Randy and I
(no Jenny Craig that is not a coke in my hand)
Isla on the fetch
Isla cross drive
Kipp and I
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
A few pictures from the weekend
My official photographer Penny Caster sent me some pictures from this weekend. If she keeps this up I may have to put her on the payroll.
Feeling very old
Just starting to recover from Scott & Jenny Glen's trial this weekend. Who knew that driving around on the ranger all weekend would be so tiring. I am feeling way to old this week. Not sure how that can be. A combination of really hot weather, stress and to many mosquito bites. By Sunday afternoon I came to the conclusion that I need a blood transfusion because the mosquito's had sucked all the blood out of my body. Another conclusion I came to was that we are all going to die of west nile virus because it is impossible to stop those little bas***ds from biting. They even get into your house and assault you in your sleep in places I don't even want to mention.
Isla had a good trial. She has really started to come together this year. Now if I can just figure out this handling thing as well as she has we would be unbeatable.
I had the pleasure of driving the judge Sue Main from Wales to and from the airport. Sue was a joy to have around very nice lady. This was her first time to Canada not to mention Alberta. Yesterday before she left I gave her the tourist back country tour of the Rocky Mountains. Sorry Penny but I did actually stop a couple of time so Sue could take some pictures.
I was so busy helping out at the trial I did not have time to take any pictures.
Fun was had by all and we look forward to next years trial.
Next stop Buffalo, Alberta, August 15th.
Isla had a good trial. She has really started to come together this year. Now if I can just figure out this handling thing as well as she has we would be unbeatable.
I had the pleasure of driving the judge Sue Main from Wales to and from the airport. Sue was a joy to have around very nice lady. This was her first time to Canada not to mention Alberta. Yesterday before she left I gave her the tourist back country tour of the Rocky Mountains. Sorry Penny but I did actually stop a couple of time so Sue could take some pictures.
I was so busy helping out at the trial I did not have time to take any pictures.
Fun was had by all and we look forward to next years trial.
Next stop Buffalo, Alberta, August 15th.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Calgary Stampede
First time at Calgary is over and done with for almost a week now and I can safely say that I survived. It is funny how this trial has turned into a big event. Any other timed arena trial is just a trial. But at this trial my phone was ringing all day. Friends that could not be there were wanting a play by play report of who did what.
all though Isla and I were not in the money I can say that we held our own and can't wait till next year. We ran almost very last on the first day so I had the chance to watch 70 runs before I ran. The sheep were a definitely challenge. If you sent your dog to the head of the sheep you were pretty much toast. The sheep would just stand there and stomp until your dog was forced to grip or just sit there and stare until your time ran out. So my plan was to go out and have Isla just flank back and forth and move the sheep that way. Boy did that work. We zoomed around the barrels and before I knew it we were around and at the pen. That's when I made some rookie mistakes and couldn't get my head together and Isla gripped off at the pen. But up until then we had the fast chute time of the first round. The second round didn't go as well the sheep were really heavy to the other end of the arena and your dog had to hold them the whole time. We got to the chute and ended up in a stand off and when I said walk up Isla said "sure thing mom"and showed those girl how time move. I was not disappointed in her she has not been a dog not to move sheep. Just sometimes at the expense of a run.
I learned a couple of thing about stampede that I will take with me for next year.
1. make sure your cell phone is fully charged.
2. when dark clouds are coming run for cover NOW!
3. bring lots of cash
4. the Shriner's are not a fun thing to watch.
5. It's a small world after all
6. Always bring a caddy to carry things and keep track of what the hell you are doing
all though Isla and I were not in the money I can say that we held our own and can't wait till next year. We ran almost very last on the first day so I had the chance to watch 70 runs before I ran. The sheep were a definitely challenge. If you sent your dog to the head of the sheep you were pretty much toast. The sheep would just stand there and stomp until your dog was forced to grip or just sit there and stare until your time ran out. So my plan was to go out and have Isla just flank back and forth and move the sheep that way. Boy did that work. We zoomed around the barrels and before I knew it we were around and at the pen. That's when I made some rookie mistakes and couldn't get my head together and Isla gripped off at the pen. But up until then we had the fast chute time of the first round. The second round didn't go as well the sheep were really heavy to the other end of the arena and your dog had to hold them the whole time. We got to the chute and ended up in a stand off and when I said walk up Isla said "sure thing mom"and showed those girl how time move. I was not disappointed in her she has not been a dog not to move sheep. Just sometimes at the expense of a run.
Isla and me on the jumbo tron
I learned a couple of thing about stampede that I will take with me for next year.
1. make sure your cell phone is fully charged.
2. when dark clouds are coming run for cover NOW!
3. bring lots of cash
4. the Shriner's are not a fun thing to watch.
5. It's a small world after all
6. Always bring a caddy to carry things and keep track of what the hell you are doing
Friday, July 4, 2008
Not again
Hello Bloggers
Google has again deiced to block our IP address. So I come to you today from my husbands work computer. Which means no pictures. Sorry
I have been busy working my dogs and getting ready for Stampede. Today I went to my friends to work dogs. On the way out to the field I got my truck stuck in a mud bog and I mean stuck. She was buried. I did get pictures but you will have to wait for them.
Well the good news is the Stampede has arrived to Calgary. The bad news alot of tourists on the Deerfoot(main freeway in Calgary). So to all the tourists out there that big black truck in your rear view mirror is me so please "GET OUT OF THE FAST LANE"
Ok back to dogs.
Isla is working really well right now and I am looking forward to the trials coming up. Kipp is still a work in progress. He has good days and bad days. Right now Kipp's biggest problem is traveling. He just gets so keyed up when we are on the road. Hopefully after a year down the road he will come together and start to settle.
Off to the Stampede tomorrow. I will let you all know how it goes.
Wish me luck
Google has again deiced to block our IP address. So I come to you today from my husbands work computer. Which means no pictures. Sorry
I have been busy working my dogs and getting ready for Stampede. Today I went to my friends to work dogs. On the way out to the field I got my truck stuck in a mud bog and I mean stuck. She was buried. I did get pictures but you will have to wait for them.
Well the good news is the Stampede has arrived to Calgary. The bad news alot of tourists on the Deerfoot(main freeway in Calgary). So to all the tourists out there that big black truck in your rear view mirror is me so please "GET OUT OF THE FAST LANE"
Ok back to dogs.
Isla is working really well right now and I am looking forward to the trials coming up. Kipp is still a work in progress. He has good days and bad days. Right now Kipp's biggest problem is traveling. He just gets so keyed up when we are on the road. Hopefully after a year down the road he will come together and start to settle.
Off to the Stampede tomorrow. I will let you all know how it goes.
Wish me luck
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Red Deer Trial
Went to the Red Deer trial last weekend. I thought I had both dogs working good. Red Deer trial is a timed arena trial. We were running on dog broke Dorper sheep.
Kipp's first run was pretty good and we ended up second after the first run. Isla had a good run going up until the chute. At the chute we ran into some problems and ended up gripping off. By the time Kipp was to run his second run he was so wound up he could hardly stand still. Not a good sign. He got sticky on me and then decided to grip in dramatic style. Kipp is still trying to get used to being on the road trialing. Hopefully after this year under his belt he will start to settle down. Isla second run looked beautiful. However when she came around the post I could see that by the look in her eye she was tired of pushing the sheep around the course. So we had a little discussion and got her to backed off. But when she rounded the she to turn for the chute she gripped off. At 3 years old she just doesn't have the patience yet but that will come with time. In the end not a very good trial for us. I will put it in the books as a learning experience.
Next on the trial trail is the Calgary Stampede Stock dog shoot out. I decided to take the plunge this year and enter Isla. After the Red Deer trial it could be interesting. But if I have learned anything from watching the Stampede trial it is that anything can happen.
Kipp's first run was pretty good and we ended up second after the first run. Isla had a good run going up until the chute. At the chute we ran into some problems and ended up gripping off. By the time Kipp was to run his second run he was so wound up he could hardly stand still. Not a good sign. He got sticky on me and then decided to grip in dramatic style. Kipp is still trying to get used to being on the road trialing. Hopefully after this year under his belt he will start to settle down. Isla second run looked beautiful. However when she came around the post I could see that by the look in her eye she was tired of pushing the sheep around the course. So we had a little discussion and got her to backed off. But when she rounded the she to turn for the chute she gripped off. At 3 years old she just doesn't have the patience yet but that will come with time. In the end not a very good trial for us. I will put it in the books as a learning experience.
Next on the trial trail is the Calgary Stampede Stock dog shoot out. I decided to take the plunge this year and enter Isla. After the Red Deer trial it could be interesting. But if I have learned anything from watching the Stampede trial it is that anything can happen.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Working Kelpie Weekend
Hello Bloggers, I want to apologize for being so tardy on my duties. It has been crazy busy around here. So I am going to do two posts to get up to date.
Isla was in charge of setting, sorting and moving sheep. She could not have been happier and did a very good job.Risk took a turn on sheep but really didn't know what he was suppose to do.
two weeks ago my place was invaded by Kelpies. Poor Isla and Kipp didn't know what hit them. We had a working Keplie clinic here. My friend Karin brought in an Kevin Howell Australian man who breeds and trials working Kelpies. A good time was had by all. I can honestly say I have never drank so much at a clinic. Boy the Kelpie people sure know how to have a good time.
After two weeks straight of rain. I was worried that we would not be able to get everyone in here. After some improvising we got everything handled.
Isla was in charge of setting, sorting and moving sheep. She could not have been happier and did a very good job.Risk took a turn on sheep but really didn't know what he was suppose to do.Monday, June 9, 2008
This is why I own dogs
OK, I will admit that the dogs came before the sheep. But if I had sheep and no dogs things would be alot different. Today I found out how easy it can be.
I noticed that one of my ewes was standing in the shed all by herself and the rest of the flock was way at the other end on the field. For those of you that have sheep you know that sheep never stand off by them selves unless something is wrong. So I grabbed Isla out of the kennel and went to the field to see what the deal was. The ewe was a bit unsettled being by herself and all. So I used Isla to hold her in the shed while I took a look at her. I noticed her face seems swollen. Weird. While I was in the shed the rain started to bucketing down hard. I wanted to compare her head to the rest of the sheep so I could see how bad it was swollen. But I was not about to got out to the end of the field in the pouring rain. So I told Isla to look back and off she went. Not even knowing where the sheep were and she probably never saw them until she was right beside them. She had to cross the creek twice as she ran back to the end on the field. I just waited in the shed and pretty soon through the willows I saw Isla bringing the sheep to me. She pushed them across the creek and into the shed. What a dog!!!!
I noticed that one of my ewes was standing in the shed all by herself and the rest of the flock was way at the other end on the field. For those of you that have sheep you know that sheep never stand off by them selves unless something is wrong. So I grabbed Isla out of the kennel and went to the field to see what the deal was. The ewe was a bit unsettled being by herself and all. So I used Isla to hold her in the shed while I took a look at her. I noticed her face seems swollen. Weird. While I was in the shed the rain started to bucketing down hard. I wanted to compare her head to the rest of the sheep so I could see how bad it was swollen. But I was not about to got out to the end of the field in the pouring rain. So I told Isla to look back and off she went. Not even knowing where the sheep were and she probably never saw them until she was right beside them. She had to cross the creek twice as she ran back to the end on the field. I just waited in the shed and pretty soon through the willows I saw Isla bringing the sheep to me. She pushed them across the creek and into the shed. What a dog!!!!
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