So, it's sort of amazing how my life has sort of evolved over time... There was a time when I had no sheep and no sheep dogs- dogs, but not sheep dogs. Life was good then. Then I had a sheepdog and no sheep. Life was good too. Now, I have sheepdogs and sheep, and life is continuing to be good. But, the underlying story is changing too... I am not really enjoying trialing like I used to. I still love to watch good runs, and have good runs, but being a bit of an introvert, I am not in love with the whole social scene which appears to be integral to the whole sheepdog trialing world. Maybe it has to do with the issue of no real money to spend, maybe it's I get my enjoyment out of quiet time.. who knows.. Life is good, that is true, but I am trying to decide how I want to spend my time.
On one hand I believe I should trial to test my dogs, but honestly, for what reason? They work for me, do as I ask and I am happy with them. Maybe the answer is to only trial occasionally, as in maybe three trials a year? I don't know. The truth is, even when we do well, I don't really care.. is that horrible? I hope not.. I am proud when we do well, but at the end of the day, no matter how we do, I still bring my boys home and go about life...
So, I am trying to navigate how I want to do things.. As that goes, I am also trying to keep up with the work at the farm and the house.
Yesterday I string trimmed at the house (boy did it need it) and then I showered and headed up to the fair. It was nice to see some old friends and I did not stay long, but enjoyed the time I had there.
Today is more of the usual. May go to Kohls department store and get new sneaks. Other than that, check sheep work dogs, and then probably clean the house. Like to get cleaning done during the week.
3 comments:
I find myself in the same predicament. I love to test my dog, but I sit there like a lump while everyone else is talking about everything, and I really would rather be out on the hillside watching my sheep eat. :)
Life ebbs and flows. When young we are gad-abouts as my mother says, always on the move. My thing was sheep shows and auctions. I could attend dozens a year.
But, now, after 40 years of raising sheep, 10 of them watching my daughter go through 4-H I am happy to just sit on my patio and watch the chickens scratch and cluck about.
I don't think its strange Kelpie. I think we've just figured out or put our foot down on what is really important to us. Not the prize or the score, but the ability and ware with all to do what we want.
You'll always have people to talk dogs with, but it will private and personal and more meaningful.
Maybe at this stage in life we're reveling in the simple. And, that's a good thing.
Julie-
I too, have reached this part of life's road. Not finding trialing to be what it used to be. Finding that I would much more prefer to just be at home and work my dogs here and take care of our sheep. I certainly don't miss some of the politics of the trialing world. I am entered in a couple of trials this next month and we'll see how I feel about those trials. Just tired of the attitudes of some of the people.
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