Candy Raises the Bar

How was that?

I took a couple students and went to a fun trial that Candy Kennedy put on over the weekend. She called it "Bare Bones Trial," and it was. On her farm flock in her training field, it was desigend for younger dogs, and handlers who need trial experience. It was brilliant! Here's hoping Candy and company do it again soon.


This was a no frills effort intended to be fun, low key, no pressure. Just an opportunity to put some ground under nursery dogs, and further the efforts of novice and pro-novice handlers. Unfortunately, I don't see many trials like this in my area, and I really appreciate the fact that Candy saw a need, and set about filling it.

2nd time to the post

Mandy shown here with her imported Buff, ran in the pro-novice and made a great job of gaining experience on the trial field. This exceptionally talented dog is currently serving as my 2nd open dog, in addition to capably teaching Mandy the dog-trialing ropes. She loves him, I love him. We ask a lot, and he gives us his very best every time.

Maiden voyage

Remember Star? Jan owns him now, and this was not only their first trial together, but Jan's first altogether! It was nothing short of uplifting for me to watch my friend acheive an early goal of simply going to the post, and Star do everything he could to help her find success. Were they successful? Jan and Star closed the pen gate with a good score, and just how many of us can say that about their first time? Certainly not me! These two are a perfect couple, and no one is happier about that than I am.

Dexter, (shown here with Mandy,) and I had a relaxing weekend supporting our friends from the shady sidelines. I was happy to see new faces, and make some new friends. We all started under "bare bones" circumstances, every one of us, and, like an old friend used to tell me; "you gotta crack out some time."

Ram Tough

I was gone for a week to a dog trial. I had ewe about to lamb that I didn't want to leave home with the critter caretaker, so I took her up to my friend Karen in Ramona. She raises lambs too, and has been shepherding her small flock successfully for some time. I knew my first-lambing yearling would be in good hands.

This little guy is the result. Isn't he handsome? He should be. His mother is a well bred Border Cheviot crossed onto a strapping Wensleydale/Blue-Faced Leicester Ram . He has his father's ears, his mother's intelligent face, and I've been looking forward to this cross every since I bought the ewes and my ram as weanlings last year.

Karen said he was born the day after I dropped him at her place. I knew I was cutting it close. My friend came out the next morning, and there he was. Mother had cleaned him, he was up and nursing. Cheviots are known for easy lambing and superior mothering instincts. As you can see, the milk bar is full, and her baby is nursing vigorously. This pair is all I hoped for.

I haven't decided whether I'll castrate him, or leave him as a ram. I'll wait a bit and see how he develops in the next couple weeks. Of course, I would rather have had a ewe lamb to increase my breeding flock, but like human babies, I'm less concerned with the sex than I am with the baby's health. Look at him! He's healthy...and gorgeous.

Mother was happy to get home today. Turned out with her sisters, she introduced her new babe allowing the others to give him a sniff. Eventually, she would have no part of the other ewes touching her baby and gave a strong shove to anyone coming close. They got the message. The rules of engagement have been set.

Going Green

My beautiful Blue Face Leicester ram, Jethro, just loves the pulp that comes from my juicer. 

Jethro chowing down

But the nectar produced from juicing the veggies...now that I love. Seriously...I love it.

A little slice of heaven

This mix-shashimi consists of endive, red cabbage, spinach, sweet pepper, wedge of ginger, a carrot, and celery stalk, sprig of mint, a couple strawberries, and the special ingredient that makes it all taste amazing...1 half of a pear. This is as close as I come to cooking...

The goods

Jethro comes running when he sees me with the Tupperware container. He recognizes it now from a distance.

Detritus

If it weren't for the fence between us, my otherwise well-mannered Jethro would knock me down like a foxtail getting weed whacked. In the interest of personal safety, I fill his bucket from the outside and drop it over.

Enjoy big guy!

It's On Our Mind...

The 2012 United States Border Collie National Finals

Klamath Falls, Oregon

Somebody's Always to Blame

Please don't breed or buy while shelter pets die. In this country alone, we kill upwards of 3 millions dogs each and every year...and that's just the dogs.

Together we can stop the madness!