Happy Halloween

None of these were done by me but whomever did these is amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Happy Birthday, L&M Nana

Many years ago, when Nan was 4.5 years old, she came to me from Jodi Addis. The chance came up to get her so I jumped on it and she arrived and soon made herself as the Chief Door Guard, Bunny and Crow Chaser and my top Open dog.  She has been a tremendous dog and so willing to please me. She even takes my wrong commands and makes me realize that I had to step up to the plate. She is a Ferrari with speed to spare. She was bred by Laura Hicks and Joni Swanke-Tietjen.

 

Over the year, we became a team. We love each other and have become a good team. She has run at the Finals with me twice. We only went to the Finals on the west coast. She has won Open trials and gotten many points over the years. 

 

But most of all, she has wormed her way into my heart. She is funny, goofy and is quick to help work the chicken by barking at them. She thinks the chickens are beneath her so this is how she works them. She does the sheep chores for me.  She is a perfect house dog but hogs the bed. She loves to go for car rides.

 

I love this dog so much. She has taught me so much and helped me grow so much as a handler. She is not an easy dog to run, as she is powerful and quick. I struggled for the longest time until I realized the best way to run her, was to be quiet and soft. She changed me in so many ways.

 

 

At the post. She scans for the sheep, then looks at me and then leans forward. We have such a deep connection at the post.

 

Her eyes pierce into your soul and heart.

 

Wonderful shedder. This was on range ewes who were impossible to shed.

Holding her side at the Maltese Cross. She knows how to do this well. 

Super stylish.

 Pondering.

 



And some more after her run. 

She wears her heart on her sleeve.

 Her Christmas presents.

Moving the flock up the road to the other pasture.

Hanging out with Rigby. (RIP)

Happy Birthday to one of the most amazing Border Collies!

 

Happy Birthday to my beloved Nan!!

 

The other night

This happened to me....

Whidbey Island Sunday Results

Open was first and so was Nan. She was amped so I had to rein her in but she ran well. we didn't miss the second panel either. Nice outwork, nice post turn, lovely first drive and turn, then we swung high. Got back online, hit the panel and then to the pen. They didn't want in but she marched them in and they were twitchy. Called her in for the shed but she hesitated so the sheep folded back and we ran out of time. They were very hard to shed so you basically had one chance.

Maid ran towards the end and I got better hold of her. She was on their butt all the way to the fetch line but listen. Skimmed the panel, nice post turn and fist drive she was soft. They she must have hit a dead zone as she was slow to comebye so we were high on the cross drive. She spent of the her drive on the topside of the sheep, trying to make sure they didn't bust up the field and we skimmed the second panel. But she was listening well. We worked hard to inch them in and as I was closing the gate, she leapt forward, for what ever reason and they busted out. We re-penned but I guess they thought I hadn't closed the gate so we didn't get those points. She was well behaved after I corrected her for her grievous error in popping them out! But I was much happier with her as she was partnering up and much better than Saturday.

I left right after Open was done and got home with daylight. Did chores, took a hot shower and passed out on the couch. I guess the spouse had dinner and the girls were his dinner guests. The weather was bone chilling, wet and very cold so it sapped the energy right out of me.

Partial Scores for Sunday

This is all I have for now as I left right after Open was done.