Baby Nana

Sue Noll sent me this picture of Nana when she was a puppy. She used to own Nana. Isn't this the cutest pix ever?

 

Oso run order for Dec 12, 2015

	Open - Handler	Dog
1.	Mindy Mayer	Libby
2.	Janet Thorpe	Jude
3.	Lyndsey Ibbotson	Zeus
4.	Heather Haynes	Lad
5.	Susan Crocker	Cedar
6.	Tim Ballard	Nell
7.	Joe Haynes	Pepper
8.	Kathleen Torkelson	Josh
9.	Alison Deilke	Sock
10.	Corinne Berg	Bea
11.	Diane Pagel	Bliss
12.	Lorri Schubert	Destiny
13.	Cheryl Munson	Cooper
14.	Mindy Mayer	Blake
15.	Janet Thorpe	Sava
16.	Alison Deilke	Skye
17.	Corinne Berg	Max
18.	Kathleen Torkelson	Gael
19.	Mary Gutknecht	Mae
20.	Heather Haynes	Spot
	ProNov - Handler	Dog
1.	Audrey Baldessari	Kael
2.	Adrienne Burnett	Maddie
3.	Sally Tibbits	Shay
4.	Jo Roach	Davey
5.	Cheryl Munson	Tanner
6.	Susan Crocker	Harley
7.	Audrey Baldessari	Cate
8.	Lynne Green	Craig
9.	Joe Haynes	Jim
10.	Tim Browne	Reba
11.	Shari Madamba	Bo
12.	Audrey Baldessari	Dan
13.	Sally Tibbits	Gemma
14.	Adrienne Burnett	Maddie - NC
	Nov - Handler	Dog
1.	Carolann Mickels	Hank
2.	Amanda Jones	Patch
3.	Lisa Bergland	Sam
4.	Marilyne Cunnington	Chance
5.	Tim Browne	Nell
	Ranch - Handler	Dog
1.	Sally Tibbits	Gemma
2.	Sue Meagher	Gael
3.	Shari Madamba	Boomer
4.	Carolann Mickels	Hank
5.	Amanda Jones	Patch
6.	Lisa Bergland	Sam
7.	Marilyne Cunnington	Quill
8.	Tim Browne	Reba
9.	Sally Tibbits	Shay

Sheep Soccer

Using a LGD for predator control

A study of the effectiveness of guard dogs in deterring predators from killing livestock that began in Montana has been expanded to four additional states, and two additional breeds from Portugal and Bulgaria are now being tested along with dogs from Turkey.

 

The aim is to discover a dog breed that’s the most effective in reducing sheep depredation by wolves and grizzly bears, or another “nonlethal” tool for protecting sheep, as opposed to killing predators that attack livestock.

 

Guard dogs are used by 40 percent of sheep operations for predator control, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services, which handles USDA’s predator control efforts.

 

But little is known about how carnivores respond to them, said Daniel Kinka, a doctoral ecology student at Utah State University in Logan, who is overseeing the work.

 

And the study is looking at new breeds from Portugal, Turkey and Bulgaria. The breeds are not commonly used in the United States, but have long histories of defending livestock from bears and wolves in those countries.

 

“These are dogs who have been bred for many, many generations specifically to do the job they’re designed for, which is guarding sheep,” Kinka said.

 

REST OF ARTICLE

Fido's Sheepdog Trial Run Order for Nov 29

SUNDAY – 8:30 handler meeting 

Open

1.    JB Brick Brisco

2.    Anne Devine Tam
3.    Corinne Berg CBK Bea
4.    Vicki Romero Kate

5.    Kylo Murray-Gann Mike

6.    Bob Hickman Trooper
7.    Janet Thorpe Sava
8.    Diane Pagel Bliss
9.    Kathleen Torkelson Josh
10. Cindy Baker Brill
11. Heidi Hansen Mabel
12. Suzanne Anaya Champ
13. Ron Green Chavo
14. Ron Fischer Jim
15. Dick Wilson Beth NC
16. Jeanne Boudrieau Secret
17. Tim Ballard Nell
18. Nora Linbo Gin
19. Paul Murray Lexi
20. Bob Hickman CBK Ryder
21. Ron Green Kiki
22. Corinne Berg CBK Mnx
23. Missy Burnett Maddie  NC
24. Janet Thorpe Jude
25. Diane Pagel Ben N/C scratch
26. Suzanne Anaya Yoko
27. Anne Devine Maybe
28. JB Brick Sketch
29. Judy Norris Blaze
30. Jeanne Boudrieau Moses
31. Becki Maloney Kirby
32. Nora Linbo Bailey
33. Kathleen Torkelson Gael
34. Cindy Baker Rook

Pro-Novice Sunday

1.    Dick Wilson Beth
2.    Norm Rivers Chappy
3.    Missy Burnett Maddie
4.    Judy Norris Britt
5.    Jane Hickman Rachael
6.    Sally Gustafson Bear
7.    Cynthia Mills Kraken
8.    Missy Burnett Maddie NC
9.    Dick Wilson Raygan NC  

Kinloch Sally (Safi) for Sale - SOLD

SOLD:

Since I have been fighting cancer, I haven't been able to work my dogs as much as I would like. So I will be selling Sally as a result. She turned three years old in August, She has been trained to PN level but hasn't run in a trial as she was slow to mature.  She has done lots of stall work and chores to round her out. She is rusty so will need a refresher to be running in PN. I think she would be a great asset to a breeding program or for a PN handler.

 

She is sweet and friendly and not suited for a loud handler. She gives you her all and has not quit and is very keen. Her bloodlines are impeccable.

 

She is a daughter of Kinloch Penny who has won multiple open trials and placed at several double lift trials.  Penny is a daughter of Angie's Meg who was the 2012 Reserve Welsh Champion and Bobby Dalziel's Joe, a two time Scottish champion and the 2006 ISDS champion. Sally is a granddaughter of Bobby Dalziel's Joe.

 

Sally's sire is Pennant Williams' Sweep.  Sweep has represented Wales in two International trials and again at the 2013 World trial.  He has numerous impressive dogs in his pedigree, including Paul Turnbull's Nap, Fortune's Glen, Price's Davy, J.R. Thomas' Don, and Bobby Dalziel's Wisp.

 

CONTACT ME

 

Ginger Miso Salad

I love Asian salads. I saw this recipe and think I will make it.


Ginger Miso Salad

• 1/4cup rice wine vinegar
• 2tablespoons miso paste (I like brown, but use white for a more mild flavor)
• 1tablespoon sugar
• 1teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
• 1 small clove of garlic, grated
• 3tablespoons sesame oil

 

1. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl, and slowly whisk in the sesame oil until well blended. *Note, you will not need to use all of the dressing for the salad.                 

Salad

• 1handful mixed field greens
• 1 head of butter lettuce, chopped
• 1 Asian pear or apple, thinly sliced
• 1handful roasted and salted cashews
• 1 medium red onion
• 1splash red wine vinegar
• pinches sugar
• 1/2teaspoon thyme
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the red onions and begin to caramelize. When they begin to dry out a little add a splash of red wine vinegar and sugar. Season with thyme, salt and pepper.
2. Toss the salad together with greens, pear, cashews, caramelized red onion, and drizzle with the Miso Ginger dressing.

Thanks to those who served

Happy Birthday, DeltaBluez Rainey

Wow, Rain just turned 8 years old today. You would never know she was middle aged as she still acts like a (spoiled) puppy. Her parents were Delmar Scot and Deltabluez Tess. She was the runt of the litter and only female so she got to stay. In fact, she was Jeff's Christmas present and stole his heart.

 

She went to Scott's for training and came as  PN dog. She had a lot of eyes so I had to adjust to that style. She did well in PN and got a High Combined over a two trial to win cool awards. She was Reserve PN dog of the year, just only moving to PN that year. She moved up to Open and held her own and I loved running her. She wasn't the strongest dog but never backed down and was able to move ewes and lambs to tough rams. Nothing fazed her and she was a appropriate grip. She became deaf in one ear so I retired her while she was in full glory. Now she is the resident chore dog and poultry dog. And still the spoiled princess.

 

She had a tons of nick names, RainBug, Bug, Bunny, Petunia and Princess. She knows them all. She enjoys being the baby of the house, gray muzzle and all. Someone forgot to tell her that she is a senior citizen. She has a lot of God-Moms as well, the main one being Janet.

 

 

 

 

Fire Ridge Sheepdog Trial

I don't have scores or photos and my memory sucks, being this is well after the fact. Kathleen and I went to Fire Ridge Sheepdog trial. She ran Josh and Gael. I ran Bliss and Jude (owner Janet Thorpe). We took pics but I haven't downloaded them yet.

 

As usual, the sheep were tough range ewes who didn't take any prisoners. If your dog was weak, they ran back to setout or just refused to move on the drive. The outrun was about 500 yards, down a steep hill and just as steep hill to get to the sheep.

 

I sent Bliss on the away side and she went out like a champion. We had a decent run but timed out in the last section of the drive as she had a ill ewe that didn't want to come down the fetch and was weak. She basically backed her through the entire drive. Her points did not reflect the hard work she did and they pulled the ewe as she was terribly weak. I was happy with her run and she was calm.

 

I sent Jude on the come-bye side and it was the furthest he had ever run. He stopped on his outrun so I blew a huge redirect and he took it on the fly and came behind the sheep nice. Since the ewes were standing off the dog, I gave him a hard walk up and he lifted them well. They fought him the entire time and tried to run him off but he stood his ground. We timed out as they were entering the ring but I was happy as he was able to work the ewes well.

 

I was sick from chemo and radiation and really struggled at this trial and it turns out that I was going into heart failure as a result of the chemo but didn't know that.

 

On the second run, Jude went the same way and just needed a brief whistle and came nice behind his sheep.  They tried to run back to the setout but he handled them on his own and brought them to my feet. The drive was reversed and he drove a wonderful drive and I stepped too far from the post on the last leg so go a DQ as sheep entered the ring. I don't think he lost very much on the drive as he hit the  panels and lines were nice. He worked his heart out for me and the last four trials, his greatness began to glow.

 

I sent Bliss on the away side again and just let her lift as the seep were nutty. They had a hard time setting them so I let her figure it out. She did. Brought them nice and we had a good drive. Quick shed and as I was shutting the pen gate, we ran out of time.  Don't know the score but happy on how well she tried.

 

I don't remember how we placed as we left right after that. I do know about a week later I landed in the hospital with massive heart failure.  I had no energy at the trial and this explains why. But now, on the road to recovery.

 

 

 

Dog Cartoon

Dog Cartoon

Happy Birthday, L&M Nana

Happy Birthday, my dear Nana......

 

You arrived as a 4.5 yr old and now are a retired beloved member of the house. Now at 13 years old, you are the matriarch.

 

Nan has taken me to the Finals several times and qualified many more times. She has won many Open trials and did fantastic in Double Lifts.  We learned  lot together. She arrived unsure about life as she had quite a few owners and litters but soon figured out she was going to stay. She became the official greeter and would meet everyone at the door and have an extended chat with them. And a clown to boot.

 

Times flies and last year at the Finals was her last hurrah. She still thinks she needs to go to trials and when I try to sneak away, she tries to go along.  She still is in fantastic shape for her age and still can win. But I use her at home for chores and that makes her happy.

 

Nan has been a godsend in my life, making me step up to the plate and become a better handler. It took me a while but she was patient. We did great a trials and were a force. I loved her for her open honestly and how she wears her heart on her sleeve.

She had acquired a few nicknames over the years. Nana-Banana, Boo, Beautiful, Sweetheart and Good Girl. She loves my mom and when she comes over, Nan abandons me to be with her and get Japanese food and dog treats. My mom thinks she is perfect and she is.

 

Shaded Heart Sheepdog trial

Last weekend, Jeff and I went to the Shaded Heart Sheepdog Trial in Wilbur, WA. I took Bliss and Jude. I was running Jude for Janet as she had a birthday party for her daughter, Josie and couldn't attend. I just had Jude a few days prior so didn't get much work time on him but he loves to work for me. Lorri let me stay in her trailer and take a nap between my runs and was very kind so I appreciate it.

 

The sheep were from a flock of about 3000 range ewes and were yearlings. Tough and would stand up to a dog and not afraid. After all, they fight off the coyotes. Plus they were not used to being worked by dogs, unless in their huge flocks. Which made you realize  if your dog can handle the range sheep than a farm flock trial.

 

 Yearling ewes in the exhaust pen. Very nice sheep.

Judge Bill Orr....all bundled up on Sunday. On Saturday, it was 70 degrees plus and sunny. He did a great job.

 

Many dogs did not get the lift as the ewes stood up to the dog or ran over them. Then on the first leg of the drive, they stood up and fought the dogs as well and that pretty much ended a lot of runs. Most of the dogs did not get a score or timed out on the drive.

 One hander doing the drive on Sunday.

 See the trailers....that was the setout area.

 

Saturday was in the 70s and warm and sunny. I slept between my runs as I stil get very tired and a run just wears me out. I ran Bliss first and let her be on her outrun and lift and didn't give her an commands until she started the fetch. The sheep at this point has stood off many dogs so I let her figure it out. Bliss can move anything and when the lambs stood at her at the lift, she marched into them and down the field we came....We just skimmed the fetch panels as the lambs spooked to one side. Nice post turn and true to form, for all runs, the lambs stood off the dog at the first leg of the Drive. I flanker her and let her walk into them and she marched them down the field, until she hit a small gully and couldn't hear me so it was a bobble. Then a wide turn and she tried to push them back before she heard me and then marched them across the field and I missed the second panel. Nice last leg into the ring and she got the shed on short order. We were marching them into the pen when time ran out. I still was happy with her and she got 7th place. The fact she was able to lift them and do the first leg says a lot about her strength.

 

Jude was later in the day and I saw dogs not able to lift or drive so was a wee bit worried. I amped him up and then sent him and gave him one redirect and he licked out wide. Before he could slow down at the top, I gave him quick, fast walkup and he marched into the lift. His fetch was fast but I was happy with it. They stood him off at the first leg and he was backed down once so I amped him up and then he stood up to the sheep. He did grip but I encouraged him than have him get run off. He was quite pleased with himself and so was I as he tried hard to work for me.

 Some of the scores....50 dogs ran

 

Sunday the weather was soft rain and very cool. Bliss was early again and I sent her. Once again, I let her figure it out at the top and when the sheep broke, and she stopped them, I gave her a soft steady so she knew where I was in relationship to her. she lifted them nice and we had a nice soft fetch and hit the panels dead on. They tried to fuss with her at the post turn so we sorted them out as they wanted to run to the exhaust. We started the first leg and they stood her off and she patiently worked them to go on. Nice first leg and made the panel and nice cross drive, wee bit high at the last bit and skimmed the panels. Nice line to the shed and she got the shed. The lambs did not want to go into the pen so I opened it, told her "Pen them" and held my end and at the very end. walked behind the ewes and shut the gate. Great pen by her. At the end she got second place and I was over the moon.

 

Jude was late morning and I just sent him with a "sshh"....his outrun was very nice and pushy on lift but he had no issues on the lift.  Fast fetch and we just missed the panels but happy with how he paced and pushed. Nice post turn and first leg they stood him up. But he didn't back down and went nose to nose when one ewe leaned into him and he gripped her. Still I was happy he got the lift and didn't back down on the drive.
 

Some of the scores....52 dogs ran

We left right after my last run and I slept most of the way home. I get very tired running the dogs as I don't have very much energy left from the chemo and radiation treatments. I am at 25% of my normal energy and in three months should be about 75% . So in a nutshell, I have about 4 hrs of energy before I have to take a nap. When I run the dogs, I wear out quicker though.

 

I am happy with how the dogs ran this weekend. Both gave me their all and you cant ask for any more than that.

 

Now back to real life and numerous Doctor appts this week. But I needed a weekend to get away and enjoy life and have some normalcy.

 

 

Halloween Chicken Cartoon

Sheepdogs condemn glass ceiling in the workplace

cute little story.....LINK...

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Collie Tom Logan said: “I’m out there busting my arse every day, running like fuck in zig zags until all the sheep are in their pen.

 

“I only have to look at a flock of sheep and they all sit down. No one knows ovine psychology like I do.

 

“Why then am I sleeping in an outbuilding next to a sack of potatoes? Because I’m not a biped.

 

 

 

“I could easily run my own flock. I’ve got great ideas for a range of organic marmalade too, but nobody ever listens.

 

“Every time I try to throw a few ideas in the mix, somebody shuts me up with a biscuit.”

Secrets of Sheepdog Trialing

Bobbie the toy sheep goes on tour

Cute article I found......LINK

 

*****************************************************

 

A toy sheep found discarded at a Scottish railway station has become an overnight celebrity - after going on holiday to Tenerife.

 

 

The stuffed animal - aka Bobbie -  was rescued by Trish and Drew Dingwall, who whisked him off to the popular holiday spot, where they took photos of him to send back home. The couple, from Fife, decided to take Bobbie on the trip after the toy became a talking point after being left out at Kirkcaldy Railway Station last month.

Commuters began asking about Bobbie and Trish and Drew decided to take the fluffy toy on holidays 'for a wee treat to cheer him up'.

 

The woolly sheep has now become renowned on the island after locals and holidaymakers joined in the fun by buying him meals, boozy drinks and presents. The couple are sending daily snaps of Bobbie's adventures back home, including him lounging by the pool, enjoying cocktails and building sandcastles on the beach.

 

 

Hockey coach Trish said: 'It was just done as a bit of a laugh for the staff at the station, but it has really taken off and people are commenting on Bobbie and what he is up to.

'People in the hotel are greeting him and he has even been bought drinks and presents - he is a bit of a celebrity.

 

 

'We went for a meal last night and he got his own menu and small glass of beer at the table - it is hilarious.

 

 

'At the pub we go to he has his own chair and drink, and the other night he was up doing karaoke too. He has also been invited to ice fishing in Canada next year too.

 

'One of the couples at the hotel came to say goodbye and told us how much they were going to miss Bobbie - not us.'

 

 

Staff at Kirkcaldy railway station have also been left amazed at the popularity of their new found furry friend.

 

Ticket inspector Avril Cargill said: 'It's absolutely hilarious and we have all been having a good laugh at Bobbie's adventures.

 

 

'We look forward to the daily updates, and other passengers have been asking about him. I am making a collage of all the pictures to put on show in the station.

 

Sunday Shearing

We shear twice a year since we live in a wet area and the wool can get muddy.  Today was the fall shearing. Our shearer bailed so we scrambled and got Nick to cover the shearing at the last minute. He lives in NY and was back in town for a visit. We really like him and hope he will come back next year. I actually learned a little about wool from him today.

 

I was banned from any sheep work so had to be the photographer and also have Bliss do back up sheep work. She learned to grip in the chute today. Plus she had to  exchange words with the Icelandics who then decided to listen to her. Bliss was very happy to be backup dog today.

Kathleen and Josh (Kelpie) were the main working dog today. They tended the sheep after we sheared them and later put them away. Josh sure was enjoying the sheep worked today as it was something different. Audrey and Dan did the late afternoon shift.

 

Wayne, sheep wrangler. You will not out wrestle Wayne.

Tim, sheep wrangler and farm manager on Sundays He is not drinking a beer, although I am sure later he will be having a cool beer.

 

Mitzi, the wool queen who sorted the wool

Karol, Diane M and Janet, the tilt table crew. Audrey was on the tilt table crew as well but not pictured here. Janet and Diane M did the hoof trimming, Audrey did the worming and hood trimming and Karol was the scribe.  Her writing is wonderful so I think she will be the scribe for now on.  I got a C- in penmanship so you don't want me to scribe.

ME...look, my hair is growing back. Bliss loved helping today as it was her first shearing session. The sheep decided that Bliss was not to mess with!

 Nick the shearer. Super nice guy and great shearer. We really enjoyed him

 Ewe in the tilt table. This has helped save our backs so much!

 Blue Faced Leicester wool (mostly) super soft and buttery. For Sale.

The ewe that provided the nice fleece.

 

Much thanks to the crew who helped today. I really appreciate and no doubt the ewes are happy to be sheared. It was a sunny day and we had a good time.