Friday, August 31, 2012

The cow jumped over the moon...no, the tree and got stuck!!

A cow was dramatically rescued by firemen in body armor, after it plunged more than 100 feet down an embankment and became stuck in a tree. Firefighters in UK's Eden Valley countryside had to do an unusual job when rescuing a cow stuck in a tree.
 
Phillip Armstrong, a farm owner near Penrith, was counting his cattle when he realized one was missing.  The animals had been sheltering by trees in part of his field which led to an embankment overlooking a river.
 
Noticing a damaged fence, Armstrong walked down the embankment but looking up, he saw his one-year-old cow stuck between two trees. Below the 317kg-animal was a drop of nearly 20 meters.
 
"When you see part of your livelihood like that it isn't good," Armstrong said.
 
The pedigree daisy shorthorn heifer named Moorriggs Sparkle III had stopped struggling to get free by the time firefighters and a vet appeared on the scene.

 
 
"It had given up trying but was in a state of shock," the vet said. "It had no major injuries. If it had, it would have been kinder to put it to sleep."
 
Putting the cow under heavy sedation, the firefighters then used a sling and heavy plant equipment to stabilize Moorriggs and brought her down safely. Impressively, Moorriggs suffered only minor bruising and is now back on her feet with the rest of her herd.
 
 
I guess cows can't jump over the moon nor trees.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Scottish Sheep races

Hundreds of fans lined the streets of a Dumfriesshire to see Scotland's first town centre sheep race.  Sheep were ridden through the streets of Moffat by custom made knitted jockeys in several heats over the day.
 
Members of the public were also able to place £1 bets at the event which was won by a sheep named Lingonberry.    





Organiser Thomas MacDonald said he now hopes to turn the event into an annual competition.

"It is a new event for us in Moffat and we believe it is the first in Scotland to be held on public streets," he told the BBC.

"We hope it will become an annual event, not just one day but extend to two days and eventually make a week long feature of it."


Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Sheep

Some photos I took at the trials of some of the sheep. Now that I am home, I will get photos done from the June, July and August trials.

Palm Cottage Sheep. 

LaCamas Lamb. 

LaCamas Lambs.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Who is your mama?

It's difficult to tell which is the most confused after a Dalmatian dog adopted a lamb with a spotty coat.

The black and white lamb was born at a dog breeder's farm in South Australia's Barossa Valley.  After being rejected by his mother he was quickly adopted by dog Zoe and the pair are now inseparable, much to the amusement of breeders John and Julie Bolton.

Zoe was quick to show the abandoned lamb love and affection - licking her adoptive son affectionately and generally taking care of him.

Now the spotty lamb, a cross between a pure-bred white Dorper ram and a Dorper and Van Rooy ewe, happily follows her around the farm and even sleeps inside the dog kennel.

Mrs Bolton said the confused little lamb had even tried to suckle from Zoe but had to make do with a bottle instead.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Stella and the pups

Stella had her pups today. Six males and one female. She is 3/4 Anatolian and 1/4 Great Pyr. The sire is Glock. Glock is Maremma/Tatra and /Spanish Mastiff.   All of these dogs come from working lines.
 
These will be good dogs for guarding your sheep flock. Both parents are great on keeping the flock safe. Just recently, Glock chased a bear away. Stella keeps the coyotes and the local cougar off the farm. Both parents have a gentle nature and are easy to handle.

Sorry for the lack of quality of a photos but I was using my iPhone and they were in a dark dog igloo in the barn.

I will have four males available in about eight weeks. Only to working homes. Let me know if you are interested. They will have their shots and be wormed. They will be handled and used to people and sheep. $400 each
 

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Somebody named Neil died according to NBC News

Back in a former life, I used to be an editor for our Community College Newspaper.  The college was Peninsula Community College and Professor Ed Clark was a real stickler for checking and doubling checking the news articles before we went to print. He used to regale us with stories of poorly written headlines, god awful stories and the horror of not validating your work. He would have us shaking in our boots if we messed up. That lesson stuck with me to this day and although my writing skills some days  are not the best, his advice is still in my head.
 
So imagine my horror when I found out that one of my favorite singers not only died but was the first Astronaut on the moon. Was I asleep at the wheel in the 60's to miss this dramatic event?
 

 
I actually paid attention in US History Class but have been out sick the day that Neil Young danced and sang on the moon. Did he sing, "Harvest Moon" when he took his first step?

 
Well, I will be dammed. Here is the "official NASA" photograph of him in his astronaut suit.
 
Professor Ed Clark would be rolling over in his grave about now. Whomever wrote this news story should have taken the journalism class from Professor Clark.  At least it would have been right. As it is, NBC News is pretty red-faced about this affair and quickly, published the correct story.
 
 

Saturday, August 25, 2012

No Saturday Blog

My laptop is going crazy and locking up. I can't' much to work on it so no blog today....look for the regular scheduled programming on Sunday.

 

Friday, August 24, 2012

Dog Songs

There are a lot of songs out there that are "Dog Songs."  
 
Can you add to the lis?. Which "Dog Song" is your favorite and why?
 
"Annie"by Kevin Rintoul
"All Good Things" by Klaatu
"Arrête d'aboyer" by Les Sheriff
"Atomic Dog" by George Clinton
"Bad Dog" by Chumbawamba
"Baltique" by Renaud
"Bellman" by The Watersons
"Black Dog by Led Zeppelin
"Black Dog on my Shoulder" by Manic Street Preachers
"Black Eyed Dog" by Nick Drake
"Bow Wow Wow Wow" by Was Not Was
"Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" by Led Zeppelin
"Bugler" by The Byrds
"Canis Lupus" by The Aquabats
"Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol
"Clyde" by Waylon Jennings
"Danny" by BUMP OF CHICKEN
"Death of a Dog" by John Hegley
"Death of a Martian" by Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Diamond Dogs" by David Bowie & covered by Beck
"Dirty Ol Egg Sucking Dog" by Johnny Cash
"Dog" by Ben Folds
"Dog" by El perro del mar
"Dog And Butterfly" by Heart
"Dog and His Master" by Marcy Playground
"Dogs" by Pink Floyd
"Dogs" by The Who
"Dogs are Everywhere" by Pulp
"Dogs Are The Best People" by The Fauves
"A Dog's Life" by John Hegley
"Dogs of War" by Pink Floyd
"Dog Eat Dog" by Steely Dan
"The Dog Song" by Nellie McKay
"Drowned Dog Black Night" by Richard Thompson
"Eight Dogs and Two Kitty Cats" by John George Campbell http://cdbaby.com/cd/jgcampbell
"Feed Jake" by Pirates Of The Mississippi
"Fluffy" by Ween
"For Veronica's Sake" by Alice Cooper
"Given the Dog a Bone" by AC/DC
"God Dog" by Shirley Collins and The Incredible String Band
"
Golden Retriever" by Super Furry Animals
"Hair of the Dog" by Nazareth
"Hey
Bulldog" by The Beatles
"Hound Dog" by Elvis Presley
"Hound Dog Man" by Lonnie Mack with Stevie Ray Vaughan
"Howl at the Moon" by Cheryl Wheeler
"(How Much is) That Doggie in the Window" Patti Page
"I Lost My Dog" by The Fiery Furnaces
"I Love My Dog" by Cat Stevens
"I Wanna Be Your Dog" by the Stooges
"I Want a Dog" by Pet Shop Boys
"I'm Gonna Buy Me a Dog" by The Monkees
"Insuburbia" by Pet Shop Boys
"Kitty Doggy" by Five Iron Frenzy
"Laika" by Moxy Früvous
"Like A Dog" by Powderfinger
"Lonesome Dog Blues" by Lightnin' Hopkins
"Lucy Belle" by Faun Fables
"The Man With the Dogs" by the Dead Kennedys
"Mandy" by Barry Manilow
"Martha My Dear" by The Beatles
"Me And My Arrow" by Harry Nilsson
"The
Puppy Song" by Harry Nilsson
"Me And You And A Dog Named Boo" by Lobo
"Mr. Bojangles" by
"My Dog And Me" by John Hiatt
"Old Blue" by The Byrds
"Old King" by Neil Young
"Old Red" by Blake Shelton
"Old Salty Dog Blues" by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs
"Old Shep* by Elvis Presley
"Pepe Hush* by Leo Kottke
"Poodle Rockin'" by Gorky's Zygotic Mynci
"Quiche Lorraine" by The B-52s
"Séamus" by Pink Floyd
"Seth" by Big Black
"Shannon" by Henry Gross
"Sick as a Dog" by Aerosmith
"Slow Dog" by Belly
"Space Dog" by Tori Amos
"Tails of the City" a complete dog album by Murray Weinstock
"They Gotta Quit Kicking my Dog Around" by Buffy Sainte-Marie
"3 Legs" by Paul & Linda McCartney
"Underdog" by Audio Adreneline
"Urdog, Awaken!" by Urdog
"Very Bad Dog" by John Hegley
"What Up Dog?" by Was Not Was
"Walk The Dog" by Laurie Anderson
"Walkin' the Dog" by Aerosmith
"Walking The Dog" by Seldom Scene
"When I Think About Angels" by Jamie O'Neal
"Who Let the Dogs Out?" by Baha Men / Anslem Douglas
"Wild Pack of Family Dogs" by Modest Mouse
 
 

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Some fun dog cartoons

 
 
my carpet has many stains...now I know why...
 
 
 
 
Hum, that's explains that one date....

Tess and I have this conversation many times.
 

 
Yep, that is a cat for you!


 
Well, this explains a lot!
 
 
 

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Honey Lamb Chops

Ingredients
  • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 TB chopped garlic
  • 2-3  TB honey
  • 3/4 cup canola oil
  • salt and pepper 8 small lamb chops
  • 2 tb olive oil
  • 1/2 tb chopped fresh rosemary leaves
  • 1/2 tb chopped mint leaves
 
Directions
  1. Heat up grill to medium heat. 
  2. Blend in food blender,  the balsamic vinegar, garlic, and honey.  Slowly pour in the canola oil until the mixture is smooth and forms a thick sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Put to side
  3. Season the lamb chops with salt and pepper. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with rosemary. Grill the lamb chops for 2 to 3 minutes each side until medium-rare.
  4. Arrange the lamb chops on a platter and drizzle the sauce over the top. Add mint leaves to the side.
 

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Tess and the Vestibular Attack

Last Thursday while I was at the LaCamas Valley Sheepdog Trial, Tess had a severe Vestibular Attack. We had gotten there late wed and set up camp. It was very hot and I had the cool fan on but the temp was around 96 degrees. That evening, around six or so, the dogs were wandering around the camp. Towards the back of the trailer, was a steep incline and the dogs were all cavorting around there. I was watching them have a good time and suddenly Tess just rolled down he hill. I thought she lost her balance and fell down so I rushed over to help her up. what I saw stunned me. She was thrashing about and crying in pain. I bolted down the hill and scooped her up. She was acting like she was having seizures or a severe stroke. Her legs were wildly thrashing, her body was shaking and her head was tilted. Her eyes had rolled back partway and what I could of them, they were going back and forth in super fast movement. She was frightened but didn't fight me as I carried her up the hill. She buried her head deep in my chest, shiver ran up and down her spine and I comforted her as she had comforted me for the many months of my heart recovery. It was my turn to hold and kiss her and tell her it was all going be alright and I was there for her. She relaxed and the shivers went away and her breathing became steady. My heart was still was beating about 900 beats a minute, or so it seemed. I am sure my pacemaker was working overtime at this point.

I put ehr on the ground and she laid on her side, shaking and i called out to Debbie who was next to me. She rushed over and we tried to settle her down and it did not stop. I saw Angie Untisz the vet and ran to her and she came over to see Tess. By this time, the severe shaking had stopped and she was still down.  We got her up and her head was at a very severe tilt, her eyes were going right to left, left to right in rapid fashion and she couldn't stand. Angie calmed me down and told me she was not having a stroke or seizures but a Vestibular attack. Say what??......she slowly explained it to me and that it was not life threatening, occurs with no reason and the dog will recover. I felt like ten tons was lifted off my shoulders when I heard this. If she was going to die, how could I call Getty and tell him this......we do know she will pass to the rainbow bridge one day, but we hoped it would be at home. Furthermore, Getty was unreachable as he was camping. I texted him and we kept in touch over the weekend.

She checked Tess over and the severe attack began to subside. She was unable to stand and still had the Nystagmus (rapid eye movement). She would be nauseated and unbalanced so I would have to help her until she recovered. I would have to hand feed and hand water her and help her walk. Once she got a little stable, then she would have to learn to walk on her own. We took her off the heart meds as she might get dehydrated from lack of water. She got a thorough check over and I put her in a x-pen that Chery lent me. Cheryl had bought Kuro from me last year and was camped next to me. Tess slept on her towel and was wiped out.

Bob took me to the store and I got her some canned soupy dog food to help stimulate her appetite. We had steak that night so I added steak, chicken to her dog food and I fed her while Cheryl held her. She didn't eat very much as she was dizzy but did try. She also drank a little water so that was good as it was hot. I left her in the xpen overnight as it was cooler than my hot trailer. I got up twice during the night to check on her and she was sound asleep.

The next day, Cynthia Mills (another vet) came over to check on her. Tess still had the Nystagmus and very unsteady. We talked for a long time and I was starting to be less frantic about all of this. each day I would see some improvement in Tess.  Tess wasn't scared anymore but willing to do as I asked of her. I had to walk her in five minute sessions so she could learn how to walk and regain her motor skills. As much as I wanted to cuddle and carry her, I made myself walk in front of her and call her. I would wince when I saw her fall or stagger but kept on encouraging her.

I would keep getting up each night at least twice to check on her and she seemed like it was no big deal and would fall asleep after I rubbed her side and spoke softly to her. Cheryl was a great help as it took two people to feed her, one to hold her and one to hand feed her. we would take her out for walks and she would stumble along but each day would improve slightly. I was getting weary due to lack of sleep and worry but was happy with her progress. It was the longest four days left in the trial until I pulled out for home on Sunday. Tess was eating more each day, drinking the gravy water and going for slow walks. he would go potty in the corner of her xpen and then crawl back to her bed.
 

Tess had a great attitude during all of this. She trusted me and our trust helped her in the healing process. She never questioned why I made her walk, although she didn't want to get up but she did. She really didn't want to eat but I told her, "eat up" and she would slowly eat then discovered she could eat and wolfed down the meat.


Friday late afternoon...notice the severe head tilt.

It has been five days and she is much improved. She still has the head tilt but can move her head. The Nystagmus has gone away and she can walk halfway decent. She still is wobbly and cant turn or stop quickly, She can eat unassisted.  She can walk up the stairs and even trot. Tonight she wanted to help put the chickens away and I let her. She couldn't turn on a dime but still managed to put all the chickens away. She couldn't stop but would slowly come to a stop. She took my commands and even pulled a chicken that got stuck in a corner.



 
On Monday, she got acupuncture from Audrey and it helped a lot. She was much more energetic. She has been getting better and now her walk is much straighter now. Her head motor skills are still rough but she is trying to take the treat slowly from my hand. She can trot in a straight line but once in a while, will stagger to the side and fall down. She has no issues getting up and her bathroom functions are normal. Audrey and Diane, both vet, have been keeping a close eye on her since she has been back. Getty is taking care of her during the morning shift and I am on night shift. We are hoping she will be normal by the weekend. I will keep you all posted.

 
 
 
I am sure that I am leaving out some part of this journey but I am trying to forgot this horrible incident. All I want is my beloved Tess to be normal again. I know her time is limited but I want her time left to be of a quality, loving time, filled with good times and love. Thanks to all who helped me and gave me advice or a just a shoulder to cry on.

Here is some info on VESTIBULAR SYNDROME.  This is a very good article and goes into detail.


Monday, August 20, 2012

Dances with Ewe

Gael at Palm Cottage. Owned by Kathleen. During the PN run, the ewe broke for it. Not a good idea. She decided that going back to her buddies was the better idea.

"You put your right foot out..."

"and your back feet up..."


Sunday, August 19, 2012

La Camas Double Lift

I only stuck around for the first two runs but had to take Tess home. I took pixs and will do a photo blog later this week. I hheard but not verified the winners were Noelle, Patrick and Maggi. I belive the rest were RT or DQ.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

More LaCamas scores

You're not going to get much as I ran three dogs today and then ran back to the trailer to take care of Tess. I am severely deprived from the lack of sleep as I have been getting up twice in the middle of the night to check on Tess. She is outside in an x-pen and I would hold her paw and talk to her for a few and sit under the stars and quiet night and think about life. Of how this great dog took me under her paw and carried me for many years and wrapped me in her deep love. Of how, my love for her will be the tough test, when she is ready to go, although way too soon in my eyes. I talked to her of life, death, sheep and good times and certainly no politics or religion. The only religion I talked to her about was sheep herding. Just before I wrote this, I sat next to her and cried and then as soon as I got into my trailer, Bob Dias came over to drop some items and I was gruff to him so he wandered off. I wasn't in the mood for company as I was wiping tears from my face and trying to focus.  Tess will be better and life will go on but one day, I will have to say good bye to my best friend.  Cheryl Necochea was a great asset by loaning me an xpen and helping me balance Tess so she could eat and walk. Bob, who acts all tough but is a real softie, was wonderful by helping do guy stuff (bbq'ing dinner, hitching up the truck and many assorted stuff) and just being there. I certainly missed his beautiful wife, Rochelle but will see her at the Finals. Angie, Mary and Cynthia have been great also (all vets!) Tess has slowly been getting better and eating more each day. We took her on a short walk where she staggered here and there but was stable. It helps her recover quicker and hopefully soon, she will be back to normal.

I took a few token picture but not much as I was pretty tired from running four dogs and lack of sleep. I ran  Sava in PN and her sheep broke back to the setout and she stopped three and I sent her to the setout to get the last one but she wasn't able to get it. She had a wonderful outrun and lift but the sheep beat her back. Rainey had her two runs the first two days so she had the day off.
Nan ran in the morning and I was quite happy with her. Her score did not reflect her tremendous try and and grit. She did well for me but we had a wobbly drive that killed us. Her sheep broke at the top but she took charge and did as I asked. Most of her drive was nice but we hit the dead zone and had trouble but got them back online but got hit for that. Nan worked her heart out for me at the pen but the two that had broken away at the top gave her grief at the pen so we timed out.
Maid ran later in the day and apparently someone snuck into my trailer and sprinkled the magic pixie "down dust" on her as she took the down at the top and listened quite well. Well, almost aside from the two dead areas on the drive where she took the sheep on the scenic tour. We just skimmed the fetch panels as I had the sheep lined up and I saw them start to veer but was just a second to slow to flank her.  The first leg of the drive was a beautiful sight to see as well as her turn at the post,. She scraped the tight turn at the first panel, took a quick tour up the hill then we got back on line, then was low on the second panel. I had her turn the sheep to bring them to the pen but she suddenly spied the crossdrive panels we just missed so trotted the sheep up to them! I got her to bring them nicely to me to the pen and we had them in the mouth several times but one blackface had no interest so we timed out. She wanted to grip as she flanked quickly to stop them from bolted so I shouted her out and she did not so I was very happy at her. She ran her heart out for me like Nan had done earlier. Since we didn't get the pen nor shed and had scenic drive, we lost a fair amount of points but both girls worked hard for me and I was happy.


Novice- Saturday

PN- Saturday 


Open- First round

Nursery-Saturday



Open- First round


Open- Second Round

Friday, August 17, 2012

LaCamas Th-Friday

This is going to be short and sweet as I have been dealing with Tess. She has gotten better from the Vestibular attack but still has balance issues, eyes are ziggy and unstable. But she is not seizing or crying in pain. She barely ate a piece of steak last night. I got up three times in the night to check on her and feed her some more steak. Today, she is better and I got some Vestibular meds from Dianne Deal. She ate chicken (breast meat), steak, canned dog food and water.....am giving it to her in a soupy base and she is eating in small meals. So that is big. Cynthia Mills )Vet) came in and sat with her and did a once-over and so she is on the road to recovery. I don't know how long it will take but there is an improvement since last night.  Quite a few handlers had dogs that had this and hearing how they dealt with it and how their dogs recovered made it a lot easier for me.

I ran Maid in Open. She flared out nice, got behind the sheep and had a nice lift and then left her ears at the top. She also left her come-bye flank up there and our fetch was offline. A decent turn then a lamb bolted to his bleating buds in the exhaust on the middle half of the drive. I had Maid scoop up the four and take them to the solo and got them back online. However, she was pushy and not feeling or downing. She took the sheep up for an extended drive, and one laid down so I retired. As I ran up the field telling her to stop, she didn't so when I got to her, the eyes got big and she suddenly remembered her stop. Oh, well, maybe tomorrow she will listen better!

Nan had the day off which was good as she tore a pad and is now wearing a boot donated by Angie Untisz. Angie has been a lifesaver for me on this trip!

Open- First Round
Thursday - PN


Friday- PN

Rainey ran on PN in the heat of the day, around 96 degrees. The setout dog circled the sheep and then pushed them to the setout pen. They were about 40 feet away, well away from the setout point. I sent Rainey as the judge told me to and he would sort it out. Great, I thought, as my normally sticky eye princess ran up the field. But, she amazed me by marching head on to the sheep and turning them as they stomped at her. They tried to run over her to get back to the setout but she held firm. They tried to break into two group but she tucked them in and slowly began to inch them down to me. I gave her walkups and a flank and she brought them down to the fetch panels where we missed them by inches. They ended up on the wrong side of the post and I sort of got them back then decided to go on the drive. They tried to break to the exhaust but she was on the muscle and flew in and turn them and they went through the panel. They bolted up the field but she tucked them back on online and then through the second panel. A well bit off on the last leg and she popped them into the pen in seconds flat and I whipped the gate shut. Goodness,  this is not the normal Rainey but she reminded me of Roo in her fastness on the sheep. She would hardly stop and was on the muscle.....did someone switch dogs on me as yesterday, she really struggled. I think she figured out the sheep and was on the muscle today. I am not complaining! (Scott Glen - if you read this you better be sitting down as she was a little Roo today- but listening!) She got fifth out of 44 dogs.

I didn't see much of the Open runs as then I went back to the trailer to take care of Tess. I didn't even pull out my camera.



Thursday, August 16, 2012

LaCamas Thursday

Well, it is hotter than Hades. I think it is over 90 plus.  I ran Sava and rain in PN. Saval lost her sheep to setout. Rainey got her sheep and then at the fetch panel took a side jog to the crossdrive panels. Turned the post and started the drive and then timed out on the drive. But she never gave up or lost the sheep but needs more push. The sheep would break back to the setout and quite a few people lost them. I left after my run to run Nan in Open. I was also overheating!

Nan ran well and got 57 and a shed. will post more tomorrow as I am dealing with Tess now. She had a very severe Vestibular attack and still in the throes of it. I thought she was having a bad seizure. So needless to say, my brain is all jumbled right now.

Tomorrow I will post on the trial and scores and maybe by then, Tess will be stable.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

LaCamas Sheepdog Trial

Well, I got here late tonight for the LaCamas Sheepdog trial. I just got all setup and hopefully did it all right! The weather is supposed to be in the 90 but it needs to be in the 70 for the dog or sheep not to feel the heat. So, it will be tough going for everyone.

I am running Sava and Rainey in PN and Nan and Maid in Open. Tomorrow, I run Sava and Rainey and then Nan. So ti will be running back and forth between the two fields. I hope we do well.

Not much to write as I am tired and it is hot. I will update more tomorrow night.

Here is the link to the trial

LINK


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Good Luck, Glock

Glock has been sold to some folks who only live a few miles away. They also got four Coops ewes and their lambs, for a total of seven. I gave them a small Clun Forest ewe lamb as a gift.


He has a farm of close to 20 acres and in addition to his sheep, he has goats and chickens. He has made himself at home already with his new family, getting his pets and settling into his pasture. They will be getting more sheep, so soon his small flock will expand.

We wish Glock well in his new farm.



Monday, August 13, 2012

I love this dog....Maid, my superhero...

I love this dog. Maid, the dog who stole a piece of my heart. She forgives me when I mess up. She tries to make me look good on the trial field. She is fearless and fast.  She has a quirky sense of humor. She is my partner, my friend and my snugglebunny.

She is pretending she is a jackrabbit.

Or maybe a superhero, jumping over tall buildings in one bound.

......either way, she is my superhero.....


Sunday, August 12, 2012

Snake Cake

Here is a cool snake cake....I like snakes and used to have them as pet when I was a child. But now, I like them at a distance. I saw these photos going around and had to check out the source on them. They are made by a lady in the UK and the company is North Star Cakes. I am so impressed by her work. Wy to go!

News article

Major kudos to cake-making genius Francesca from North Star Cakes, in Kent, England, for whipping up this horrifyingly realistic yellow snake cake. (It's an Amelanistic Burmese Python, for you herpetology buffs).







We're torn about whether we'd actually want to eat this — on the one hand, snakes are kind of terrifying, but on the other hand, cake is delicious. Francesca prepared the cake for her daughter, who's obviously made of sterner stuff than us.

Link to ARTICLE


Saturday, August 11, 2012

Lamb Wagon Caption Contest Winner

We have a winner for our last caption contest. Tess picked the winner in her scientific way. I wadded up the names on paper, put them in a pile and she selected one in exchange for a treat.

Link to the contest



Winner: (You have two weeks to contact me at EMAIL )

All these ewe turns are killing me!
Terry Toney " toney"


Also, here are the other captions. Everyone had great captions. Look for another contest soon. The next one will be a Haiku!

##########################

"Clydesdales are so overrated"
 Frisbeegirl

##########################

Hans practices his driving skills.
ThunderHill

##########################

"I knew we shouldn't have put the crossdrive panels in the parking lot!"
Debbie

##########################

In light of harsh economic times, farmers have had to downsize.
Dangerous Dreams Farm

##########################

Head 'em up, move 'em out, Sheephide!
Bob Brown

##########################

We are off to see the wizard....
gvmama

##########################

What? You've never seen a 4x4 Ramcharger before? Dodge has been making them for years!
AKDD

##########################



Friday, August 10, 2012

Gone Fishin'

I love to fish. Although it has been eons since I fished, the love is still there. I saw these signs and just had to post them.
At least, you will know where he is at during the meeting.


Must be a Border Collie

Probably feel asleep during the reading section during class.

Maybe, I will rethink my love for fishing!

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Key Dogs from the Border Collie Family by Sheila Grew - FOR SALE

Key Dogs from the Border Collie Family by Sheila Grew

Heritage Farms Publishing Company. 1993. First Edition (Pictures does not do just to book, as cover is in mint condition)
Excellent condition in a dustwrapper. Burgundy imitation leather cloth boards with gilt title to spine. Many photos throughout the book. This was originally published in 1981 and volume II in 1985. This volume is revised and published in 1993. The original text has not been altered and this book contains both volumes. A valuable reference as to type, bloodlines and working ability of those Key Dogs. Mint condition and crisp pages. This is a hard to find, rare book. A must have for any Border Collie owner.

Price is $200 which does not include shipping and insurance.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Blogging help needed at the USBCHA National Sheepdog Finals

I've been asked to be the Finals blogger this year at the USBCHA National Sheepdog Finals. it will be the same format as I did three years ago when I blogged. But it takes a team and so I need more bloggers. I will be taking photos too.

What I need is a few more folks who can commit to a few hours a day to help blog. It won't be fancy but just blogging as we see it. We can came up with a team blogging name also.

The blog will be on this site and you will be acknowledged as one of the bloggers. I will also do a blog on the team so people can put a face to us. Let me know if you are interested.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Thanks to my Mother, for being my Mom.

Many years ago, my mother gave birth to me. I am so grateful that I have such a wonderful mother. Today is my Birthday, but I must thank my mom for being my mom. She is truly wonderful.

Me in a cute swimsuit. My mom must have picked it out as I don't do frills.

My mother around 21 or so. Isn't she beautiful?

My mom and Dad. He was from Aurora, IL and she was from Tokyo, Japan. He fell in love with her when he saw her at the train/subway and spoke to her everyday in fluent Japanese. Finally, she spoke back to him and they married. They moverdto El Paso, Texas, where I was born. My brother, Nelson was born there also. My father was in the Green Beret, until he retired and went into law enforcement. My mom raised us and instilled our love of animals at a young age. She had a pet Rhode Island Red hen as a child. She had cats and also a pet peasant. She let us have all sorts of pet but drew the line at snake or spiders. However, she let a Black Widow take up residence in our kitchen window and we watched her until she looked like she wanted to have babies, so she was moved outside. I had all sort of unusual pets as a child, a coatamundi, boa, caiman, parrots, and a sloth.

I am having a Happy Birthday with my loved ones over the last few days. What a great day!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Monday Dog cartoons

I really like this one.


"Woof, Woof"

He must have met Sarah, our Queen of the Barn, Cat.

I hope they are on sand.

Hum, my dogs would win in this performance.