" Into the great wide open "

Into the great wide open,
Under them skies of blue,
Out in the great wide open.
A Rebel without a clue-
Tom Petty

My sheep have been sneaking around the E Net and getting out. So yesterday as  "punishment" I grabbed Video camera and Opal. It was a perfect chance to see how she would do out in a big open space that was cut short and relatively level.. Now I'm not saying she has never done this before,  but she has had less than a handful of goes on them.  All of them as a result of her being naughty and sneaking under the fence to get at them while they were out in pasture grazing.Since it was out of my control and she had already committed herself to working, I just would use it as a short training go and got her tired and happy enough to get a call off. Why go screaming after if you know you are not in a position to really do anything?
So off we  went. It was HOT. I mean in the close to 100 degrees F. Hot, but windy and not very humid. I figured a short go as long as things were calm would be okay. I am sure due to this heat it did keep Opal a bit quiet, and I am glad she showed she is smart enough to rate herself.
She really has had less than an hours worth of "formal" training and for a pup who turned 10 months old last week I am pretty excited about our future together.
I have really only worked on  at this point her feeling her sheep, helping her as needed but letting her have a chance to think about it and figure it out on her own. I have started to say the flank commands as she turns but she really does not know any commands at this point other than to lie down. She does know a call off but it is shaky at best. I'll need to put a long line on her so she does not pick up a habit of taking off round them when she hears a call off and knows she can get away with it because I can't really enforce her to come off until she is ready. Over all I am really pleased with this little dog!

"Good Times , Bad Times"

Using a line from a favorite Led Zeppelin tune "Good times, bad times, you know I've had my share..."
Yes I 'm sure we all can relate to that line!
I first want to apologise for the delinquent blogger here.
I was hoping to share something with you that was one of the most powerful and moving things I have had the pleasure of listening to in a very long time. I can't wait any longer so I'll just have to go forward and if I have a chance to get a copy of it I will share it with you. 

So the good first or the bad ? 
Good is always better , no?

The best of the good as of recent, was that Rush was given " The most promising young dog award "
at PA State Sheep Dog Trial .

It was both an honor as well as a very moving moment for me.
Sheepy Hollow Farm ( location of the PA State Championship Stockdog Trial ) is where this journey into sheepdogs and sheep first began for me.
It is where I purchased my first puppy, went to my first training clinic, where I ran in my first trial and where I acquired my very first placement in a trial.

The Judge Denise Lenoard is a handler / trainer that I have always admired. I like the way she trains and runs her dogs so it meant a lot to me that she thought so highly of Rush.
It was also wonderful for me to see three litter mates compete and do well at this trial.Along with Rush my Flint and Strike , now owned by Maggie Chambers did well and placed at the Ranch level ( full open course minus shed ).
Then up to Heather and Roger Millens stunning Fetch Gate Farm Trail, where Flint and Rush made their debut in Open class. Flint has been slow to come on and has struggled with flank whistles but ran very well that weekend. Rush was running a bit hot and was getting close to coming in season  so was not running up to her best. I also seemed off in my timing and handling at this trial too . Still I was happy with both dogs. Maggie was there and Strike looked really nice too.

I guess I am going in reverse in my update but you should be able to follow.

I made a trip to Long Island in June for my Niece Jennifer's wedding. What a long , long few days of  driving. First up to drop the dogs at Mary Brighoff's Autum Hill Kennel, then down to Long Island. A total drive time of  nine hours!
I certainly have not missed driving on and off that Island. Though saying this , it has been four years since making the voyage and I had a chance while driving over the bridges to see the Manhattan skyline again and the new " Freedom Tower " ( though it's now not politically correct to call it that) being built where the world trade centers Twin Towers once stood.
It was great to see family and friends but then up at the crack and on the road the following morning to do the same drive back to our farm. Blech.

I have not had a chance to do much with Opal, though now the small hay field has been done so I have a nice place to get her going. I doubt she will need more than a few minutes reminder in the round pen before going out to the field. I don't think at her age it matters much if she is worked or not. I like what I have seen the few times she has been put on sheep and asked for something more than pure instinct. That will not go away.

Haying has started here and today we will be putting maybe 500 bales up in the barn. Thankfully it is not the 100+ F. that it was last year!

The Bad
One of my oldest sheep, a foundation sheep passed away in June. She was a great producer and just an all around nice animal.

Our cat Tigger went missing the day I needed to leave for Jen's wedding. When I got home the next day, still no Tigger. My heart sank . Around 10:30 that night Tigger was at our Patio door. I was so relieved. When I let her in the house I knew right away something was wrong. She looked very unstable in her back end. By the next morning she was unable to walk. Off to the Bunker Hill Animal Hospital. Blood Work and X-Ray showed nothing. Tigger remained at Bunker Hill for several days. Nothing changed, not better but not worse. So I made the drive to the animal hospital thinking I would be saying good bye. Yet when I looked at her something told me to wait. While she was unable to stand or walk she was alert and eating.  She was still aware of her back legs, could feel pinch to toes was able to flex them just not able to stand or walk. I took her home with some antibiotics and steroids and felt I needed to give her a chance. I did PT with her while she was eating , Paul taking over while I was away at a trial and over the weeks guess what? Tigger is almost back %100 !
I brought her in for a follow up and Dr. Michele was amazed at her recovery! A bad that ended good!

Another sad note is that the man who refinished my bathroom has passed away. Tony was a good guy. Great sense of humor. Loved his craft and family. I was glad to have known him and call him "friend". He was only 46 years old and had a fatal heart attack while away from home at a bike rally in NY State.

The saddest news of all is Paul's dad lost his battle with Cancer in May.

There is not much to say other than his dad Ed was a very good man. I am glad to have had him as a Father in Law. I am glad I knew him. He was a wonderful husband, dad and grandfather. He will be missed.

Another long grind down to Long Island and back home for a sad reason.
This time I hit the bridges after dark and saw the Manhattan skyline all lit up and pretty as ever.

At his funeral, his daughter Kathleen gave the most moving speech of her memories of her dad. As she stood in front of us and read from her heart, tears spilled down my cheeks as I listened.
I could see her sitting at a desk writing her thoughts. Her Dad standing behind her with a hand on her shoulder helping her put her thoughts and memories down on paper.
It gave an accurate and perfect depiction of the man we all loved and admired.
If I get a copy I will share it with you . 

So as of now that's all I can think of to share. I'm sure I forgot a bunch of things. I'll try not to be so negligent of the blog. But hey it is summer and I don't spend a lot of time inside. 

I'll leave you with a few photo's I took recently.
Enjoy.



make a wish!