It was about a yr ago when I went to Wales for work. Then after a week of very intensive work, I took some vacation and went to Scotland to visit some dear friends of mine. ( Angie and Kelvin) They took great care of me and I had a blast. I will post a blog on that wonderful adventure later.

I came home with two puppies. They were picked up for and cared by Angie until I went home.

I named them Sava and Coll. Coll just recently went to a great home.

Sava and Coll in the creekbed at Angie and Kelvin place.

Sava.....aren't I cute?

Let me look for sheep

Her sire is Aled Owen's Roy. Roy just won the International last year. (Reg. No 266416). Roy's sire is Bob. (Reg. no. 224454)
http://www.aled-owen-sheepdogs.co.uk/dogs.asp

Her dam is Dot. Dot is a daughter of the other Roy. (Reg. no. 200199).

As you can tell, they are heavily bred Aled Owen lines.

Dot (dam)

I am keeping Sava. She has turned out to be a nice dog. Very full of herself and lots of push. But biddable but will push if she can get away with it. Nothing fazes her.

Sava is a nice working dog with lots of push. we got her down and square her flanks. She is willing to work with the handler but if you are weak, well.....you better work another dog!! She has a lot of talent and great balance. we love her stock sense and how well adapts to each new changing scenario

She turned a year old in April and I remember when she was a fat squirming pup. Now she is a lean machine.

Where's the BEEF!!

Tess has several pups that work cattle. One even ran at the USBCHA Cowdog Nursery Finals. One works on one of the largest cattle operation in eastern Washington. Another one works on a small cattle operation.

Coming in from the marsh across the bridge

So it is only naturally that Tess decided to do some cattle work. (At the age of 10, or almost ten) Last yr she worked the dog-broke calf and really enjoyed it. She would do heel or some head grips and great air snaps.

She just heeled the calf to make it trot

I gave her redirect and she took it. Notice she is using her tail as a rudder to turn. You can't see it but she was ready to grip the calf.

The calves that I have this year are not easy to work. They will turn and squash a dog rather quickly. Tess has not gotten squashed but she loves to get their respect. She doesn't do stupid gripping but places herself so the cattle will move off her.

Turned her head to avoid a possible kick

She will never be a top Open cow dog but she gets the job done. At her age, she will be just working the cattle on the farm. She reads the stock and knows where to be. I had her go out to the marsh and bring the 2 calves in.....

Turning the calf. You will see she is very determined.

Another redirect to turn the calf the other way.

Photographer is Wayne Seward,. Wayne will be coming out here for herding lesson with his dog. Thanks Wayne for the pixs!!

Horse grooming and pixs from Lori

TH MORGANA (ARABIAN MARE)

More work from Lisa and Lori of http://www.laurelhillsfarm.com/index.html

As I said before they do great work. I had her do TH Morgana so I can put her up for sale. She took her, washed, clipped, groomed, and set up and took pixs. She is wonderful as well as her sister, Lori!!

They pay attention to the fine details. I recommend them for horses as well as dogs. They line in Carnation, WA.

Interested in a nice horse?


http://deltabluez.com/ForSale.html

DeltaBluez Jade

Jade is a rough coat tri female puppy. Her sire is Tait and dam is Imp Peg. She is a real pistol and keeps you on your toes. She is a very tough pup and takes no prisoners. Tait is a smooth coat tri male and MINUS-10 on the good looks scale. However, he is one of the top Cowdogs in the USA. I got his from Scott Glen and ran him in sheep and cowdog trials. He can move anything and is very brave.

Peg is from the UK...brought over by Merion Jones. She ran in the Nurseries and did well. She is a very go-forward type of dog and has worked cattle and sheep. She has a lots of push and doesn't back down. So I bred Tait and Peg wanting a go-forward type of dog.

There were three pups in the litter. One went to Ron Green and one to Jamie Green. (not related) Both are very happy with their dogs. Jade was raised and got her puppy manners by Kathleen. She took her everywhere and got her socialized. She got her a good start in the round pen on sheep too. Kathleen did a wonderful job in puppy raising Jade. She is her God-mother!!

I have been working with Jade. She will take a mile if you let her and is fearless. Her flanks are nice and square (thanks Kathleen!!) and he rates her stock very well. She might not be the most biddable pup but I want a go-forward type of pup and that is what I got.

I really like Jade...she is a very sweet pup with a huge heart and tons of push. She still is a baby so she is just growing up and getting more manners and learning some basic sheep work. She is very talented on stock and I expect her to go far.

Short clip of Jade on sheep with Kathleen (July 2008)

Off to the groomers

Today was the day that Kodiak and Scott went to the groomers. Kodi since he liked to roll in cow poop and part of his fur was very matted. Scott went since his new coat was growing in. About 2 months ago, we discovered Scott was low on his thyroid and he got put on med. His coat was dry.

So today, Lori and Lisa came by and got Kodi and Scott. I was told by my Dr to take it easy so Lori and Lisa came to load up the dogs. Last time, I loaded Kodi I had to lift all 150 plus pounds of him into my truck and it was tough.

Then as I was explaining all of this to Lisa and Lori, Kodi just HOPPED into their SUV. No lifting just being perfect. Yep, Kodi, make me look like a fool!! Good move. I kept my mouth shut about Scott..no sense in putting the other foot in it!!

Scotty, of course hopped in like a trooper. I am sure he thought he was going to work sheep or cows as that is the only time he goes in a SUV, aside from the vet visits.

Guess what, no sheep or cow for Scott...but a great grooming. Lisa got his hindquarter matts off and had him all polished up looking quite nice. Got rid of his old coat so his new coat would come in better.

Apparently both dogs behaved themselves quite well. Kodi got his long dewclaws trimmed as well as his nails, all brushed out and all the matts gone and he was shiny, stunning white. He was gorgeous!! I hardly recognized him. His report card from Lisa was that he was a good boy when she really had to work his matts out. He was sheared in March but it was quick and not very good and since then he got huge matts on his legs and so forth. I am sure he was a real challenge for Lisa. He really needed it. I have had my dogs groomed before and by far, this was the best I have ever seen!!

Kodi before the grooming

Mr Handsome after the groming

Lisa brought the dogs home and Scott promptly jumped into the pond to swim after the ducks and ignored Lisa. After we turned Kodi loose, he ran into the pond. Goofy dogs, all that time Lisa spent on them and they have the audacity to jump into the pond within seconds of getting home

But that ok, as they both came out of the pond, a bit wet but you could see how great of a job she did. Maybe I can sign myself up to groom me....my long hair gets knotted up too!!

I am very thankful and appreciative of the stellar job she did. Not only did she bath, groom, de-matt, blow- dry, trim, combing, clipping she also loves dogs. I think she spoiled them while they were there.

In case, you want to get in touch with Lisa this is her website. I highly recommend her and some of the other dogs will be visiting her shortly.

In addition to dog grooming, she can prep/photo/full groom/flyers your horse for sale. She can also do a youtube clip. I am going to have her do Morgana, my Arabian since I need to sell her. Also horse and dog boarding.

Lisa also has very nice Aussies. They have been out to the farm to work sheep. They are solid, well built dogs and are very sweet.

Lisa's website!!

http://www.laurelhillsfarm.com/index.html

The dogs are happy and stunning with their new grooming jobs and Lisa is a Godsend!! Thanks Lisa for the great grooming!!