Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year

We got home a few hours ago and put everything away. Now, we are tired and just watching LSU vs Clemson on TV. Tess is passed out at my feet. I don't think we are going to be awake at midnight!
 
Tomorrow, I will blog about the rest of our trip and other items so I will be caught up. But now, back to lounging on the couch with the dogs and having some wine.
 
 
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
 
 

Sunday, December 30, 2012

back on the grid for a short time.....

We holed up in a deep valley last night at North Plains, OR. The campground was called Horning Hideaway or something like that. They have a bunch of frisbee golf courses so Getty played them yesterday. Since we had no cell service, I amused myself with the dogs. Short walks but the cold was too cold and the girls wanted back in the trailer. I finally did the winter cleaning, got the last of the Klamath Fall dirt out and the trailer is mostly clean. I have been wanting to do this at home but something always come up and I never finish it.  I have it about 90% done and that will suffice for the time being.  Amazing enough I did find my missing barn boots. Imagine that! As well as a bazillion or so, ties outs.....so it seems.
 
Tess's has bone cancer in her right front leg. We discovered it a few weeks ago when she was lame. A visit to the specialist and x-ray confirmed what I had thought. The cancer is eating away the right leg radius and there is a huge chunk gone. It will spread, probably to her lungs next. The tumor on top of the cancer is getting bigger and is quite large. We had a biopsy done.
 
We had several choices. One was to remove her leg, do chemo and radiation and realize the cancer would return but with a vengeance. The time bought would be a month to three months or so. She also has the congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and kidney disease. We didn't know if her heart would take the stress as when she was getting the x-rays, she was totally stressing out and her heart was giving her issues. If we did go this route, she is already on borrowed time due to the heart issues and she would have to suffer in pain with the loss of her leg, for what? Maybe a month more and get chemo and rad? Not an option. The other option was to have her a great quality of life in the next month or so. We would monitor her daily, give her tramadol for the pain and when she was ready, let her go. Some of the markers wold be loss of  appetite, not using the leg or not wanting to do anything. We can pretty much read/understand Tess so we will be ready when she is ready.
 
So now, it's all about quality of life for her. It's hard to see the one you love, slowly die. But we are over the initial shock of it and living daily for her. Of course, when the "day is here" we both will be total wrecks. But now, we live each day to the fullest. She still is on her special kidney diet, daily pills and herbs and treats. Short walks and lots of love.
 
Santa was generous to her at Christmas and she got a ton of tons and bags of treats. Based on the amount of bags of treats, it is at least two months worth.  Each night she gets her treat ball so she has to work for her treat. That is one of the markers we are using, if she doesn't want her treat ball, then it is time. So far, she is the fastest one to empty her treat ball. She also got a new star treat dispenser in which she managed to figure it out and open all the compartments in record time.
 
Tess has been our child.  We never had children and I asked God for a child so he sent us Tess. He had a sense of humor! She has been our child who showed us a new way of life, the farm, trialing, raising livestock, getting back to earth and relaxing and smelling the roses. She took care of me when I had my heart surgery and when I slipped into a black abyss, felt no pain and was crossing over, she dug her paws and teeth into my arm and pulled me back. She was my nurse and never left my side. When I would wake up in pain, she was standing over me, licking my face until I quit crying, then laid next to me and comforted me. She was my rock during my recovery. The day she took off and didn't come back right away was the day that I knew I was going to make it.
 
She was the dog that got me to be the handler that I am today. Many times I would over command her or give her the wrong command and she wold pick/chose the commands that were needed and win. Sometimes if i gave an especially bad command, she would stop and look at me as if to say "Dumb ass" and then go on. I would apologize and the other trialers would laugh.
 
She is my right hand on the farm. She knew what to do and all I had to do was shut my mouth and open/shut the gate. She is the official greeter and puppy raiser. She is always looking for a handout.
 
So, we know her time is near as her pain is getting worse. She is on one tramadol, about every 5 hours, up from the 1/2 she was getting twice a day, a couple of weeks ago. Her eyes are still bright and her spirit is still good.
 
We decided to go on a "last harrah" camping trip with Tess. We also took Nan and the other dogs got farmed out. Nan will not listen to anyone else but me, so she got to go also.  We loaded up the trailer, and headed down to Oregon. First night was in North Plains and the second night is in Estacada.  We have been taking short walks with Tess and also playing fetch. She is good for about five minutes then her leg hurts. We carry her when she is in pain or needs up/down anywhere.
 
She is getting some treats as well. She has figured out that she doesn't need to do her tricks anymore for treats but just sit and look cute.  Right now, she is on the bed, her head hovering over my shoulder as I type. She is the one who inspires me to write the dog stories.
 
 
We know her time is limited and making the best out of the short time we have. We love her like nothing else and she has been a huge part of our heart. Life won't be the same when she is gone and life has never been the same since she came into our lives over 14 years ago.
 
It's hard to write this but they say time will heal all wounds. It's going to be a long time for this hurt to heal. They give so much and expect so little. She has given us everything and the one thing we can give back to her is a peaceful ending.
 
We love our Tess and she is our heart dog. She is the child we asked for and are truly blessed to have her.
 
Love your dogs as they are here way too short of a time frame. And they teach us to love and live in that short timeframe.
 
 

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Off the grid

We are going to be off the grid for a few days. We probably won't have cell service but if we do, I will blog. Tess has cancer so we are taking her on a camping trip, while she still is alert and able to walk. Nan is going as well. We have a farm sitter so the farm will be taken care of by super capable hands.
 
We will be down in Oregon and just enjoying what time we have left with Tess.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Sheep Rides

Sheep have always been important in the history of man. from food, wool and even showing. Mutton busting is one event at rodeos. So I was curious to see what type of "sheep riding" photos were out in the general public.

Needless to say, I was amazed.
Instead of riding a sheep, this sheep is getting a ride.

As well as this one.

I think thsi ewe is working on her "learner's permit"

Hi Ho, Lambie!

Sheep races!


Thursday, December 27, 2012

Animals getting stuck

Sometimes you just wonder about some animals. Like getting their heads stuck?


Snake in a can? What was the snake after that was in the can? Looks like a rattlesnake so chances are no one is going to pull this snake out!

What type of can is this?

OK, not a can but a tree? Seriously?

 
Now a baby plastic car? Now answer this? Why was this in the pasture?

Looks like a Border Collie? And a vase?
 
 

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Hog into Pig

Well, I have had fleeting thoughts for getting a motorcycle. Like a Harley Davidson. So, I hinted to the spouse that I wanted a Hog. Like to ride. Not as in to eat.
 
So the spouse probably was envisioning me doing this.
 
 
Or perhaps this?
 

I told him I had livestock as pets when I was a child so this probably went through his mind. I had pet lambs though.
 
But I was thinking more of this.

 
But this is what I really got. I guess I will ask for a saddle for my Birthday now.
 
 

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas

 We wish you a Merry Christmas!!
 
 
 

Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas by GETTY

Once again, Getty has for your viewing pleaseure,  his annual "Merry Christmas" song. He did the all the tracks for the drums, guitars, sax and harp!

 
Do you recognize the song?
 

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Santa Collies

This is so adorable. It is a bit long but well worth every second. Someone took the time to do great training and I really enjoyed this! Hope you enjoy as well!












Saturday, December 22, 2012

Saturday Cartoons

Today was working the Border Collies and as a result I didn't do the write up that I wanted to do. So here are some cartoons.
 
Tess has this down pat.

This is Maid.


So Nan....we won't mention anything about the whole roasted chicken that disappeared off the kitchen counter, will we?

Rain, the bed hog.
 
 

Friday, December 21, 2012

Shiro Haiku Contest Winner

We have a winner for the Shiro Haiku Contest. Tess picked the winner. There was no way I could pick a winner as they were all fantastic  I put each entry in a piece of paper, wadded it up and put all of them on the floor. I told her to get one and she returned with the winner.  Some people entered several times which greatly increased their chances to win. In fact, one of these folks WON. Next time we have a contest, enter a bunch of times to increase your chances.
 
 
 
Wise eyes, strong will, ears!
Stole my heart with just one look.
Your my baby still.
 
The Winner is "DSMBC".   You have one week to contact me at LINK.
If you do not contact me, Tess will pick another winner.
 
 
###############################################################
 
Other Haikus. All were great and we have such talented people out there!
I come at a run,
an ear salutes joyously
at the sight of you.
Coop Co-op

I come at a run,
an ear salutes joyously
at the sight of you.

Nan Roberts


Here I wait for ewe
eyes focused, head clear, ready
for master's command.


Shall I work some sheep,
Or shall I just play some fetch?
It's up to you boss.

Come bye or away,
Lie down, walk on, or look back,
That''ll do makes me smile.

William Gilmer (three entries)


Kuro eye, shiro eye
One ear awake, one sleeping
I am gone, but not

geonni banner

Summer fields awake
Under paws zooming about
I brace to be pounced.

Pam

Black and white, away.
smooth arc on the horizon
Lift! The dance begins.


Anticipation.
Heavy breath on winter air.
Black flash, the flock moves.

DMSBC (three entries and one of them won)
 
Ears on the skyline
Black coat against the red dawn
out work day begins

Slidebythesea

Nothing takes the place
To create a lasting bond
Like a good brushing

An Aussie that breaths
Or thinks out of the boxes
Teaches me every day

Sue McGee (two entries)



羊を見 微笑み歩む 子犬かな
GSDESXBC (I will get my mom to translate)

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Haiku Contest ENDS TODAY

Today the Haiku Contest ends at midnight. Enter as many times as you want. You will get a cool Lamb Bag as a prize. It is perfect to carry groceries! Tess will pick the winner or maybe she will pick someone else to pick the winner.
 
To enter, click on the link below.


LINK

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Christmas Cartoons

I have a warped sense of humor so these Christmas cartoons are so my type!
 
 
 
Where is Mrs Santa?
 
 
My dogs are guilty of this.
 

 
I am never going to eat another snow-cone again.
 

This is a good one.
 
Too cute!
 

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Teaching a dog how to drive

Well, darn it. I guess I have been teaching my dog how to drive WRONG all these years. Since I have a sheepdog trial in two weeks, I better get right on this so I can sharpen up Nan, Maid and rainey so I can do a proper drive!
 

Monday, December 17, 2012

Cartoon Monday

I love this cartoonist. He is on facebook at "Off the Leash." Today was a cartoon type of day.

He must be watching us as this is our place.

Date of the coneheads



hum....

I am voting for the guy on the right
 
Strangely familiar
 
 

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Eweful Acres Sheepdog Trial #2

Sue and George put on one nice trial. Nice sheep, heaters, hot food and hot drinks. No want for anything....they even supplied a few moments of sunshine. Some folks came from the east side of the state and spent the night. We all piled into his truck with Nan, Rain, Maid, their dogs.   Maid was the first of my dogs to run and she was the first dog to run. I have been working with her to team up better, let her work on her own if she is right, tell her what to do when she is wrong and not give excessive commands. Her sheep were wild from the first step on the field and as she ran up and went behind the hill to do the lift, and came over the hill, they had already bolted. She was not amused and ran after then with bad intent, no doubt wanting to punish them for their foolishness and then bent out kindly when I shouted at her to behave. It didn't' t start off well but she then took the down and listened quite well. The sheep were hair trigger light and she had to be well off them, much farther than I have ever worked her. She had a tidy turn at the post and set them up for the first drive, then they bolted , luckily in the correct path. They made the panels and she swung wild for the turn then they pulled through due to their lightness.  She held a nice pace across the crossdrive and pushed them through and again, she flanked wide for a turn and they pooped back through the panels. She was in the proper place but the sheep were very reactive and I had to handle her off the sheep. She did everything that I asked of her and she brought them to my feet. The last part was a Maltese Cross and she held her position to put them through. When they charged out of the first part, she badly wanted to flank to cover but  they had to complete that section and her eyes told me she need to stop the runaways. I told her to hold and she did but her body told me she wanted to break. I let them drift out then sent to to curve them back and she did. she held her side and we put them through the second part. She was happy after her run and I told her she was a star. I enjoyed that she tried to work with me and the score was proper but you can't put numbers on a heart of a dog. She danced about and her eyes showed her pleasure that I was happy with her. 
 
 
 
 
 
Rain was second and she had an off day. For some reason she didn't want to hold the pressure on the comebye on the fetch and we missed the panels. She started her first leg well then at the panels, either didn't hear or didn't want to hear so the first part of the drive was high and she had a hard time at the second panel. She was actually not putting my pressure on the sheep, we got the first part of the cross and on the second part the sheep broke and she held them off the exhaust and we timed out. I don't know if she was affected by the drama at the house with Tess, her mom, having bone cancer and being very lame and Getty and I being very distraught and crying the last few days. She is very sensitive so I don't know.
 
Nan was the last dog and by then I was chilled to the bone and wet. The sheep had settled down after the first three runs and were lovely to work. On a side note, the runs after me had the same issue and pull throughs as well. Nan ran out like a champ, a textbook run and I wisely shut my mouth. I gave her a steady at the top, a few short flank to get the sheep lined out and they came nicely down the hill. She turned them at the post smoothly and set them up for the drive. The first line was nice and I gave her few short flanks and steadies, made the panel. They turn a little high and tied to run up the hill but she stopped them and put them back online. She was pushy but listened well.  She held her side and we got them through the cross. On the second part they tried to make a break for the exhaust but Nan, with her speed got them put back to me and she finished the course. She was quite smug with herself and we sat down after our run, and we shared a reflective moment of peace and love. She won the trial with a 90 and I was very happy with her run and how she really loves to please me. She just turned ten and we don't have much time left as a team but I love what partnership we have now.



 
.


 



 
 
 
 





Saturday, December 15, 2012

Eweful Acres Sheepdog Trial

Run Order for Dec 15 Eweful Acres Sheepdog Trial

Open
1.   Diane and Maid
2.   Brian and Belle
3.   Noelle and Copper
4.   T and Sweep the Broom
5.   Linda and Pooka
6.   Sue and Jan
7.   Diane and Rainey
8.   Tim and Nell
9.   Ernesta and Floss
10. George and Naponn
11. Ian and Maxie
12.  Brian and Cody
13. Sue and Jackie
14. Diane and Nan
15. Ron Fischer and Steve N/C
16. Kathleen T and Gael N/C

Nursery
1.   Kendall and K'Ass
2.   Ian and Maxie
3.   Bonnie and Bob Robert
4.   Noelle and Zak
5.   Ian and Goose
6.   Sue and Rick

PN
1.   Susan and Nevi
2.   Kathleen and Emma
3.   Trudy and Newt
4.   Kendall and Charm
5.   Paul and Lexi
6.   Bonnie and Bob Robert
7.   Kylo and Mike
8.   Sally and Tyke
9.   Heidi S and Rush
10. Susan and Avie
11. Dave and Vaider
12. Lynne and Craig
13. Heidi and Bruce
14. Kathleen and Josh
15. Ian and Goose
16. Kendall and Chavo
17. T and Taw
18. Lynne and Lexie N/C

Ranch
1.   George and Cat
2.   Heidi S and River
3.    Sue and Rick
4.   T and Stout
5.   George and Repete
6.   Trudy and Newt N/C

Novice
1.  Valerie B and Fionn


Friday, December 14, 2012

Dog Cartoons

I enjoy reading dog cartoons. This person is great and has a wonderful sense of humor. He need a store for his stuff.....I love some of the cartoons that I would get a cup or two or three.....LINK.

Cute!

Well, this explains a lot.

My house!

Yep, true!

Has the right idea for sure

Damm, this is our farm every day!
 

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Shiro Haiku Contest

Time for another contest. I love giving prizes away!
 
I was looking at some old photos and found this one of Shiro as a puppy. This was taken by John Kohlsaat. She was about four months old. She was our first Border Collie and has crossed the rainbow bridge over four years ago.
 
Rules for the contest.
1 Haiku poem in the comment section. Each poem must have seperate comment to count as a entry
2. Enter as many times as you want. Even if you have won before, you can enter again.
3. Will ship to North America
4. Naughty is not allowed
5. Random pick by Tess or maybe someone else.
6. Each Haiku gets you a chance.
 
Contest ends Dec 20 at midnight. Winner will be annouced on/around Dec 21 and has one week to contact me, or second pick will get the prize.
 
 
The winner will get:

ILoveLamb_bag
 
A really cool Lamb Bag for your groceries!
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Help our Senior citizens with the "COME ALIVE" project

A horse friend of mine, Bruce Kesler  (Arabians) has a son, Jason, who is doing great for our seniors. citizens For a young man, he is doing wonderful work for our seniors. Do you have a relative or friend in a nursing or assisted home and that maybe not there...ever try to hold a conversation and want to be able to see them be alive or responsive again? Well, they have found out that music DOES make a difference. What until you see the video below. It is very touching.
 
Jason is helping senior come alive through the "COME ALIVE" project. All they need are your old CD to help with this project. Get those CD that have been sitting around and send them to Jason and help a senior citizen come alive. All the info is below and feel free to comment. Make some senior citizen have a wonderful Christmas.
 
I think it is wonderful that a young man is thinking of others. We need to foster and support young folks like him! Please donate!
 
...from Bruce......

Jason is 12, in 7th grade, with straight As. This project started as his choice of community service for his Bar Mitzvah and for the Boy Scouts. Jason has earned First Class and is working on Star in the Boy Scouts. In early April, Jason's Bar Mitzvah will be in Jerusalem. -- Jason is very enthusiastic about this project

 

My son Jason, 12, is volunteering at a local senior citizens facility. A project called COME ALIVE through music revives residents in its acute care and Alzheimer wings to make contact with themselves through the music they loved in their younger years. Residents who are otherwise inert and non-communicative are sparked to move and verbalize their memories and feelings. If you think this isn't possible, please watch the entire video below.

 
Jason's project is to rip 20s and 30s Swing and Big Band, 40s-50s Show Music, and even some of the best 60s rock (there are some disabled younger residents) music and songs from CDs onto individualized mixes that can be played for the residents on their iPods and earphones. College students who are majoring in therapy track the results and tweak the mixes. The benefit to the residents is astounding and heart warming.


For legal copyright reasons, the music can't be simply ripped from Youtube. It must come from CDs.


Many of you have CDs at home that you no linger listen to of these types of music. PLEASE donate the CDs to this project. Just Comment below and I will directly email you, or email me directly at EMAIL and I will quickly get back to you with the address to mail the CDs.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Drought and Economy Plague Sheep Farmers

....reprinted......


Since he was a boy in western Colorado, John Bartmann seemed destined to become a sheep man. He raised lambs with the local 4-H club and sheared them for elderly German farmers. His office is lined with paintings of sheep and a plaque honoring him for “promoting culinary excellence” in lambs.


 
John Bartmann, whose business has been battered by drought and plunging prices for lamb. He has trimmed his flock by one-third and said he expected to lose about $100 for every lamb he sold.  The wooly main attraction at the Mountain View Lamb Feeders feed lot in Eaton, Colo. Farmers say they are still paying near-record prices for corn and hay to feed their livestock through the winter.
 
 
A lamb points the way to the office of the Mountain View Lamb Feeders feed lot in Eaton, Colo. But over the last few years, skyrocketing costs, a brutal drought and plunging lamb prices have battered Mr. Bartmann and the 80,000 ranchers across the county who raise sheep — from a few to several thousand. It is the latest threat to shadow a Western way of life that still relies on the whims of summer rains, lonely immigrant sheep herders and old grazing trails into the mountains.
      
“For the sheep industry, it’s the perfect storm,” Mr. Bartmann said, glancing out his office window here at a bleating sea of wool. “The money is just not there.”
      
Many ranchers are laying off employees, cutting their flocks and selling at a loss, and industry groups said a handful had abandoned the business entirely. Mr. Bartmann has trimmed his flock of 2,000 by one-third. With prices down more than half since last year and higher costs for gasoline and corn, Mr. Bartmann said he expected to lose about $100 for every lamb he sold.
      
“Even in the good years, you don’t make that much money,” he said. “We can’t take that kind of hit.” 
      
Weather and economics take big shares of the blame. The drought withered grazing grounds, killed off young lambs and dried up irrigation ditches, and a glut of meat and imported lambs from New Zealand helped send prices plummeting. But some ranchers and officials in Washington believe that the deck was stacked against the sheep ranchers by the small number of powerful feedlots that buy lambs, slaughter them and sell them to grocery stores and restaurants. Even as prices farmers received fell to 85 cents a pound, consumers at supermarkets were paying $7 or more a pound for the same meat.
      
As cows, pigs, sheep and other animals make their doomed way from the range to kitchen tables, many of them end up in a matrix of feedlots, slaughterhouses and meatpacking facilities where a few companies control a vast share of the market. The top four companies control about 65 percent of the market for lamb and as much as 85 percent of the market for cows.      
 
 
That kind of concentration makes it easier for a few powerful companies to manipulate prices to their advantage, said Patrick Woodall, the research director at Food and Water Watch, an environmental advocacy group. This fall, several Western senators and ranchers’ groups wrote to the Agriculture Department saying they suspected that meatpackers had been hoarding sheep in feedlots and keeping prices artificially low. The agency that oversees stockyards said it would investigate.
      
“We’re going to force a lot of people in the lamb industry out of that business,” said Senator Jon Tester, Democrat of Montana. “You want competition that’s fair. If you have manipulation, that’s a whole different story.”
      
In Kaycee, Wyo., Lisa Cunningham said she and other sheep ranchers watched with astonishment as their prices soared and then crashed over the course of the last two years. Ms. Cunningham said she was lucky to get $1 a pound for young lambs, down from more than $2. 
      
“You can’t hardly get anyone to buy your lamb,” she said.
      
Still, even some sheep ranchers do not blame the packers and say they believe that the declines are related to shifts in the market. Federal insurance has helped blunt the blow, as have government programs to buy lamb from struggling ranchers.
      
It is the latest twist in a brutal year for thousands of farmers and ranchers across the country. In a slow-motion disaster, a drought covering more than 60 percent of the country scorched corn stalks into parchment, dried up irrigation ponds and turned farm fields into brittle crust. Farmers begged local governments to let them tap aquifers. Scores of ranchers dumped their livestock at drought auctions. Farmers say they are still paying near-record prices for corn and hay to feed their livestock through the winter. And if abundant snows do not come to replenish streams and coax new grass from the ground, they worry that next summer could be even worse than last.
      
“The drought plays into everything,” said Fred Roberts, a sheep rancher in Rock Springs, Wyo. “We have absolutely no feed. We’re feeding as much corn to the sheep as they can eat, and you can imagine how expensive that is. Nothing grew here last year.”
      
Here in the northern Colorado town of Severance, Mr. Bartmann, a man with a Wyatt Earp mustache and a master’s degree in animal production, spends his days managing a lamb feedlot increasingly surrounded by high-end ranch subdivisions.
      
Even before “the wreck” in prices, he said, his business had been growing increasingly tenuous. A few years ago, he lost big areas of grazing land because it was declared potential habitat for wild bighorn sheep. The summer drought claimed even more grassland. Now, many of his sheep are spending the winter on a Kansas feedlot. A few hundred others are here, munching hay under gray skies. Mr. Bartmann climbed into a battered pickup truck to check on them one recent morning, unsure what the next season would bring.
      
“It just keeps pulling everything down,” he said. “After a while, you say it isn’t worth it.”
 
LINK TO ARTICLE