Well done young man!

Margaret and Kane

Wee young Sam doesn't want to go home.
And a few pix of my house dogs watching TV or sleeping on his back....Mr.Owen.



What a wonderful day! Sunny and hot finally!! The grass was almost as high as at Dirk's trial, not quite as thick but hard work for the dogs and sheep to get through. I wanted to work on Jayne's stop at the top but she took it without need for correction...so we had a pretty short session. I have posted some pretty poor shots of Owen...but it was only my second time ever to work him so....y'all have to bear with me and my baby boy. He is looking like an easy guy to work so far but we still have a long way to go. I haven't put much pressure on him as I'm wanting to partner up and bond on the sheep before I ask too much of him.

Tractor Factor! Louanne!

Farm Girls Rock on FarmTown!!!!!!! This post is for Louanne and all my FarmTown neighbors. LOL
Oh and the sheepdog content: Owen came home last weekend from Lee. I worked him this week at McLeods'. He did very well for his first time although I am not sure how well 'I' did. He will be a very different experience from my other dogs as he is not as far along in training but I think he will be an easier dog to work with. More updates coming later.
Thank you Barb Finegan of PA. for ordering and shipping my new hat to Canada. ;-)

On the River SDTrial

I went south across the border about an hour for this stunning site of a stockdog trial. This dairy farm is awesome for holding a trial and one of the best in the country according to judge Jack Knox. And we lucked out with good weather both Sat. & Sun. Dirk's sheep always challenge dogs and take advantage of every little weakness but when dogs are right, they respond in kind. The tall wet grass had us all flummoxed on Sat. - Open dogs as much as P/N and Nursery. The 6:45a start time was delayed at least 45 mins due to the heavy mist/fog that hid fetch and drive panels but when the sun rose it was burned off. However the early runs had pretty tough going - like me in run#3 - retired after a cross-over and not listening on the first drive leg. However the good handlers & experienced dogs like Gayle's Meg followed me with a top 5 run. But most of us got a better handle on things Sunday; I had the best run of our lives in Open with Blair - a 10th place with a 77 & no pen but only 3 points off our drive! The drive had been the nemisis of many runs all weekend; good dogs not able to push past the drive panel or stalling on the cross-drive - not hearing and retreating to instinct to head sheep and bring back to handler time and time again. Only 16 out of 36 runs got a score on Sat. and less than 6 got to the pen. So I was thilled with our Sun. drive - and too cool - only two other dogs had drives equal and both were Blair's littermates Ceri and Patch!
Nursery Jayne could not handle the big distance either day; her outruns were beautiful but things went to h@ll after that. As Jack said, I need to get a hold of her at the top! LOL Nursery started the day on Sun. and there were only two scores but both had timed out on the drive. My good friend, Jeff Marroni and Dusty's niece, Carmen won the class with Gayle and Leah 2nd.
I stayed over Mon. to watch the Double Lift and ended up using Dusty to hold the drop-off group of sheep from going to the exhaust if need be. Lucky for me, Jack said I could do it from the handlers' tent as it rained on and off throughout the day. So we only had to step out into the wet for a few mins. each run. ;-) As mentioned, this was one TOUGH double lift; there was no way dogs could see the second set of sheep in the tall grass. So it was pretty amazing that any dog got back there to find sheep! Due to the time that section took, everyone timed out in the shedding ring. Although Cheryl and Jett came SO close to getting their last split of three.....and Pearse struggled with a single left but came oh so just about getting her off as well.
Dirk & Sonya are putting on another trial at this location in July which should be outstanding with the hay off the field! This gorgeous dairy farm is one of the best sites for a trial in the PacNorWest; the trial field with a 500 yd. outrun was merely the center of two other fields on either side which could also allow similiar size trials. In addition there is another field of same size to the west parallel to this one! All of this borders the South Fork of the Nooksack River with trails and wide open places to run our dogs.
Some of the W.A.S.H. directors and handlers were talking to Dirk about the possibility of holding a training/fun day on this field some time this summer which would be an incredible opportunity to practice in such a great space. Keep eyes open for updates on that....
Check out Kristi's and Diane's great photos on; http://www.bordercollie.org/boards/index.php?showtopic=24206

But here are a few that I took Fri. evening just before sunset:

This past week

No pictures today but just at the ones on my last post and copy. Getting lots of work with the dogs in some pretty sweet weather. Even got a slight sunburn last Tues. working in McLeods' back field. Margaret and I took turns with our dogs while Rose and Bruce mucked out the barn. I collected a pocket full of golf balls that land over the fence from the Poppy Golf course out back.
Later that afternoon I visited BlockBros. and actually got my income taxes done before the end of the month! That was a first in many years - good thing I usually get a rebate.
Wed. night we went to Pam's big field again after work and were able to stretch everyone out some more. I was first to arrive so I took Dusty out by ourselves. The sheep were stuck on the fenceline and he wasn't inclined to speed around them so I left him to sort it out on his own. He followed them down the fence and out of sight around the corner while I walked straight out into the middle of the field. Sure enough, after a couple minutes he showed up with the sheep bringing them back up the field to me. So I took the opportunity to do some nice long driving all the way down the field. Then I called him off and we walked up to the top. I thought I would test his outrun distance by sending him 300+ yards. He went out with enthusiasm and handled it all quite nicely. I did some long drives, one more big outrun and called it quits. Rose had arrived and assumed that I was working Blair because of the distance(s). haha
Jayne also worked very nicely. She is settling in to the big space as if she always trains in it. She has some kind of outrun! Wow! Amazing when you consider most of our training is in 2 acres. I still need to work on getting into her head at the top when the distance is further but I feel confident that will come.
Thursday was back to the front field at McLeods'. Great weather - shorts and tank top every day. Finally got my lawn mowed for the first time this year - it was getting pretty high. With this nice hot weather and sun it is even filling in the 'mud' patches so I may not have to re-seed after all. Friday was HOT and so welcome! Friends from out of town arrived for dinner and an overnight visit before heading off to the Island for a a week's vacation. Nice to have company to cook for and visit.
Saturday the weather changed back to our more normal wet spring conditions although just a sprinkle here and there. We got back to Pam's field with just Lynda, Pearse, Pam and myself. The big crowd from the previous Sat. couldn't all make it for various reasons. I struggled with Dusty this time. You'd never know it was the same dog as Wed! I don't know what was going on with him but he was reluctant to take some flanks and it didn't seem to matter which side of the draw. But I decided to take the opportunity to force him to do as he is told regardless of how he feels about it. Which meant a fair bit of pressure. He was one pooped-pupper when we were done. Jayne did well again. I even had the chance to 'talk her through' calmly walking up the fenceline and bringing them off it without panic, bust & fly in. She is driving much further and without looking back at me so much. So slowly but surely I think we are progressing. It will be interesting to see how she handles Dirk's wily Scotties this weekend.
I had Lynda take the sheep out of sight around the corner at the bottom end while I walked Blair up to the top, hoping he might not see them come out. But he had them spotted the whole way and did a perfect outrun. That was about all I did with him as at this point all he really needs is conditioning. Dirk's trial will be a pretty big course and I haven't heard if they were able to cut the hay yet or not. It was pretty challenging last year.
Today I am busy filling out a passport application. I need to get it in asap or I won't be going to any trials in WA after June 1st! It is rather ironic that the majority of people who already have passports are ones born in foreign countries....more likely possible terrorist suspects than those of us Canadian born citizens who have been using our birth certificates/driver's licences for a hundred years. You would think in this day and age of computers that the border guards(Canadian and US) would have the technology to identify and record 'frequent flyers' like myself. I've been going back and forth across the same border crossing 10-20 times a year for the last 5 years. Now I have to fill out forms, go get a photo taken....which is going to be terrible because of course, I just got a hair cut last week and was freakin scalped! Then drive all the way(LOL) to Richmond and wait in line for God only knows how long. And pay $87 for the priviledge! Can you tell that I am still annoyed that the Hawks outlasted outplayed outwitted the Canucks 6 - 3 on Saturday? I am not a hockey fan. But if you are Canadian at this time of year and your team is in the playoffs, you become a fan(or you get booted out of the country passport or no). So I caught the tail end of game one due to getting home late after working dogs. Thought, yeah right here we go again; 3 unanswered goals in two periods of play.....but shock of shocks, a go ahead goal to win the game! Then Saturday....back down to earth. Who was that playing in Luongo's uni?

Sat. in the sunshine

Pearse and the handsome Riel.
me and Blair
There were 3 of my dogs, 2 of Lynda's and 4 of Pam's running and playing.
Pam throwing the 'frisbee' lid from the water pail.
When we are all done....the pack gets to play.
The 'parking lot' up on a little ridge behind us.
Kristi and Lou bringing in a group to be changed out. The west side of the field is a fairly busy street so we often see cars stopping to watch us working our dogs.
These girls are finished for the day and relaxing in one of the holding paddocks.
It couldn't have been a nicer day.
Jana working Blair with back foot frozen in mid-air. LOL
Blair waiting his turn with foot frozen in mid-air.
Kristi and Lou at the bottom of the field.
Pearse and Cal at the top.
zoomed in on where we hang out waiting to take a turn.
the corner of the field and in the trees they keep a small flock of sheep with guardian llama.
Looking up from the driveway entrance about 400 yards to the treeline.
This is the lovely field on the Heritage farm that our friend Pam hauls her sheep to on occasion. We had quite a large group of us on Sat. about 8 of us. This farm is one of the oldest in Langley and was once home to the foxhounds of the Fraser Valley Hunt Club. Their kennel sits vacant now as does the carriage house which has been made into living quarters. The original 'mansion' is still in the family but the various outbuildings are rented. But everything is kept in it's original state and one can envision what it was once like 100 years ago. It is a beautiful setting and place that one can only dream about.

Weekend Trial Update

Here are some nice photos from the trial; all taken by Kathy Williams of Spring Photography - http://springphotography.ca/ Kelowna, BC. Posted with permission.
The sheep were a mix of Lee's and Holly's flock which sometimes allowed for better shedding ie; I got a shed with Blair both days. ;-) Diana Gauthier's dog getting a well deserved pat after a good run. Gayle Cochlan showing us all how to pen. Not sure whose dog is on the fetch but you can see it is a good one as the sheep are relaxed and walking.
The weather was 10 degrees colder than forecast with some rain for the novice classes on Friday. Lee's husband, Brian kept us well supplied with firewood as we huddled around their oil barrel stove. As you can see from Louanne's pix on her blog. New Kelpie handler, Jerry kept us well entertained with his great sense of humor; meaning he took some serious ribbing in good stride. And he kept the stove filled with wood! Margaret's husband, Tony cooked up an awesome handler's dinner on Sat. nite....wow what a feast! And plenty left over for those who stayed over on Sunday night and were graciously invited in to eat at Lee's house.
The trial was well run and organized as usual by Lee Lumb with help from Holly Bruner as course director to keep things going at a good clip. Lynn Scwheb as always kept the paperwork and scribes up to date. I was lucky to scribe for judge, Ian Zoerb for the first class on Friday - Pro/Novice. He was a great judge and very informative, telling how and why points were coming off. I learned a lot....which you would think would help my runs but alas, despite knowing how tough he was on correct lines....
My fears about Jayne not being ready for Nursery proved unfounded. She handled the much much bigger distance with little problem. Sadly despite everyone else reading that she desperately wanted to go right during our first run, I set her up left which resulted in a cross-over at my feet. Me bad. If not for that, she would have had a qualified run placing 3rd out of 15 dogs. Second day we also got around the course and penned our sheep but without as good a fetch and not enough points to make it into top 3. The third day things went downhill a little; outrun was beautiful and fetch was pushy at the top but we just couldn't get them lined out on the drive. So knowing we were out of the running, I retired rather than see things go from bad to worse. We ended on a positive note. So all in all, I am pretty thrilled with my little miss. I got to work her again on Monday(gorgeous warm sunny day) and got some tips from Lee that should help. If I can remember to use them!
My Open runs with Blair showed some pretty low scores. Unusual for him, he crossed over at the top on our first run. Otherwise he worked awesome for me; taking every little flank, every steady, had nice pace and feel. He worked like that both days so I can find nothing to complain about with where he is at right now. However he has much to complain about his handler. I allowed him to be offline from my inability to judge it. I would like to have a clinic or lesson with someone standing at my shoulder, telling me whenever I am offline. Or perhaps a zap collar might have better effects. It is pretty pathetic when the dog will take every little command you give him, but you don't do it because you don't see it. Or perhaps don't give it for fear of dog not taking it. Trust my dog is something I should be doing as well. However it was fun and I am loving working my dogs so that is what is most important.
The usuals placed at the top including some of those pesky Albertans. ;-) The judge commented on the high standard of work exhibited by the novice handlers and dogs.
So am off today to work my dogs at McLeods' and hopefully put some of what I learned into practice. We have a little arena trial coming up this Sunday at a 'new' facility so that should be fun. Weather supposed to co-operate. My lawn needs mowing.

Wednesday Update

We're having gorgeous weather this week. I am sad to be sitting at home instead of working my dogs up in Vernon. But at least...got to work Blair & Jayne tonite at Pam's big field! Yay! Susan with Kyu and Lynda with Try & Lark came out as well. I sent Blair on a BIG outrun to the right first time and kept my whistle silent. Let him do all the work on his own.....nice job Mr. Wonderdog. lol Very happy with him at this point. Thinking and pacing himself, holding the pressure well...just plain good work for what anyone would expect on a farm. Second time, I sent him left...draw was to the right....and weird...he overflanked big time at the top. As if he didn't even see the sheep. I blew a stop and re-directed him back on an away, which he also over-flanked! Too strange. I asked Pam who was setting if she saw anything but no. However once he lifted, he had another real nice fetch. Beautiful. If only in a trial.....maybe I should just keep shut up when I run him in competetion as well as training? This is truly one dog that deserves a better handler. I am so in awe of him and so grateful that he came into my life. He has taught me SO much it is beyond description.
Being in the courtesy car, I could only fit two crates. So only other dog to come with tonite was Jayne. She was the main reason I went...had to see what she would do in a bigger space, sent on a proper Nursery-length outrun. I walked up the fetch line but she wasn't too bad. Did not take a real good steady coming around but hitched a little at balance. Then steadied up on her own on the fetch kinda nice. Can't expect more when we don't get to work in those bigger spaces. So I am more confident that perhaps I won't have to leave the post on Fri. at the lift. :-) She did some driving with lots more confidence = less looking back at me and going further. Takes her flanks like a champ - beautiful, giving, lots of distance. She is a little like a blend between Blair and Dusty. She has Dusty's clean flanks and gorgeous deep wide outrun but with Blair's BTTW speed and attitude. And I just love the way she looks at me like I am her GODDESS...the one who takes her to sheep...finally a big deep bond is happening between us. I am loving 99% of her off stock..everything except the yappy bouncing rabbit who is let out the door/kennel who can't contain her excitement with the thought of other kennel mates running into the yard. grrrr!
Didn't work Dusty tonite or enter him in the trial. Finances prevent taking the chance on him...just not worth it. But will still work and keep training him but have to pick/choose trials that I think will be successful for him...or too much for Jayne. Hopefully will give him another shot at the Crocker/MacDonalds' week. But our dollar sucks again and with the major truck repair bill....he may just get set out work. Martha keeps telling me that I just need to get into his head and impress my will upon him, that regardless of how worried he feels, he should do as he is told. Tough job for an overly careful-lacking confidence kinda boy. But we're chipping away.....building slowly. I absolutely love working with him so the trials are not so important. I know deep down about his value as a good working farm dog. Plus the bottom line in my house is that these dogs are my pets&companions first - they get to 'work' as much as I can provide but relatively pretty minimal compared to dogs who live on sheep farms. However they are pretty happy satisfied dogs at the end of the day.
Wish I could have taken pix tonite...it was pretty. But my camera is in my trailer sitting on the repair shop lot in Chilliwack.
Got the run orders and work shifts from Lee tonite: I get to scribe for all of the first P/N trial on Fri. Yay! Will hopefully learn some tips for Jayne's Nursery run. HUGE entry at this trial! Biggest in BC for sure and maybe some in Alberta....got entries from WA., AB and most everyone in BC. Almost 50 runs in Open, 14 in Nursery! Plus about 11 N/N runs and over 30 P/N runs. Needless to say we are starting at the crack of dawn each day!
Jayne runs mid-pack on Fri. Yay! But starts first on Sat. following Open....hmmm not sure about how that will go. But runs mid-pack again Sun. am so that is good. I don't know that they have ever had this many dogs entered in Nursery in BC? We won't be looking to win/place/show but just hoping not to look out of place at this point. Nice to have so many dogs...we can blend in and be forgetful. LOL