Ghost Kids

Yeah, I know. This looks like a hunk of junk sitting in the middle of our barnyard. It used to be a nice storage building but the guy who lived here before us took the roof off of it to make it a greenhouse for pot. (seriously) A big wind came through 3 years ago and with no roof, it fell in on itself. Scott declared that he was going to burn it this winter and then changed his mind. You might think it was laziness but it actually has a function right now.

Since Kit has declared war on the cats they are using the fallen down barn for a safe haven. While we try to figure out what to do about the situation (we need the cats for mousing in the barn and a dog to guard the sheep) we have decided to let Cali and Ghost's new litter stay feral.

They will be able to evade Kit and the owls if they don't stay out in the open, and the fallen down barn is their home base. Cali still comes to say Hi when she thinks it's safe out but we only catch glimpses of the kittens who have obviously learned like their father Ghost to disappear when spotted.

Fall Chores

Since the lazy days of summer have come to an end and the leaves are starting to turn, we have to do our fall work to prepare for the winter work.

As always, some prefer to watch rather than do. This weekend I thought perhaps I would mow the lawn. It is amazing to me how the leaves in the trees can be turning but my grass is still growing. Scott felt that the grass was short enough but that's coming from the man who won't be scooping the poop out of the long grass this winter. I figured it wouldn't be too much work since we bought a riding mower this year but I couldn't get it to start.

With Scott away doing clinics my only other option was to let Salem check under the hood for me. He couldn't figure it out either so I was back to the tried and true push mower. It was too much work to do the free run yard but I did get the boy's dog yard done

and the girls.

Now the question is if a girl mows all the lawns, and no one's there to see it, did it really happen?

Slithering

While we were on our last trip my good friends Lisa and Louanne met us at the National finals in Louanne's luxurious camper otherwise known as the "Hilton" or the "Castle".
One night, Louanne went into her bedroom in the Castle and was greeted by this fella tucked into her bed.

Immediately she thought Scott did it. (I don't know why that idea would pop into her head - it's not like he likes to play practical jokes or anything - yeah, right) So she got me to join in on the prank and put it on Scott's side of the bed the next night. He laughed when he saw it but he said he'd never seen it before.

I don't know who the real snake in the grass is, but Skid is sure happy to have a new toy!

Stolen Property

Someone asked me the other day if I would give more information about Maid. Sure. I'll tell you about Maid. Let's start with the fact that she is MINE. Yeah, that's right. I raised her. I got her as an 8 week old puppy and I took her everywhere with me. I taught her how to be well behaved and confident.
Scott thought she was obnoxious. Really. He did.I was looking forward to running her in trials. Scott had agreed to put a couple of months training on her and then I would take over. Trouble was those couple of months just kept going on and on. Before I knew it, HE was trialing her and taking all the credit. But I tell you here and now, he stole her from me and when you see her out there looking good in trials, you'll know who is really responsible.

Conspiricy Theory

I have lost what little hold I have on my household. Poe has gotten together with Salem and they have decided to take over what can and can't happen anymore.For example, they have apparently decided that the dogs already in the house can stay but that is enough.
I brought my little Gael dog in for a visit today and the cats exploded.Gael tried to mind her own business but Poe wouldn't let up.Finally, after Poe cornered her on the couch,

I put her outside where it was safer.

I just can't remember when I lost control.

Happy Retirement!

For many years now Pleat has been the corner stone of Alta-Pete Stockdogs. He and Scott have been partners for a long time.However, it's now time for him to step down. He'll be 10 this November and he's earned his rest. Pleat didn't plan on going out quietly though.

There are three big trials in North America that pay the biggest money and give the biggest recognition : The National Finals, The Bluegrass, and Meeker. Pleater has won all three but in the last five years there has been a new "Big Trial" - Soldier Hollow. Pleat had never won this one but he had one last kick at the can over labor day weekend. And you know what? He won it. Now he can go out as the only dog ever to have won the big four. We are just a little proud of him and the press couldn't get enough of him.

What will he do now? I have a very important job for him.

Holding down my couch.