and dogs diving bombing the ducks. Kathy informs me that is not what I should do with the duck but move them in a quiet, controlled manner through the course. I turn to look at my Tess and tell her that but I see her salivating and teeth showing as she is watching the runs. “Hum, I think to myself…this could be very interesting” Tess has never worked a duck in her life and I have used her to chase the herons who are in my ornamental fish pond.

Ah, it is my turn. Needless to say, I kept a really tight rein on Tess and we did quite well. At the awards presentation when I got High in Trial on Ducks, the esteemed Judge spoke to the crowd about my duck handling skills and then turned to me and asked “I saw you are quite good on ducks. How long have you been working on ducks. I want the group to follow your example since some of their runs really needed help”

Gee, I am looking slightly uncomfortable as I answer the question, “Well, this was my first time on ducks”

The Judge turned to the crowd and laughed long and hard…”What a jokester! Ha, ha you are funny.” and I snuck off before he could ask me any more questions.

So, after a few years in these arena trials and always bringing up new dogs to those trials and running them on ducks, I figured maybe it would be wise to get a few ducks and practice. Therefore, I got a flock of about 20 ducks, tossed them in the medium sized pond inside a small pasture.

I would feed the ducks and when as they left the fenced area to get their corn, I would work them with my dogs. They knew the safe place was the pond.

One fine weekend in 2004, Ron came over to work my sheep. I had been thinking of moving the ducks to a much bigger pasture that had two ponds. Of course, when I made this brilliant decision, the ducks were happy in their home pond and refused to listen to me.

Ron and I decided that we would take our two fine Open dogs (Tess and Choc-ko) and herd the ducks out of the home pond to the big pasture. In hindsight, the easier path would wait until feeding time and them move them while they were out of the water.

Note: the operative word is out of water!!

We send our dogs in and they both leap into the pond, listen to our flanks and start to get most of the ducks out of the water. By this time, we are feeling smug since most of the ducks are out of the water and headed to the bigger pasture. We go back to get the last four stragglers. The dogs jump in and lo and behold, these ducks dive under the dogs as the dogs get them close to the shore. This happens time and time again and the look on Tess’s face was “What the heck happened!!”

After a half hour and not getting the last four ducks out of the water, we decided to assist the dogs. Normal people would have called it quits and gone in the house for coffee but no, our pride was at stake. Ron gets a fishing net (which had some holes) and puts on his waders. We send the dogs again and then they bring the ducks to Ron and he scoops them up with his net. Unfortunately, some of the holes are in strategic locations and the ducks escaped. Ron fixes the net and we try again. The ducks having wised up to the net would just swim barely out of reach of the net. Ron wades into the pond to get closer….and he is ah, so close.

I am holding the line on my side and placing the dogs so the ducks swim closer to Ron. Ron takes a step further into the pond and asked me “How deep is this area?”

I shrug my shoulders and answer “Don’t know, never been in the pond myself, but be careful."

POOF, Ron sinks into a large hole, water gushes in over his waders, the ducks swim away, the dogs leave the scene of the major chaos and I answer back “I think it is pretty deep there!!” and immediately sit down and laugh. I am laughing so hard that tears roll down my cheeks. The dogs sit next to me and I am sure they are wondering “what the heck” Ron is doing. He is not trying to say naughty words but if he did I sure didn’t hear them over my laughter. It was a good five minutes before I could even think about getting up. Meanwhile Ron has gotten himself out of the pond and has emptied out his waders. Some days you just can’t win. We call it quits, go in, and watch football.

Ducks: 4
Humans: 0

Her Greatest Adversary

I wrote this and it was published in "The Working Border Collie  magazine this month. Much thanks to Bruce Fogt for publishing it.

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Her Greatest Adversary

Often we look at our dogs and think they are being disobedient or fighting with us on the field. For years, I had thought that myself. I wished that I had opened my eyes a lot earlier to see that was not true.

Most of you know of my love for Tess and her love for me. She was a blessing sent to us many years ago and she came into our lives and fulfilled it with joy and happiness. She was a very talented sheepdog and went to Scott Glen for training and under his guidance, she placed 6th in 2001 USBCHA Nationals Nursery Finals, got her papers on ROM, placed high in the combined at the Bluegrass, ran in a Double Lift, ran in the Finals and was a consistent placer. With Scott, she shone like a diamond.

She came back to me and I began to run her with not much success for the first few years. I would call Scott, with tears in my eyes, and ask him “Why?” and he would offer words of encouragement to me. Then Tess and I would trek to another trial and we would struggle again. We would battle loggerheads on the field and never would be consistent. She was a talented dog and I couldn’t run her well.

I knew she loved me and I loved her but on the field, we would flail. She would bring the sheep on the fetch at warp sheep, settle them at the post, and then struggle on keeping straight lines on the drive. We would do the pen with ease yet sink in the shed. She is an awesome penner, all you had to do was open the pen and she would put them in. I would make a gap as wide as the Grand Canyon in the shedding ring and we still wouldn’t get the shed. I felt like a failure.

For a couple of years, we tried and tried. It seemed like she would buck me on the field. “Why” would be the question I would ask myself after each run “Why, why, why?” I could not find the answer.

At one trial, after a struggle around the course, she was fighting my commands and I was angry with her; however, we finally made it into the ring. I set up the shed and my eyes were furious at her. I looked at her from across the ring and saw love coming from her eyes. I stood still and in a moment of clarity, saw it all.

I was her greatest adversary. She was not the failure but it was I. She still loved me no matter how much I scolded her on the field. She tried to do, as I wanted her to do, even though I was in the wrong. She tried to cover up my mistakes. She carried me on her broad shoulders, with my mistakes and wrongs and never complained. She lived to do right by me.

I looked at her, the rage left my body, our eyes connected with love and I spoke softly to her. There was the tiniest of gaps and she came through and held the shed. I called to her after the run and she ran up to me, a slight smile on her face and her tail wagging. I embraced my brave little dog and cried into her fur at that exhaust gate.

“Will you forgive me?” I asked her and her reply was to lick the tears from my face.

From that day on, our relationship changed. We became a team. Soon the calls to Scott were about we placed and how proud I was of my Tess. Scott, who spent countless hours and miles riding on the hood of the truck, following along with Tess teaching her to drive her sheep. Scott also spent hours with her on the shed so she would be a great shedder as she was not talented in shedding. He put all the pieces of greatness in that little dog so I could shine with her. And so we did.

Tess was a wonderful driving dog, and we had become great driving team, and at one trial only lost three points on the drive. I would open the pen gate, she would walk them in, and if an ewe tried to break, she would slip sideway like a cutting horse and cut off the avenue for escape. She was not a flashy dog by any means and had medium eye. At times, her drive would seem sometimes boring, with Tess trotting behind the sheep and the sheep just ambling along, but online. My favorite part was the shedding ring. We would do a magical dance in the ring, our eyes would connect, a sly smile would appear on her face and she would come in and do the shed. She didn’t need a wide gap but a nod of my head and me saying “These ones” or “That’ll do” and she would slip in like a hot knife through butter.

We developed a ritual before our runs. We did a country western dance and then walked onto the field. Once as we were dancing to “Big and Rich”, an Open handler came by and made fun of us. As we left the field after our smoking run, he met us at the gate and asked, “What was the name of the song?”

Walking to the post was also one of my favorite parts of our runs. We would stroll up and she would be trembling with excitement We would do our dance and then I would ask her “Do you see your sheep?”, and her soulful eyes would scan the field and when she saw them, she would turn to me and lean forward just a little bit. I would smile at her, send her, and watch the tufts of dirt fly up behind her.

Running her was easy. We didn’t fight anymore and our bond deepened on the field. If I had stop her short for a dogleg fetch, she would do it. She would do the flanks for a dog leg fetch while other dogs ignored their handlers . Soon Tess had her own cheering section, and became known as the brave little dog that had a huge heart.

Our favorite part was in the shedding ring. We would dance and glance at each other. It was as if she could read my mind. I would set up the shed , sometimes with no opening and our eyes would connect across the sheep’s’ backs.. She would give me her sly grin, her eyes would glow, and then she would come in. After the shed, I would pet her, she would say, “Wasn’t that fun?”, and off we would go to the exhaust. Waiting at the exhaust, I would take her muzzle in my hand and slowly rub her ears.

One hot summer as we finished the course we walked off the field. I sat and she put her head in my lap. I rubbed her head and thought of our past; the past where I was the fool, where I did her wrong, where I was her greatest adversary. I looked down at my little dog and softly asked her again, “Tess will you forgive me?”

She replied, “There is nothing to forgive. You see, I love you for who you are. You needed to see the light. I have carried you on your journey before and now it is the time where we walk together in our journey, together as a team”

And thus, began our journey, of true partnership. Of the brave little dog who taught me about life and unconditional love. Of the brave little dog who taught me how to open my eyes and truly see what was in front of me all this time. Of the brave little dog who taught me how to be a real partner. And most of all, how to live life to the fullest.

A simple word

Love

Sorrow

'

Patience

Pain

Old Friendship

Best Friends

Compassion

Departure

Divine

Friendship

Innocence

Tomatoe Basil Salmon

Ingredients
1 1/2 C. diced fresh tomatoes or halved cherry tomatoes
2 cloves minced fresh galic
1 C. fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped
1/3 C. olive oil
2 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
2-4 dashes hot sauce
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 lb. salmon fillet

 

Directions

 

1. Combine the first 7 ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Place salmon in the bowl and coat well with the marinade.
3. Cover with plastic wrap. Marinate 30-45 minutes turning often.
4. Heat grill to medium heat. Coat grill tray with cooking spray and place on grill.
5. Place salmon skin side up on grill tray and place 1/2 of the marinade on top.
6. Close grill for 10-15 minutes depending on thickness of fillet.
7. Using a large spatula, flip the fillet to skin side down.
8. Top with the remaining marinade.
9.  Close grill for another 10-15 minutes.
10.  Salmon will flake when done.

Grilled Peanut Chicken

Ingredients
2 -3 Tbs. reduced fat peanut butter
1 Tbs. fresh lime juice
2 tsp. soy sauce
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/3 tsp. curry powder
1 dash ground cayenne pepper
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Directions
Preheat grill for high heat.
In a bowl, mix the peanut butter, lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, curry powder, and cayenne pepper.
Lightly oil the grill grate.
Place chicken on grate, and brush with 1/2 the sauce.
Grill 6-8 minutes. Turn chicken, and brush with remaining sauce.
Continue grilling 6-8 minutes, until chicken juices run clear.

Citrus Grilled Scallops

Ingredients
1-2 Tbs melted butter
Fresh chopped parsley
12 jumbo scallops, cut in half

 

Citrus Sauce:
1 C. water
1/4 C juiced Lemon
1 C. Chardonnay
1 Tbs. Butter
2 tsp. Honey
Pinch of salt and fresh ground pepper
1/2 Clove garlic, diced
Cornstarch, dissolved in Water

 

Directions

• In small saucepan, combine water, wine, juice, butter, honey, salt, pepper and garlic.
• Place over medium heat; reduce to almost half, stirring frequently.
• Add cornstarch solution to thicken
• Remove from heat; keep warm.
• Grill scallops over hot coals, brushing frequently with melted butter.
• Place scallops halves on plates and pour citrus sauce over scallops and garnish with parsley.

Quick weekly update...

I haven't gotten the results of the Whidbey Island trial so the blog that I was going to post today is not going to be done. If I don't get it tomorrow, I will post what I wrote up. I don't know how I placed in Open except for one run. I also took pixs but have not downloaded them yet.

It has been a killer week at work with lots of OT so editing pixs was down on the list. And the free time that I did have, I worked my dogs. Bonnie Daley stopped by yesterday so we hung out and went out to dinner. We also worked dogs. Tess sorted a ram then moved him to the ram pasture. The ram didn't want to be worked as a single but Tess loves to work singles so she marched him across the yard and put him away.

Bonnie and her dog, Gabe, did the ewe sort. It was time to wean the last of the ewes and lambs. Gabe did a nice quiet smooth job of it. Bonnie and Gabe drove the ewes down the road (1/.2 mile) to Nayab's field. It is a lot different than training on five sheep around a course. They did well and it was a quiet movement.

I took Taff and worked him. He was a live wire but listened well. As he lifted the sheep, one ewe ran back to the exhaust. I sent him on a wide away flank and he was thoughtful. I down him and then had him take her off the fence line, nice and quiet. He did a great job. Before, he would bust in and be a butthead. He brought her back nicely to me. We did a fair bit of driving and I worked on him opening up his flanks. His eye tends to suck him in and then he will slice. By the end, he was wide and I quit on a good note.

Bonnie headed out to Sue/George's trial. I will miss seeing her, as she is a good down to earth person. You can see the love that she has for her Gabe. I hope she comes back this way next year. I will be able to hang out with her this weekend as we already have a tea party planned. We will also have cheese and crackers to go with the tea. I also picked up a case of Mike's Hard Lemonade Ade (assorted flavors).

I have Tony's dog, Faye and will run her. Faye is Nan's daughter. I worked her and she didn't put a foot wrong and took the whistles dead on. I haven’t worked her in eons but it seemed like she never left. I had her from a puppy until I sold her to Tony, so this is her second home. She hopped up on the bed as if like she never left and got back into the old routine again.

Roo and Nan worked well so that is good. Nan loves to work for me and her eyes glow. Once she is done and cooled off, she runs up to the house. In her mind, if she is not working or playing with me, there is no need to stick around the barn. She is worried that she might get put into a kennel. She thinks she is above being a kennel dog and when I do put her in a kennel, she acts like she is horrified. She prefers her personal dog bed or our bed. Gee, imagine that! Roo took his downs quite well but was slicing. So by the end out our session, he was opening them up again.

Janet came over and we worked Tess. I had her run a course and by the end she was able to do a tight panel turns with Tess. She has two ewes and three lambs. All wanted to go different directions and she kept them together. Tess certainly has enjoyed her new role as Janet’s other PN dog. Tess and Janet are doing well as a team.

The trailer is almost ready to go, aside from a few odd and ends. I plan to pull out around noonish or earlier if I can. They do have internet access so I will post. Sometimes the internet is spotty so if I don't post, you will know why. If I can't blog, I have recipes set to post for you.

Eweful Acres Run Order

I am off to a trial this Friday-Sunday. I will leave on Thursday and the trial starts with Novice, Ranch, PN and Nursery on Friday. On Sat/Sun, it is Open and Nursery. I might have access and if I do, I will blog from the site. Tomorrow I will post my results from the Whidbey Island that I just ran at....that is the one that Roo had the "rescue remedy treatment". The other runs that I had were far better.

Friday - June 25
Novice
Carolynn Harwell Bonnie
France Laird Molly
Lisa Charaba Lad
Alison Deilke Socket
Paul Murray Koz
Carolynn Harwell Beth
Jim Kling Rodeo
Karen Combs Fleet
Jane Hickman Rachel
Kylo Murray-Gann Roy
T Martino Sweep
Carolynn Harwell Brynn
Jerry Smith Belle

Ranch
Becki Maloney Lucy
Julie Carter Woody
JB Brick Dodge
Norm Rivers Lana
Judy Norris Britt
Diane Pagel Taff
Sue MacDonald Jess
Carolynn Harwell Beth
Marilyn Watson Cuz
Julie Carter Tee
Josie Cowan Tib
Fran Macpherson Mirk
Kathy Wendt Bug
Karen Child Cam
Shilah Olson Jayden
Lisa Charaba Lad
JB Brick Scamp
Kylo Murray-Gann Roy
Carolynn Harwell Brynn
Sue MacDonald Twig
Diane Pagel Faye
Judy Norris Abby
Josie Cowan Ceilidh
John hellemond Annie
Aileen McConnell Chance
Karen Child Harp
Jeanne Boudieau Moses
Maggi McClure Gwen
Julie Carter Drift
Bob Hickman CBK Ryder
T Martino Sweep
Pam Carter Colin
France Laird Molly
Jim Kling Rodeo

Pro Novice
Julie Carter Mirk
Dave Murray Kate
JB Brick Scamp
Diane Pagel Faye
Susan Crocker Rani
Sue Foster Ben
Julie Roeter Jade
Judy Norris Glee
Marilyn Watson Cuz
Josie Cowan Ceilidh
Fran Macpherson OK Jud
Karen Child Molly
Becki Maloney Finn
Hope Harris Tigr
Vicki Romero Blitz
George MacDonald Nap
Sue MacDonald Jackie
Sandy Johnson Troy
Dan Williams Gael
Patricia Pedersen Tessa
Julie Carter Tee
Janet Thorpe Scott
Diane Pagel Taff
Sue Foster Taff
Ian Caldicott Theo
JB Brick Dodge
Fran Macpherson Mirk
Maggi McClure Gwen
Susan Crocker Zen
Linda DeJong Pooka
Norm Wycoff Caleigh
Jorgen Persson Merckx
Jeanne Boudrieau Rocky
Donna Donahue Taff
Sue MacDonald Steve
Josie Cowan Ceilidh
Aileen McConnell Chance
John Hellemond Annie
Judy Norris Kasey
Sue Wessels Kate
Dick Wilson Raygan
Noelle Williams Max
T martino Sweep
Kathy Wendt Bug
Julie Carter Woody
Pam Carter Colin
Sandy Johnson Nell
Norm Rivers Scotia
Karen Combs Buddy
Bob Hickman Trooper
Becki Maloney Kirby
Shilah Olson Tess
Suzanne Anaya Yoko
Vicki Romero Skye
Julie Carter Drift
Janet Thorpe Tess


Nursery
Noelle Williams Max
Suzanne Anaya Yoko
Jeanne Boudrieau Moses
Donna Donahue Taff'
George MacDonald Nap
Dave Murray Shade
Jorgen Persson Merckx
Noelle Williams fly


Saturday June 26
Nursery #2
Jorgen Persson Merckx
Noelle Williams Fly
Dave Murray Shade
George MacDonald Nap
Reudi B Nel
Jim Cooper Sweep
Jeanne B Moses
Donna D Taff
Suzanne A Yoko
Noelle Williams Max

Open #1
Brian Ricards Mig
Noelle Williams Nap
Ken Johnson Drift
Diane Pagel Roo
Ian Caldicott Joe Kidd
Linda DeJong Michael
Donna Donahue kate
Sue Wessels Tess
Joe Haynes Penny
Sue MacDonald Jan
Karen Child Rock
George MacDonald Huck
Jeff Marroni Carmen
Reudi B Scot
Monique F Lucy
Bonnie Daley Gabe
Brian Nelson Pleat
Sandy Johnson Dusty
Patricia P Jenny
suzanne Anaya Kilt
Bob Hickman Mojo
Sue MacDonald Bess
Bonnie Block Gull
Heidi Hanson Pete
Maggi McClure Lil
Wendy Legare Towie
Pamela Harding Caymus
Aileen McConnell Peg
Karen Child Jim
Dee Marroni Cap
Brian Ricards Doc
George MacDonald Chris
Noelle Williams Lad
Brian Nelson Sweep
Diane Pagel Nan
Ian Caldicott Bear
Linda DeJong Charlie
Jim Cooper Zot
Ruedi Teak
Donna Donahue jag
Sue Wessels Lexy
Joe Haynes Rain
Karen Child Hickory
Sue MacDonald Blitz
Jeff Marroni Mick
Dee Marroni Dharma
Wendy Legare Dee
Ken Johnson Joe
Maggi McClure kep
Patricia P Patch

Sunday June 27
Open #2
Ruedi B Teak
Sue Wessels Lexy
Diane Pagel Nan
Wendy Legare Dee
Brian Ricards Doc
Jim Cooper Zot
Sue MacDonald Bess
Heidi Hanson Pete
Bonnie Block Gull
Sandy Johnson Dusty
Aileen McConnell Peg
Brian Nelson Sweep
Donna Donahue Jag
Karen Mohney Ajax
Karen Child Hickory
Joe Haynes Rain
Linda DeJong Charlie
Bonnie Daley Gabe
Noelle Williams Nap
Maggi McClure Kep
Patricia Pedersen Patch
Bob Hickman Mojo
Suzanne Anaya Kilt
George MacDonald Chris
Monique F Lucy
Ian Caldicott Bear
Sue MacDonald Jan
Wendy Legare Towie
Diane Pagel Roo
Ken Johnson Joe
Ruedi B Scot
Sue Wessels Tess
Brian Nelson Pleat
Karen Mohney Grit
Karen child Jim
George MacDonald Huck
Joe Haynes Penny
Brian Ricards Mig
Patricia Pedersen Jenny
Maggi McClure Lil
Linda DeJong Michael
Ian Caldicott Joe Kidd
Donna Donahue Kate
Noelle Williams Lad
Sue MacDonald blitz
Ken Johnson Drift
Karen Child Rock

Nursery #3
Ruedi Nel Sue Mac
Suzanne Anaya Yoko
Donna Taff
Jeanne B Moses
George Mac Nap
Noelle Williams Fly
Jim Cooper Sweep
Jorgen Persson Merckx
Dave Murray Shade
Noelle Williams Max

Rescue Remedy Roo

Roo is a very hard dog to run. He has a lot of muscle, is keen and pushes your buttons. If you give him an inch, you will pay for it dearly. I suppose he is a lot like his sire (Scott Glen's Pleat) and not much like his mom (DeltaBluez Tess). Tess will do anything I ask of her and is a joy to run. Sometimes Roo is a joy to run and other times, I think of drinking heavily!! However, Roo is a very sweet and loving dog and I love him dearly.

I do enjoy running him but sometimes he gets all worked up. If he gets all worked up before his run, then it goes to hell in a hand basket.

So Kristi offered to help me. She had "rescue remedy" which calms the anxious dogs down. It helps with dogs that are afraid of thunder, guns and so forth.  We thought it would be ideal for Roo. To calm him down, to have him in his zone, to reach his zen, to find his inner self, to find peace....so we dosed him before his run.

Thinking about the sheep and the run. So far so good.

I look down at Roo and he is shaking all over. Not a good sign as that means "trouble". At this point, I believe in God and offer a prayer and hope he hears me. (He didn't by the way!)

It might be due to the fact that i skipped Church to go to a dog trial!

Roo runs out like a bat out of hell.

See Diane sprint. Run,  Diane, Run.

Diane runs like a bat out of hell!

See Roo not listen!

I can do a 100 yard sprint in 8.2 seconds (or so it seemed), much to Roo's surprise. The bright side of this was my heart felt just fine and I ran with no issue. It actually felt good to run like the wind.

Well, so much for the rescue remedy. Now the remedy for me is Mike's Hard Lemonade. It sure was funny when this all happened.  You just gotta laugh sometimes at yourself. And much thanks to Kristi for her donation of the rescue remedy so she could see me in all my glory, at a full sprint, up the field on such a wonderful rainy day.

photos: Kristi Oikawa

Saturday Open- Dirt Blowing

Here are some photos from Saturday. It was hot and dusty.The runs went quicker since they set using the trailers. It was quick and efficient.

Patrick and Andi

Bonnie Block's Gull.

Gull on the fetch.

Ken Johnson and Drift turning at the post.

Drift

Drift

Ken setting up for the shed.

Marching the ewes away

Drift said to keep on going and so they did.

Tomorrow: pixs from my run

More Friday Photos from Dirt Blowing Trial

This is the last of Friday pixs.. The day got hotter and dustier. The sheep got cranky. Lavon gave me a cup of Don Helsley's Crown Royal Reserve with 7-up and suddenly I wasn't cranky anymore.

Sue Wessel and her new dog, Tess in the shedding ring. They timed out but are a nice team. She got her and they are clicking well together.

Don Helsley's Blue.

Turn at the post.

What a stunning looking dog.

The rest of the day went well. In the morning we set the sheep and then they had to set the sheep with trailer later in the day. They kept breaking back to the trailer. Lavon and I set with out two Tess's. I was giving commands to my Tess to move the sheep to the hay and his Tess decided to work for me. I turned around had had two Tess's working for me. Both worked quite well. So then I had  to use my Tess's nickname so Lavon's Tess would stay. The setout crew laughed when they heard "Monkey, walk up" After a while, one of the crew asked me how old she was and that she was an awesome setout dog. When the sheep ran back to the setout and plastered themselves to the fence, "Monkey" would carefully peel them off and bring them to the setout. She was very calm.  Later, the other setout crews had a hard time so they went to trailers and that helped a lot. We got done at 8:30 at night and we were tired. Tess was so tired that she snored. Norm/Gwen was first, Ellen/Tess was second, Lee Lumb/Nan was third.  In the Nursery class it was Jo/Gage and Elizabeth/Ross. I held up the other end of the standings!

I didn't haul my new trailer over but stayed with Karen Mahoney and her mom, Meredith. They are the nicest people and I really enjoy their company.

Saturday runs with Nan and Roo

The sheep set nicely and Nan was amped up. She leaned forward, her nose twitching and the dust hardly had a chance to settle when I sent her. Round powder puffs of fine dust were tossed back at me as her hindquarters dug firmly into the ground. I relaxed and waited for her to reach the top. I sent her on the away side  and was planning to stop her at 1:00 so she would be between the sheep and the trailer. She cast out nice and wide and was one of the few dogs that went behind the trailer. Most of the dogs came in even with the trailer and that made them tight. I blew a down at 1:00 and she ran right through it to the top and stopped. I waited and decided to let her lift. She came in nice and soft and then they busted back to the trailer.

Well, they tried but Nan had learned her lesson from the day before and go in front of them and turned them.  The fetch was offline but not much and at last step these sheep slithered around the fetch panels.

Waiting for the sheep.

On the fetch. At the last minute they went to the side.

Settled them nice at the post.

She had a nice turn at the post and then the first leg was heavy to the exhaust. We missed the first panel, then settled for a decent crossdrive. at the second panel, they scooped to the bottom. So far, I had missed all of my panels. Sheesh!!

Nice turn at the post.

Nice crossdrive. It was the best part of her drive.

She had a nice turn to the shedding ring. She was on the muscle and it was good to see the fire in her eyes. She was really teaming up with me and  we entered the ring as one.

We looked at each other in the ring and I saw that same sly smile that I had with Tess. At this point, I knew I had a shedding partner.

"These ones" I told her and she came in clean and walked them off.

At the pen, she was wide and soft. She held her ground when the sheep stamped at her.

OK, we got a pen. We had one swirl then they marched in. Not that many pens that day and Nan made it easy. She didn't win but ran well (aside from the bobbles in the drive and not wanting to let go of the pressure). I was happy on how well she handled the range ewes and stood up to them. A couple of time the ewes took a run at her to try to get to the exhaust and she stood up to them. She even showed them her pearly whites.

Roo ran out nice and wide and cast out behind the trailer. He lifted nice but then suddenly forgot his downs. I managed to remind him at the fetch and we had a nice turn. The drive was horrible and he was too pushy and not stopping well. In the ring, we timed out and I gave him a stern look and he quickly dropped. Parts of went well and parts we will need to work on. He has no issues with the range ewes but had an issue on stopping. This week at home, he suddenly remembered what it was like to stop at 400 yds.

Whidbey Island Trial

I am headed out early tomorrow for the Whidbey Island trial. Tonight, Getty and I hitched up the Outback and I am scrambling to get it ready. It won't be totally ready yet but by next weekend, it should be all ready. I won't have any internet access so I have set the blog up so you will get trial pixs fomr the last trial.

I worked the dogs this week and they are on the muscle. we will be on light hair sheep so that should be entertaining. Hair sheep are the bane of Nan and Roo. They love Tess. I decided not to run Taff in this trial as they will suck him in and I want him to be calm. I will take him to get him trial traveling seasoned. Tess will be my pillow thief and setout dog.

Getty will be at home and I asked him if he wanted to go. I think he wants to paint the front porch instead. He only likes to watch his Tess run and now that she is retired, he only has eyes for Rainey. Rainey is with Scott and we get her back this fall.

I so love my new trailer. We put the three hole alumimun dog box out of the truck bed into the mudroom of the trailer. It fits!! There is a lot of space in the front. I am so excited.

I am sure that I will forget somethng or forgoet how to do something but there are a lot of people at the trial and I can ask them. I will be needing a name for the trailer...got any suggestions?

Grayson Haynes- the newest handler

Meet the newest addition to the trial family. Joe and Heather Haynes brought Grayson out to the trial. Since I took a puppy picture, it was only proper to take a few baby pictures too!!

Heather and Grayson

I love this pix...it shows the love.

Lora holding Grayson.

I love this picture too!

Tomorrow, Don Helsley and Sue Wessel- Friday photos

Norm Close and Gwen - First Day of Open - Dirt Blowing Trial

Today's subject is Norm Close and Gwen. Gwen is a striking bitch and is having success with Norm. I first saw Gwen when Scott Glen had her and have followed her journey over the years. Norm has been doing great with her and this run was truly a pleasure to watch. You could tell that they were a talented team.

I did give Norm a disclaimer when I took this pixs that don't compare me to Vickie. Vickie is a superb photographer.  I recently got my Canon 40D and my new 100-400 lens. Bonnie Block is giving me camera lessons and you can thank her for when you like any of the photos that I take. Bonnie is an excellent teacher.

Click on any pix for a larger view.

Gwen ready to start her drive.

Norm setting up for ther shed. He was very quiet and patient.

He makes the gap.

Gwen starts to come in. Notice one ewe wants to bolt back.

The ewe has second thoughts.

The ewe has changed her mind and Gwen is holding her.

The other sheep have run off and these want to follow them.

Some more dancing about.

Check out the dirt swirls. One is trying her best to beat Gwen!

She still is trying.

Gwen has won the battle. Norm is standing around and looking cute while Gwen does all the work. It was the best shed of the day and the third run from the end. They won with this stunning run. It was a real pleasure to watch. Congrats to a great team.