As we reminisce on 2012, the highs and lows have made for a wild ride. Sadly however, it seems an era is coming to an end. Not only did 2012 see the passing of Oscar, a Maremma, the most amazing livestock guardian dog to ever walk the Earth, it was also time for Boy, the Border Collie namesake of Boywood Border Collies, and the dog that started it all for Mary Lou, to cross over the Rainbow Bridge.
Boy was one of those dogs who was always happy and good natured, a willing worker, and honest as the day is long. He helped start young dogs learning their craft, tolerated their mistakes and cleaned up any of the inevitable messes an over-enthusiastic young dog can create. It was beneath him to get involved in any squabble that a young insecure teenager might want to pick with him, and would ignore the youngster with regal disdain.
Boy was a large Border Collie, and as such fifteen and a half was a ripe old age, a far cry from the large fuzzy bundle of puppy fur with the cowlick on his forehead that came home with Mary Lou and turned her life upside down. From a six-month old pup chasing sheep around the old farm house in an attempt to get sheep from the barn to the pasture, to just five short months later competing in his first sheepdog trial, Boy started Mary Lou on a journey that has taken her from her small farm and six sheep across North America and on to the challenging fields of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England and representing Canada at the ISDS World Sheepdog Trials. Although Boy may not have been the dog that participated in all the international travels or earned the biggest prizes, he will always have the highest accolade any dog could ever have, the heart of his owner. Like a pebble that starts an avalanche, Boy was the dog that changed Mary Lou's life forever.
THE RAINBOW BRIDGE
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
Dogs on Wicklow hike
Sunday 30 December 2012
Friday 7 September 2012
These boots were made for walking...
We were a bit of a spectacle in the airport on the return trip home. Dog crates and luggage for three weeks were piled on multiple luggage carts. Mary Lou and I each pushed two carts at once (which had that aggravating handbrake) and cleared a path down Manchester airport as effectively as army tanks.
The dogs were great, now seasoned travelers, and the staff at Air Transat were wonderful, a senior official coming to tell us personally the dogs were on board and happy. The day before we were less impressed because when we phoned to confirm the dogs were booked on the flight they insisted they didn't have any record of the dogs being booked and wouldn't take them. At one point it looked like someone was going to have to stay until September 11th, when the next seats were available, not a good omen.
The flight however, was delayed an hour when there was a mix-up with the catering. The crew waited until we were airborne to tell the passengers they were 100 meals short on the 8 hour flight, most receiving a large bun that looked like a cow pattie, a pat of butter, a small chocolate bar and a napkin. We fortunately had paid for an upgrade and received hot, remarkably tasty meals. If looks could kill, the nearby passengers would have turned us into smoldering ashes.
When we hit customs, we of course told them where we had been and where we were going. We had cleaned our boots in England, but not to the satisfaction of Canada Customs. We spent the next two hours using every available tool such as screwdrivers and tweezers, picking at our wellies, and then dipping them in antiseptic. Our friend Rose, who was picking us up at the airport, had no idea what had happened as we weren't allowed to use our cell phones. Three hours late, we finally emerged to the relief of Rose, who had loyally hung around, phoning everyone she knew to see if anyone had heard from us. (Note to self, scrub boots using a heavier brush next time.)
Returning home was bittersweet, without the loving face of Oscar to greet us, but the Border Collies that had stayed home made up for it with many wagging tails.
So ended our trip, a wonderful adventure with many great memories and new friends.
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The dogs were great, now seasoned travelers, and the staff at Air Transat were wonderful, a senior official coming to tell us personally the dogs were on board and happy. The day before we were less impressed because when we phoned to confirm the dogs were booked on the flight they insisted they didn't have any record of the dogs being booked and wouldn't take them. At one point it looked like someone was going to have to stay until September 11th, when the next seats were available, not a good omen.
The flight however, was delayed an hour when there was a mix-up with the catering. The crew waited until we were airborne to tell the passengers they were 100 meals short on the 8 hour flight, most receiving a large bun that looked like a cow pattie, a pat of butter, a small chocolate bar and a napkin. We fortunately had paid for an upgrade and received hot, remarkably tasty meals. If looks could kill, the nearby passengers would have turned us into smoldering ashes.
When we hit customs, we of course told them where we had been and where we were going. We had cleaned our boots in England, but not to the satisfaction of Canada Customs. We spent the next two hours using every available tool such as screwdrivers and tweezers, picking at our wellies, and then dipping them in antiseptic. Our friend Rose, who was picking us up at the airport, had no idea what had happened as we weren't allowed to use our cell phones. Three hours late, we finally emerged to the relief of Rose, who had loyally hung around, phoning everyone she knew to see if anyone had heard from us. (Note to self, scrub boots using a heavier brush next time.)
Returning home was bittersweet, without the loving face of Oscar to greet us, but the Border Collies that had stayed home made up for it with many wagging tails.
So ended our trip, a wonderful adventure with many great memories and new friends.
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Tuesday 4 September 2012
Sad day
The hard part about these trips is you are leaving so much behind at home and only through the kindness of good friends can it be done. Just before we left, our old livestock guardian dog, Oscar, seemed to be developing a mild cough, but I had a bad feeling about it, as he had been on and off a bit for the last year. He was 12, a ripe old age for a dog with a lifestyle that generally allows for a life expectancy of around 8 years.
Oscar had been going down fast while we were away, and despite good friends who are vet techs, giving prednisone and other care to try to help him make it until we got home, a couple of days ago it was time to say goodbye. I haven't wanted to write until today, as I was having trouble wrapping my head around it. We have not had good luck with livestock guardian dogs (LGD) on these UK trips, losing our other 8 year old last year around the same time.
Oscar was one of those dogs who could look terrifying when necessary, almost 100 pound of solid muscle, and would take a coyote on without hesitating, and yet was a gentle giant. He knew the difference between a hunting coyote, a Border Collie doing his job, and a young pup who had got in amongst the sheep. Oscar knew who belonged on the farm, friends and students welcome...yet shady characters were chased off without hesitation. He made friends with nervous or aggressive dogs, they never tried him on or questioned him. His body language just communicated confidence. Yet his quiet, but deep lion growl would teach a young pup quickly about manners with no fuss and no muss.
Oscar knew when you were trying to help him. This dog who could've ripped me apart in seconds let me pull porcupine quills from his muzzle without protest.
He lived full time with the sheep, rain or snow or heat, and always did his job well, protecting the livestock and the farm. His final job this summer was to teach the ropes to his young sons.
Thank you Oscar and rest easy. Your work is done. We will see you at the Rainbow Bridge again someday.
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Oscar had been going down fast while we were away, and despite good friends who are vet techs, giving prednisone and other care to try to help him make it until we got home, a couple of days ago it was time to say goodbye. I haven't wanted to write until today, as I was having trouble wrapping my head around it. We have not had good luck with livestock guardian dogs (LGD) on these UK trips, losing our other 8 year old last year around the same time.
Oscar was one of those dogs who could look terrifying when necessary, almost 100 pound of solid muscle, and would take a coyote on without hesitating, and yet was a gentle giant. He knew the difference between a hunting coyote, a Border Collie doing his job, and a young pup who had got in amongst the sheep. Oscar knew who belonged on the farm, friends and students welcome...yet shady characters were chased off without hesitation. He made friends with nervous or aggressive dogs, they never tried him on or questioned him. His body language just communicated confidence. Yet his quiet, but deep lion growl would teach a young pup quickly about manners with no fuss and no muss.
Oscar knew when you were trying to help him. This dog who could've ripped me apart in seconds let me pull porcupine quills from his muzzle without protest.
He lived full time with the sheep, rain or snow or heat, and always did his job well, protecting the livestock and the farm. His final job this summer was to teach the ropes to his young sons.
Thank you Oscar and rest easy. Your work is done. We will see you at the Rainbow Bridge again someday.
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Sunday 2 September 2012
I'll give you a big price...
We only managed the trial in Scotland yesterday, after being quite lost and asking directions at a local castle (doesn't everyone?). When we saw the bog at the gate (at the bottom of the field, we had to drive to the top and it was really wet), we decided our rear-wheel drive (with no weight in the back), bald tires rental vehicle would never make it, and it would be less embarrassing to climb a few walls than to get stuck at the only gate to the field in full view of everyone.
We parked in a remote area, in the entrance to field with the skeleton of an old stone house still standing. After climbing a gate, walking through two steep fields, avoiding some stinging nettles and a rather feisty bull, and making a dash up the trial field in between runs, we finally made it to the top.
Little Dyna has been a superstar everywhere we go, running well and catching everyone's eye. This trial was no different. After her run, famous handlers came up and asked about Dyna's breeding, who had trained her and so on. Mary Lou has even had a few proposals, from big money for Dyna to an offer to come along too.
The wind was very strong during our runs in particular, so strong in fact that the pen door rope ripped through my hand, leaving me with a burn. Needless to say, the flapping gate didn't make friends with the sheep, not an ideal time to run, although I should have managed it anyway, having the sheep in the gap three times. People here even make charts so they know when the sheep will run best and run their best dog then, usually running their other dog in the morning to get a feel for the course. The sheep are often taken off the fells just for the trials, as was the case this day, and don't see a lot of dogs at all throughout the year. Penning is much more of a rarity at many of these trials. Linda and Bet had a very good go however, getting a 76 during very difficult running. The evening was gorgeous, as we worked our way back to the car.
Today's trial was up in the Lake District, judged by Katy Cropper. Herdwick sheep, with some Swaledale mixed in, and yet another stream for sheep to take shelter in. All the dogs again ran well, and I was thrilled to pen today as the sheep were not penning at all. We met a really neat man, who had owned and shepherded the nearby fells, with up to 8 dogs at one time, all under full control while basically mountain climbing. The stories were absolutely amazing. We actually had an offer to go gather the fells, but we all wanted to go home with our dogs intact.
We did some good shopping at the fair, and then another nice fellow told us to take a more scenic route home, and although the road was at times terrifying (in the picture, that slight ridge in the distance is the road and it is much further down than it looks), the view was some of the most spectacular scenery we've ever seen.
The next few days we will be starting to turn our focus back to heading home.
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We parked in a remote area, in the entrance to field with the skeleton of an old stone house still standing. After climbing a gate, walking through two steep fields, avoiding some stinging nettles and a rather feisty bull, and making a dash up the trial field in between runs, we finally made it to the top.
Little Dyna has been a superstar everywhere we go, running well and catching everyone's eye. This trial was no different. After her run, famous handlers came up and asked about Dyna's breeding, who had trained her and so on. Mary Lou has even had a few proposals, from big money for Dyna to an offer to come along too.
The wind was very strong during our runs in particular, so strong in fact that the pen door rope ripped through my hand, leaving me with a burn. Needless to say, the flapping gate didn't make friends with the sheep, not an ideal time to run, although I should have managed it anyway, having the sheep in the gap three times. People here even make charts so they know when the sheep will run best and run their best dog then, usually running their other dog in the morning to get a feel for the course. The sheep are often taken off the fells just for the trials, as was the case this day, and don't see a lot of dogs at all throughout the year. Penning is much more of a rarity at many of these trials. Linda and Bet had a very good go however, getting a 76 during very difficult running. The evening was gorgeous, as we worked our way back to the car.
Today's trial was up in the Lake District, judged by Katy Cropper. Herdwick sheep, with some Swaledale mixed in, and yet another stream for sheep to take shelter in. All the dogs again ran well, and I was thrilled to pen today as the sheep were not penning at all. We met a really neat man, who had owned and shepherded the nearby fells, with up to 8 dogs at one time, all under full control while basically mountain climbing. The stories were absolutely amazing. We actually had an offer to go gather the fells, but we all wanted to go home with our dogs intact.
We did some good shopping at the fair, and then another nice fellow told us to take a more scenic route home, and although the road was at times terrifying (in the picture, that slight ridge in the distance is the road and it is much further down than it looks), the view was some of the most spectacular scenery we've ever seen.
The next few days we will be starting to turn our focus back to heading home.
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Friday 31 August 2012
A trip down memory lane...
We got up early and jumped on the M6 (again) and headed for Raymond MacPherson's place, near the Scottish border. We only made one wrong turn, and intelligently ignored the GPS's suggestion to drive into a field, landing at Raymond's a few minutes early (we allow time for several detours when guessing at our ETA). He and his lovely wife Margaret invited us in to their beautiful home for tea. We all sat in awe as Raymond recounted stories of famous dogs and handlers, and of his travels through the UK and North America. He had known the great J.M.Wilson and and his spectacular dogs. Raymond told us stories of his own famous dogs and of working them on the hill. The pictures and memorabilia were fantastic...
After tea, we went out to work dogs in a near-by field. The field had "rashes" (reedy type brush) running across the middle of the field which created a virtual fence, and the sheep seemed a long way away on the other side. All of us were a bit nervous, but Mary Lou elected me to go first. I wanted to work on Craig's outrun, but naturally he was perfect. However, when driving them back to the top he decided to act like he didn't know how to drive, and Raymond kindly insisted there was a dead spot in the field for sound.
Raymond explaining a finer point to Linda and Mary Lou...
After we'd all had a go, the rain started and it was cold, so we headed back to the house. Margaret had laid out a beautiful lunch, and I proceeded to make an impression by knocking my head on a low flying ceiling light in the kitchen. Since Raymond is at least 3 inches taller than me, I figured I wasn't the first.
As we head back towards The Shepherd's Barn, we are looking forward to tomorrow, where we will try to set our new record of three trials in two countries in one day. May the sheep (and sat nav) be with us!
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After tea, we went out to work dogs in a near-by field. The field had "rashes" (reedy type brush) running across the middle of the field which created a virtual fence, and the sheep seemed a long way away on the other side. All of us were a bit nervous, but Mary Lou elected me to go first. I wanted to work on Craig's outrun, but naturally he was perfect. However, when driving them back to the top he decided to act like he didn't know how to drive, and Raymond kindly insisted there was a dead spot in the field for sound.
Raymond explaining a finer point to Linda and Mary Lou...
After we'd all had a go, the rain started and it was cold, so we headed back to the house. Margaret had laid out a beautiful lunch, and I proceeded to make an impression by knocking my head on a low flying ceiling light in the kitchen. Since Raymond is at least 3 inches taller than me, I figured I wasn't the first.
As we head back towards The Shepherd's Barn, we are looking forward to tomorrow, where we will try to set our new record of three trials in two countries in one day. May the sheep (and sat nav) be with us!
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Coming up rose-ettes
After a relaxing cup of coffee, we headed out to our next sheepdog trial adventure, a fast blast up the M6 motorway to the Caldbeck trial, another long-standing trial...flighty Swaledales on a tricky hill with a river running beside that the sheep were quite willing to use as an escape route. When we arrived, they were pulling yet another group of sheep out of the river...oh boy...
We have been surrounded by sheepdog legends this whole trip, and this trial is no different, as we will have the privilege of watching such luminaries as Raymond McPherson, Joe McRoberts, and of course Thomas Longton. When another top hand goes into the river with his sheep, we aren't sure whether to be terrified or relieved that we wouldn't be the only ones to go in if it happened to us.
We booked in right away, planning on getting home for an early evening. Mary Lou sent Dyna to the right, and she came up spot on behind her sheep. Taking control, Dyna eased the touchy sheep around the course beautifully, with a small glitch at the pen before sliding them in calmly. A great run that left many asking about Dyna's breeding and background and congratulating Mary Lou on her handling.
The sheep recycled just before Linda was to go, her second trial in a row to have the first lot of recycled sheep. We could see the sheep bouncing and popping in the set-out, and Linda looked back at us and laughed... We could all see what was about to happen, the sheep were going to explode t of the pen. Remember, in these trials the sheep are let out, but not really spotted anywhere. Linda's sheep leapt onto the course with a flourish. Linda's Bet calmly paddled them around the course, settling them well considering the grand entrance, but the pen ended up being their nemesis, as it was for many teams on this day.
My run with Craig started a bit uneven, but Craig got a good hold of his sheep and had a decent fetch and very good drive, but the pen caught us as well.
Then there was the "dog type" parade again, which we learned more about. Apparently, it is done at many of the long-standing trials, particularly at the prestigious Longshaw trial, where it is taken very seriously. A vet checks the dogs over for conditioning and health and it is considered a valuable part of the sheepdog trial. Mary Lou's Dyna made it to the semi-final this time, as did Raymond MacPherson's dog.
When the dust settled, we came away with a fair amount of hardware.
Mary Lou finished in second place, one point behind Raymond MacPherson's run, and earned a large rosette. She also won the top female handler award, a gorgeous crystal bowl. I won a perpetual trophy for top run without a pen, but since I couldn't take the trophy with me, they gave me a lovely plate (not sure how some of this is going to survive flying home!) and best of all, we have the opportunity to go visit Raymond MacPherson, a wonderful store of sheepdog knowledge and history.
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We have been surrounded by sheepdog legends this whole trip, and this trial is no different, as we will have the privilege of watching such luminaries as Raymond McPherson, Joe McRoberts, and of course Thomas Longton. When another top hand goes into the river with his sheep, we aren't sure whether to be terrified or relieved that we wouldn't be the only ones to go in if it happened to us.
We booked in right away, planning on getting home for an early evening. Mary Lou sent Dyna to the right, and she came up spot on behind her sheep. Taking control, Dyna eased the touchy sheep around the course beautifully, with a small glitch at the pen before sliding them in calmly. A great run that left many asking about Dyna's breeding and background and congratulating Mary Lou on her handling.
The sheep recycled just before Linda was to go, her second trial in a row to have the first lot of recycled sheep. We could see the sheep bouncing and popping in the set-out, and Linda looked back at us and laughed... We could all see what was about to happen, the sheep were going to explode t of the pen. Remember, in these trials the sheep are let out, but not really spotted anywhere. Linda's sheep leapt onto the course with a flourish. Linda's Bet calmly paddled them around the course, settling them well considering the grand entrance, but the pen ended up being their nemesis, as it was for many teams on this day.
My run with Craig started a bit uneven, but Craig got a good hold of his sheep and had a decent fetch and very good drive, but the pen caught us as well.
Then there was the "dog type" parade again, which we learned more about. Apparently, it is done at many of the long-standing trials, particularly at the prestigious Longshaw trial, where it is taken very seriously. A vet checks the dogs over for conditioning and health and it is considered a valuable part of the sheepdog trial. Mary Lou's Dyna made it to the semi-final this time, as did Raymond MacPherson's dog.
When the dust settled, we came away with a fair amount of hardware.
Mary Lou finished in second place, one point behind Raymond MacPherson's run, and earned a large rosette. She also won the top female handler award, a gorgeous crystal bowl. I won a perpetual trophy for top run without a pen, but since I couldn't take the trophy with me, they gave me a lovely plate (not sure how some of this is going to survive flying home!) and best of all, we have the opportunity to go visit Raymond MacPherson, a wonderful store of sheepdog knowledge and history.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Thursday 30 August 2012
Things that go bump in the night...
Yesterday was the Reeth trial, another stunning drive through the Yorkshire Dales.
You'd think we'd be sick of taking pictures of sheep on the road, but it is such a culture shock to us North Americans, it is almost like being on a domestic safari.
The trial was fun. According to Eric Halsall (I'll have to find which book I read it in) years and years ago after a sheepdog trial the working dogs would also be in a contest for looks. This trial continued that tradition for fun and everyone including top handlers like Thomas Longton and Richard Faucett put their dogs in. It was quite funny to see all these muddy, wet dogs lined up. My handsome Craig got a prize, losing in the final to a six year old girl's dog, with the judge giving me a wink. It was a good laugh.
The trial was a success for all of us as well, with Linda's young dog winning the novice class, my Craig finishing 3rd and Mary Lou's Dyna finishing 6th. Richard Faucett, a very nice man whom we chatted with in depth, won the trial and Thomas Longton, our host, was 4th. The sheep were touchy and would go over top of a dog and apparently hadn't been penned at the trial in two years. This year seemed better, but since it was pen, then shed, the pen was critical and we all had good in-bye work.
After another beautiful drive back and we went out with Thomas to celebrate his birthday and returned home exhausted.
As we were all falling asleep, a loud bang resonated through the house. At first I thought perhaps a dog had knocked something over, but then I heard a knock at my door. Mary Lou was at my door with a big smile on her face, trying to maintain her composure. Her bed had collapsed, or so she described. With all of us laughing uncontrollably, Linda and I entered Mary Lou's room, expecting to help her rebuild the bed. We were surprised to see a perfectly normal looking bed. Mary Lou insisted the bed had broken, and indeed we had all heard the thud. Looking under the bed, which was supported by slats, one had popped out and fallen to the floor, leaving a gap for the mattress to sag through. We fixed it as a team, and then with big smiles on our faces, retired to our rooms for a luxurious contented sleep.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
You'd think we'd be sick of taking pictures of sheep on the road, but it is such a culture shock to us North Americans, it is almost like being on a domestic safari.
The trial was fun. According to Eric Halsall (I'll have to find which book I read it in) years and years ago after a sheepdog trial the working dogs would also be in a contest for looks. This trial continued that tradition for fun and everyone including top handlers like Thomas Longton and Richard Faucett put their dogs in. It was quite funny to see all these muddy, wet dogs lined up. My handsome Craig got a prize, losing in the final to a six year old girl's dog, with the judge giving me a wink. It was a good laugh.
The trial was a success for all of us as well, with Linda's young dog winning the novice class, my Craig finishing 3rd and Mary Lou's Dyna finishing 6th. Richard Faucett, a very nice man whom we chatted with in depth, won the trial and Thomas Longton, our host, was 4th. The sheep were touchy and would go over top of a dog and apparently hadn't been penned at the trial in two years. This year seemed better, but since it was pen, then shed, the pen was critical and we all had good in-bye work.
After another beautiful drive back and we went out with Thomas to celebrate his birthday and returned home exhausted.
As we were all falling asleep, a loud bang resonated through the house. At first I thought perhaps a dog had knocked something over, but then I heard a knock at my door. Mary Lou was at my door with a big smile on her face, trying to maintain her composure. Her bed had collapsed, or so she described. With all of us laughing uncontrollably, Linda and I entered Mary Lou's room, expecting to help her rebuild the bed. We were surprised to see a perfectly normal looking bed. Mary Lou insisted the bed had broken, and indeed we had all heard the thud. Looking under the bed, which was supported by slats, one had popped out and fallen to the floor, leaving a gap for the mattress to sag through. We fixed it as a team, and then with big smiles on our faces, retired to our rooms for a luxurious contented sleep.
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To England...
The ferry ride back to England was pretty exciting. We were on the "fast ferry", a massive katamaran-style ship and the Irish Sea was very rough due to gale force winds. Looking out the ferry window, one minute we'd be looking at the water and the next minute all we could see was sky. Apparently the ship ran out of sea sickness bags, and even Mary Lou and Linda decided some Gravol would be in their best interest.
The ferry captain had to divert and zig-zag across to avoid the worst of it, but every now and again a particularly nasty swell would hit us with a bang and the ship would shudder, which was somewhat unnerving (can you say "Titanic"?).
Mary Lou and I went out on the back of the ferry, which was essentially covered in a cage to prevent anyone from being tossed overboard. The water was crashing on all sides and I could taste the salt of the sea. We had to hang on for dear life but it was exhilarating!
It was a long drive to Lancaster, and the following morning came early. We were bleary-eyed as we drove to our next trial at the Kilnsey Fair. The sat nav (GPS) took us over hill and dale, but it was a spectacular drive. Neither Linda or I faired well. The sheep were let out at the top but not spotted by anyone and the field was small. I had an independent Swaledale ewe who was halfway down the field before Craig got there, and we never got things settled. A few ewes had jumped back into the set-out or the exhaust and my ewe was trying her best to do the same. Linda had a very good run up to the pen, when Bet got frustrated with another tricky ewe and decided to put some manners on her. Mary Lou and Dyna had a great go, finishing 4th, only a couple of points behind Jim Cropper's winning run.
It is such a different game here. Many people won't go to trials that are more than an hour away. Have a bad go? Tomorrow there's another trial 20 minutes away with only a £5 entry fee. Had a great go? Not to worry...sheep, the great leveler, will likely bring you back to reality tomorrow. The motto in sheepdog trialling... "This too shall pass..."
Today we are off to another trial, to have another go with the dogs!
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The ferry captain had to divert and zig-zag across to avoid the worst of it, but every now and again a particularly nasty swell would hit us with a bang and the ship would shudder, which was somewhat unnerving (can you say "Titanic"?).
Mary Lou and I went out on the back of the ferry, which was essentially covered in a cage to prevent anyone from being tossed overboard. The water was crashing on all sides and I could taste the salt of the sea. We had to hang on for dear life but it was exhilarating!
It was a long drive to Lancaster, and the following morning came early. We were bleary-eyed as we drove to our next trial at the Kilnsey Fair. The sat nav (GPS) took us over hill and dale, but it was a spectacular drive. Neither Linda or I faired well. The sheep were let out at the top but not spotted by anyone and the field was small. I had an independent Swaledale ewe who was halfway down the field before Craig got there, and we never got things settled. A few ewes had jumped back into the set-out or the exhaust and my ewe was trying her best to do the same. Linda had a very good run up to the pen, when Bet got frustrated with another tricky ewe and decided to put some manners on her. Mary Lou and Dyna had a great go, finishing 4th, only a couple of points behind Jim Cropper's winning run.
It is such a different game here. Many people won't go to trials that are more than an hour away. Have a bad go? Tomorrow there's another trial 20 minutes away with only a £5 entry fee. Had a great go? Not to worry...sheep, the great leveler, will likely bring you back to reality tomorrow. The motto in sheepdog trialling... "This too shall pass..."
Today we are off to another trial, to have another go with the dogs!
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Saturday 25 August 2012
Jacket and trousers
We got to see a dying art today in a private demonstration. Pat Corrigan, who has been shearing for 65 years, since he was a teen, demonstrated how to shear a sheep in a special jacket and trousers cut. Back in the day, if the sheep weren't sheared well, they wouldn't sell at market. Sheep that were sheared in the jacket and trousers fashion would get very good prices. Four weeks after the shearing, this cut apparently looks amazing. Few shearers can do this today, and soon its secret will be lost.
It starts out with a sheep with full fleece...Pat's son Andy (it's a sheep shearing family), a brilliant shearer in his own right, tips the candidate...
Pat steps in and the process begins...
More off...
The ewe looks at me as if to say "how embarrassing"...
Voila!
To put the difficulty of this in perspective, all the ridges line up on both sides of the ewe (a live feisty animal) and Pat's other son, David (standing on the right) who is also an excellent shearer, won't even attempt this. David said his own version doesn't look like jacket and trousers, more like bad pajamas!
After the demonstration, the Corrigans showed us different spots where the movie "Braveheart" was filmed on the Curragh, (they live near and pasture sheep on the Curragh, and were the sheep wranglers keeping sheep away from the movie set during the shoot).
Sheep are such a part of life over here and on the Curragh, golfers must even contend with sheepy distractions!
Sheepdog trial tomorrow with 740 yard outrun! Should be fun!
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It starts out with a sheep with full fleece...Pat's son Andy (it's a sheep shearing family), a brilliant shearer in his own right, tips the candidate...
Pat steps in and the process begins...
More off...
The ewe looks at me as if to say "how embarrassing"...
Voila!
To put the difficulty of this in perspective, all the ridges line up on both sides of the ewe (a live feisty animal) and Pat's other son, David (standing on the right) who is also an excellent shearer, won't even attempt this. David said his own version doesn't look like jacket and trousers, more like bad pajamas!
After the demonstration, the Corrigans showed us different spots where the movie "Braveheart" was filmed on the Curragh, (they live near and pasture sheep on the Curragh, and were the sheep wranglers keeping sheep away from the movie set during the shoot).
Sheep are such a part of life over here and on the Curragh, golfers must even contend with sheepy distractions!
Sheepdog trial tomorrow with 740 yard outrun! Should be fun!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday 23 August 2012
Variety is the spice of life...
The dogs are getting quite an education, as are we. We've gone from Welsh Mountain sheep, to Welsh mules to Scottish Blackface, with a mish-mash of other breeds thrown in. From small paddocks to 700 yard outruns, clean groomed fields to hilly tussocks and rough ground, sheep in view to sheep out of sight three fields away with various gates to be negotiated, groups of sheep as small as 3 and as big as 150, it is an accelerated program. It could take you several years and thousands upon thousands of driving miles to get the same experience in North America.
We are visiting Denis Birchall in Ireland, a man who's energy level, if tapped, could power the entire Eastern seaboard of North America.
The dogs have worked everyday, and yesterday we took a bit of a break to go to some of the local sights. The Curragh is a spectacular expanse of grass plains in County Kildare where several massive flocks of sheep graze, and is also used as a common green space, where joggers and hikers can mingle with the sheep over almost 5000 thousand acres. Regular roads weave through the Curragh, and drivers must watch for sheep. 'You hit a sheep, you buy it' is the policy.
Our walk on the Curragh was cut short when huge black clouds appeared that Linda declared looked like Armageddon. We got back to the mini-van just as the rain started, and decided to do some shopping in the near-by equestrian superstore. After doing some serious damage to our credit cards by buying Dubarry boots (Irish Gortex leather boots, we can justify buying anything when we are together as a group), we went to the Hollywood Inn for a Guinness (Guinness is a must-have experience when in Ireland). If you recall, the Hollywood Inn was the crime scene from last year where Mary Lou threw a beer over a local passerby when she was stung by a bee.
We returned for dinner, worked the dogs some more, finished the day with tea and biscuits while laughing hysterically at pictures of the Birchall family over the years. You know you are becoming fast friends when people are willing to show you pictures of themselves from the 1980's!
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We are visiting Denis Birchall in Ireland, a man who's energy level, if tapped, could power the entire Eastern seaboard of North America.
The dogs have worked everyday, and yesterday we took a bit of a break to go to some of the local sights. The Curragh is a spectacular expanse of grass plains in County Kildare where several massive flocks of sheep graze, and is also used as a common green space, where joggers and hikers can mingle with the sheep over almost 5000 thousand acres. Regular roads weave through the Curragh, and drivers must watch for sheep. 'You hit a sheep, you buy it' is the policy.
Our walk on the Curragh was cut short when huge black clouds appeared that Linda declared looked like Armageddon. We got back to the mini-van just as the rain started, and decided to do some shopping in the near-by equestrian superstore. After doing some serious damage to our credit cards by buying Dubarry boots (Irish Gortex leather boots, we can justify buying anything when we are together as a group), we went to the Hollywood Inn for a Guinness (Guinness is a must-have experience when in Ireland). If you recall, the Hollywood Inn was the crime scene from last year where Mary Lou threw a beer over a local passerby when she was stung by a bee.
We returned for dinner, worked the dogs some more, finished the day with tea and biscuits while laughing hysterically at pictures of the Birchall family over the years. You know you are becoming fast friends when people are willing to show you pictures of themselves from the 1980's!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday 21 August 2012
Virtual tour
On the ferry to Ireland, for the moment I have full internet access. So here is a quick picture gallery of the last couple of days...
Is it my turn? Craig peeking around the car...
View from one of the trial sites...
...and another view...
The typical picture at a sheepdog trial...all the cars lined up so the handlers can watch when the rain starts.
Dogs in the "boot"...our mini-van is massive by Welsh standards..
Packed to the rafters, but Dyna has found a comfortable spot...
Beautiful!
JR Griffith with his winnings...
How many sheepdog handlers can you fit in a telephone booth?
Linda getting ready to run...what a setting! Everything looks like a movie set...
We are crossing the Irish Sea at the moment, more adventures to come!
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Is it my turn? Craig peeking around the car...
View from one of the trial sites...
...and another view...
The typical picture at a sheepdog trial...all the cars lined up so the handlers can watch when the rain starts.
Dogs in the "boot"...our mini-van is massive by Welsh standards..
Packed to the rafters, but Dyna has found a comfortable spot...
Beautiful!
JR Griffith with his winnings...
How many sheepdog handlers can you fit in a telephone booth?
Linda getting ready to run...what a setting! Everything looks like a movie set...
We are crossing the Irish Sea at the moment, more adventures to come!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday 20 August 2012
Baby dogs...
Yesterday was fabulous, young dogs having a go at the nursery trials, the sun finally breaking through on the breathtaking Welsh coastline. Fourteen month old dogs ran like experienced Open dogs...it was impressive to watch. Of course, there were a few wilder runs as youngsters got the bit in their mouths and came on too quick for the liking of the sheep. Trialing is so much more laid back, a spontaneous fun trial was put on at the end of the day to raise money for the air ambulance so we all got a chance to run our dogs as well and donate to charity at the same time. The dogs ran much better, both placing in the top three, starting to adjust to the crazy Welsh sheep. We still all needed a quick cat nap in the car mid-way through the day, but it feels like we are now finally over to UK time.
Today, we worked the dogs back in the huge field down by the beach. Unfortunately, we failed to realize there was an open gate near the end of the field, about 600+ yards away. I sent Craig for sheep we couldn't see, and he found them and picked them up nicely. They started coming down the field and suddenly dartly to the left. Craig caught them tidily, but for some reason we weren't able to get the sheep back to the middle of the field. Mary Lou, looking through the binoculars, suddenly said, "they're on the road!" Before I could panic, John calmly instructed me to bring the sheep down the road instead. Seriously? Things are so different over here. All the dogs had some great schooling, including Linda's young dog Grace, who started working really well and Dyna was absolutely brilliant.
Tomorrow, we take the ferry to Ireland, and I'll have a chance to upload some pictures!
Today, we worked the dogs back in the huge field down by the beach. Unfortunately, we failed to realize there was an open gate near the end of the field, about 600+ yards away. I sent Craig for sheep we couldn't see, and he found them and picked them up nicely. They started coming down the field and suddenly dartly to the left. Craig caught them tidily, but for some reason we weren't able to get the sheep back to the middle of the field. Mary Lou, looking through the binoculars, suddenly said, "they're on the road!" Before I could panic, John calmly instructed me to bring the sheep down the road instead. Seriously? Things are so different over here. All the dogs had some great schooling, including Linda's young dog Grace, who started working really well and Dyna was absolutely brilliant.
Tomorrow, we take the ferry to Ireland, and I'll have a chance to upload some pictures!
Saturday 18 August 2012
Seeing double...
Double letters (Welsh language), double vision (cross-eyed from jet lag) doubling back (getting lost), running doubles (JR's brace work)...double seems to be a theme of the trip so far. Unfortunately double lift has not yet been a part, but hopefully at some point.
Today we competed at two trials, one being near Bala, one of the birthplaces of sheepdog trialing. Both trials featured Welsh mountain sheep, and run after run there were sheep in three corners of the field and a score involving letters instead of numbers. The sheep at both trials only saw dogs a few times a year, and saw quad bikes more often than dogs. Three sheep were let out at the top of the field, and you picked them up wherever they landed. More often than not, one sheep would sprint for an adjacent field before the dog got there, but re-runs were rare and you just had to make do. That feels a lot easier when you haven't driven 12 hours to a trial (okay, we flew over 5000 kilometres, but who's counting).
Mary Lou's Dyna ran well in the morning, settling her group nicely. Craig and I tried to do a demonstration in point and shoot sheep herding, but it didn't come off as well as I hoped. We even almost managed a point and shoot into the pen, but alas, I was as shocked as Craig (and the sheep) when they shot into the pen instead of around it and failed to take advantage of the microsecond I had to swing the door shut. Although I wasn't thrilled, staying on the field was an accomplishment of its own and Craig gave me his all. Linda and Bet got one of the wiley runner sheep in their group, and never had a chance to start.
The afternoon saw a bit of a reversal, with Craig settling his group well, and Dyna working a group that exploded off the top, but managed to work them with great finesse into the pen. Linda's Bet is making adjustments to the speed of these sheep, an adjustment for all of us. Penning is a great challenge for everyone, and only a handful of sheep are penned at any of these trials.
We've worked dogs every evening as well so the dogs are good and tired. Tomorrow, we get to be sheepdog tourists and watch some nursery dogs run. Can't wait!
Today we competed at two trials, one being near Bala, one of the birthplaces of sheepdog trialing. Both trials featured Welsh mountain sheep, and run after run there were sheep in three corners of the field and a score involving letters instead of numbers. The sheep at both trials only saw dogs a few times a year, and saw quad bikes more often than dogs. Three sheep were let out at the top of the field, and you picked them up wherever they landed. More often than not, one sheep would sprint for an adjacent field before the dog got there, but re-runs were rare and you just had to make do. That feels a lot easier when you haven't driven 12 hours to a trial (okay, we flew over 5000 kilometres, but who's counting).
Mary Lou's Dyna ran well in the morning, settling her group nicely. Craig and I tried to do a demonstration in point and shoot sheep herding, but it didn't come off as well as I hoped. We even almost managed a point and shoot into the pen, but alas, I was as shocked as Craig (and the sheep) when they shot into the pen instead of around it and failed to take advantage of the microsecond I had to swing the door shut. Although I wasn't thrilled, staying on the field was an accomplishment of its own and Craig gave me his all. Linda and Bet got one of the wiley runner sheep in their group, and never had a chance to start.
The afternoon saw a bit of a reversal, with Craig settling his group well, and Dyna working a group that exploded off the top, but managed to work them with great finesse into the pen. Linda's Bet is making adjustments to the speed of these sheep, an adjustment for all of us. Penning is a great challenge for everyone, and only a handful of sheep are penned at any of these trials.
We've worked dogs every evening as well so the dogs are good and tired. Tomorrow, we get to be sheepdog tourists and watch some nursery dogs run. Can't wait!
Friday 17 August 2012
On any given day...
Final trial result -
Sheep: 1, dogs and handlers:0
Two fields running, wild Welsh sheep, and RT (retired) is the main score on the board. When asked "How was your go?", the common response was "No joy" or "No good" and every other variation on "it didn't go well" you can think of. The fetch panel seemed to have invisible fencing across it for much of the trial. The five sheep to be shed insisted on either bolting out of the ring en masse or a single ewe would take take on an 'every ewe for herself' attitude and refuse to flock. The pen was an exercise in walking on eggshells.
Mary Lou and I both managed to finish, Mary Lou in particular having quite a decent go, but Linda's Bet succumbed to a well known dead spot in the sound (according to the locals in the know) complicated by pouring rain and wind, which caused many drive panel difficulties for everyone.
None of us were a danger on this day to make it into the final double lift, especially given the sheep went better at the end of the day. We were in good company. But we and our dogs have been used to pushing on and a new level of understanding is required on sheep like these. What an amazing experience this will be. The beauty of it is we paid £4, drove just over an hour, were home for dinner, and are going to two more trials tomorrow. Makes it easy to move on...
Sheep: 1, dogs and handlers:0
Two fields running, wild Welsh sheep, and RT (retired) is the main score on the board. When asked "How was your go?", the common response was "No joy" or "No good" and every other variation on "it didn't go well" you can think of. The fetch panel seemed to have invisible fencing across it for much of the trial. The five sheep to be shed insisted on either bolting out of the ring en masse or a single ewe would take take on an 'every ewe for herself' attitude and refuse to flock. The pen was an exercise in walking on eggshells.
Mary Lou and I both managed to finish, Mary Lou in particular having quite a decent go, but Linda's Bet succumbed to a well known dead spot in the sound (according to the locals in the know) complicated by pouring rain and wind, which caused many drive panel difficulties for everyone.
None of us were a danger on this day to make it into the final double lift, especially given the sheep went better at the end of the day. We were in good company. But we and our dogs have been used to pushing on and a new level of understanding is required on sheep like these. What an amazing experience this will be. The beauty of it is we paid £4, drove just over an hour, were home for dinner, and are going to two more trials tomorrow. Makes it easy to move on...
Thursday 16 August 2012
The adventure begins...
Well, we and the dogs made it over the big pond and landed safely in Manchester, England. I should clarify that "we" includes me, Mary Lou Campbell and Linda Comeau,stalwart friends and sheepdog adventurers.
We drove to Wales after a smooth extraction of the dogs out of customs. Since the thought of learning to drive a standard when on the wrong side of the road seemed a bit overwhelming to Linda (can't understand why...) ;) Mary Lou and I are the designated drivers.
Our first stop is JR Griffiths, a quiet, brillian dog handler and trainer who has a special love of brace work. His wife Bet is a wonderful, kind, fiesty lady who can more than hold her own against JR's teasing sense of humour.
Although we are practically cross-eyed from lack of sleep and jet lag, JR shepherds us out to a massive field to work the kinks out of our own dogs and see his promising youngsters on a massive flock of mule sheep down along the Welsh shoreline. The magnificence of the moment shakes us out of our sleepy fog.
Pouring rain eventually drives us back to JR's and he hands us the running order of the trial we are running in early the next morning. Names like Aled Owen, Kevin Evans, Nigel Watkins, and of course JR's grace the running order...National, International and World Champions. It'll be 1am our time at home. I hope the coffee is strong in the morning!
We drove to Wales after a smooth extraction of the dogs out of customs. Since the thought of learning to drive a standard when on the wrong side of the road seemed a bit overwhelming to Linda (can't understand why...) ;) Mary Lou and I are the designated drivers.
Our first stop is JR Griffiths, a quiet, brillian dog handler and trainer who has a special love of brace work. His wife Bet is a wonderful, kind, fiesty lady who can more than hold her own against JR's teasing sense of humour.
Although we are practically cross-eyed from lack of sleep and jet lag, JR shepherds us out to a massive field to work the kinks out of our own dogs and see his promising youngsters on a massive flock of mule sheep down along the Welsh shoreline. The magnificence of the moment shakes us out of our sleepy fog.
Pouring rain eventually drives us back to JR's and he hands us the running order of the trial we are running in early the next morning. Names like Aled Owen, Kevin Evans, Nigel Watkins, and of course JR's grace the running order...National, International and World Champions. It'll be 1am our time at home. I hope the coffee is strong in the morning!
Wednesday 7 March 2012
Popcorn
Well, we made it home and jumped straight into lambing. Fortunately we made it back before things went really wild, but it's been four straight days in the barn without a break, not even time to eat. We've had shepherds from England tell us how much weight they lose during lambing, and now I get it. There are sheep in every corner of the barn, temporary claiming pens, nurseries, infirmaries...you name it.
Back in January we had someone come in to ultrasound the sheep so we would know approximately when and how many lambs each ewe would have. We were very organized and had brought in all the sheep that were supposed to lamb first. Well, apparently it's a very inexact science because the lambs arrival and count has had very little to do with what the ultrasound predicted and we have had more lambs born outside than inside!
I have two favorite times during lambing.
One is when the lambs start to bounce like pogo sticks, jumping straight up into the air off four legs with the joy of being alive and then do "puppy burns", chasing each other up and down the pens.
My other favorite moment is when there is this lull in the barn, and everyone is resting. I can hear the quiet breathing of the sheep as they chew their cuds, and the quiet nickering of the mama ewes, almost as if they are singing their babies to sleep.
To really understand herding, you must understand it is three species in harmony, not in conflict. Moments like these are reminders of that.
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Back in January we had someone come in to ultrasound the sheep so we would know approximately when and how many lambs each ewe would have. We were very organized and had brought in all the sheep that were supposed to lamb first. Well, apparently it's a very inexact science because the lambs arrival and count has had very little to do with what the ultrasound predicted and we have had more lambs born outside than inside!
I have two favorite times during lambing.
One is when the lambs start to bounce like pogo sticks, jumping straight up into the air off four legs with the joy of being alive and then do "puppy burns", chasing each other up and down the pens.
My other favorite moment is when there is this lull in the barn, and everyone is resting. I can hear the quiet breathing of the sheep as they chew their cuds, and the quiet nickering of the mama ewes, almost as if they are singing their babies to sleep.
To really understand herding, you must understand it is three species in harmony, not in conflict. Moments like these are reminders of that.
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Thursday 1 March 2012
The Jellico Jinx
Two years ago, enroute home from the same series of trials, we ran into a terrible blizzard. We tried to take refuge in Jellico, Tennessee, but we were warned by a local cashier to risk our lives on the road rather than stay in Jellico, as she had heard too many strange stories. There was much more to the tale than that, but suffice to say that with the Jellico Motel flashing on the hillside reminding us strongly of the Bates Motel, we headed back into the blizzard. Unfamiliar with the route, we didn't realize we were heading into a mountain range, and we were nearly killed when a car spun out in front of us as a tractor-trailer thundered beside us while we were on the mountainous descent in deep snow. We've never been so happy to see a Walmart in our lives!
Fast forward two years... as we approached Jellico yesterday, the radio waves were full of warnings for tornadoes, damaging storms, strong wind and large hail. There was a strong sense of deja vu. Watching the weather radar, a massive red swath of storms was heading toward us, but we were hesitant to stop in Jellico.
Once again, the decision was made to take our chances on the road, and attempt the 11 mile scamper over the mountains to the next exit, with our familiar Walmart refuge. Once committed, there was no turning back and no other exits to which we could abort the mission.
Naturally, as soon as there no possibility of making the Jellico exit, the rain started and the wind increased dramatically. Being as I was one of the voices wishing to press on, I tried to downplay the conditions and the strength of the wind. Given that vehicles were flailing all over the road and the rest area on the opposite side of the highway was jammed with trucks seeking shelter, I don't think I was very convincing.
We pulled safely into the Walmart just as the worst of the storm hit.
Once the storm had ended, we debated pressing on a few more hours or staying put and getting an early start. There were conflicting weather reports about the safest areas. And let's face it, it was three and a half days since we had left Florida and we hadn't even gone 800 miles! We received a sign it was safe to go...
And into the sunset we drove...
We made it to just south of Lexington, apparently missing more storms that continued to pound Jellico. The GPS says we are in striking distance of home today... If only the snow would stop at home...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Fast forward two years... as we approached Jellico yesterday, the radio waves were full of warnings for tornadoes, damaging storms, strong wind and large hail. There was a strong sense of deja vu. Watching the weather radar, a massive red swath of storms was heading toward us, but we were hesitant to stop in Jellico.
Once again, the decision was made to take our chances on the road, and attempt the 11 mile scamper over the mountains to the next exit, with our familiar Walmart refuge. Once committed, there was no turning back and no other exits to which we could abort the mission.
Naturally, as soon as there no possibility of making the Jellico exit, the rain started and the wind increased dramatically. Being as I was one of the voices wishing to press on, I tried to downplay the conditions and the strength of the wind. Given that vehicles were flailing all over the road and the rest area on the opposite side of the highway was jammed with trucks seeking shelter, I don't think I was very convincing.
We pulled safely into the Walmart just as the worst of the storm hit.
Once the storm had ended, we debated pressing on a few more hours or staying put and getting an early start. There were conflicting weather reports about the safest areas. And let's face it, it was three and a half days since we had left Florida and we hadn't even gone 800 miles! We received a sign it was safe to go...
And into the sunset we drove...
We made it to just south of Lexington, apparently missing more storms that continued to pound Jellico. The GPS says we are in striking distance of home today... If only the snow would stop at home...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Elliott Ave,Cincinnati,United States
Wednesday 29 February 2012
Homeward bound...again...
You have to make the best of things and let go of things you have no control over. My truck was in the shop to have what turned out to be the drive shaft replaced and the part was going to be three days arriving. We decided to make it an adventure, which it already looked like with the Spanish moss hanging over the trailers.
This morning we decided to go to IHOP for National Pancake Day, then buy some swimsuits and spend the day by the pool. Tough life, I know. Realistically we were all stressed about getting home but there was nothing we could do about it... until I received a call from Ford while we were all looking through a TJ Maxx store...the truck was done and was under warranty! We leapt into action like a well-oiled machine and were on the road within the hour.
I have to say, it was a wonderful experience. What? It's true...the number of sheepdog people that got ahold of us, offered to come get us and the trailers even though they were hours away, put us up until the truck was fixed was absolutely heartwarming. People who don't know us other than seeing us a few times a year at sheepdog trials.
We all need to remember to celebrate this wonderful community of sheepdog people, because they come together and reach out when it counts.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
This morning we decided to go to IHOP for National Pancake Day, then buy some swimsuits and spend the day by the pool. Tough life, I know. Realistically we were all stressed about getting home but there was nothing we could do about it... until I received a call from Ford while we were all looking through a TJ Maxx store...the truck was done and was under warranty! We leapt into action like a well-oiled machine and were on the road within the hour.
I have to say, it was a wonderful experience. What? It's true...the number of sheepdog people that got ahold of us, offered to come get us and the trailers even though they were hours away, put us up until the truck was fixed was absolutely heartwarming. People who don't know us other than seeing us a few times a year at sheepdog trials.
We all need to remember to celebrate this wonderful community of sheepdog people, because they come together and reach out when it counts.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday 27 February 2012
Regrouping...
Well, the tow trucks couldn't find us for an hour and a half...how do you miss two 50 foot rigs on the side of the Florida Turnpike? I think I ate half a bag of Oreos at the side of the highway, a pathetic sight I'm sure. But when they finally arrived they were friendly and efficient...
...and my truck was towed away...
We had found a camp ground and a Ford dealership nearby...
The woman at the front desk was new to her job...she spoke at full volume and seemed to have trouble multitasking so gave us the wrong spaces to pull the trailers into, the tow guy had to move the trailer to three different sites before we were settled...which we later realized appeared to be a giant fire ant hill...
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...and my truck was towed away...
We had found a camp ground and a Ford dealership nearby...
The woman at the front desk was new to her job...she spoke at full volume and seemed to have trouble multitasking so gave us the wrong spaces to pull the trailers into, the tow guy had to move the trailer to three different sites before we were settled...which we later realized appeared to be a giant fire ant hill...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:S Libby Rd,Groveland,United States
Sunday 26 February 2012
Trials, trucks and tribulations
Well the last few days have been a bit of a high for me. I finished fourth on Saturday at the That'll Do trial, had a great time dancing up a storm to some great Bluegrass music and then when we headed north on Sunday after our runs, I was sitting in second place. Life was looking good. Oh, by the way, I should mention I'm writing this on the side of the Florida Turnpike where the transmission fell out of my truck.
I did say I thought this trip might be one too many and I didn't want to push my luck... my lease is up in six weeks...
So as we wait for the specialty tow truck, we are trying to decide how to get three people and a ridiculous number of dogs (don't ask) into one truck and trailer...did I mention the lambs are popping like popcorn at home...?
To make it even better, Mary Lou just got a message that they aren't sending a tow truck until they get more information...it's starting to rain...
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I did say I thought this trip might be one too many and I didn't want to push my luck... my lease is up in six weeks...
So as we wait for the specialty tow truck, we are trying to decide how to get three people and a ridiculous number of dogs (don't ask) into one truck and trailer...did I mention the lambs are popping like popcorn at home...?
To make it even better, Mary Lou just got a message that they aren't sending a tow truck until they get more information...it's starting to rain...
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Thursday 23 February 2012
Snow birds
I'm starting to get this Florida thing. We wake up to a spectacular sunrise...
...go work dogs with an International Champion...
...go to the beach...
...and see colourful wildlife.
We even experienced the local cuisine...a place called Bizarros, famous for great pizza and terrible service. The owner was unbelievably rude but the place was packed. A young lady was deciding what she wanted and her boyfriend started to order (I think he knew the system)...she interrupted him to say she didn't know what she wanted yet. The owner (a giant guy covered in tattoos, like ex-navy, an evil
Popeye) looked at her menacingly and pointed outside to the waiting line..."they all know what they want, get out of the way...". Then he yelled at everyone who had ordered and paid to get out and it was an evacuation like a movie set. Seriously? Mary Lou looked at a nearby customers and asked, "You pay for this?" at which point we all ducked expecting a sawed off shotgun to come up from behind the counter...
Back to the safe confines of a farm field!
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...go work dogs with an International Champion...
...go to the beach...
...and see colourful wildlife.
We even experienced the local cuisine...a place called Bizarros, famous for great pizza and terrible service. The owner was unbelievably rude but the place was packed. A young lady was deciding what she wanted and her boyfriend started to order (I think he knew the system)...she interrupted him to say she didn't know what she wanted yet. The owner (a giant guy covered in tattoos, like ex-navy, an evil
Popeye) looked at her menacingly and pointed outside to the waiting line..."they all know what they want, get out of the way...". Then he yelled at everyone who had ordered and paid to get out and it was an evacuation like a movie set. Seriously? Mary Lou looked at a nearby customers and asked, "You pay for this?" at which point we all ducked expecting a sawed off shotgun to come up from behind the counter...
Back to the safe confines of a farm field!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Kramer Ln,Malabar,United States
Sunday 19 February 2012
Blind-sided
Today's running is over (for us) and truly it was an example of up one minute, down the next.
The early morning runs were relatively calm, as a beautiful Florida sun came up through the mist. This 575 yard outrun seemed short compared to the 625 yard outrun from the day before. The scores started to drop rapidly as the wind picked up ahead of a storm front, and sheep get nervous in unsettled conditions.
Mary Lou and Dyna went to the post, hoping for a repeat of the previous day. One sheep seemed really out of sorts with the other two, but given the conditions, perhaps not surprising. Dyna's run was a struggle with this sheep the whole way and in the heat Mary Lou decided to retire. On the way to the exhaust, Mary Lou ended up on the sheep's right side and noticed its right eye was opaque, blind in that eye...oh well, have to pray harder to the "good sheep" gods!
My run came in the middle of the day when the trailers felt like ocean liners in a hurricane. Craig had one of only two scores posted out of the 25 dogs that ran in the middle of the day. After a great outrun, lift and fetch, a wide turn and missed crossed drive due to impossible hearing conditions from driving wind may cost him a placing. Although I expect to run well at any time of day, I will pray harder to the "draw at good time of day" gods.
We have been extended an offer to a beach house for bar-b-que and martinis while listening to the crashing surf in the upcoming storm. That sounds pretty good right now! :)
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The early morning runs were relatively calm, as a beautiful Florida sun came up through the mist. This 575 yard outrun seemed short compared to the 625 yard outrun from the day before. The scores started to drop rapidly as the wind picked up ahead of a storm front, and sheep get nervous in unsettled conditions.
Mary Lou and Dyna went to the post, hoping for a repeat of the previous day. One sheep seemed really out of sorts with the other two, but given the conditions, perhaps not surprising. Dyna's run was a struggle with this sheep the whole way and in the heat Mary Lou decided to retire. On the way to the exhaust, Mary Lou ended up on the sheep's right side and noticed its right eye was opaque, blind in that eye...oh well, have to pray harder to the "good sheep" gods!
My run came in the middle of the day when the trailers felt like ocean liners in a hurricane. Craig had one of only two scores posted out of the 25 dogs that ran in the middle of the day. After a great outrun, lift and fetch, a wide turn and missed crossed drive due to impossible hearing conditions from driving wind may cost him a placing. Although I expect to run well at any time of day, I will pray harder to the "draw at good time of day" gods.
We have been extended an offer to a beach house for bar-b-que and martinis while listening to the crashing surf in the upcoming storm. That sounds pretty good right now! :)
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Location:Sebastian,United States
Blue Ribbon!
Well yesterday was quite the day! Several funny stories to relate which I will share over the next couple of days, but the highlight of the day was Mary Lou and Dyna with a 91 to win the Open class of over 80 dogs!
The wind has picked up today, storms are coming in and the sheep are acting more like the trial sheep we are used to here...very touchy and wild! More to report shortly...
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The wind has picked up today, storms are coming in and the sheep are acting more like the trial sheep we are used to here...very touchy and wild! More to report shortly...
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Location:Brokenwell Rd,Palm Bay,United States
Thursday 16 February 2012
Pickin' on the porch...
We aren't complaining about the cold anymore. The temperatures are above 20 degrees Celsius and the humidity is 94%.
The two days of Open running were tough here at Swannee River. Some groups simply refused to come down the field, others ran down the field like screaming banshees.
Mary Lou and I fared well enough. The scores were low on Day 1, but I managed a 5th and Mary Lou also placed in the money out of 70 some odd dogs. Day 2 saw the first three handlers walk up the field to get their dogs as the sheep absolutely refused to play. The fourth dog to the post was Mary Lou's Dyna and she posted an 88 under extremely difficult conditions that lasted until the last 10 dogs of the day when the sheep finally gave in. One handler was very complimentary, commenting "imagine what your score would've been on the good sheep". Part of sheepdog trialling is luck of the draw, and five of the top ten runs came in those last tries of the day, bumping Dyna to fourth.
I'm running a dog named Taff for Alistair, as he works with a few of his younger dogs. Taff scored an 80, which I was pleased with considering it was only our fourth run together. Actually, both Craig and Taff ran well for me with good scores in the middle of the day when the sheep were difficult, Taff just falling off the board at the end of the day with the last run.
The southern hospitality geared up in the evening, with some local musicians serving up some good old western music. There was a lot of foot stomping and swinging about, and the odd chiropractic adjustment as dancers who had partook of the homemade beverages tried to spin their partners in biomechanically impossible positions.
I'm thinking the novice runs aren't going to start on time this morning! :)
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The two days of Open running were tough here at Swannee River. Some groups simply refused to come down the field, others ran down the field like screaming banshees.
Mary Lou and I fared well enough. The scores were low on Day 1, but I managed a 5th and Mary Lou also placed in the money out of 70 some odd dogs. Day 2 saw the first three handlers walk up the field to get their dogs as the sheep absolutely refused to play. The fourth dog to the post was Mary Lou's Dyna and she posted an 88 under extremely difficult conditions that lasted until the last 10 dogs of the day when the sheep finally gave in. One handler was very complimentary, commenting "imagine what your score would've been on the good sheep". Part of sheepdog trialling is luck of the draw, and five of the top ten runs came in those last tries of the day, bumping Dyna to fourth.
I'm running a dog named Taff for Alistair, as he works with a few of his younger dogs. Taff scored an 80, which I was pleased with considering it was only our fourth run together. Actually, both Craig and Taff ran well for me with good scores in the middle of the day when the sheep were difficult, Taff just falling off the board at the end of the day with the last run.
The southern hospitality geared up in the evening, with some local musicians serving up some good old western music. There was a lot of foot stomping and swinging about, and the odd chiropractic adjustment as dancers who had partook of the homemade beverages tried to spin their partners in biomechanically impossible positions.
I'm thinking the novice runs aren't going to start on time this morning! :)
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Monday 13 February 2012
Double trouble
The day dawned sunny and bright, albeit cold, but the bone-chilling wind decided to take the day off, so the conditions were fine for the double lift at the Lazy J trial.
I was the first to go from our group. The sheep were set far into the corners of the field, quite a distance away from where they were set during the previous Open runs. Dogs often look for sheep where they have found them before, so were likely to draw in. Craig ran reasonably well, but the couple of months off of fields was evident. We completed the international shed with seconds to spare so I was happy with that.
Linda had a great run going with Joe, but gripped in the shedding ring.
Mary Lou had a heart stopping run with Dyna. Good outwork, and with just over a minute to go finished the international shed getting the last two sheep away from the collared five. We were running on 14 sheep and shedding 9 off. The final two uncollared sheep were undecided about whether to join the discard pile or rejoin the collared ewes, which would be disaster. Mary Lou kept trying to chase off the two while the collared sheep started to break and Dyna had to repeatedly stop them, one collared yearling in particular that had been causing trouble the entire shed. The groups edged closer together, all near the pen. With time running out, Mary Lou decided to take a chance, and directed Dyna to take control of the collared sheep, and attempt the pen with the others nearby. Darting from side to side, the collared sheep attempted to escape a few more times, and with seconds remaining, Dyna hooked them into the pen, for an ending more exciting than any Super Bowl!
We packed up and put in a few miles headed south before it got dark. There was a hard freeze warning in effect, and naturally we ran out of propane in the middle of the night, so everything froze, including us! It is the same temperature at home as it is here. I'm starting to think the concept of the the south being warm in the winter is propaganda!
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I was the first to go from our group. The sheep were set far into the corners of the field, quite a distance away from where they were set during the previous Open runs. Dogs often look for sheep where they have found them before, so were likely to draw in. Craig ran reasonably well, but the couple of months off of fields was evident. We completed the international shed with seconds to spare so I was happy with that.
Linda had a great run going with Joe, but gripped in the shedding ring.
Mary Lou had a heart stopping run with Dyna. Good outwork, and with just over a minute to go finished the international shed getting the last two sheep away from the collared five. We were running on 14 sheep and shedding 9 off. The final two uncollared sheep were undecided about whether to join the discard pile or rejoin the collared ewes, which would be disaster. Mary Lou kept trying to chase off the two while the collared sheep started to break and Dyna had to repeatedly stop them, one collared yearling in particular that had been causing trouble the entire shed. The groups edged closer together, all near the pen. With time running out, Mary Lou decided to take a chance, and directed Dyna to take control of the collared sheep, and attempt the pen with the others nearby. Darting from side to side, the collared sheep attempted to escape a few more times, and with seconds remaining, Dyna hooked them into the pen, for an ending more exciting than any Super Bowl!
We packed up and put in a few miles headed south before it got dark. There was a hard freeze warning in effect, and naturally we ran out of propane in the middle of the night, so everything froze, including us! It is the same temperature at home as it is here. I'm starting to think the concept of the the south being warm in the winter is propaganda!
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Sunday 12 February 2012
On the wild side...
The first day of Open ran with lightly dogged yearling sheep that had their own opinions about how things should go. Dog after dog struggled, with an undulating field and a fetch line just to the right of the sheep trod (sheep walk the exact same path all the time and it is hard to get them to come off it). Apparently the trial host had fenced off the fetch gate area for erosion reasons, with the added benefit that sheep didn't think it was possible to go through that space, making the dogs have to work to push the sheep through the fetch gates.
Dyna and Craig both finished in the money, Craig with a stellar performance on his drive, so it was a reasonable start to the trip, considering it was the dogs' first time on grass in two months.
The dogs are tired from the travel and running. Dyna took a nap with the pup's toy as a pillow...
Day 2 has been wild on a few counts...we knew we were in trouble with the red morning sky!
The wind was howling, the temperatures very cold, and the set out horse (when there are big distances, sheep are often set out with dog and rider on horse back) spooked at something and came charging down the field after tossing his rider. Dawn Boyce, the trial host and former horse woman herself, was in the middle of her run. She calmly finished her pen while the horse charged around her, bucking and snorting. We all agreed we would've been jumping the fence, to heck with the pen! Nothing is ever simple when it comes to animals!
As always in sheepdog trials, you can't afford a single mistake and none of us managed anything near perfection on this day. The wind made it difficult to demand precision above the fetch panels and we just didn't get it done. Oh well, another day. The double lift today bodes more of the same, with wind and cold, and many have fled south to warmer temperatures, but since championships must also be won in those conditions, we have stayed, added a few layers of down, and look forward to a good test!
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Dyna and Craig both finished in the money, Craig with a stellar performance on his drive, so it was a reasonable start to the trip, considering it was the dogs' first time on grass in two months.
The dogs are tired from the travel and running. Dyna took a nap with the pup's toy as a pillow...
Day 2 has been wild on a few counts...we knew we were in trouble with the red morning sky!
The wind was howling, the temperatures very cold, and the set out horse (when there are big distances, sheep are often set out with dog and rider on horse back) spooked at something and came charging down the field after tossing his rider. Dawn Boyce, the trial host and former horse woman herself, was in the middle of her run. She calmly finished her pen while the horse charged around her, bucking and snorting. We all agreed we would've been jumping the fence, to heck with the pen! Nothing is ever simple when it comes to animals!
As always in sheepdog trials, you can't afford a single mistake and none of us managed anything near perfection on this day. The wind made it difficult to demand precision above the fetch panels and we just didn't get it done. Oh well, another day. The double lift today bodes more of the same, with wind and cold, and many have fled south to warmer temperatures, but since championships must also be won in those conditions, we have stayed, added a few layers of down, and look forward to a good test!
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Friday 10 February 2012
Young prospects
Running young dogs is always fun. There is all this hope and excitement for the future, the things that need working on, the talents that keep evolving. Everyone watches the special youngsters that are upcoming, assessing breedings and potential mates.
Mary Lou and Linda both had young dogs on the field, and both performed well. Linda's young bitch, a talented pup from a breeding that Mary Lou had done, finished second in Nursery (a class for elite performers two years old or younger).
My youngster, little Biddy, a five month old little spitfire that is a granddaughter of Mary Lou's little World Team bitch Dyna, was very studious on the sidelines.
Things start to get more serious as the "big hats" and experienced dogs have their go over the next two days. Results from the Open field tomorrow night!
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Mary Lou and Linda both had young dogs on the field, and both performed well. Linda's young bitch, a talented pup from a breeding that Mary Lou had done, finished second in Nursery (a class for elite performers two years old or younger).
My youngster, little Biddy, a five month old little spitfire that is a granddaughter of Mary Lou's little World Team bitch Dyna, was very studious on the sidelines.
Things start to get more serious as the "big hats" and experienced dogs have their go over the next two days. Results from the Open field tomorrow night!
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Wednesday 8 February 2012
Down south
Georgia is a bit of culture shock to a Canadian. You have to watch out for scorpions, fire ants, snakes and the odd 'gator. "Run in a zig zag" is the advice we are given if an alligator tries to chase us...seriously? I suppose we could return the favour by explaining how to escape a bear and drive a dog sled...
This time of year, the perils of the south are fewer as most poisonous creatures are hiding from the cold (yes, it's 15 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees F, but everything is relative), so the dogs are enjoying some much appreciated time in the sun. The downside to this is the Georgia red clay. This clay takes on a life of its own, and we will still be finding it caked in trailer and truck crevices come the summer. The other amazing feature of the clay is its ability to permanently stain white dog fur. A black and white dog becomes a black and orange dog for weeks, despite one's best efforts at exfoliation. Little Biddy, below, is just beginning her transformation to black and orange.
For us Canadians, 60 degrees Fahrenheit is a godsend in February, so we can take a little dirt and deal with the odd killer species.
Why did we come down here again? Oh yes, sheepdog trials! From beat-up old trailers to well travelled motorhomes and massive toy haulers, a caravan of RVs is pulling in one by one to find camping spots in the fields. Next on the agenda, young dogs running! Stay tuned for tomorrow's updates!
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This time of year, the perils of the south are fewer as most poisonous creatures are hiding from the cold (yes, it's 15 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees F, but everything is relative), so the dogs are enjoying some much appreciated time in the sun. The downside to this is the Georgia red clay. This clay takes on a life of its own, and we will still be finding it caked in trailer and truck crevices come the summer. The other amazing feature of the clay is its ability to permanently stain white dog fur. A black and white dog becomes a black and orange dog for weeks, despite one's best efforts at exfoliation. Little Biddy, below, is just beginning her transformation to black and orange.
For us Canadians, 60 degrees Fahrenheit is a godsend in February, so we can take a little dirt and deal with the odd killer species.
Why did we come down here again? Oh yes, sheepdog trials! From beat-up old trailers to well travelled motorhomes and massive toy haulers, a caravan of RVs is pulling in one by one to find camping spots in the fields. Next on the agenda, young dogs running! Stay tuned for tomorrow's updates!
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Saturday 4 February 2012
Sheepdogs, sunshine, and snow tires
Sheepdogs and travel just seem to go together. So much so that our trip, which probably should've taken two and a half days given the fantastic weather (following our initial snow squall experience), stretched into five long days. Okay, admittedly there were several stops for shopping, but with the dollar almost at par, who could afford not to?
I never dreamed I would wish for cold weather when heading south, but we had this conundrum traveling between Canada and Florida in February. It is suicide to not have snow tires in Canada, and it IS suicide to drive on snow tires in Florida with a load in the heat. I've never learned so much about tires in my life.
It turned out a very reputable tire company had sold me four-ply snow tires, despite the fact I had explained my usage very clearly. Apparently I really should've had a minimum of six-ply. Then I learn that snow tires like to blow apart above 15 degrees Celsius, especially with a load. Every year I've been to Florida they've had record lows, and I've had all-season tires so this was a non-issue. Naturally, this year it looks like its going to be really warm and I've got thin snow tires. Great.
A student of Mary Lou's who is extremely knowledgable about tires recommended we regularly check the tire pressure, check for unusual wear in the tread and feel how hot the tires are. So Linda, Mary Lou and I look like a race car pit crew every time we stop...we even calibrated our multiple pressure gauges when we discovered one gauge was faulty...
I think we are all watching the tires in the mirror more than we are watching the road. So really, the shopping was for safety reasons, to give the tires time to cool.
So, finally this evening, we arrived at our first destination (Georgia) having travelled through busy towns...
...some uncertain shopping experiences...
...and finally found water to de-winterize the trailers and have showers! You learn to appreciate the small things when you are on the road...
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I never dreamed I would wish for cold weather when heading south, but we had this conundrum traveling between Canada and Florida in February. It is suicide to not have snow tires in Canada, and it IS suicide to drive on snow tires in Florida with a load in the heat. I've never learned so much about tires in my life.
It turned out a very reputable tire company had sold me four-ply snow tires, despite the fact I had explained my usage very clearly. Apparently I really should've had a minimum of six-ply. Then I learn that snow tires like to blow apart above 15 degrees Celsius, especially with a load. Every year I've been to Florida they've had record lows, and I've had all-season tires so this was a non-issue. Naturally, this year it looks like its going to be really warm and I've got thin snow tires. Great.
A student of Mary Lou's who is extremely knowledgable about tires recommended we regularly check the tire pressure, check for unusual wear in the tread and feel how hot the tires are. So Linda, Mary Lou and I look like a race car pit crew every time we stop...we even calibrated our multiple pressure gauges when we discovered one gauge was faulty...
I think we are all watching the tires in the mirror more than we are watching the road. So really, the shopping was for safety reasons, to give the tires time to cool.
So, finally this evening, we arrived at our first destination (Georgia) having travelled through busy towns...
...some uncertain shopping experiences...
...and finally found water to de-winterize the trailers and have showers! You learn to appreciate the small things when you are on the road...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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