Sad news. My brother in law's aunt, who was living with he and my sister and their kids passed away. Now, truth be told, it wasn't unexpected- she was 102. But, what a wonderful lady, God fearing Irish lady, who always had impeccable manners, and was just a great role model.
The day before she died, she had told my sister that she was ready to "go be with Jesus". When my sister mentioned that, I told her that was completely legitimate, and basically, don't be surprised if she does. That next morning, she died, in her sleep. Thankfully, she did not have to be taken by emts to the Hospital, her physician signed off on her death warrant, and she has gone to the funeral home. Sad for the nephews, sad for everyone.
On a completely different front, I have eaten healthy for a whole (almost) week! No peanut butter eggs- no chocolate period! I have cut way back on the carbs, and yesterday I had a HUGE hankering for an ice cream sundae, but I FOUGHT it off. I had cereal when I got home. Phew, that was hard. I keep remembering how my clothes are fitting, and it's good incentive. I don't have a scale at home, never had. I never got into weighing myself- it's too depressing- I go by how I look.
In a little bit, I plan to go look at some property I saw for lease- just a few acres- but it is fenced!!! I am not sure if it's still available, but I want to see it- shall take some pics for you all.
It will not be big enough to do big outruns, but all that other stuff it will be fine for.
On the dog front, Danny is learning more every day- especially impulse control. Lots of stay at the door before I let you out, that sort of thing. Oh, and his wee eye has kicked in. I kick the ball for him, and he turned on his stalky eye for the first time as I would play with the ball. Cute to see that. He is getting hairier- YIKES. Oh, and BIG NEWS! I had my first Border Collie hair in my pancake batter today!!! It's official, I have a Border Collie!!!
Well, off to do all that I need to today, and will report back on the property.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Kelpie pup video
Here is a video of a 12 week old Kelpie pup on sheep. Not bad. Kelpies are keen as mustard on sheep- born that way! Love it.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
If it weren't for that one. little. thing....
Then, Lucy and I would be floating on air, and in the upper classes- or at least SHE would. Lucy can drive and put sheep where ever I like. Lucy can well, do what I ask, correctly most of the time with small correction if leaning toward the wrong... But, that is well, nice, but if you don't have a stop, reliably, you are really hamstrung.
Now, don't get me wrong, Lucy is coming along, but it's just an echoing irritation at times. It's our one problem. But, Lucy is so good in other ways, it's just a good carrot dangling thing for me.
Today I was sorting sheep. I was trying to get the hair sheep out of the way. I had one more, who kept planting herself in the middle of the woolies. So, I had to flank Lucy 'come', and as she did, she was met with a big fat woolie butt, and then another woolie was positioned in such a way, that she either could not see Lucy, or pretended so. Lucy walked up and was nose to nose, well, it was Lucy's nose near the side of the woolies' face. I was actually surprised that there wasn't an explosion. Then, I asked her to come in more, because we were a big fat cluster. Lucy gripped her fairly, and that got the cluster shifted.
Still later, I had Lucy block some sheep from coming out of one pasture to the other. Now, they *really* want back in their favorite pasture, so, Lucy has to do some plain, good old fashioned sheepdog work. She has to push them back in (they were already through the gate) and ALWAYS there is one who tries to break back. Lucy *loves* this- blocking, pushing back. Whatever- it's real work to her, and she lives for it.
Lucy's pen work was good today- getting better each time- she is understanding the concept. Good girl.
After we worked, we went to the pond, and there were two geese in the pond. Lucy was wanting to work them (as in move them away). So, she went around the pond, and I kept asking her to get in that water... She FINALLY did, and swam after them like a champ. They were gone, and I think she would have followed them for miles, if there wasn't field fence in her way. She does like her goose work.
Then, Danny. Well, Danny has just been watching. But, today my friend suggested I put the sheep in the small pen we have been practicing penning with (4 woolies), and see what he does. Well, my friend popped Danny into the field, and I was with Lucy near the pen. Danny was, ahem, quite interested in the sheep. He began RUNNING around it. Now, he had done this playing with another pup, so I thought maybe it was that memory. Then, he started to respond to the sheep moving- they were understandably worried about this little hellion running hell bent around them. At one point he stopped and one woolie mock charged/rammed toward him and it didn't' faze him in the least. Okay, good enough for now. I took Danny out of the pasture so I could move the sheep back to the other pasture, and sure enough, as I was worried, Danny made it through the combo panel (you know, those panels that are small rectangles at the bottom and squares further up.). YIKES. It wouldn't be so bad if Lucy wasn't such a fetching fool. So, I grabbed him up, and made a mental note to remember that Danny now KNOWS how to get in with the sheep....
On the way home, Danny got his last puppy shot. He will be 15 weeks tomorrow, and weighs 18 lbs. Slowly growing. I really don't think he will be very big. Lucy was 18 lbs at 13 weeks and is normal at about 33 lbs. But, he is a male, so maybe he will be about what she is + a few.
Now, don't get me wrong, Lucy is coming along, but it's just an echoing irritation at times. It's our one problem. But, Lucy is so good in other ways, it's just a good carrot dangling thing for me.
Today I was sorting sheep. I was trying to get the hair sheep out of the way. I had one more, who kept planting herself in the middle of the woolies. So, I had to flank Lucy 'come', and as she did, she was met with a big fat woolie butt, and then another woolie was positioned in such a way, that she either could not see Lucy, or pretended so. Lucy walked up and was nose to nose, well, it was Lucy's nose near the side of the woolies' face. I was actually surprised that there wasn't an explosion. Then, I asked her to come in more, because we were a big fat cluster. Lucy gripped her fairly, and that got the cluster shifted.
Still later, I had Lucy block some sheep from coming out of one pasture to the other. Now, they *really* want back in their favorite pasture, so, Lucy has to do some plain, good old fashioned sheepdog work. She has to push them back in (they were already through the gate) and ALWAYS there is one who tries to break back. Lucy *loves* this- blocking, pushing back. Whatever- it's real work to her, and she lives for it.
Lucy's pen work was good today- getting better each time- she is understanding the concept. Good girl.
After we worked, we went to the pond, and there were two geese in the pond. Lucy was wanting to work them (as in move them away). So, she went around the pond, and I kept asking her to get in that water... She FINALLY did, and swam after them like a champ. They were gone, and I think she would have followed them for miles, if there wasn't field fence in her way. She does like her goose work.
Then, Danny. Well, Danny has just been watching. But, today my friend suggested I put the sheep in the small pen we have been practicing penning with (4 woolies), and see what he does. Well, my friend popped Danny into the field, and I was with Lucy near the pen. Danny was, ahem, quite interested in the sheep. He began RUNNING around it. Now, he had done this playing with another pup, so I thought maybe it was that memory. Then, he started to respond to the sheep moving- they were understandably worried about this little hellion running hell bent around them. At one point he stopped and one woolie mock charged/rammed toward him and it didn't' faze him in the least. Okay, good enough for now. I took Danny out of the pasture so I could move the sheep back to the other pasture, and sure enough, as I was worried, Danny made it through the combo panel (you know, those panels that are small rectangles at the bottom and squares further up.). YIKES. It wouldn't be so bad if Lucy wasn't such a fetching fool. So, I grabbed him up, and made a mental note to remember that Danny now KNOWS how to get in with the sheep....
On the way home, Danny got his last puppy shot. He will be 15 weeks tomorrow, and weighs 18 lbs. Slowly growing. I really don't think he will be very big. Lucy was 18 lbs at 13 weeks and is normal at about 33 lbs. But, he is a male, so maybe he will be about what she is + a few.
National Finals Video
Here's a very good video that Geri Byrne put together, as a primer for this years National Sheepdog Finals in Klamath Oregon. It's well worth the watch!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
More on Danny
Danny will be 15 weeks on Friday. He is growing, and his hair around his ears is down right Liberace quality- so much extra... He's playing well with Luce- even though she got on him the other day. He is earning more freedom in the house, and is well, growing mentally too. He is not a fetcher- he will chase a ball, but not bring it back, unless he forgets he has it ;)
So, I guess that's about it on the Danny front- nothing major to report, just that he's a nice little boy- with lots of facial hair!
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