Monday, June 30, 2008

Pool Party

The dogs and I went swimming today in my parents pool -whether they wanted to or not. (yes Dad, that's why there was all that hair in the filter!)
Lad took to it right away
But Hemp preferred to use the chaise lounge and work on his tan

And Skid chased his shadow on the front steps. (can you say obsessive compulsive?)Just in case they were having too much fun, I thought perhaps they might start training for cliff diving (you never know when that might come in handy).Sure it's all fun and games until it's your turn!

No dogs were harmed in the making of this blog. (If you can believe it they all actually ran back up to try it again)

Sunday, June 29, 2008

I Did It My Way

Skid and I went on a little excursion today to root Nirvana's Taggus McTaggert (aka "Tag" -or as he calls himself, "King of the World") and my mother on in an agility trial. For you agility enthusiasts, Tag tried out his first time in jumpers excellent
and continued in standard open.
I'm afraid he didn't get a qualifying leg in either. Sometimes a dog has to do it his own way. Tag's way did not involve jumping on a table today. In fact, he's pretty sure he didn't see a table anywhere on the course. That big flat thing in front of him was certainly NOT a table and there was no way he was going to jump on it. He'd never seen anything like it. Never. It was best just to look the other way.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, er, suburbia, Skid was having his own problems. He didn't like the grass in my parents backyard. No way. Absolutely not. He would not walk on that weird green stuff for love, leash nor money. This created a little problem. Where was he to poop? I decided to wait him out. He couldn't hold it forever. Could he? We'll never know 'cause after 48 hours I gave in and drove him to the local park where he felt much better about letting go, so to speak. This dog has pooped all across North America but for some reason, he had his issues.
Tomorrow is our last day here in suburbia before we head over to visit a friend in the high desert above Los Angeles. This is where we will do the dog portion of the vacation which involves a little herding and swimming in the lake. We plan to spend our last day here exposing my parents pool filter to a little border collie and mutt hair.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

California Here I Come

The trip to California was uneventful. We stopped off in Montana for a photo oppbut other than that and a few potty breaks we just kept heading south. Two long days of driving and one night in a hotel. I am happy to report that both Skid AND Hemp kept the hotel in an un-urinated state. Laddie has already had the no peeing in the hotel lecture so I knew he'd be ok.We are now at Mom and Dad's house in Orange County. The bad news is that tomorrow will be very boring for the dogs. The good news is that I am going to DISNEYLAND!
I tried to make it up to the dogs by letting them spend some quality time with me in my parents back yard.

LADDIE.... DON'T -YOU -DARE... Too Late!


Saturday, June 21, 2008

There's No Place Like Home

We're home. For now.
Apparently the sheep have forgotten who we are and what we do for a living since they looked quite happy to see us when they greeted us at the gate.
Poe the Destroyer decorated for our homecoming. He was so small when we left and I didn't think about the fact that as he grew, so would his ability to tear things up. He and Salem must have been working on it for days because they were quite exhausted when they were finished.
The bad news is that I have to leave again in a couple of days. The good news is that I'm going to California to visit family and friends. Scott will stay behind and hold down the fort until I get back and clean it up again. However, I will not be alone for my adventure. Hemp and Skid will be making their debut in So. Cal and Laddie will be paying a return visit.
Oh, boy! Wait until Mom and Dad get a load of Skid!

Saturday, May 31, 2008

And The Thunder Rolls

So you haven't met my Bob dog yet have you? Bob, Bob. (sigh) How do I explain him? Well, (whispering) he's a little crazy. Sure he looks normal but he's not. He was my first Border Collie and at age 9 he's now retired. He had some sholder problems that caused him to limp occasionally when he worked, and a stroke last year that left his face a little lopsided but really it's his mind that is his big disability. He has an absolute and uncontrollable fear of thunder and gunfire. However, unlike most dogs, Bob doesn't hide in the back of his crate or under the bed, wishing the noise would go away. No, he takes matters into his own hands or teeth, to stop the noise himself. If Bob is contained during a storm, he will rip his way out of whatever crate he is in no matter the damage to his teeth, and bark at the offending noise. Out of fear that he will hurt himself or our new dog box (the crates that the dogs travel in on the truck) or teach the other dogs to be afraid, I drop everything at the sound of a loud noise and run to get Bob out of his crate and on a leash where I can talk him down from his proverbial ledge.
See Bob's teeth...
See Bob's damage...
This was done to our camper last week in Michigan. We were camping at a trial and I had him tied out to the side of our camper so he could enjoy the sunshine. In the distance I heard gunfire and left the trial area to go back to the camper and rescue Bob but Scott had just come from there and HE SAID Bob was fine. However, when we later discovered that Bob was not fine, it was my fault. (another sigh) Husbands. Dogs.
We are now staying at a nice house in Michigan while Scott teaches several sheepherding clinics. It's nice to not have to sleep in the camper. However, we are expecting more thunderstorms in the evenings this week. (more sighs) I guess I'll be sleeping in the camper with Bob while Scott enjoys his sleep in the big bed.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Love Sick

Lad and Skid are the best of friends. Usually. However, the age old division between boys has now affected this friendship. Love, love has done it.
Who is this sexy seductress? Miss Tilly-also known as Miss Weaslie. They met her at the Kentucky Bluegrass trial in the Punkin' Patch vendor tent and although she lives in Kentucky, far away from the Canadian north, each boy thought it was true blue and tried to win her heart. Lad had a polished and elaborate soft shoe dance that he performed and Skid had only his childish pouncing.In the end, she chose Lad as her champion and he posed with his lady prize with all the class and grace he could muster.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Who done it?

We've had a fatality here on the Michigan farm.A lamb has been mauled beyond repair and no one is taking credit for it. The ewe had two lambs and now she's down to one. Poor girl. There was only one dog loose with the porcelain flock. Jess. It couldn't have been her. Could it?