BCxFour

I Miss this Face

2012-01-27T14:52:00.000-08:00

Just 12 more days till I get to see how far she has come with DD training.

And most importantly squeeze her squirmy little body and kiss her on the head.

I have missed her sunshine & happiness. Thinking about it makes me teary.

TMT 2012 #4

2012-01-26T22:22:00.000-08:00

1. How do you search for and then choose a trainer?

We are fortunate to live in an area where many trainers visit frequently. When I first started in this 'voyage' I made a common mistake and scheduled with every trainer that came through the area. My brain was overwhelmed with an agglomeration of conflicting training methods. My obvious lack of knowledge left me unable to differentiate which method would better serve me or my dogs. The over kill of information left me dazed and confused.

It all came to a head when I walked out on a clinic, drove home in tears and vowed to buy back yard agility equipment.

Later I attended a clinic with Patrick Shannahan and through him I met Dianne Deal who clicked for me...that was almost three years ago.

When looking for a new trainer, pick one, work with them for a while - give it a few sessions. Then ask yourself a few questions:

Do you feel comfortable or intimidated?
Are you able to learn from them or do they leave you confused?
How does your dog work when with them? Does your dog shut down?
Do you like the way they treat your dog and livestock?
Do you feel listened to? Are your concerns addressed?
Do they help you focus on goals and give you homework?
Are you moving forward?

2. The dog world is small and... uh... talkative. After choosing a trainer how do you handle those people in your life who don't believe in that trainer/trainers methods and criticize them to you?

I will consider the input. Take what I want and then dismiss the rest. It is much easier said than done, but everyone has an opinion. I am comfortable with the direction we are heading in right now, not much is going to sway me from that path other than my own experiences.

3. Do you believe that a person's personal life should influence your choice of a trainer? (i.e do you believe a person's choice to be a party animal outside of work would affect your choice?)

Every person needs to work in their own comfort zone. To each their own. I do not judge or dismiss someone simply because their personal choices are out of alignment with my personal value system.

Regarding the example of a possible trainer being a party animal: I know if I drinking heavily I am not able to function well the next day. If I am paying money at a clinic for someone's advice and then see them out drinking themselves blotto the night before, the next day they are hungover at the clinic, or they are actively drinking while teaching the clinic....I am going to have a wee bit of an issue with that.

Bottom line, it is your money, you have the right to chose whomever you are comfortable with. It is a personal decision, but if you do use information about a trainer's personal life in the decision making process consider it may be based on nasty gossip. Go to the source and ask if you have any questions.

4. When you have a break through moment with your dog, do you feel that moment makes your connection stronger with that dog and makes the next step in training easier?

I have a break-through moment almost daily, retaining them and building on them is the challenge. I don't think a particular break-though 'moment' is going to make my connection to my dog any stronger. It might aid in understanding - but won't change our connection.

5. Do you stick with just one trainer, or do you go to multiple sources for help?

I started with too many trainers. Narrowed it down to one (Dianne Deal) and now that I am more grounded and understand things better I am able to take a lesson with Scott Glen when he is in town. Instead of feeling confused, I am able to find the common ground and apply what will work best for me and my dog...then build on it. The great thing is Dianne encourages me to work with him too.

RangerBall

2012-01-24T20:00:00.000-08:00

Last week it was so cold we had dogs stuck to fire hydrants all over town.

But not Ranger, he was out doing his duty, preventing jolly ball tyranny.

"Jolly Balls are nuttier than squirrel turds if allowed to run free."

"This darn ball is slicker than a harpooned hippo on a banana tree."

"I think I got it."

"Lemme hold it a bit till I get my teeth sunk in."

"Darn thing is slippery as snot on a door knob."

"Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit, I got it!"

"OOmph, tripped..."

"Yep, I am sharper than a cue ball."

"Ball Mayhem has been averted."

"I WIN! "

Snow Sucks

2012-01-23T20:09:00.000-08:00

I have had my fill of this white crap.

I certainly hope you do not expect me to work in this sh*it.

It is not in my contract.

You ask me to do a damn thing in this COLD there better be plenty of Bacon forthcoming.

Get the white crap off my ball!

This is some f'ed up sh*t. (News Flash: Beth does not like the snow.)

Get off and STAY OFF my ball!

My ball, no white crap allowed.

Unless it is Bacon Flavored.

(Beth has a potty mouth, sorry, she picked it up from Camera Face.)

Cleaning Up

2012-01-22T21:00:00.000-08:00

I am unsure if I will be able to lift my arms ever again. My back hates me too. Picking up large limbs, hefting them over a fence reminds you of muscles you forgot and the vital importance of using proper body mechanics while lifting. I imagine Monique & her husband are not faring much better.

See that pile?

Let me clarify, there is a pile in the front. AND a large pile in the back.

The piles are a big dent in the debris. Just the big stuff we could easily grab for now. The rest will take days.

Much of it is still buried under 12-18 inches of ice that had fallen off the trees above - I believe we have just scratched the surface. The ice is slow to melt and seems to be hiding a lot of large branches.

Many of these branches are 20-30 feet long.

It is overwhelming. All of the green on the ground is debris that fell off the trees. The small sticks can be painful for the sheep to step on - a few of the ewes are foot sore from trudging through the mess. Eventually it will all need to be raked up and removed.

The sheep are helping out.

They're doing their best to lighten our load, fill their stomachs & scratch their heads on branches.

Smart sheep.

Jim has settled down a bit. He quit shaking and is dry.

His sense of humor survived the storms intact. As you can tell from the next shot. The stinker is shaking a pine branch at my iPhone as I try to take his picture.

Enjoy the food girls, eat as much as you can stand. I hear that pine needles are also a natural parasite repellent, eat up!

After this pasture is cleaned up, we need to head down to the lower pasture where actual trees have fallen. But right now it is flooded and still a snowy slushy mess.

One day at a time.

Win/Win : We wanted to bring in a couple loads of wood chips to help with mud control. Now all we need to do is rent a chipper. It is a nice way to get something good out of Mother Nature pressing the reset button.

Disturbing news of the Day: The property owner fired off a few shots at a sizable coyote on the other side of the fence today. It was approaching from the side where the neighbor from hell was evicted.

If these sheep survive at least we will know they are hearty. New farmers, winter hell, rouge dogs, and now a coyote. *sigh*

Recovery

2012-01-20T21:23:00.000-08:00

We are recovering from a massive snow & ice storm. Our power just came back on and of course I had to immediately fix my blog.

Like an idiot I forgot to renew my domain name. It is all fixed now.

Now to start cleaning up after the storm.

To give you an idea

Our willow in the back yard as the snow started.

Our willow this morning after two days of ice build up from freezing rain on top of the existing snow.

Most of the trees in our yard suffered the same fate. Many had one to two inches of ice built up on the branches. They can only support that weight for so long then they snap.

The ice is devastating.

We have been unable to get out of our town and travel to the pasture we keep the sheep. The land owner has been refilling their water and keeping an eye on things. for us & updating me daily. Finally this afternoon we were able to get there.

The pasture where we keep or sheep is divided into two major parts. The night pasture where they are fed and sleep, then the lower 10 acre section where they graze. They have free access to both and are able to move freely back and forth. The night pasture has a four stall timber shelter that they have constant access to. We built a shelter out of hog panels, arched over, covered with heavy tarps along the fenceline for hay storage.

The sheep have been dodging branches as they have fallen from the old growth firs due to the ice build up the past three days (on top of the 12-14 inches of snow already on the ground). They chose to stay directly next to the trunks in the night pasture and remained relatively safe, albeit wet and cold. There is evidence of blood in the snow, when it is safer to get into the pasture (dodging branches and ice still falling) I will be able to look them over better. I do not know for sure if an ewe has been injured, feet are bloody from branches and ice or a ewe has been injured in some other way. Last count we were missing a ewe - unless we miscounted - I pray we did.

When we left this afternoon I had opened up the hay storage and let them all into that shelter. They have that hay & orchard grass and what is left of the round bale. The next day will be bringing a significant wind storm to the Enumclaw Plateau. Send your prayers that they stay safe. If I could bring them home and put them in my back yard I would.

In this picture you can see some of the sheep along the fence line away from the trees. Most of them have taken shelter under the 'hoop' building. The ground under the trees is covered with massive branches and debris from old growth trees above.

Another view. The area under the trees is normally open, clean and free of any brush. Everything you can see under there now has fallen in the past couple days.

The shelter in the back next to the blue green vehicle is their timber framed building the sheep did not go into for some reason.

It could be worse. Actual trees could have fallen. The round thing you see in the middle is a round bale. Gives some reference for the size the trunk of the tree is next to it.

As we were leaving John snapped this picture of the Jim the Llama finally taking cover in the hoop building. When we arrived today he was shaking so badly I thought his teeth would fall out. The sheep are all very shell shocked.

I am praying we do not lose lambs. I thank our Heavenly Father that more of the ewes were not injured. I cannot imagine what it has been like for them the past days, it brings tears to my eyes. I feel badly complaining about no electricity when they were dodging huge chunks of ice and timber as it fell from the sky.

We are so blessed to live in the comfortable modern world we have surrounding us. Very blessed indeed.

Domain Down - Blog Still Here - Brought to you by a Dingbat

2012-01-18T17:11:00.000-08:00

My domain name went down today. Because in my infinite wisdom and firm grasp of the obvious - I forgot to renew my domain name. Ooops.

It is fixed and should be publishing on www.bcxfour.com again in the next 24 hours or so, unless I messed it up again. Which is highly likely.

All my content is here, just not being seen on the www.bcxfour.com domain. I switched the blog off of the custom domain name and back to Blogspot hosting which restored it.

Don't change links or anything, everything will be functioning again soon.

Death of a Dust Creature - Redux

2012-01-16T23:06:00.000-08:00

While hoovering this afternoon I had cause to remember this post. And because I am too lazy to process pictures after working dogs in the snow this morning I decided to repost this.

We used to get dust bunnies in our house.

Thankfully, Ranger waged a carefully orchestrated campaign which saw to a complete & swift eradication of the dreaded Dust Bunny.

He was ruthless.

None were spared, mercy was not extended.

Forthwith, Ranger claimed victory.

Now we have a new infestation Ranger is helpless to overcome. He lacks those special border collie instincts allowing him to work livestock. Bunnies were the extent of his talent.

"These new dust creatures SCARE ME!"

"Make them go away!"

Ranger, have no fear! Bonnie is near!

The dreaded Dust Bunny has mutated, evolved to a creature more fitting to a home of Border Collies.

The Dastardly Dust SHEEP!

Bonnie spots the Dust Sheep and immediately goes to work...she investigates.

Takes it down in one fail swoop!

A moment to cover all possible escape routes...she moves in for her next assault.

Brynn watches from the side, ready to lend her support at a moments notice.

It is done.....the Dust Sheep has met it's fate....all that remains is a small pile of its former dustiness.

Brynn do you have anything you want to share with our readers? Anything we were unable to see outside of the view of the camera?

"Yes, I do....they all need to know that Camera Face is shat bit crazy."

Well, okay, then....That concludes our special coverage. Thank you for reading.

Random Prattle

2012-01-15T21:46:00.000-08:00

Mt Rainier was displayed in all her glory during sunset the day before yesterday.

A cold front with snow was moving in from the gulf of Alaska which finally brought winter to our neck of the woods.

I have nothing of import to say. Not that I have anything important to say any time I write a post. Most of the time I just slap together some drivel so I can share pictures. Like this one.

It is funny how I go through phases with each dog. Some days Beth drives me insane, other days I adore her to pieces. This week has been good. As long as I align my expectations with reality we get along just fine.

Vicki brought her dogs out to work this last week, and we were able to get some great shots. There is nothing better than shooting in the winter afternoon light, it brings so much drama to pictures, the warmth & low angle of the sun lights up the eyes beautifully.

Vicki's dog Jynx bringing the sheep across the field. I have been having oodles of fun experimenting with lighting. This is one of my favorite angles to shoot in our field with the setting sun low on the horizon & reflecting off the pond in the pasture across the lane. Lens flares are fun. Now if I can just figure out how to process these shots to best accent their drama. Presently I am doing nothing other than a crop.

Of late, my goal has been to do as little processing as possible. If I can just do a crop and a quick adjustment for color or exposure I feel like I have hit the lottery. I am struggling a bit with the noise my camera produces in low light - perhaps it is an excuse to purchase a new camera? Hmmmm? Alas, one needs money for that.

Where is my winning lottery ticket?

The sheep are happy and ready for snow with fresh straw in their stalls & shelter, a new round bale and heated water tank. Today Monique and I wormed everyone. I am grateful to my co-op partner, Monique. Her spirit and positive attitude makes even mundane chores fun.

After we completed chores, I had a chance to photograph Monique's dogs Lucy & Rye working in the snow. Can't wait to dive into processing those.

I love the way Lucy matches the winter grasses.

Lucy is one of my favorite dogs to photograph. She presents a challenge to get her eyes in the light. She has a serious work ethic and is focused solely on the sheep with her eye lids half mast most of the time. Watching Monique & Lucy work is like watching a delicate dance, the epitome of teamwork. I aspire to have a relationship with my dog like Monique has with Lucy.

Last night I was processing photos from an photoshoot of a gorgeous couple and their two dogs. There was an unsightly dark area on this one shot. It was driving me nuts. After trying several things to remove it with no result, it dawned on me it was a dog slobber smear on my monitor.

Apparently I need new glasses.

Have not heard back from the insurance company about reimbursement on my camera gear and other items taken during the burglary. I am keeping my fingers crossed we will get a $ figure this week so we can begin to replace everything. The kids have been missing the Wii.

Life is good, at least Brynn thinks so.

Bad iPhone shot of Brynn with Grace snuggled up on the couch watching TV.

The Zone

2012-01-14T22:14:00.000-08:00

Eons ago I was active US Air Force, nurse corp stationed overseas where I flew on med-evac among other things. I learned to work without emotion in high pressure situations. Times where you had to rely soley on your training, no thinking things over, just do ... quickly, without hesitation. If you react with emotion in a scenario that requires split second decisions - lives can hang in the balance.

I referred to that place you go mentally when you need to detach and just do your job as the 'zone'. Being in the zone is a good thing and allows you to perform your job proficiently, accurately and safely.

To get to the 'zone' you need countless hours of training. The training facilitates the ability to shut off the emotional reactions and work on autopilot & muscle memory.

It is a skill well learned by soldiers, officers of the law, medical personnel and other people who work in jobs that require that type of emotional detachment.

I left medicine years ago, because I lost the ability to shut myself off emotionally from the patients - I could not get into the 'zone'. I was freezing when I needed to 'just do'. I cared too much, brought work home with me. Found myself laying awake at 3 am wondering about patients and/or their families. I eventually moved from direct patient care to academia where I was able to utilize & immerse myself in a love for teaching & writing. Overtime, canned curriculum, the students & politics drove me batty. My heart was not in it...I skipped around through administration & the medical insurance side of things, eventually getting out of the medical field entirely.

What does this have to do with dogs? Well... if you follow my convoluted train of thought, it has everything to do with it.

Somewhere along the line I lost my ability to get into the 'zone'.

I have identified how I have the lack of ability to differentiate between myself and my dog's work/score. If we do poorly, then I suck as a person. Slowly I am getting past that, it will be along process, but I am cognizant of it now and can begin to stop that thought process before it starts.

What I really need to learn how to do is get back into the 'zone' during training and especially at a trial.

No emotion, just work.

See it & do it, let it go.

Like our dogs do.

They live in the moment.

They are instinctively in the 'zone'

If things do not go the way they anticipated, they do not react emotionally, blame the sheep, the set out, their handler. It just 'was'. No biggie.

They will, however react to our emotional state - through our voice, manner, energy or projections.

If I can get into the zone, hopefully I can control my reactions and emotional projections.

On the trial field there is no time for emotional responses. My dog is certainly not thinking "The sheep are pointing and laughing at me!"

Although I believe they are pointing and laughing at ME many days.

Seriously though. My dog sees the sheep moving in one direction, she steps that way to hold the pressure, she does not question their motives, think through any possible consequence, wonder if anyone is laughing about the size of her ass, then blow the whistle followed by doubting what she just did.

No emotion, just work.

No second guessing, just doing.

She loves her job and has fun doing it.

Brynn is at home in the 'zone', as long as I allow her to do her work without throwing all my emotional junk on the field.

Hopefully with enough training, practice and confidence under my belt, one day I will join my dog in the 'zone'.

52 Weeks of Beth

2012-01-13T00:35:00.000-08:00

It was a hard choice. Who was I going to pick for my 52 weeks project this year?

Ranger was my first 52 Weeks Project throughout the year of 2010.

As you all know, Bea was my subject last year to document her growth.

This year I had to decide. Beth, Brynn or Bonnie?

Bonnie was tempting. Her freckles and personality combine to make her a joy to photograph. I can pose her on anything and she has a perpetual smile on her face.

Her expressions make me smile.

I dare you not to laugh at her Hyena Face.

This is her WTF were you thinking face.

As much as I love Brynn, she was my last choice. I have thousands of pictures of her. She is the dog that goes everywhere with me, so it stands to reason she would be the subject of more than her share of photographs.

That leaves Beth.

She is the oldest and and the least photographed of all my dogs. She is a challenge to shoot because of her dark face and dark brown eyes. The trick with Beth is to make sure the light is on her face and lighting her eyes. Then you can get the full googly eye, bat-eared Beth effect.

1/52 Beth

Canon EOS 7D, Lens Canon EF 135mm f/2L

Aperture: f/3.5

Shutter Speed: 1/640

ISO: 1250

Processing: only a slight crop & cross process

The above shot was relatively easy to obtain. She was tired from diving in the river and playing fetch, thus willing to stay in one place and actually lie down. I held the ball over my head, my camera in the other hand, kneeling on the ground and snapped this shot. The light was low in the horizon, under a thick cloud cover, which is why I had to use a f/3.5. I learned long ago to NEVER shoot a picture of Beth under 1/640. Even her tongue moves fast. I let my ISO decide for me & it compensated without too much noise. I think the picture captures Beth perfectly, especially the dirt on her nose, just a few seconds before her tongue was covered with grass and dirt too. For such a fastidious little dog she sure gets messy when playing fetch.

This week is...

2/52 Working Beth

Camera: Canon EOS 7D

Lens: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

Aperture: f/8.0

Shutter: 1/1000

ISO: 640

Processing: crop to remove ugly sheep butt bokeh in corner, levels adjustment to brighten a bit, unsharp mask, & ever so slight vignette

Beth is a hard worker, in this picture she had brought the sheep and was flanking wide to push the sheep around me to start a drive across the field to the gate. She puts her entire heart into pleasing me.

This year I decided to stop trialing her, as a result she is working better than ever. The pressure is off and now she does daily chores with a purpose. She is a much happier dog working on her own sheep doing predictable chores in a field she knows well.

We were blessed with an amazing golden late afternoon light - which lit up her eyes perfectly. I had to crop the picture down to remove the blurry unattractive sheep butt - I think it works...it seems to enhance the movement with a little bit of motion blur on her front paw.

I shot this on my knees in the middle of the pasture with 6 Border Leicester ewes doing their best to knock me over. Needless to say you risk life and limb to capture the perfect shot. Not only do you have to watch what you are doing with the camera but you need to ensure you are not trampled to death. Sheep do not respect the power of a Canon.

Silly woolies.

Jim & Sheepy Rambling

2012-01-10T23:59:00.000-08:00

After the dreary rainy days the blue skies and picturesque view of Mt Rainier was a welcome site today.

Mt Rainier from Enumclaw, WA

Jim is perking up since loosing Mama. We were a bit late getting to the pasture today and he was not impressed. Jim was waiting in the hay shelter, talking in his llama language "It's about time you got here!"

Doesn't he have the cutest smile?

Some how he has figured out that I am doing something with my phone, and it involves him and looking handsome. I swear he is posing.

Llamas are innately curious creatures. Jim leans in for a close up. I yanked my phone away right before he tried to eat it.

Nice look you have going on there Jim.

He enjoys his orchard/timothy grass.

Jim is an attention hog.

John has a routine with Jim. It involves food and lots of scratching.

Scratching the neck, the back, the ears. Jim sucks it up.

We have worked hard at getting him used to being handled.
His antics are an endless source of giggles.

Tulip, one of my first ewe lambs has grown into an incredible pest.

I have NO idea why.

She quite resourceful. Eating the grass off the backs of the other sheep.

She is too cute for her own good. While she is adorable, I will not be buying any more hair sheep. Tulip and her mother Daisy are it. Obviously their lambs will be primarily for meat. They do not have a place in my breeding program, other than I have them and will give them a good life. Unless Tulip sucks as a mother...in that case she will be downgraded to the 'working' group until she is culled.

This is Esther, one of the 4 registered Romneys from Bullock's. She believes she must shove her entire head into the feeder and eat from the other side.

She is the biggest ewe we have. Her head is massive - as you can see compared to the clun forest ewe on the right & the katahdin/dorper on the left.

She feels she must put her entire front end into the feeder, feet and all.

My favorite ewe lamb, Baby - the brown rambouillet has been growing leaps & bounds. Her fleece is amazing & I already have a buyer for it after shearing. I have several people who want the Border Leicester fleece too, although I am not sure what the condition will be in. I have learned a lesson with the feeder - I need to make sure next year to not feed them in a way they can get the food in their fleece. I am putting coats on several of them next year to protect the fleece. I plan on spinning much of it myself.

I might have to change Baby Behemoth's name to Sweetheart. She has a perfectly shaped heart on the top of her head.

The farm where I bought Baby/Sweetheart has offered me her father and aunt for sale. I am not able to take on the ram at this time, but he is a very handsome black rambouillet. Baby's mother and aunt are natural colored ewes. I am considering purchasing her aunt, who will be lambing in March. This entire flock has done very well in the wet climate here in the PNW, absolutely no sign of foot rot or other issues ramboillet's can have in a wetter climate.

This is Piglet and Maimie. Two columbia/rambouillet ewes. Can you tell which one is Piglet? Hint, she looks like a pig.

At feeding time I like to walk around behind them to check their weights and other things. The other day I was able to trim all the dingleberries off the backside of the Border Leicester ewe lamb and she didn't even notice. So much less stressful than penning them and flipping them.

At this time it looks like we will be lambing out 21 ewes & all the anticipated lambs are spoken for. We were also offered a couple neighbor pastures to graze at no charge, I can easily trail the sheep back and forth, they just want help keeping the grass down. Once I get a trailer we have several options for hauling sheep out to work on large fields near-by. Yeah!

I'm loving our life. Living my dream. What could be better?

Mr. Q

2012-01-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

Anyone remember this little guy?

We met him back in Oct 2010 when he was just a wee busy puppy.

His name is Q.

He lives with Erica & Randy Gordon at his home in Walla Walla. Shortly after we met Q and told a story about him on this blog post "Puppy Attack" he became extremely ill. Erica was beside herself with worry. Later after many trips to WSU they had a diagnosis. Canine Myasthenia Gravis

A year filled with much love and care brought Q from a sick little puppy to a grown dog ready for sheep camp with Dianne Deal. Parting with Q, leaving him with Dianne was a massive step for Erica. She missed him dearly every minute he was gone. But the time was well spent for them both.

Q is back home with Erica now. She picked him up before the holidays. While going through the pictures I shot of Dianne working dogs when we were in Idaho I found a series I shot of the handsome Mr. Q during one of his training sessions with Dianne.

He has grown up. Puppy stalking.

Grown Q working

He is a handsome young lad.

Just starting to learn his new job.

Fast & zippy, with just a hint of puppy hanging on.

Going through these pictures made me chortle with delight

You can almost hear him saying "OMG must turn....NOW!"

"Watch them watch them watch them"

"What was I doing?"

"Go this way RIGHT NOW!"

"NO! The other WAY!"

"What are my feet doing?"

"I'm gonna 'neak up on 'em"

"They can't see me, cuz I am invisible"

"How low I can go?"

"Weeeeeeeeeeeee."

"Neener Neener Neener!"

"I work better with my tongue out."

"Dont mess with the mighty Tongue Dog, stupid woolies!"

"Whew, I am tired"

"Let me at 'em again, they are gettin' away!"

"I got em!"

"Slippery devils..."

"I wonder what they taste like?"

"Dianne loves me."

We all love you Q-Bert.

52 Weeks of Bea

2012-01-09T04:15:00.000-08:00

One year of Bea. Watch her grow up. Enjoy.

Click here to go directly to 52 Weeks of Bea Set on Flickr

Click here to go to Slide Show on Flickr (LARGE PICTURES)

Stay here and click below to see slide show (small pictures)

(I had to do a big of fudging to cover the last couple weeks of the year since she is at Dianne's for training. Three weeks have two pictures.)

Next up...52 Weeks of Beth

Miss Kate

2012-01-08T19:32:00.000-08:00

Miss Kate is owned by Vicki Romero. She recently purchased her from Diane Pagel. Kate is a litter-mate to Bonnie Block's handsome Bob Robert. She is out of Bonnie Block's Ellie Mae x George MacDonald's Nap.

A week before I took Kate & Bea to Idaho for sheep camp with Dianne Deal, Vicki brought Kate over for a test run. She already had a good foundation put on her by Diane Pagel and was going to Dianne Deal for fine tuning.

Kate is a little firecracker.

She was fun to photograph as she went bounding across the field.

She has a nice feel for the sheep.

She figured out Miss Piggie, the surely Columbia-Rambouillet ewe, that feels it is her job to turn on any dog that gets to close to her butt.

Move on Miss Piggie.

Did I mention she was fast?

... and pretty.

Whooosh, there she goes. Four off the floor.

Fast, but sensible.

Kate has been staying with Bea at sheep camp. Vicki & I are going to Idaho to pick the girls up in February, and to run our dogs at the El Presidente trial.

I am anxious to see my Miss Beatle. I bet she is even more anxious to see Kate since she did not have much time with her before she went to Idaho.

My guess, Kate is having the time of her life.

(Above picture shot by Kelsey Nichols in Idaho)

Oooooh we are going to have oodles of fun with these two!

Beatle Bea Update

2012-01-07T20:35:00.000-08:00

Yeah! A bright spot in a tough week. Kelsey Nichols shot several pictures of my little Miss Beatle Bea.

She has been settling into Orchard Run sheep camp nicely. The first few weeks were tough on her as she came into standing heat which restricted her free time.

She does not look pleased.

These few pictures darn near ripped my heart out. I felt like she was gazing into the camera saying "COME GET ME!"

Common sense prevailed, I was able to get a hold of my overly sensitive canine mind reading skills, reminded myself that all kids scream and want to come home the first couple weeks of summer camp.

Updates came in from Dianne. She was putting the foundation on Bea, getting her listening, hooked & building their relationship. Flanks were looking good, the away side was showing to be a bit tight, so Dianne was focusing on that.

The next set of pictures that came Christmas week from Kelsey made me smile. Not such a scared little face this time. More interested in what was going on around her.

This may sound silly. I was worried about her being warm enough. Bea's main environment has been indoors. She goes out to play, hang out & what not, yet spends the majority of her time in a nice warm house.

I left her in a crate at Dianne's with her thick quilted Sherpa blanket and a cushy, soft dog bed - so she would be warm in Idaho's frigid temperatures.

I am certain all the other dogs were jealous of her luxurious bedding. That was my objective, don'tcha know. Dianne said I could leave the bedding but she drew the line when I suggested hanging curtains, installing a heat lamp and a relaxing water fountain. Apparently Dianne believes she should have curtains in her own house before the dogs are allowed to have them in their crates.

Go figure?

Actually the accommodations are rather nice at Dianne's. All of the dogs are crated indoors at night. During the day they have run of the dog yards when not being worked. The dog barn never drops below 40 and Bea would have acclimated well - the bedding was for my comfort. I can see in the pictures her coat looks gorgeous and thicker than it was when I left her.

The last update I received: Dianne was continuing to work on squaring up the away side, lengthening her out, and started driving. She said Bea has the right amount of eye and is learning to use it well. She has been working her on a group of 20 lively Shetland sheep to keep things interesting. Bea is fitting into the group well and Dianne is very happy with her.

A couple of days ago a whole new set of pictures came from Kelsey, which put a big grin on my face.

There is my girl.

Bea reminds Dianne of Bett (Bea's mother) in looks, mannerisms and sweetness.

Dianne told me Bea really wishes she would learn her name and stop calling her Bett. Bea tells Dianne repeatedly that she is NOT her mother.

There is the confident mischievous little Bea I know.

Dianne said happy little girl that wants to please and is fun to work. Dianne's approach is to not push her, just work her and move along at a casual pace. There is no hurry & I am good with that. No reason to rush her, she has a long happy life ahead of her. I would rather things were slow, then maybe I will have a chance to catch up with her and be the type of handler she deserves.

Someone please please please send me a video! I am about to go out of my mind!

Death & Dying: Good Bye Mama

2012-01-06T23:47:00.000-08:00

There are many people out there that think I am nuts. They are correct.

And you know what? I am okay with that. Some things you just have to take a stand on, regardless of others opinions.

Last year I watched a person (I use that term loosely) do something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. They showed me by example what I NEVER want to do, or be.

This person had a old ram for years. The ram even had a name. One day this ram went down in the pasture & was unable to get up. He was thrown into the back of the truck. Driven all over hell and high water, then down a very bumpy farm road. He was completely aware & conscious. I watched his head bang into the bed of the truck over and over. He lay there scared and helpless.

We got to where we were driving, this person backed the truck up to the 'dead animal pit' on an old farm. Dropped the tail gate, pulled the ram to the edge, draped his head over the side and began to saw at his neck with a utility knife. The ram feebly tried to twist away. Why they did not bring a sharper knife with them, I do not know. Once the cut was made through the tough hide, they cut into one of the arteries he began to bleed out slowly. Minutes passed, the ram's eyes were wide open, aware, terrified as his neck was held up to enable the blood to drain. It was not going fast enough, so they started to saw away on the other side of the ram's neck - that poor ram felt every single jab of the knife - flinching. I stood there, horrified with tears streaming down my face, watching this old ram slowly & painfully bleed out. When his heart finally stopped beating, they pulled him over the edge and dropped him there on top of a large pile of dead farm animals & sadly an old dog.

Eventually the pit is covered over and a new hole is dug. It is a hard fact of farm life. Farmers have disposed of animals in this manner for centuries.

I did not have an issue with the dead animal pit. What I had a problem with was the unfeeling, cruel and callous way this old ram was dispatched to the afterlife.

I grasp the difference between a livestock model and a pet.

I understand that I will need to butcher my animals. Others I will have to sell for slaughter, some I will have butchered at the farm, some not. Old ewes will be culled and slaughtered for dog food. I am prepared to put down lambs if they are not right.

I grew up in farm country. I get it. Our lives are filled with birth and death. It is part of being alive. Being a farmer brings you up close and personal with the cycle of life. You can choose to appreciate it, value the contributions each of our animals brings or become hardened to it.

It is an individual choice. I choose to be humane. What I saw done to that old ram, was the furthest thing from humane I have ever seen, and this from a person who believes that Halal slaughter (if performed correctly) IS humane.

The past few days have been hard for me. This morning we lost Mama, the Ancient Barb ewe that came with the property. She was my designated 'pet'. Along with Jim the Llama she was part of a set.

She set the flock routine. When Mama decided it was time to head to the night pasture, they all followed.

She was usually found by Jim's side.

She brokered no nonsense, full of piss and vinegar.

She had attitude in spades.

She was a tough old girl.

She easily held her own with the much larger Romney and Columbia Rambouillet ewes.

Left to Right: Ruth, Maimie, Esther, Seven & Mama

The past few weeks she grew lethargic, increasingly emaciated. Even with the extra rations of grain, alfalfa and hay she was wasting away. Last weekend she stopped eating. She stopped going down into the lower pasture with the rest of the flock.

Tuesday she went down and did not get up again. She was 14 y/o. An old ewe with a long happy life.

I chose to not 'put her down'. I thought it over and talked to our large animal vet. He agreed with me. If she did not seem to be in any pain, just let her go gently, on her own schedule. Provide her with access to food, water and a warm soft bed, then let nature take it's course.

I was overwhelmed with guilt. Several people, who meant well, told me I should have shot her, bled her out, controlled her death all for the sake of putting an end to her suffering.

The point was...she was not suffering. She was experiencing death at her own pace. Putting her down would benefit me, not necessarily her.

Why do we consider the natural process of death & dying suffering?

Last night, on the off chance she was in pain, I gave Mama a extra large dose of pain killer. She closed her eyes, and relaxed. Scratched her lightly on the head, then left her in peace. She was protected from the rest of the sheep with a hog panel, surrounded by bales of hay, to give her a feeling of security, where Jim could see her and she could hear him.

She passed early this morning. We will bury her under the tree in the pasture, where she lived her long happy life.

This afternoon when we moved her body. Jim was distraught. He was obviously confused and worried, with the typical worried llama noises. The property owner told me he spent the night on the ground on the other side of the hog panel from Mama. His head was over the panel touching her when he was up. Mama did not die alone.

Jim is clearly grieving. When we left today he looked lost and alone. He may be a llama, but he is capable of experiencing grief. I truly believe that.

People seem to think I am nuts for caring about the sheep the way I do. Part of me thinks I am a wee bit whacked too. But I can close my eyes and sleep at night knowing I am comfortable in my own skin.

I believe the only difference between 'livestock' and 'pets are what we as people project onto them. Sheep, cows, horses, goats, llamas, birds, rats, all types of animals can be considered livestock, or in different circumstances...pets.

Am I a fool for caring about my sheep like I do? Maybe. But in my opinion, livestock are living, breathing and feeling beings deserving of my utmost care, respect and concern. I am a steward & a shepherd. No one animal deserves better care than the next.

That is my choice, and I can sleep peacefully at night.

Goodbye sweet Mama. You were a good teacher.

Laura's TMT 2012 Edition #1

2012-01-05T18:50:00.000-08:00

Laura is back with a new edition of Tell me Thursday, 2012 Edition #1.

1. What is your favorite new toy? I know you have one, so you might as well go on and fess up.

Obviously my favorite new toy is my iPhone. Although now I am going to challenge myself to turn the damn thing off. And I am going on a FaceBook strike.

2. If you're going to be caught under the mistletoe, who would you LEAST like it to be with?

My ex husband.

3. New Year's Resolutions - for your dogs - share!

Short, sessions, working my dogs properly on one or two things. If I am distracted, worried or my mind is not into it, don't set myself or my dog up for failure - focus on ONE thing. Make sure that one thing is correct and end on a good note. This prevents me from overwhelming myself. The training is a process - a long slow process - it does not all need to be accomplished in one session.

4. New Year's Resolutions - for yourself - share!

My personal resolution: Make a conscious effort to choose compassion over contempt. Compassion helps me understand, I may not agree with the way another person is acting, but compassion will help me see that their behavior or choices are 'theirs', not mine. Compassion leads to understanding, and then to forgiveness. Contempt only leads to isolation.

This has been making the rounds on FaceBook...

My personal resolution for trialing: I resolve to not participate in the behind the post immature, harmful chatter I have had the misfortune to overhear and am ashamed to say have participated with in the past. It has always made me horribly uncomfortable. When I have been at the post, during small trials, I have been able to hear things that have been said, muttered, talked about. It makes me a nervous wreck. I feel badly about myself and terrible for other people.

If what I am going to say is not "True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary or Kind" I am going to opt to keep it to myself.

The reason why I am trialing is to grow personally. Getting up in front of people, building this relationship with my dog, learning to trust in my dog and myself has been a massive personal journey and is the reason why I am here. I need to remember that and know in my heart that this is not a popularity contest. It is about proving to myself that I CAN DO THIS.

5. How did you handle the holiday food situation?

There was a food situation? Perhaps that is why all my pants now have elastic waists.

Day in the Life

2012-01-04T20:35:00.000-08:00

I have a new addiction. That damn iPhone has taken over my life.

The first few days I entertained myself arguing with Siri. It is fun to call her names when I am having a bad day.

Texting with Siri is an adventure in hysterics.

I almost let her send this text, until I read it.

"Surrey that you scepter I am."

That was supposed to be "Sorry that ewe slipped her lamb."

My favorite thing on on my iPhone are oodles of photo editing apps I have been downloading. I like to play with Photogene, Camera+, Instagram & PictureShow. I am taking pictures of everything, because ... I can.

This last weekend someone broke in to our house in broad daylight and stole our Wii game system, a few other things and sadly my camera bag which held most of my lenses that was sitting near the piano in the front room. Thankfully the idiots managed to miss my camera & the 100-400 mm lens which was sitting on the counter. The only things that were stolen were in the front half our house, Bonnie & Ranger protected the rear, my camera, & our computers.

What does that have to do with my iPhone? Well, the only lens I have right now is my mondo huge, heavy lens and I get sick of schlepping it around with me and the iPhone is so much easier. It is fun too!

The camera is less than stellar. It is very noisy (grainy) in low light conditions, but it can take some rather surprising shots, and the photo processing apps can give a rather ho-hum phone picture a kick.

And now, just for you.

A photographic journey through a day in the life of a Lunatic Sheepy Dog Lady & her Followers.

"Are you ever going to get out of bed? I need to pee."

"GET UP NOW!"

"Give me some of your breakfast crackers? I have big hunger now."

"Are you going to leave me at home alone with Ranger again? When will you take me back to see the sheep? I like to bite them."

Come on Beth, time to leave Teddy and go get some work done.

"Just a moment please, I must kill the Teddy first."

Later in the pasture.

"Move it Sherman." (I liked the motion blur on the sheep nose.)

"I am watching ewe."

"Nope, pigs can't do this."

"What do you mean Lie Down? WTF is wrong with a sit? I am stopped aren't I?

"Go ahead Fatso, make my day."

"I forgot to floss my teeth this morning, care to help me out?"

"What is that thing? Can I eat it?" (tries to bite my pretty pink iPhone cover.)

Motion blur, right before I fell over, yet again.

Sheep think it is funny when you are on their level.

It's the ewe posse, don't f*ck with them.

"This is what we think about your stupid dog and running around the field."

"Move it wenches".

Look at the mountain, it is so pretty.

Brynn, what are you doing! LIE DOWN! Whoops, no emotion.

Whistle, realize there is alfalfa in my whistle, no sound comes out.

Screeching commences.

Look at how the pretty light has back lit the sheep.

Lovely...

Ooooh pretty sun. Wait, where are they going?

Where is Brynn? There she is....

I love this place.

Sheep make me smile.

Okay ladies, let's go eat.

Beth, hold them over there while I fill up the feeders.

Hello Jim. How are you today? Really, dude, I don't need any help.

Hi Mama, you poor old girl.

We are going to miss your sweet face.

"It was a long day."

Yep. We hauled hay, built a creep feeder, cleaned stuff up, worked dogs, checked sheep for pregnancy & weights, moved a bunch of stuff, fed kids, did laundry, made meals, dishes....and the dogs are too tired to get off the couch.

Come on Camera (iPhone) Face. Let's go to bed.

Shut the light off and get that thing out of my face.

Goodnight.

Goodnight Brynn.

Obviously Obvious

2011-12-31T06:10:00.000-08:00

I am one of those people, where the obvious...just ain't that obvious. My kids used to call me Captain Obvious. It took me a while to figure out they were being sarcastic.

Have you ever had someone tell you something, drill it into your head and for whatever reason, it just didn't stick?

Kind of like when my parents warned me what would happen if I climbed the scraggly tree in the back yard. Did I listen? Oh no. Not only did I climb that stupid tree, but when I got to the top I decided to play "Super Lumberjack" and start swaying the top back and forth, until it snapped.

It didn't occur to me they might be right, until I was on my way down, breaking every branch I hit along the way.

After I hit the ground, my friend looked at me with an utter look of horror, and said "You weren't 'spozed to be up dere" then turned and ran screaming back home.

It pains me to admit this, but I think something else has finally sunk in.

It is not how often I work my dogs.
It is how often I work them PROPERLY.

Too often I am out in the field flailing around, looking at my cuticles, scraping mud off my boots or gazing at the pretty mountain in the distance. Or thinking "Oh what a pretty dog, I love the way she runs.", or "Look at the fleece on that ewe, I can't wait to spin it."

Suddenly the sheep are at my feet. How did that happen? Whoops, I guess I was distracted.

'Doh!

If I am consistent, expect proper work all the time, instead of letting them slice a flank here or there, cheat a stop, blow off a steady - we will progress faster - even if we only 'train' twice a week.

Conversely, if I am working my dog every day and I am confusing the crap out of her, we will progress slower. If I allow them to get away with shoddy work, every other day, then how can I expect them to be correct at a trial?

You'd think this would have settled into my head by now. Even though I am thinking it, writing it, typing it, etc I will still go out there at some point in the next few days, get distracted by the alfalfa in my bra, or a duck in the water and forget what I am doing.

I call it the Menopause Training Technique.
Every day is a wonderful new beginning!
Because you cant remember shit from the day or minute before.

What was I saying?

I have made some decisions about trialing.

I am only going to enter trials that will benefit my dog & me as a handler. There is absolutely no reason why I need to be trialing my dog every two or three weeks during the winter training trials, running on the same sheep, same field every time. I am not going to enter every single trial near-by in the summer either. It does not help me and I am burning my dog out. Besides, it costs lotsa $$$

So, I am going to choose our trials wisely in this New Year. I will combine them with opportunities to train in different places, visit good friends and make it a positive experience for us all. I will expect nothing, only to use the trial as an opportunity to focus on a specific area of training & to build our confidence.

This is supposed to be fun! Right?

I am tired of taking trials and myself too seriously. This is just a measure of where we are in training. Nothing more, nothing less.

In the big scheme of things, it just ain't that important. :)

It is nice when perspective allows for a little attitude adjustment.

Happy New Year everyone! May this year bring you, your family and pack bountiful happiness, riches of love & bottomless bowls of joy.

(Thank you to Kelsey Nichols for shooting these pictures of Brynn working while I was in Idaho. What a great surprise, I had forgotten about them and found them on my memory card while processing the rest of the shots for everyone else. You did a great job!)

Jorgen's TMT

2011-12-30T23:16:00.000-08:00

I have been out of the TMT loop for a few weeks. Jorgen posted the questions again this week and I thought I would give it a stab.

What is your favorite clothing to wear?

I have surrendered my vanity or vestige of a waist line and enveloped my immenseness in comfy stretchy waist denim britches. I bought my first pair a few weeks ago. I am never going back. My fat rolls have never been happier. In the cold weather I combine them with a roomy fleece vest, tee-shirt and wool socks I am a happy farmer. If I am at home I adore sweats or my pajamas.

What do you think your dogs thinks about you?

My new Canine Thought Interpreter has reached experimental stage of product development and this is what it told me was on my dog's minds in general. Since dogs live in the moment, I was only able to dissect a small window of thoughts.

Ranger: Food? Pet me? (pee on wall) pet me, food? TOY! (lick privates) FOOOOOD? "Let me turn on that light switch for you...gimme FOOD!" (pee on couch - hide while camera face wails) WALKIES! OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG. Scratch my butt please. Aren't I cute rolling around like a puppy? I love you. Food? SQUIRREL! CROWS IN MY TREE - KILL THEM! (dammit, why do you have to put the bark collar on when I am having fun?) I hate you.

Beth: Leave me alone unless you are gonna throw the ball. Throw the ball? Screw the sheep, throw the f*cking ball now or you will lose your knee caps. I am so cute, see me wag just the tip of my tail? My big brown eyes are so adorable...now throw that doGdamn ball or I will shred stupid f*cking ugly elastic waist pants you old fat b*tch. (Yes, Beth has a potty mouth and thinks I am an idiot).

Bonnie: I have a bone, see my bone? No one else gets my bone, here you can hold my bone then I am going to launch myself into your lap and remove most of the skin from your thighs, but you really want me on your lap, I know you do. How about now, while you are typing? No warning, I can leap from the doggie bed and clear the desk, no problem. Key board? Who needs a key board, you are put on this earth to pet me and adore me. I have freckles. Please take the dingle berry off my ass - can't reach it. Thank you, I will leave it on your pillow next to my chewed up bone that I know you want, you love me, I love you. Soooo sleepy, FEEEEEEEED ME.

Brynn: Sheep? Now? What do you mean we are done? I can still see them. You get in the crate. NO do not turn on the WINDSHIELD WIPERS! I WILL DIE! (hides and shakes in crate all the way home while raining). Where is my bone. Jolly ball! Must kill my Skinny. Wag it in Ranger's face...SUCKER. Growl, snarl, you cant have it Ranger Moron. What? Camera Face says I have to stop being a bitch. Time to eat. It is 5 minutes past dinner time, get off the computer and feed me please. I have my head on your lap, see my squinty eyes - they are begging you to feed me because I am hungry. I work so hard for you. Buy me more sheep. I bit one yesterday, it was fun. Need to barf, you clean it up...I know it is the middle of the night, so I will barf on your pillow. You wont mind. When are we leaving for the sheep in the morning? How about now, it is 4am. I am ready. Thanks. Lets go....

Bea: I love you. I am happy. Food is good, sheep are better. I just want to make you happy. I love you. Happy Happy Joy Joy. Take my picture. I like to play and bite Ranger's neck. Brynn is my best friend. Sheep? Where? I love you, you need a hug. I like to lick your neck. Sheep? I am happy. I am happy. I am happy. I just want to be good and for you to be happy with me. I love you.

Are you happy about the past year trialing, do you think next year will be better?

Yes, I am happy. I look back at the beginning of the year when we were running novice and compare it to our Pro-Novice run at Sleddin' & Sheddin' I am very happy. I have made some huge changes in my support system and it has made a tremendous difference for me emotionally. Brynn is coming along, I think I am improving, slowly, and that is okay. I still have a long way to go, continue working on the tone of my voice & projecting emotion, but we are getting there. I look forward to next year & taking the pressure off a bit & having fun with Bea.

If you would ask a TMT question that you did not have to answer, what question would you ask?

I really want to ask something but I am afraid it will sound VERY catty. So I am going to decline to answer this question.

Terrible Plunger

2011-12-30T18:02:00.000-08:00

I was cruising through my phone and forgot I shot this video while staying at Jaenne's in Idaho.

One morning we were getting ready to leave, while I was brushing my teeth, Bea & Brynn were exploring the bathroom. Suddenly Brynn succumbed to terror darted out of the bathroom, bashed into the wall, skidded into the bedroom and dove into Bea's crate.

It took me a few minutes to figure out that she was terrified of the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad plunger that was standing next to the loo.

I could not let an opportunity like this pass me by. Brynn needed to make friends with the plunger and I needed to test out the video capabilities on my iPhone.

Do you suppose if I took the plunger to the post at the next trial she might actually listen to my lie down whistle? Would that be considered a 'training aid' or not?

I wonder...

A Little Kindness

2011-12-29T17:37:00.000-08:00

Dogs are honest, transparent, loyal and trusting. Their love may be based on my ability to provide them with the things they need to survive - but in return they provide me with what I need - unconditional acceptance and love. It is a mutually beneficial relationship.

I am surprised at how cruel people can be to each other. It blindsides me because I do not expect it. I do not operate that way, thus I naively assume others do not either.

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. - Maya Angelou

Yesterday I took my kids to see the movie 'War Horse'. We were unable to enjoy the movie to its fullest extent because of an extremely drunk elderly woman who stumbled up the stairs and sat on the steps at our feet, mumbling, and rocking. Only one seat was available next to us and for some reason, I offered it to her.

Really, I had two choices - choose contempt or compassion. Contempt: Make a scene, get security and have them remove her - sour our attitudes & maybe the movie for the people around us. Or treat this woman like someone who deserved my compassion. What harm would it do for me to be kind? For whatever reason G_d placed her next to me.

What if this woman was my child? Or my friend? How would I want them to be treated? What if it were me?

It very well could be any one of us. It is so easy to turn up our nose and think we will never be in those same circumstances. You don't know that. If you had been born into a fractured family, had a different set of genes, life experiences, pain, despair, abandonment, it could be any one of us.

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them. - Dalai Lama

Most of the movie she held my hand, stroked my arm, laid her head on my shoulder, giggled with the movie, cheered for the horse and cried. Parts of me wanted to pull away. Many times I wanted to push her off of me...but I thought of my son. My strange son with schizophrenia. I pray he encounters people in his life who react with kindness instead of contempt.

Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat. ~ Mother Teresa

Who is a better person? A homeless young woman walking the streets selling the only thing she has left? Or successful pediatric oncologist? Who is more beloved in the eyes of our Heavenly Father?

Is that for you to answer?

Often we meet people in the middle of their life story. We do not know the challenges a person may have faced. What happened at the beginning of their story? When you met the person you simply opened a book up in the middle - never bothering to go back and find out how they arrived at that chapter.

We judge too quickly.

Who says your blood is redder than his? (Talmud - Sanhedrin 74a)

People who may seem to be at the lowest part of their life, may have in fact worked for years to overcome circumstances, abuse, hardship, tragedy to even reach the point they are at now.

I have tried to teach my children to not judge someone "unless you have walked a mile in his shoes". Since we can never be in exactly the same set of shoes, or know the summation of their life experiences, judging someone is not an effective means of coping.

Judging needs to be replaced with compassion & acceptance.

Instead of saying "How dare you" why not replace it with "How did you get here?" and then listen with an open heart, compassion and love.

When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself. - Wayne Dyer

Happy Holidays & Mr. Chewy Contest Winner

2011-12-24T14:27:00.000-08:00

Listen, I have important news to share!

Are you listening?

This big old fat dude is coming to my house tonight and he is bringing me all sorts of yummy things.

I am all kinds of excited!

I had to promise Camera Face I wouldn't bite him.

I promise to be good.

I hope the fat dude comes to visit you too!

And now for our Mr Chewy gift certificate winner! I picked it out with a little help from Camera Face. She wrote all the names on paper, then tossed them in the air above my head. I sniffed some, but the winner is the one I deliberately touched when Camera Face told me to pick one.

See...

Congratulations PGrant, please email me at bcxfour@yahoo.com to claim your $50.00 gift certificate from Mr. Chewy.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah.

From our family to yours we send warm wishes for a happy holiday surrounded by the love our families and animals bring to us each and every day.

Sheep a Shepherd Makes

2011-12-23T01:58:00.000-08:00

It all started for the dogs. I bought sheep for my dogs to work with the focus being on my dogs and doing better at trials. Emphasis on growing and learning - with the objective to be a better handler.

Be it a subtle change in direction, perhaps even a shift of priorities, the last six months things have evolved.

The sheep are not simply tools to train my dogs with, they are an investment. Living breathing creatures that can pay their keep and if I do this right maybe even bring in a profit, at the very least they can pay for themselves.

I want them healthy and content.

When I work my dog I understand the absolute importance to keeping my sheep calm and moving them in a 'workman like manner', especially now that they are all pregnant. I don't want them running all over the field & slipping lambs. The pace needs to be consistent, and stress free as possible.

It is coming together now. I fully grasp why it is essential I have a dog that can walk straight into the sheep and hold her own, especially at feeding time. I have been trampled a few times and it stopped being fun - she needs to be able to push them down the alley and out into the pasture so I am able to get their feed ready without being run over.

The dog's flanks need to be wide, square and respectful so as to not cause undo stress or cause the sheep to suddenly startle - bolt running into fences or doing other stupid sheepy things.

I need my dog to be able to drive, hold sheep off of me, separate the sheep and shove them into pens and down alleys. A dog that stay back as I gate sort, yet come up and push when I need it.

I need a dog that can reliably hold the sheep into a small area, such as an open stall, so I can grab one and treat it for a wound, maybe give it an injection - or like today untangle a huge black berry vine from its fleece without shredding my fingers. If my dog won't listen to me or pushes the sheep too much they will bolt and I will get hurt.

The emphasis is off training for a trial, now it is on helping me take care of the sheep. In the long run that is what the trial is about - how well the dog performs practical work.

Each hour I spend fiddle farting around with the sheep and my dog are peaceful and fulfilling. I love my sheep, immensely enjoy taking care of them. I love the relationship that is solidifying with Brynn as we do the chores every day.

Many afternoon's I will just stand and watch them eat. Just being with them I can feel my blood pressure lowering, becoming part of a whole, absorbing the peace & purpose of mother nature.

I enjoy their quirky personalities. They may be part of a flock, but each one is an individual and have distinct behaviors that separate them from the others. They are silly, and I believe they have a sense of humor.

Why are you on the ground?

I did this backward. Got the border collie, then the land & the sheep and now I have become a shepherd. Funny how things come in full circle.

I have been assimilated, happily part of the Ovine Caretaker Collective.

(All of the above sheep (not dog) photos were shot with my new iPhone 4S. Not a bad little camera on that thing. I have been having a blast playing with lighting, back lighting and lens flares. The photos were also processed on my phone with the camera+ app. I still can't believe what that tiny little phone can do - advances in technology blow me away when I think about it. And yes, I took a picture of the sheep while I sat on the ground after falling down...yet again. They were a wee bit amused.)

Ann Wants to Know

2011-12-19T23:46:00.000-08:00

Ann over at Suntrip Samoyeds & 2 Border Collies asked some questions on her blog. Her questions are for handlers who trial, who work home flocks, who work commercial flocks.

Ann wants to know:

What is your perfect dog?

Do you like a dog that is really on the muscle?

I think I am with the crowd here when I say I HATE THAT EXPRESSION. If I were to say Brynn was "on the muscle" to me it means she is in charge and not listening to a damn thing I say, scream, blow, spit, flail or sputter. Not unlike my teenage son.

Do you like a dog that needs a steady stream of whistles?

I have no idea. The only experience I have with a dog on whistles is Brynn. She listens to only half of the whistles I blow, mostly because she is "on the muscle' and flipping me the proverbial middle claw.

Are you a maximal or minimal whistler?

Maximal dysfunctional. Minimally understood.

Do you like a natural dog that feels the sheep and just needs a little direction here and there?

That would be my dream. Actually Brynn has fantastic feel and the older she gets, and more experience we have together the better it is getting. I just hope one day I will stop undermining her feel.

Do you like a dog that prefers certain type of sheep?

Nope, I want my dog to be able to rate her sheep regardless of type and manage them adequately. - which is why I am so thankful to have a wide variety of sheep to work. We have sheep ranging from very light to down right cantankerous, my dogs should be able to handle them all. I enjoy mixing them up and creating different combinations which effects the flight zone/sheep bubble. It makes the dogs think and helps me figure things out too.

Do you like a dog that wants to partner up and be a really good team player?

Brynn partners up with me all the time, it is me that drops the ball in that relationship. Every time I step through the gate with Brynn she is partnering with me - I project my emotions, on any given day onto her and it all goes to hell. She is consistent, I am the weak link.

Do you like a dog that really knows what s/he wants and you, as a handler really has to manage?

I think that type of dog would overwhelm me at this stage in learning. Unfortunately that describes Beth pretty well. She wants what she wants...and if I want something contrary to her desires, she quits, or just bites the shit out of the sheep, runs them into fences then hides under the car.

Do you want push?

Yep, plenty. I would rather have push that I can pull back, than not have enough when it is required. Brynn has push, Beth has none. If I have Beth move the sheep out of the night pasture she does not have the strength required to keep moving them down the alley when they decide to turn around and go back the other way...unfortunately I get trampled, or my feet tangled in the electric fence which results in screaming, swearing and Beth once again hiding under the car.

Do you want a good listener?

I have always wanted a good listener. But my husband is a typical man, born deaf to anything uttered by a female. My children have congenital maternal listening defects. Ideally at least my dog should listen to me, or there is no purpose in living.

Do you want try? (Not tri.)

Brynn is all try. Beth is try when she feels like it, then hides under the car. Try is much better than no try.

Do you like a dog who gets the job done, no matter the sheep, but it’s a big job to get that dog listening?

I would prefer that type of dog over one who is a petulant brat that hides under the car when you so much as say her name loudly.

Do you want it all?

I only want to be able to fit into my skinny jeans one day. That is my dream.

How does your style as a handler select the style of dog you like?

I dont know yet. My handling is dominated by advanced schizophrenic bi-postal directional disorder. The only real experience I have is with Brynn, Beth and Bonnie (who was not destined to work anything other than the food bowl). Bea is just beginning. Bea is full of try, soft dog who wants nothing more than to please, a correction will go far with her - as opposed to Brynn who will take a correction, think about it then decide if she needed to listen to me or not. Beth, well lets just say I am not happy with Beth right now - she had a reason to hide under the car and I have the bruises & residual electrical burns to show for it.

Giveaway: Merry Christmas from Mr. Chewy

2011-12-17T14:25:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago Mr. Chewy contacted me with an excellent proposition, $50.00 order credit just to try them out.

I ordered a box full of grain-free treats & other yummy stuff.

The website is easy to navigate, the service was prompt, simple and delivery was fast. Shipping is free on any order over $49.00. They have a broad selection of pet food, treats and toys to choose from.

Check out Mr. Chewy's available Brands

While I feed raw food to the dogs at home, I will use kibble when we travel. Mr Chewy offers our favorite brand of dog kibble Acana at competitive prices & with no shipping cost it is the same as going to our local store - without having to lug home the big heavy boxes.

An added bonus - I will be using Mr. Chewy to deliver dog food to Bea while she is in Idaho at training, if needed. Consider it for the holidays, especially if you travel with your pet by air. Order ahead and have the dog food waiting for you at your destination rather than dragging it with you on your trip.

Just in time for Christmas I would like to give away (courtesy of Mr. Chewy) another $50.00 gift certificate for use on the Mr. Chewy website.

How to Enter: Visit Mr. Chewy's site. Pick out what you would like to order, then come back and post a comment telling me what you would like to buy. Ranger will randomly select the winner on Christmas Eve.

Good Luck!

'Meh' Sweatshirt

2011-12-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today was one of those days that did not prove worthwhile to get out of bed. Cranky, grumpy, irritable, cantankerous, ill tempered which are easily summed up by the expression 'meh'.

My day was ruined by a sweatshirt.

I had been patiently waiting for a sweatshirt I ordered a couple of months ago. When mail man delivered my package I shook with anticipation & fear. Apprehensively I cut open the plastic and took out my new sweatshirt. Standing at the counter, I lovingly stroked it like a new kitten. I smelled it, rubbed it against my cheek & sighed. Bonding had begun. Carefully, I placed it on the counter, where I was able to smile at it and flirt with it from a far.

I special ordered my new friend because I needed a unusual size and worked with the artist on the design. Assuredly this sweatshirt was going to forge my membership into the 'in-group' wearing the cool sweatshirts everyone else seemed to have - except for me - due to my fatness.

Obviously there is a large part of my fragile psyche that is wedged in high school.

Today was the day. I was going to wear my new baby. In advance I selected the jeans, my tee-shirt and socks. I cradled up my beautiful new sweatshirt, coo'ed to it and perched it reverently it on the dresser where I was able to watch it like a sleeping infant as I dressed.

Then I was ready. I stood in front of the mirror, took in a deep breath and slowly slipped it on.

One arm...

Dammit, I forgot to hold onto my tee-shirt sleeve, as it slid up to my elbow.

Lets start this again, hold onto sleeve, slip my arm into the hole.

Okay, now the next arm.

Uhhhhh?

This doesn't feel right.

Is one arm longer than the other?

I hold them in front of me and look. No, they appear to be the same length they were when I went to bed last night.

Must have twisted the arm of my teeshirt as I pulled the sweatshirt on. So I adjusted it. It still felt weird. Looking in the mirror, I zipped it.

Why is this tight? Why is the zipper being pulled in one direction? The gig line is decidedly crooked.

As far as I knew my fatness was evenly distributed, although the sweatshirt seemed to disagree.

Okay, maybe it just needs to settle down, get to know my body. I am just being paranoid. This is the right size. I know it is. Right?

I took it off and double checked the size label. Yep, it is what I ordered.

I put it back on...and felt the beginning of tears.

How idiotic! I am NOT going to cry over a stupid sweatshirt! GET IT TOGETHER!

I looked at my clock. I needed to leave, it was time for my appointment. I left the sweatshirt on and left the house.

It felt funny when I was driving. Kept twisting. Annoyed. I am trying to ignore it. I went about my business, saw the doctor, came home walked into the house and ripped the sweatshirt off. John had not yet left for work so I asked him to please come over and try the sweatshirt on for me - I needed to see it on another person.

He gave me one of those looks, "you want me to try on GIRL CLOTHES?" I had to explain to him that this was a 'uni-sex" sweatshirt. He relented with his manhood firmly intact.

When he slipped it on I could see the problem. One arm is larger than the other. The fronts are two different sizes.

My sweatshirt is retarded.

Meh, meh....MEH!

Wool on the Move

2011-12-15T01:04:00.000-08:00

Baa Baa little sheep,

have you any wool?

Yes sir, yes sir,

three bags full.

One for the spinners

One for my dame

And one for the little dog

Who's stuck to my behind...

Okay, that was lame.

Lame is a word that rhymes with Dame!

I apologize. Late night blogging and Bailey's Irish Cream result in bad

*hiccup*

What was I saying?

Fat Puppy

2011-12-14T22:40:00.000-08:00

Do you have any food?

I need to eat.

I am so hungry I gotta eat some of this...

Staaaahving, I tell you. Must eat now.

DD says I am 'highly food motivated'...bullocks....I am just HUNGRY!

They call me Tank, Sherman Tank. I don't understand why.

Gimme some food. I know you have some...lemme me check. Food Please?

She won't feed me no more. Please some one feed me?

I am wasting away here... Food Please?

The preceding fat puppy moment was brought to you by Orchard Run Border Collies (Peg x Fame) and photographed at the Sleddin' & Sheddin' trial 10 Dec 2011

Looking to the Future

2011-12-13T00:32:00.000-08:00

It is done, I actually left Bea at Dianne's.

She is looking at her future

And I miss her smiling face and mammoth ears terribly.

Can't wait to see her again and hear the updates from Dianne. Who I promise I will not text or email again for at least a week. She told me I had exceeded my weekly question/answer time. I think I would feel the same way if I received a 102 texts from a person in the course of 24 hours.

Me, a bit obsessive? Nah...never.

Off to Idaho

2011-12-05T23:51:00.000-08:00

Here is an ear worm for you. Go ahead, hum the melody to Rawhide.

Keep walkin' walkin' walkin,

Though the dogs are whinin'

Keep the sheepies runnin'

Trial time!

Tryin' to understand 'em

Just hope and pray and send 'em

Soon we'll be drinkin lots at

Beer Time!

Boy my heart's a thumpin'

Some day a score is comin', be numbers, not letters

Trial TIME!

Pack it up, load em up.

Load it up, drive 'em out

Trial fees emptyin' my wallet,

Trial TIME!

Set 'em out, send the dog

Start prayin, let it go

Humiliation waitin,

Trial TIME!

Yes, it is that time again. Time to go to the post, freeze my overly large rear end, shake in my boots and beg to be humiliated in my favorite activity which is guaran-damn-teed to bring about an anxiety attack - sheep dog trial.

Instead of packing my clean clothes into the suitcase with the busted zipper, I am sitting in front of my computer writing stupid lyrics.

I have a list in front of me yet I drag my feet.

Apparently I enjoy driving across three states bleary eyed and tired.

Oh hell..I don't know. I am the worlds worst procrastinator.

And I am already missing the Beaster.

She is going to sheep camp at Dianne Deal's

She is going to learn all kinds of cool things, hang with the cool kids, get drunk, smoke dope...you know how it is at boarding school.

Okay, not really. She is going to learn how to work sheep. Like a real big dog.

Like how to stay off sheep butts. You know, those lessons on Cause & Effect.

So things like this don't happen as much.

Yep, that is what happens when sheep suddenly change directions.

Tail gating is discouraged.

My job over the past couple months was to get Bea hooked on sheep.

Making sure ever encounter she had with sheep was positive and fun.

I don't know if she is enjoying herself. What do you think?

Did I mention how FAST she is?

She loves to make a mess and then fix it by busting into warp drive as she sails across the field.

She is soft and biddable. A joy to work...but scary to train. Bea is the type of dog, if you make a harsh correction at the wrong time, it will take a while to fix it. I am glad Dianne will start her and get a good foundation on her - that much less of a chance I will screw her up when she comes home.

I am going to miss her happy smiling little face.

Such a happy camper she has been.

My little Bea-tle Bug has grown up.

They grow up so fast. Maybe that means it is time for another puppy?

"You bring home another puppy and I will crap on your pillow"

Good lord Beth, it is just a puppy...not a teenager. Jeeeesh.

Sheep in the Misty Twilight

2011-12-02T23:38:00.000-08:00

The other day I snapped these images as I was working the dogs with my friend Vicki. Shooting into the sunlight highlighted the mist that was rising from the sheep in the sunlight & gave the lens flare.

Beth walks up on the flock.

It is not easy to shoot pictures and work your dog. One thing suffers, as you can tell from Beth's expression.

In case you were wondering...that her version of "WTF"?

Beth does not appreciate the finer nuances of inside flanks - this is her blowing me off.

Beth grumbles "You didnt really want those sheep crossing the pasture did you? I will bring them back so you can take pretty pictures."

It is really bad when you don't correct your dog because you realize she was right about the photo op.

Sometimes you just gotta trust your dog...in matters of sheep & photography

Sheep

2011-11-27T23:59:00.000-08:00

The Sheep adorns the landscape rural

And is both singular and plural—

It gives grammarians the creeps

To hear one say, “A flock of sheeps.”

The Sheep is gentle, meek and mild,

And led in herds by man or child—

Being less savage than the rabbit,

Sheep are gregarious by habit.

The Sheep grows wool and thus promotes

The making of vests, pants and coats—

Vests, pants and coats and woolen cloths

Provide good food for hungry moths.

Thus, with our debt to them so deep,

All men should cry “Praise be for Sheep!”—

And, if we happen to be shepherds,

“Praise be they’re not as fierce as leopards!”

by Ellis Parker Butler

Featured Artist: L.A. Shepard, The Dog Lover

2011-11-26T20:28:00.000-08:00

In my effort to help support a small family owned business I am featuring an artist occasionally on my blog. These are non-solicited reviews. I have purchased and paid full price for each item prior to reviewing their work.

Last week I stumbled across the work of The Dog Lover, L.A. Shepard on Etsy

Featured Artist: Lee Ann Shepard, The Dog Lover

About (In her own words)

I have been a full time artist, specializing in animal portraiture, since my husband was diagnosed with brain cancer in July 2006. Since he could no longer work, we had to close our wholesale business. At 54 , I needed to find a way to support our family and take care of him 24/7. Luckily, I had my art ability to fall back on, and I have been painting diligently ever since. I feel blessed to have been able to work at home and look after my husband at the same time. I count my blessings daily, as I could not have gotten through this without the support of my family, friends and all the new friends I have made through selling my work. I have learned so much, but especially - not to waste a moment!

Gary Shepard, my incredible husband, passed away in the early morning hours on Sept 26,2010 surrounded by his family. His battle with brain cancer was a long one, yet it seemed far too short for those that loved him so dearly. We have a huge hole in our lives as he was a man who never stopped giving , even when he became so physically impaired that he could barely move.

Throughout his illness he had an idea to start a movement of giving. He wanted people to celebrate their birthday by giving a gift to someone in need. He felt that if each of us could be charitable each year on the day that they were born, then the world would be a kinder place. As a family that suffered through a devastating illness, we were always so moved when an act of kindness was done for us as our world fell apart. So, we ask of you, to take a moment, as you celebrate your date of birth, to share an act of kindness. Whether it be a gift of money to a family in need, or shoveling the driveway of an elderly neighbor, or buying a mosquito net for a child in a land far way- no matter what the gift- we ask that it become a yearly habit. And then share the idea with those that you know. Then perhaps the movement will bloom and the world will become a kinder, gentler place. This was Gary’s dream for our future, and I promised him that we would do our best to spread the word to fulfill his dream.

If you would like to share what you plan to give on your birthday, or just read about the movement- please join our face book group “Giving for Gary” http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=129513710432628&ref=mf started by his children in memory of their Dad. And remember, no gift is ever too small, especially if you are blessed to celebrate yet another year of life.

Lee Ann's story inspired me, her beautiful work implored me to whip out my debit card and shop. Her ability to capture the essence & personality of each dog is brilliant. Of course I had to purchase two border collie prints.

Each print comes on a high quality flat canvas sheet, which looks like the original painting. Each can be framed easily in a standard frame with a backing, with or without glass.

Border Collie canvas art print of LAShepard painting 11x14 dog art

Border Collie canvas print of LAShepard painting 11x14 dog art

I framed my prints in 16x20 frames under 11x14 mats with glass.

L.A. Shepard has every dog breed imaginable, in various print sizes.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Australian Cattle Dog - Blue Heeler This face cracks me up!

Bearded Collie & a Cardinal

Australian Shepherd's in the Snow

Boston Terrier & a Butterfly

Mom & Puppy

A Dachsund that will melt your heart

American Staffordshire Terrier or Pit Bull

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Jack Russel Terrier

Border Collie - one blue eye, one brown eye

Pugs

Bernese Mountain Dog

Take a few moments and check out L.A. Shepards shop on Etsy.

Tell her Ranger sent you.

For guaranteed Christmas delivery, order prior to Dec 4th.

Bedroom Re-Do

2011-11-25T21:46:00.000-08:00

The past two weeks my mother has been staying with us. I love it when she comes to visit because she whips my house into shape. This time she set her sights on sewing projects and....my bedroom.

I was told our bedroom was a mess and I was grounded until it was cleaned up.

Okay, so it was pretty bad - I confess I am a slob. The disaster started in the closet, then it spread like a bad rash to the bathroom. Finally the bedroom was overcome. I gave up even trying to find clothes in my closet - and kept the clothes I would wash regularly in my bedroom on top of the dog crates. Whenever I would look at my room I would just sigh and close the door. Being completely overwhelmed I gave up. Really, how can you make a bedroom with a king size bed and 5 dog crates look nice?

I knew this needed to be done in stages and there was no way I was going to conquer this alone. So, four generations attacked my mess. My mother, daughter Amy and granddaughter Alyssa and...me.

First we laid siege to the huge walk-in closet (12 ft x 12 ft), sorted and bagged clothes I didn't wear. Everything I owned was clean & nothing needed to be washed - so we folded, hung and organized. I am not a hoarder, so there was not a lot of garbage, it was just disorganized and cluttered.

For some reason I had three large dresser drawers in my closet. Who needs to have that many dressers? One of them was empty. We moved it out and put it next to the bed as a night stand where I can store miscellaneous items. When the closet was clean we admired our handiwork and it occurred to me that the dog crates would fit perfectly into the empty space. Viola! That solved my ugly bedroom dilemma.

Here you can see my bedroom on the left and the closet on the right. Finally the dog crates are out of my bedroom. They used to be divided up on either side of the bed - huge ugly eyesores.

There are only four crates. Brynn does not sleep in a crate, she is my 'bed-dog' and sleeps with me (she wakes me up when I quit breathing).

I covered the crates with a large sheet which gives me a new surface to fold & sort clothes.

With the crates out of my room it gave me the chance to finally decorate it the way I wanted. I know the 'country' style has gone out but I love it and do not care what anyone thinks of my teddy bears and other odd things. It makes me smile to look at all the things I have loved for years, so I embraced it and decided to plaster my room with quilts, bears, sheep, stars and dogs.

The wall under the windows used to be filled with crates. In that space I put the deacon's bench that was at the foot of my bed. One of my favorite quilts tops my bed. It seemed to go with the holiday season.

The other side of the room was also dominated by crates, now the space is empty and tonight I moved a rocking chair (not pictured) into the corner under the sheep pictures I framed this weekend.

Looking into the room you can see the doorway to the bathroom which leads to the closet (aka dog room). The red cabinet holds a television and stores many of my antique quilts on top and inside the bottom level.

A favorite painting of sheep and other things that make me smile are displayed.

The far side of the red cabinet are two new prints I received last week and framed. One of our local craft stores had a sale on frames 60% off last week and was able to frame them for under $20.00. The square picture is one of my favorites of Beth I shot years ago.

Here is a close up of my new border collie prints. I am absolutely in love with these. They are canvas prints by L.A. Shepherd. You can find her work on Etsy at
Giclee Canvas Prints of LAShepard TheDogLover

Now I have a nice clean room, happy secure dogs, and my favorite stuff all together where I can relax, sleep and dream. Thanks to my mom and daughter...I love you!

Goodbye Little Lamb

2011-11-20T17:47:00.000-08:00

Today little Miss Lamb died, sometime before I arrived to feed them this morning.

She passed peacefully, laying next to her twin. The bedding around her was not disturbed. I believe she died in her sleep.

She is not going to be the last of our livestock that will move on to 'greener pastures' either through death from illness, slaughter or other reasons. It is only to be expected in farming. What upsets me is the circumstances for this senseless death. I remain frustrated about how she was wounded & ultimately died - it was truly a waste - in so many ways.

Little Fighter

2011-11-18T16:37:00.000-08:00

Little Miss Ewe Lamb is still alive! (Injured ewe is on the right, the lamb to the left is her twin)

Every morning I have expected to find a limp little lump of fleece curled up in the corner.

Someone said that sheep born looking for ways to die. This little lamb is proving that wrong.

She is eating and drinking, even though it must be causing considerable pain.

Today, when Monique checked on her she let her out of the enclosure for a bit, she walked, she trotted, she pee'd, pooped and acted like a sheep.

Below you can see her drinking, she is eating slowly, and lapping up the nutri-drench. She is especially fond of molasses dribbled over alfalfa.

After her jaunt with the rest of the flock she and her twin were enclosed again. Keep sending positive wishes and prayers her way.

If she survives Monique has decided we are going to call her Millie. I think it fits.

Neighbor Dog from Hell

2011-11-16T21:37:00.000-08:00

NOTE: This post contains graphic pictures of injuries the result of a vicious dog attack on sheep. If you are at all squeamish, do not scroll down. If you can handle it and have dogs you think are cute when they chase other people's livestock....read and see what happens when stupid people own dogs.

The past few days have been difficult. Last weekend the neighbor's Shiba Inu/German Shepherd mix dog breached the fence and attacked our sheep.

The first night (Thursday) the sheep were chased around. The land owner called me late in the evening to come out and check on one of my clun's that was down. When I arrived she was up and moving about, thankfully.

At this time I had no idea what caused the ruckus, fearing it was coyote's I prayed the llama would be able to protect them.

The next morning the land owner found the neighbor's dog in the small pasture, chasing the sheep. He went after her with a log and by the time he went back for his shotgun she was back over the fence.

Unfortunately one of Monique's katahdins was injured. The dog got her by the leg.

Being that we just got done treating my ewe Maimie for a bite wound, we were prepared. Monique arranged for a prescription of antibiotics to be waiting for me at our local vet and we started treatment.

That afternoon I made a visit to the neighbor's house. To make a long story short, she was being evicted. She didnt think her dog would hurt sheep, since it often chases the other neighbors goats, and really enjoyed it. I told her it was doubtful the goats found it enjoyable. Regardless I had chased her dog away from our fence-line a few times through the summer and knew that dog had the potential to injure my sheep. At the time I had spoken to the woman clearing the pasture and told her my concerns. She promised me the dog would stay confined and away from the sheep.

The lady who owned the dog was full of excuses and blame for everyone else, no accountability. Since she was being evicted and her mother was dying of cancer she was so very sorry and felt terrible....blah blah blah.

I explained to her that the dog had the potential to kill and stressed in no uncertain terms that she needed to keep her dog safe and restrained. If the dog was seen on our side of the fence again, our state laws allow us to shoot the dog. She promised me she would keep the dog tied up.

She didn't.

The next morning the dog got into the pasture...again. This time her intent was to kill. Monique found the damage when she arrived, likely just in time. The sheep were all panting, fences were down and the llama was frantic.

Monique found this. The dog viciously took down one of my new ewe lambs by the neck.

We spent the day waiting for the vet to come. We wanted to give the lamb a fighting chance. If she could survive she deserved the opportunity to live. She did not ask to be attacked in this manner by a dog. The only dogs she had known in her short life were good to her. She was still curious about them and would turn and look at them, which, I believe made her an easy target.

After the vet arrived, he shaved her neck. The wound was devastating. The teeth had punctured her trachea, air was flowing through the wound in her neck. The vet believed she had a chance and we decided to give it our best shot.

Below you can see a picture shot the day following the attack. Hot compresses, antibiotics and pain relievers on board.

The days following, she was improving. I would find her standing in front of the water drinking and attempting to eat. We decided to enclose the both of the them to make treatments easier and reduce their activity.

Over the past 24 hours she has declined. Today she stopped drinking. She has not been chewing cud, only gritting her teeth. I found green coming from the wound in her neck, I believe her esophagus was also punctured - which is not a recoverable wound.

Today discouraged me. I decided to turn her out with her mother and twin. She simply went to the side of the pasture and stood alone. We put her back into the enclosure, this time with her twin as the katahdin was well enough to be released.

We will see what tomorrow brings.

The neighbor and her f*cking dog were evicted and have left the house next door. Hopefully to never be seen again. I have her forwarding address and contact information and plan on pursuing her for damages. Although I am not sure it is even worth it, she is on disability (psychiatric), might be like getting blood from a stone.

I have never wanted to kill a dog before, but it crossed my mind when I saw the carnage she left behind. But the truly guilty party, was her owner.

Alas there is not cure for stupid.

Ears & Tongues

2011-11-13T07:03:00.000-08:00

A little musical accompaniment for your listening pleasure

Does your tongue hang low?

Does it wobble to and fro?

Can you tie it in a knot?

Can you tie it in a bow?

Can you throw it over your shoulder, like a Continental Soldier?

Does your tongue hang low?

Does your tongue hang wide?

Does it flap from side to side?

Does it wave in the breeze?

From the slightest little sneeze?

Can it soar above the nation, with a feeling of elevation?

Does your tongue hang wide?

Do your ears hang high?

Does one reach up to the sky?

Do they wrinkle when they're wet?

Do they straighten when they're dry?

Can you wave one at your neighbor, with an element of flavor?

Do your ears hang high?

Do your ears fly high?

Do they wobble all around?

Can you tie them in a knot?

Do they bounce at every sound?

Can you stick them in your pocket, just like Davey Crockett?

Do your ears fly high?

Does your tongue flop around.....

It is worse than the "Song that Never Ends"

It goes on and on my friend

Some people started singing it

Not knowing what it was

and they continued singing it forever

just because...

Go ahead, play it, sing it all day long...annoy your co-workers, spouse, children. Have fun with it.

Notes from the Scott Glenn Clinic

2011-11-11T13:40:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago I took a leap and signed up for Scott Glen's all levels clinic held at Fido's Farm.

I had a wonderful time. Working in front of people in a clinic situation has been difficult for me in the past, but I felt confident and ready to learn.

I had been worrying about the problems that have manifested on the fetch and trying to fix it. The solution I had been applying was not working, in fact it was making it worse. The fetch had fallen apart (going to the heads) the drive was a disaster (no confidence, getting stuck then barreling into the sheep, going to heads) etc.

Scott spotted my timing issue and we spent the weekend trying things from his perspective. It was bloody brilliant! At one point I think I even smacked Scott on the arm and said "WOW, did you SEE THAT?" Then started hopping up and down.

Below are the notes from the clinic (more for me than anyone else).

If you don't want to go backward, you will never go forward
Two types of people, those who have made mistakes and those that havent yet.
Take the sheep away from the dog to increase her interest in working them.
Keep her out of the fight/flight zone - it will make her 'come-up' a little stronger
If she doesn't stop at the greatest distance from the sheep and enters the flight/fight zone she won't get stronger. Stop her first, so the sheep don't.
Frustration with her failure to stop separates the team. The conflict divides the team.
Do not let Brynn in the circle, she needs to stop, not take 10 more steps
If you do not think she will stop, or are unable to enforce the stop (distance) don't blow the stop, give her a steady whistle (pick your battles).
Make her want the sheep, dont let her take them when she isn't thinking.
Stop means STOP - then wait a couple of beats and walk her up. If she looks like she is liking it (especially when you are walking with her) shut up and let her go... keep her out of the fight/flight zone, so the sheep do not stop her.
If she is entering the f/f bubble and the sheep are stopping her she is not building confidence - the opposite happens.
NO CHEATING STOPS
If they flank out, you need to be able to get them to come back in.
If you want something other than come-up...ask.
You want them to think about coming up, it is easier to say "lie down' than 'come up'.
Reinforce 'lie down' at the pen to keep the down, rather than urging a up - you want the dog to know it can make the next move, rather than ask for permission.
When they get far away, reach out and touch them with a whistle (there, steady) for comfort.
When Brynn is going, let her go, blow ONLY steady's, not downs. Let her motor, gain confidence & power.
Brynn needs to be comfortable looking at butts, not heads, walk with her, use steady whistle, do not let her go to the heads. Lots of miles ahead.
Let her come out of the walk-up strong, don't get after her for getting up.
Get after her for the down immediately, because if you wait you are going after her for walking up - which will backfire - because you are actually getting after her for what you want (the come-up).
Don't aim for anything while driving, let her go so she can feel and begin to cover and hold lines.
Good practice for dog that is going to heads, put sheep through gate and then stop the dog when they bolt and run. Repeat.
Never let them unwind a flank.
Fix it on the fetch it will help the drive.
Being to close increases anxiety, back them off, enable thought.
If they are going fast it is harder for them to pay attention to how they got there.

Since the clinic I have changed several things, the change in Brynn is remarkable. I LOVE the steady whistle.

Time & Miles - we are moving forward. :)

Ego & Differentiation at the Post

2011-11-10T22:34:00.000-08:00

Since we have our own sheep and place to work now things have evolved. The biggest thing is working primarily by myself. It brings a whole new dimension to training. Mostly, I have to think on my own and by doing so it helps increase my confidence.

Confidence is a funny thing. As many of you know I have been working through issues resulting from PTSD and anxiety. In particular I have been exploring how that is related to my pattern of self destruction at the post.

I have been trying to fit it all into a neat little package, then apply a 'cure' and POOF I am healed!

Uhh, nope, it isn't working. It is complicated and messy. Anyone close to me knows I over-think sh!t. It is me, it is who I am. By over-thinking and examining all sides to an issue I am able to understand.

I have mentioned how ego plays into mistakes I have made in the past. It is almost as if I blame my 'ego' as the harbinger of evil intentions. That is not correct, to understand what is happening I needed to understand how the 'ego' functions and the role is plays in what is happening.

Bear with me a bit - it might be a little technical, but in order for me to explain my epiphany I need to give the background that got me there.

What is Ego? (paraphrased from the writings of James Harvey Stout - deceased)

The Healthy Ego is our identity and individuality. It is who we believe ourselves to be. As our identity is sets us apart from other people's identities. It provides our sense of being separate from other people and the world in general by creating 'boundaries', our ego distinguishes itself as being unique. Through a healthy ego we are able to differentiate where you end and others begin.

Differentiation is developed in childhood.

For example: A child gets an F on a test.
In a healthy scenario the parents may react with disappointment, but will differentiate between the F and their child. The child is NOT the F. The child is NOT the behavior. The child is the child who needs some help to avoid another F in the future. The child is able to differentiate between the F and themselves.
In an unhealthy scenario the child becomes the F. The child hears "What is wrong with you? You deserve the F. You can't do anything right. YOU ARE the F. YOU are a failure." The child is unable to differentiate between the F and themselves or their parents opinion. They become the failure, they mirror the projection.

The ego functions like the executive branch of government & organizes our perceptions, functions as an interface between it and the outside world. It makes decisions, implements our will, mediates between our inner world. It is the 'eye' from which we look at the world, the center of our consciousness.

The ego is a pattern and a symbol. A compilation of images, thoughts and perceptions that represent 'us' to ourselves.

Ego as a symbol: The ego associates itself with other symbols, such as power, pride and prestige. (This can go in the opposite direction as well, the ego can lock an individual into a pattern of dysfunction where it associates itself with failure - "I am a failure, thus I do not deserve anything nice.") The ego does not experience anything directly; it can only interpret the experiences and input from other sources, the body, feelings, self or senses. The ego seeks fulfillment through symbolic goods it acquires and seeks immortality through the symbolic goods it produces.

Ego as a pattern: It is our continuity; the ego says "I am this type of person." This continuity gives the ego a sense of security and stability, (good or bad), yet is dynamic and in constant change, sustained by various means:

Our memories in which we selectively embrace occurrences that support concepts about ourselves, but are dynamic in change because reality is not static. (e.g."You are a Failure!")
Our self-image - based on our memories, perception of self and ever changing feelings and thoughts. (e.g. memory of the 'F')
Our habits - which suggest, through repetition that we are indeed a particular type of person. (e.g. several failed tests = proof I am the 'F')

The ego is a sentry. It analyzes situations as threatening or beneficial, largely on the basis of it's impact to our ego's pattern & symbols. Thus it reacts to insults, damage to it's symbols and challenges to its patterns and habits (physical and mental). Contrarily, threats to the body are managed largely by instinct (flight or fight response). For example: You are being robbed at gun point. The ego needs to be controlled because it may be less concerned about the body's well being than with the indignity of being robbed, causing you to antagonize the robber rather than giving him the money - which could lead to the body being hurt.

For me, my ego is has patterns and symbols that are based on lies. Lies that I told myself, lies I heard, and perceptions that are wrong. I have difficulty in differentiating where others end and I begin. I am too often swayed by others opinions. When someone tells me something, kind or critical, I internalize it and it becomes me, a representation of myself, another symbol for my ego to pattern itself on. Not unlike the child who thinks they are the "F".

Lack of differentiation causes you to feel powerless.

(Following paragraphs are paraphrased from 'The Psychology of Shame: Theory & Treatment of Shame Based Syndromes" by Gershan Kaufman.)

The need for power, fundamentally is the need for inner control over one's own life. It is a need to influence one's own environment, to feel consulted, to have an impact, to feel heard. To experience choice is to feel power, to be able to predict and control what happens.

Perception of a situation is critical to producing one's feeling of powerlessness. A sudden unexpected sense of uncertainty externally imposed, coupled with no control, creates the experience of powerlessness.

When one feels powerless, one feels nothing can be done, that something vital has been wrenched away, that one is powerless to stop it. Human beings are psychologically wired for a need for power, a need for a measure of personal control. The human need for power is not inherently a need for power over others, but instead a need to feel in command of one's own life. Power seeking is usually a result of powerlessness and shame that have been excessive or prolonged. In such cases power is likely to be relied upon exclusively to protect the self, compensate, reverse rolls etc.

The need for power is also related closely to the need for differentiation. Differentiation is the instrument through which individuation occurs. To differentiate is to say "I am different."

Here is where the two needs are related. Having control over your body, mind and environment enhances the inner sense of power and the need to differentiate.

With PTSD powerlessness was an integral part of what brought me here. Prolonged powerlessness, shame, lack of control over my physical being, mind and environment.

Are you with me still? Let's take a break and look at a pretty picture.

Just looking at Brynn's goofy monkey face makes me forget oodles of icky sh!t.

How does that translate into what is happening to me at the post?

You see, since I have a poor ability to differentiate my mind tells me lies "YOU ARE the bad run", "YOU ARE the worst", "YOU ARE a bad handler", "YOU ARE undeserving", "YOU ARE bad", and so on...

Those are all lies I hear in my head before I get to the post. Those are lies I hear in my head when I retire or finish the course. Conversely my mind is so locked into that negative thought pattern I am unable to allow myself to feel accomplishment, reward or encouragement. My ego has been holding on to this negative pattern for so long that I feel like any positive input is the lie.

When I walk to the post I carry this self-inflicted burden. I feel like I am unworthy, an imposter, a fraud. Because I am unable to differentiate myself from the negative thought pattern, it is tantamount to the level of anxiety I feel. Thus I begin to self destruct. I 'become' the run & a self fulfilling prophecy. My whistles become shrill, I panic from perceived powerlessness and it all goes to hell in a handbasket, while my brilliant little dog tries to save the day, responding to the anxiety I project.

Knowledge is power. Power over the shame. Power over the helplessness.
Power allows for differentiation. Power allows me to escape the shame that binds me to the lies.

One small step forward in this life long journey. Perhaps it will lead me to a healthy way of looking at myself for the first time in my life.

Its all good, moving forward to the future.

TMT #15

2011-11-03T21:29:00.000-07:00

1. What are you thankful for this week?

Many things. Our pasture owner/landlord who has been an absolute pleasure to work with. Both he and his wife bring a smile to my face each time I see them. God certainly was involved in helping us find the right place.

I am also thankful for my husband because one more week has passed and I am still alive. I often find myself wondering when he will finally snap and kill me, but he has the patience of a saint (or masochist - I haven't decided yet).

2. How do you deal with a squeaker/shrieker/noisy dog?

Ranger can be an aggressive, fence fighting barking nightmare. Since we live in a neighborhood with a HOA I have no choice other than to put a bark collar on him when we leave him at home. Bonnie is also a barker. One thing that has been helpful is the 'bark-fest'. Occasionally I will give them all the signal to 'speak' and they all bark, get treats and then I give them the signal "QUIET" and they get treats for being quiet. It helps the smarter ones control their barking and they know exactly what I am getting upset about when they are all barking in the back yard. Ranger is not one of the 'smarter' ones. He will keep barking and fence fighting as I walk up behind him with a wiffle bat. The only thing that shuts him up is the electronic bark collar. Once it goes on...he is silent as a church mouse. He knows EXACTLY what he is doing and why he is wearing it.

3. Barbara wants to know: what would you say is ONE skill or attribute needed to be successful?

The ability to allow yourself to succeed.

4. Pippin wants to know: what are your favorite games?

As a family when we get together we play dominoes or cards. Myself I prefer games such as "F*ck with your Husbands Mind". I have a perverse obsession with scaring people. On Halloween I spent the night on our front porch dressed up like a ghost where I scared many neighborhood children, much to their parents delight.

5. What are some of your strategies for dealing with winter?

Vitamin D, potent antidepressant, and good sturdy rain gear (I like Carhartt Workflex Raingear) it breathes and stretches as you move - which is essential when your arse is wider than the Mississippi.

My Bogs boots have also been a cornerstone for surviving winter in the Pacific Northwest. Warm, dry and comfortable. This year I am adding these to my waterproof boot collection. Bogs Mason - Women's Waterproof Boots Now to decide if I am going to get them in brown or black? I am leaning toward brown.

Baby Meets Sheep

2011-11-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

My daughter Amy & grandbaby Alyssa came with me to feed the sheep a few days ago. It was time to introduce the baby to sheep.

"What are sheep?"

"Alyssa, can you say Baaaa baaaaa? That is the sound a sheep makes."

"Let's start with feeding the ewes."

Alyssa didnt quite know what to think. Esther the Ewe was very interested in Alyssa.

Esther thought she smelled good and was kind enough to let Alyssa touch her on the head.

"I' not too sure 'bout sheep Gramma."

Time to meet the rest of them. First Sherman the Tank

Then Mama the Ancient.

A few others

Alssa started giggling when Tulip and Daisy started talking to her.

Alyssa says "Baaaa baaaa"

Jim the Llama wanted to meet her too.

"Hello little human."

Jim let Alyssa pet him as he nibbled on the grain in Amy's hand.

He is a good llama.

"I like sheep & llama"

Gramma's little helper to be.

Little Bea the Pumpkin Head

2011-10-31T23:40:00.000-07:00

Little Bea the Beazle-Bug

Hopping through the pumpkin patch

Racing up the field and back

Flying through the air.

Little Bea the Beazle-Bug

Dashing through the pumpkin patch

Leaving clouds of pumpkin dust,

Trailing in her wake.

Miss Brynn the Brynn Dog,

Romping through the pumpkin patch.

Playing in the sunshine,

and resting in the dirt.

Little Bea the Beazle-Bug,

Leaping through the pumpkin patch.

Waiting for the Brynn dog,

And biting her on the neck.

And Dooooooowwwwwwn came the good Fairy dog Beth

And she said....

Little Bea the Beazle-Bug,

I don't want to see you...

Waiting for the Brynn dog

and biting her on the neck.

I will give you one more chance and if I catch you biting her neck again...

I will turn you into a PUMPKIN HEAD!

The very next day...

Little Bea the Beazle-Bug,

Hiding in the pumpkin patch

Waiting for the Brynn dog

And chomping on her neck.

Tweeedlely Deeeeeeeee

Tweeedleleeee Dooooooo

Little Bea the Beazle-Bug

Oh, Oh, Ooooohhhhhh...

The Good Dog Fairy, shook her head

and shook her head some more.

Then Pooooooof!

Oh no...

"Ooops, guess you got that spell a little backward, good Fairy dog Beth"

You thought you could get me, HA!

I am Bea the Beazle-Bug!

And you have a pumpkin stuck on YOUR head!

The End

Disquietude & Coming Home

2011-10-27T23:50:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks have been a drain on me emotionally, which has translated to a profound gap in blogging. Sorry, no pictures this time. My computer time is limited until my hand feels better.

This last weekend at Fire Ridge Sheep Dog Trial I had three runs with Brynn. Three retires and one broken wrist. I ran Brynn on Saturday with two broken bones in my wrist from a tumble down the stairs the night before. Pain can be a wee bit distracting but vet wrap & ibuprofen are wonderful things.

I keep a notebook on my blackberry where I jot down thoughts that come to me. Here is a sampling of what I wrote throughout the weekend - it sums my emotional state up aptly.

I am tired of letters. I am frustrated.
I am a wee bit lost on this 'journey'
Don't giggle when your dog brings sheep around the post, does not end well
I have been looking for answers outside of myself. Searching for advice, miracle 'cures' & not listening to my heart and what I know is inside of me
I am afraid of success, self sabotage sucks
Why do I look to others for the validation? The answers lie in me. They will come through me, I just need to get out of the way.
That last step can be a doozie
Camp fires make your hair smell
I abhor 'name droppers' & people who need to be the center of attention all the time
When someone shows you who they are, believe them
I am tired of following others and discounting myself. I never learned how to separate myself from others opinions. I am not a mirror...I am me.
Humility, grace, honesty and kindness are things I cherish and admire in others above all
Not all dog people are nice, some people their saving grace IS their dog

The absolute best part of my weekend was coming home.

My handsome husband had the carpets cleaned, he pressure washed the house, driveway, porch and concrete, the house was spotless, smelled heavenly and dinner was in the oven.

Then Brynn tried to rip Ranger's nose off his face.

It was nice to be home.

Just Stuff

2011-10-18T01:14:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy couple of weeks, ruled mostly by sheep. Throw in my husband, kids and granddaughter, followed by dogs & working on a couple of website designs it does not leave much time left to blog.

Speaking of which...

Check out Dianne Deal's new website - Orchard Run Border Collies. It was a joy working with Dianne and I hope her new website represents her well.

www.diannedeal.com

Now that I have covered that, the rest of this blog post will be ruled by rambling. Blame it on the cold medicine. Being busy leads to being exhausted, which means the beginning of a yucky cold. You know the deal, headache, sinusitis, sore throat, ear ache, grumpy disposition. My husband thinks the grumpy disposition is normal, ibuprofen and decongestants do not typically help with that, much to his chagrin.

Wednesday I am leaving for Fire Ridge SDT. I am hoping that Brynn and I can actually finish a pro-novice course. She has been working well at home. Daily work and chores has helped me more than anything. Confidence is the biggest combatant against fear. With the confidence I am feeling things mesh, and hopefully able to project it through my whistles to Brynn.

Today we had a lovely session. My whistles have been so harsh in the past and I am learning to tone them down, soft & consistent which Brynn responds to nicely. In turn I feel myself relax, Brynn stops fighting me and we work as a team. Lets hope I can keep this 'zen' handling up when I am in front of people. That is my weakness & our downfall. Time and miles, I know.

This weekend we were busy. We put the redneck sheep hauler back into business. Saturday we drove to Ferndale, WA (where I grew up) to check out a flock of border leicester/coopworth sheep. The gal who raised them had been doing so for 17 years. She raised them for fleece and meat.

She has decided to switch to Finn's for their wool which she uses to create felted hats. Her entire flock was in excellent health, beautiful well bred sheep.

Together we corralled them and trimmed feet. She wanted to make sure I had a chance to thoroughly inspect them. We made a great deal. We brought home two ewe lambs and left the ewes I selected there to be bred to her handsome ram, Roy. We will pick them up in a month. That will give us two distinct unrelated crops of lambs which it a good thing. The best part was making new friends & connections.

On Sunday John and I drove the redneck sheep hauler to Olympia to pick up the baby Behemoth rambouillet ewe lamb (she is 6.5 mos old and HUGE!). She is a black rambouillet.

While she will compliment the direction I want to go in breeding I bought her mainly for her fleece, which is incredible. She is cute too, she has a white spot on her head, which is unusual. Another acquisition from a closed flock.

To give you an idea of how large she is...here is a group shot. She is standing behind the full grown Katahdins, remember she is just past 6 months old.

Jim was not quite sure what she was.

They got it sorted out in short order.

Thus ends our sheep shopping, much to Monique's relief.

As I type this, Brynn and Bea are snuggled up together at my feet under the desk. I think Brynn is going to have a harder time letting Bea go to Dianne for training than me. These two are a matched set.

This post would not be complete without picture to make you go awwwwwww.

Have a great week!

Sheep Gone Wild

2011-10-11T23:12:00.000-07:00

~ This post may not be suitable for viewers under 18 - or anyone else with an ounce of taste, class, or a sense of humor that has evolved beyond a 5th grader. ~

I have none of the above.

*note to self: do not use red marking paint on the ram next year, it is rather alarming for the neighbors & property owner to suddenly see red splashed all over the sheep*