This would be Rainey

The Beer Band

Next time I have a beer, I gonna learn how to play this song....although it may take me a while!

Ducking has a kitty mom!

ARTICLE...

 

A duck separated at birth from its mum has been adopted by a cat.

 

Tosia the tabby, who already has a litter of kittens, found the duckling after it injured its foot and was abandoned by its mother.

 

Owner Ryszard Andrzejczuk, 68, of Olesnica, Poland, said: "Tosia came walking into the kitchen one day with something in her mouth.

 

"At first I thought it was a mouse or something. But then she placed it on the ground and I saw it was a little duckling. Now the two are inseparable."

 

 

The duckling has also been welcomed by Tosia's kitten and they share a bowl of water.

 

"Tosia even lets the duckling sleep with her and her kitten,"  said Ryszard

Who you looking at?

Sometimes you have some lambs with attitude. This would be one of them.

 

Who you looking at?

 

 

My Parsley Garden

Last year I took great pains to get my parsley garden set up in a deep box garden with great sheep poop and all sort of wonderful stuff. I planted several type of parsley and was rewarded by thick, lush parsley last year. This year, it has been a horrible year for my parsley.

Perhaps you can help me figure out why?

Colored Sheep

These are cool colored sheep. Some random photos from all over.

 

Lady Luck frowns on Rory

Scott's Stand-In

Well, Scott Glen has been my mentor since day one. I am sure he tries hard not to laugh when I make boo-boos or worse yet, whack me on the ribcage when I do (yet) another stupid handler command. But luckily for me, he lives about a million miles away and I only see him a few times a year. By the time he shows up again, my bruises on my ribcage are healed.

 

Most of you know that I got his Open dog, Maid from him about 1 1/2 years ago. She is sure got down classed....most of us want to marry up but she married down...but, she forgave Scott for his transgression. Anyways, Maid is one of my two Open dogs and as it is, she thinks she is the Queen on the farm. Since Tess passed away, Maid has taken over her role and duties at the farm. She offers her opinion on everything, whether I want it or not!

 

When I used to work any of my dogs and Tess was loose, she would run and down the fence line until I told her to stop. Then she would just hop the gate into the other pasture and work sheep, on the same commands that I was using on the dog in training. When I would scold her, she would hop back over the fence and then work the chickens. Whatever.

 

But Maid hasn't learned this gate hopping trick yet, but she does the working chickens trick.

 

Then one day, I scolded her and told her to go lie down and quit bugging the chickens. I looked over and she is in my chair, giving me, yet again," her opinion of my training." I think Scott sent her to spy on me so he could get a good laugh at my special handling.

 

 

Either way, she quite enjoyed the view from her chair. She would lean to the right and then to the left, depending where I was in the field. It was fun watching her.

 

In her mind her thoughts were:

 

"Oh great, wrong flank, dummy"

 

"You need a better down on the dog...three steps later is not a down and we are not in reining class"

 

"Whoa there, missed that panel by a mile. I see you are wearing your new glasses...waste of money"

 

"I think Billie is going to hang up a new sign at her kennel- double shots start now"

 

"Really now, that's a new and novel approach, too bad it didn't work because it is wrong"

 

"Falling backwards on a sheep doesn't get you any extra style points"

 

"Can I get a bus ticket back home to Scott's?"

 

"I don't remember Scott teaching you that."

 

"How many treats will you pay me NOT to tell Scott what you just did?"

The Fox and the Hound

....the news from Wales .......

 

A fox cub and a puppy have become unlikely best friends in a real life version of Disney classic The Fox and the Hound.

 

Rosie the 15-week-old fox cub has bonded with new pal Maddy, Lakeland Patterdale cross, after she was left abandoned when her dad killed most of her litter.

 

She was adopted by Maddy's owner Richard Bowler at his five acre smallholding in the Berwyn mountains near Corwen, North Wales.

 

Mr Bowler, 44, was formerly in the building industry but last year moved from Bedfordshire with girlfriend Helen, 41, for a change of lifestyle.

 

He said: "Rosie was slowly introduced to Maddy. Maddy has always been playful and it's a natural instinct for a fox cub to play so they get on great.

 

"They have become best of friends, although we always supervise them playing together as Rosie is still quite small. They chase each other around and Rosie often dives on Maddy; the living room is usually a wreck after they have been playing.

 

 

"I've been amazed at how clever she is, certainly quicker to pick up things than Maddy ever was. Her recall and sitting is 100% and we're almost there with toilet training.

 

"It's important for Rosie to be as trained as best as we can so that she can enjoy our five-acre smallholding as freely as possible."

 

LINK TO ARTICLE

Easy Care Sheep

WITH Anglesey this year’s Royal Welsh Show featured county Barry Alston looks at a pioneering livestock breeding programme which began on the island but has since spread its appeal far wider.

As far as Dai Evans is concerned, the annual wool clip is no longer a chore or an expensive necessity for the 2,500 ewes he and his family keep at Neuadd Fawr, a severely disadvantaged area-classified holding overlooking Talybont, near Aberystwyth.
 

 

Tempted back in 2005 to try ‘just a few ewes’, the Easy Care breed has today become the mainstay of what is a 951-hectare (2,350-acre) upland farming operation. By the end of the year they will be the only sheep breed on the farm.

Loved by those who keep the breed, and maybe scorned by some who do not, Dai certainly has no regrets about making the switch.

 

“The Easy Care requires minimal shepherding and veterinary care, while offering excellent meat yields and lambing returns. What else do you need?” he says.

 

MORE...

 

 

 

Palm Cottage Saturday

Again, a quick wrap up as I am tired and need to go to bed. Nan ran out nice, but her sheep bolted to setout and I let her figure out how to get her sheep and she brought them down nicely. At the turn, all four stood her off and one took a charge at her so she gripped her. Nan stood her ground and didn't back off from the charging ewe, which is huge for her but it was a DQ.

 

Maid ran in the late afternoon in over 80 degrees and blazing hot. while I was at the post, I noticed the sheep running all over the place and the setout crew trying to stop them. The ewes kept busting into pairs and bolting and they finally settled,  to the right of the setout. Maid went out and didn't need a redirect at the gate, went through the gate and cast out nice. She had a deep lift and the sheep bolted before she get ahold of them. She listened well when I downed her, hoping the sheep would settle but that only gave them a chance to run faster. She got up to them and one set ran to the right and one ran to the left and she sweep the field back and both, trying to keep them tucked in. They refused but she did a wonderful job in keeping them semi contained. Nice turn around the post and the first leg them bolted hard and she tucked them in. She was way off and they kept running but she was good, and stayed far off so they only ran instead of bolting.  They made the first panel and had a nice cross drive, then two missed the second panel and she was hard on the turn and they scattered and two cam back through the panel. I got everyone settle and back online but the turn was wide. I stopped her near the panel and the sheep ran into the ring. I had to flank her hard to cover them and it took a bit to slow them down in the ring. She got the shed, as it was tough and the pen was hard as well. She held her position and the ewes had no intention of going into the pen but we teamed up and got them in. She marched them to the ring for the single and flew in to hold the last ewe for a wonderful single. The ewe had no idea but Maid held her ground. We got hit hard to the runaways but I was happy with her work and her score did not reflect the tremendous effort she had to put out and how well she worked with me. There was a couple of times, the she wanted to teach a runaway ewe a lesson but her common sense prevailed when I told her to stop it. I was happy with her run and her effort and she was quite pleased with her herself after the run.

 

More later but I was happy. Score will be posted when I get back.

Palm Cottage Quick Wrap Up

Today we ran in Open. The internet sucks at the hotel and I cannot download the scores from my iPhone. Amanda won with Dorey. Suzy Applegate was second with Dot. Sheep were tough and you had to go through a gate halfway up the outrun.

 

Nan had a fantastic run and timed out at the pen as I was three inches from closing it. So we lost the pen and single points and in spite of that we placed 9th out of 50 dogs. Maid ran well but fussed a little at the top, drive was wonderful but a ewe decided she was going to run to the shade. Maid told her otherwise for a DQ. It was so nice that we got the best grip award. But she ran her heart out in spite of that and did well.

 

More later when I have better service. Sun was hot and trial was superb as usual. Laura and Steve put all out to make this a classy and fun trial. Tomorrow I will pull out my camera for pixs.

Palm Cottage Trial

Kathleen and I are headed down to Cottage grove, OR for the Palm Cottage Sheepdog Trial. I am running Nan and Maid in Open. Kathleen is running Gael in Open and Josh in PN. Hawaiian attire is required so we brought our loud shirts.

 

More info tomorrow as it is late and we have an early Handler's meeting.

New Way to sell Sheep

I guess the people in Kuwait are very enterprising in selling sheep...modern technology at the best. They are using Instagram and it is working well. Check out the article and photos that are being used....quite interesting.

LINK

Sunday Family Visit

It's been a while since my mom and Aunt Kimiko came to visit. so this last Sunday, they came out.  It was a sunny day and perfect for a BBQ. The girls loved the visit. First of all, they barked in joy and danced about and totally ignore my commands to go to their rugs. Mom lead them to the kitchen where she pulled out a bag of treats and fed them. Sarah the cat, heard my mom and bolted to the front door. She was promptly rewarded with FIVE cans of kitty food.

 

When my mom was cooking, she fed the dogs some shrimp tempura....but never fear, I got some too as a snackie. Getty made BBQ chicken. We also had crab spring rolls, homemade Japanese potato salad, and cucumber/kelp salad.  We were all stuffed by the end of dinner. The girls got the shrimp tails as well. It was good visiting my mom and Aunt.  It was a wonderful meal and great to see them.

 

Then off to feed the sheep, chickens, ducks and geese. The sheep remembered my mom and Aunt and ran up to the fence line at warp speed. Screaming for food. Very loudly. They got grain and alfalfa hay. The horses loved this as well.

 

Mom loves the Silkies and Rhode Island Reds. I keep some just for her. Let's just say the poultry were well fed as well. I gave them five dozen fresh eggs to take home. The chickens were more than happy to supply the eggs in exchange for the treats. It makes my mom very happy to feed the animals so I let her have free rein. The LGD came dashing up and instead of their usual loud park, their tails were waving in the wind and they bounced up and down in joy. They got raw bones and some chicken treats. Heidi was just a pup when she first met my Mom and Aunt Kimiko and she adores them. They used to pick her up and hold her but now, she weighs over 100 lbs and is not longer the cute, fat white fizz ball.

 

 

Afterwards we came in the house and had some cold drinks.  Rainey decided she had to be a lap puppy and curled in Aunt Kimiko's lap.  As you can see, she looks quite spoiled.  She fit perfectly In Aunt Kimiko's lap.

 

It was a nice visit and I love both of them dearly.

 

 

Arabian Mare for Sale

I am going to have to sell one of my Arabians. She is a very nice mare but I lost my leased pasture.  She is from Toskhara Arabians. Her sire is Kordelas and dam is Etrea.

 

Lisa has had over six months of training on her, some reining, dressage, and western pleasure. For those of you that think I am going to do Dressage, think again. I will leave that for Kathy Davis. I mainly do trail riding now and at cow dog trials, I ride a horse since that is part of the requirement.

Lisa comes from pure Polish lines (both parents were imported). Her sire used to race in Poland. Her sibling are in Endurance, Dressage, Reining and other events. They have sound minds and excellent structure.

If you are interested send me an email
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gimme a Tall one

 

 

Puts a new meaning to a "Tall One"

Today would have been...

.....Tess's 15th Birthday....it was a sad day but my spirits was lifted by working the dogs in her honor. I still miss each every day. I miss her kisses in the morning when I wake up.

 

You still have part of my heart and I still grieve for you. But one day, my heart will be healed by the love of the other dogs. And one day, we shall meet again. I will always love you.

 

 

Integrated Methods to Manage Parasites Webinar

Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) is hosting a set of web-based discussions and a hands-on field day to present information about sustainable control of parasites that impact sheep and goat production. This free program provides details to understand and implement effective, sustainable control of parasites and will be followed by a workshop repeated in two locations in Michigan where producers will learn how to monitor parasite infection using the Faffa Malan's Chart system and quantitative fecal egg counting.

During the July 18 webinar, Parasite Biology, Risk Factors and Infection Symptoms,

Richard Ehrhardt, Ph.D., MSUE small ruminant specialist, will identify the parasites of economic importance in the upper Midwest and set the stage necessary to understand the risk factors for infection and how to monitor infection.

Discussion at the next session on July 25 will include dewormer drugs, identification of effective drugs and how to slow down the development of drug resistance. This will be followed by an overview of control programs emphasizing a multi-faceted approach using effective drugs, grazing management and feasible plans for infection monitoring.

Additional information and registration inquiries can be directed to Carla McLachlan at 517-432-5402 or email at MCLACHL2@msu.edu.

Webinars will run from 7-9 p.m. EDT on July 18 and July 25.

Chick Caption Contest Winner

I wadded up the comments in little paper balls and asked Rainey to pick one. All of the comments were great so it was had to pick one.

The winner is: Mary Ann

 

"We do eggs. Not milk."

 

 

Contact me via LINK and we will send you your prize.

Sheep Marathon

 Rory is like one of my ewes.

 

 

Iron Sheep Competition

Sheep does tricks

This is so cute. This gal taught her sheep the best tricks. I applaud her for taking the time to do such a good job!

The Power of the Dog by Rudyard Kipling

I've always loved this poem. Today was one of those days that I really missed Tess so for her, I honor her with this poem.

 

 

The Power of the Dog
by  Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.

Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-term loan is as bad as a long--
So why in--Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Bobby Dalziel and Joe at a Ettrick Valley Trial

Found this cool video of Bobby Dalziel's Joe. It looks like was about 4 years ago in Ettrick Valley.

Interbreed pairs sheep at the Royal Highland Show 2013

Interbreed pairs sheep at the Royal Highland Show 2013.  Video courtesy of Natural Stockcare

Happy Fourth!

Happy Fourth of July from Nan.

Sleeping next to me at the last trial. Please note she has over half of the bed.

Hazards of Backyard chickens

Very cute video on hazards of raising chickens and where it leads you.....

 

Link to her site

 

 

BBQ Ginger Lamb Satays with Thai Dipping Sauce

This recipe is from American Lamb:

 

 

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds boneless leg of lamb, cut in 1 1/2 inch cubes

1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger

2 cloves crushed garlic

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon low-sodium fish sauce

1 tablespoon sesame oil

 

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the lamb cubes with the ginger, garlic, sugar, fish sauce and sesame oil and season to coat. Refrigerate and marinate for 30 minutes. Soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes, then divide lamb among the 8 skewers. Heat a BBQ or char grill and cook the lamb 5-6 minutes on each side, or until the lamb is cooked.

 

Dipping Sauce

To make the dipping sauce, combine all the below ingredients together and spoon into small bowls to serve.

 

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

1 red chili, seeded and finely chopped

1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Serve on steamed jasmine rice, sprinkled with the toasted sesame seeds if using, and with the dipping sauce on the side.

Watching TV with the dog

This was our couch tonight.

 

 

Can you guess what dog it was?