Clouds

Oh big dark dramatic clouds how I love you. Too bad those clouds are sometimes a reflection of my soul.

We have had our fair share of ups and downs. Weather wise and personally. I'm about ready for the cool calm fall weather to get here!

Back to work

All the dogs are happy to get back into the swing of things. The Border Collies have been on sheep a few times already. I think the little break was good for them. Brit amazed me the other day with her confidence with the drive and the pen. I'm hoping to do the drive from the post at the next trial!!

The other dogs are back into the regular little training stuff. Just fun things like shaping and tricks. Pixel is doing bits of utility. But nothing too serious.

Leo is also learning agility. He is a really fun intense dog to work. But he is a bit of a challenge because he goes on auto pilot really quick. This week we've been working on rear crosses. I'm hoping I can get to some contact equipment on the weekend.

Fun Fun!

Fall Blues

I love fall. The crispness in the air is worth getting up in the morning for. Love it.

But for the past few years every time September rolls around I am met with a few days of sadness. And then I am over it. Moved on and into the cool, briskness that is fall.

The beginning of September has become a reminder of two great dogs that are no longer with me. And even though it has been a few years I still grieve for them. Not all the time of course, but somehow I have associated this time of year with them. One life was over this time of year, and the other a birthday. Two very different things but connected by loss and heartache.

Sam was a Cardigan, my second one. He was a rescue. Crazy, and happy, and loud. The BEST dog. Until he was gone. It was completely devastating to have to make that decision for him. I think that is why it has stuck with me for so long. I have lots of regret when it comes to Sam. If only I had been better educuated. Had more tools, more resources. More help. In my heart I know I did the best I could for him. And of course being a dog he was more than happy with his life. I only had him a few years. But he was such a special dog that he made a lasting impression on me.

Kate would have been 15 years old on the 2nd. Which is an impossible age for a shepherd. But nonetheless. Her death was not tragic, just old age finally catching up to her. But it hurt regardless. She was such a huge part of my life- forever it seemed. She was the dog that kept me in this crazy dog life. A dog who taught me many lessons, and was never easy. She gave me her heart- as only a shepherd can. They are frantic with their devotion- it is completely different than any of my other dogs. I miss her. A blog post about her last birthday.

Maybe writing about these things will help me to be less sad next year. To end the cycle. I know that writing about them has already made the pressure of the sadness release a bit. I have so much to look forward to these days. It's a shame to waste even a day feeling sad- especially about something that cannot be changed or undone.

So here's to feeling better tomorrow. 

Not to be left out...

Not to be left out I want to assure everyone that the three who didn't get to come with me had ample fun. ;)

Here are a few photos from their respective dogsitters. Thanks to Cindy, Wendy and Jo for helping out with the dogs. I knew they were in good hands!

Wicca stayed with my friend Cindy. Where she ruled over everyone with an iron fist. She was very spoiled- fed raw for the two weeks she was there, daily swims in the canal, ample couch time. Despite the spoiling she was happy to see me when I picked her up! That could be because of the trouble she got into now and again. Word is that she got into the fridge- even though it is the kind with the freezer on the bottom.... Apparently she used the conveniently placed freezer to reach even further into the fridge.

lounging on the couch. as the queen. 

the boss is on the left.

on the bed. of course

Pixel stayed with Cindy for a few days, and Jo, and Wendy. lol. She is the easy dog and had no troubles moving around. At Cindys she was an angel. At Jo's she was a little wound up, and at Wendy's she created her usual excited chaos. She seriously has insane amounts of energy. A few days of not a lot can make for a pretty nutty (loud, pushy, obnoxious, naughty) Pixel! Despite her naughty ways she is very charming though. She was BARELY excited to see me. Snot. lol

this very cool photo was taken by Wendy.

she stole the show at Wendy's. This is my most favorite photo.

at Jo's- hanging with the collies

and Boone. He was at Wendy's for the whole two weeks. And I have like a millon photos of him to choose from. I might go away more often!!! Seriously amazing photos. He had a fantastic time, and came home needing a bath but otherwise very happy, content and normal. Love that. He's such a special little guy. I worry about him when I am gone. So it was nice to not have to this time at all!

Home

Yesterday we made the long drive home. I thought it would feel shorter because of the familiarity of the drive. Not so much. lol. But man, what a great holiday. I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was better than I thought it would be. And just what I needed.

I am glad to be home. With my dogs. In my little house. And oddly I am even looking forward to going back to work. It was still really tough to leave my Grampa though. But I am already planning my next trip out there. This time by plane. ;)

I put together a video of our trip. More for my sister and I to be able to look back on our trip. But I thought I'd share it here. Its about five minutes long. With only a little dog content. I won't be offended if you don't watch. ;)



Oh, and I should mention here that I did not go to the Border Collie finals. It was just too far! Nine hours is a long way to go. It was completely my bad planning- I didn't realise it was that far away. I had thought it was half way. Six hours didn't sound so bad. But nine was too much. I felt bad letting the organiser down- I know it is hard to get help. But in the end I was able to spend even more time with my family. So it all worked out.

Weekend at the Cabin

The "Cabin" is an old farm house moved to a gorgeous spot alongside the Winnipeg River. It is owned by my Uncle Dale. They are avid outdoors lovers- snowmobiling in the winter, and quading, boating, fishing, and tubing in the summer.

It was a great weekend- visiting, sitting around the fire, going in a boat!, swimming, and more.
We went swimming on a beach we had to take a boat to get to. It was awesome to see how brave Nolen got over the weekend in the water. The lifejacket really helped his confidence- even in the shallower water. We had a great time playing at the beach. But we won't talk about the leach. lol

The dogs experienced their first time off a dock- Brit fell in the first time before she was ready so took some convincing after that. But Leo was a super star and had no trouble jumping off for the toy. It was a bit tricky to get them out of the water- I wished I would have brought their harnesses. But regardless they had a great time.

I only took photos on Sunday- and here are just a few of my favorites! It was so beautiful. The photos don't do it justice.

the path to the dock. V is on a leash because he really loved the squirrels.

half way down to the dock

beautiful.

waiting for the release

two swimming collies

Leo ready for another throw!

It is a huge river- resembles a lake more than a river. The only evidence of it being a river is the dam at one end, and a few spots where there is an actual current. The scenery on the river is amazing. I am sad I only brought my camera on Sunday as the places we went to Saturday were breathtaking. I loved all the rocky shoreline, and the trees were fantastic. It was VERY hard to take photos while on the boat. It is a more than a little bumpy. lol

the turtles!!! so cute!

The boats themselves were a ton of fun. I'd never been on a boat before. So it was a new experience. I loved it. I was not brave enough to try the tube though. After seeing my cousin go flying out of it cemented my thoughts about that. lol. Sabrina and Nolen went though, and were awesome. Nolen did great. I love seeing him so happy and excited! Kids are awesome.

my cousin Kyle- who is a pro as he has grown up doing crazy stuff

Sabrina and a very excited Nolen

the boat and tube

ready for action!

Nolen was so excited to ride with Kyle. He really looked up to him.

Speeding on by!

They showed Nolen where the horn was on the way back...

We are back at my Aunts now, one more week of visiting. I am spending most of the week at the house, visiting my Grampa. Time is flying by and I want to get in as much time with him as possible!

I am missing my other dogs a lot. Two weeks is a very long time. I've been assured that everyone is doing well though. Even Wicca who has been very naughty. Apparently there are quite the stories to be told on her return home....

10 Years Young

Boone is ten years old on Saturday. Time has been zipping by and all of a sudden I have a ten year old dog!

Not that he acts like a ten year old dog. Boone is in a chronic state of a four year old. Not as immature as a puppy. But never an adult. He is still super quirky and it looks like he will never outgrow that. I chalk all his weirdness up to a part of who he is. The poking (he pokes inanimate objects, and crotches). The morning butt rubs against the couch (it's quite the scene sometimes). The alarm barking at nothing (sometimes things but he saves the best barking for nothing). See, charming. :)

So a big happy birthday to the bestest spotty dog. I couldn't imagine my life without him! He has taught me a lot. About dogs. And training. And patience. And the value of just letting a dog "be who they are." He is one of those dogs that came into my life to teach me something- not the other way around.

I am still on holidays. 1200 kilometers away from him. But I know that he is in great hands. :) We will celebrate his birthday with the traditional ice cream when I get home.

Here's to many more birthdays for the little fuzz head!

Thanks to Wendy for the gorgeous photo!!! It's a keeper. And may need to be framed on my wall. :)

The drive

Road Trip!

Today is my last day of work for two whole weeks. To say I'm excited is an understatement.

My sister (and nolen) and I are Winnipeg bound to see my Grampa and various aunts and uncles. It is going to be awesome.

I am also going to Saskatchewan next weekend for the Canadian border collie finals- that was the initial reason for the drive that way so I'm pretty excited about that. I'm not entered but am working all weekend. It will be a fun time I am sure!

And then back to Winnipeg for a week of more visiting and relaxing. I hear the Mosquitos aren't too bad there! Lol

12 hours of driving should be interesting. I've never driven that far before. But i am sure nolen will keep us from being bored.

Space wise I am limited to how many dogs I can bring. So unfortunately I will be leaving some of the dogs with friends. I know they will be okay. But I will still miss them and worry about them. Brit, Leo and Vito are the lucky dogs to get to come. Brit is the easiest traveler. Leo can't really stay with anyone. (And I will need them for some sheepwork to help get ready for the finals) And Vito was in the same boat. No one wanted him. Lol. Wicca and Pixel were the easy ones to find places for. And Boone is going to Wendy's. I am grateful for that as he is a horrible traveler!! I am sad that they can't all come- but need to be realistic. The three I'm leaving would be not very happy being cooped up all the time too- they were the worst barkers last weekend at the clinic.

I probably won't be blogging much. Except for the odd photo now and then. The power of the iPhone is the only reason for that. My laptop Is not well. Lol.

So yay for holidays!! And wish me luck- 12+ hours in a car with a four year old....

:)

MacRae Clinic

Awesome is one word that can sum up the weekend. The MacRae's were fantastic- lots of really great information delivered in a way that even the very beginners were able to understand. I learned a lot- not only with my working time, but by watching and listening to everyone elses time.

Leo was very cautious on Saturday- he was nervous of the people I think. I probably should have had him out more in the day before his turn. So he could absorb the environment a bit more. Next time I'll know better. But I got some good pointers on how to work on teaching him his flanks, and to keep things balanced all the time. I've been spending so much time on outruns (which were great by the way! Like all the way across the arena!!!) that he was reluctant to walk into them on a drive at all. I need to remember to practice lots of different things and not be so specific.

Sunday he was more normal, and we were able to progress through the exercise better. He commented on the amount of eye he has, and did suggest that I work no less than five sheep at a time. I don't quite understand why, but I'll take his word for it. lol. It made sense at the time!

Even though I didn't work Brit I did get some ideas for her too. There were no other dogs like her there- but I think some of the driving games, the talk about the importance of pace, and a few other things can apply to her. I'm determined to teach her steady now more than ever- even though I know I will likely lose some oomph for a while. But she can't just gallop after them all the time...

Anyway, like I said it was a great weekend. My brain is full, and I am anxious to work some of the things we learned!

I didn't even take my camera as I knew I'd be too busy. But here are some other people took!

group photo!

Move Along ladies- photo by M.Bryan

Sneaky- photo by M. Bryan

Scotties! Who are so pretty, and really really fast. lol - photo by M.Bryan

Learning - photo by K.Oikawa

Keeping an eye on the Prize - photo by K. Oikawa

Serious Leo -photo by K. Oikawa

The company was great all weekend- a great group of people. We had the best time Saturday night playing the Game of Things. The excitement of the rattlesnake(s) woke us all up on Saturday. lol. And this blog post wouldn't be complete without mentioning Vito's Great Escape...

Close your eyes and envision Vito chasing four sheep around the yard.... it happened. Chasing them around the buildings, into the barn, into a fence. You know, all kinds of asshole things.  And do you think that little bugger would stop, or come when called? Not a chance. It wasn't until he was really scared that he stopped and ran back to the trailer. Jerk. Thankfully we didn't get kicked out. lol.

Herding Weekend

I've been looking forward to this weekend for a long time. My very first Herding Clinic! Alasdair MacRae is very well known across the country in the herding world. Winning 11 National Finals among other impressive things. I have heard nothing but good things about him, and am looking forward to working with him.

I am using Leo in the clinic. Which in itself is exciting. I'm hoping to get some more ideas about how to stretch him out, and keep that nice shape which is something that is taking some time. He is really coming along, and I have fantastic teachers but it is always nice to go and learn, and listen to what other people have to say!

Most of the dogs are coming with me too- which is nice. We are camping- hopefully it doesn't rain. It'll be a fun weekend I think!

Be prepared for more sheepdog photos!