I’m continuing my tradition of “little labor on Labor Day,” and so am posting a pot pourri of pictures in hopes you will enjoy them. I’m writing this as Jim drives us back from the WWWSDA Midwest Championship Sheepdog Trial outside of Hudson, WI. Skip and I didn’t run, but both dogs got to work on Saturday, picking up each group of sheep done with their run in the Intermediate class (“Pro-Novice,” or “Ranch), and getting them back to the rest area with shade, food, and water.
Sometimes it is easy–the sheep know they are done and where to go. Other times some ewe has a bad memory, or would rather stay outside on the field and graze, or things haven’t gone smoothly on the run itself, and your dog has to do some serious work. I absolutely love “working the exhaust” at this trial, because it’s often you and your dog truly need to keep your head about you and do some important, good work. Besides, the view makes my heart sing. Here are Skip and Maggie, bookending the scene with their opposite ears up:
It’s a massive, sprawling course, the most challenging in the Midwest, and without question the most beautiful. Here’s my friend Tresa and her good dog, Claire at the very beginning of their run–you can see Tresa check her watch (to keep track of time, the teams were allowed six minutes to complete the course) while Claire rockets away on her outrun. (The sheep are about 250-300 yards away to our right.)
Here’s my second favorite part of the trial: I got to meet our friend Laura, long-time blog reader, and her new guide dog, Kyle (and sister Julia, don’t want to leave her out.). You know Laura and Kyle from my recent post about what guide dogs and their humans want us to know. They live nearby and came to say hi. Kyle is as sweet as a dog can be, and was perfectly behaved the entire time. What a treat for me!
I didn’t run Skip in the trial because, after getting 1st and 2nd at earlier trials (note: small ones), Skip’s “eye” started coming out on “heavy” sheep, and he starting going so slowly on the drive that we weren’t finishing the course. (People tend to think that “stalking border collies hypnotize the sheep, but actually, it’s the opposite!) I found myself putting pressure on me and him to “Fix It!” before this trial, but got a hold of myself and took a breath. More pressure is a last thing that a dog like him needs, and I decided, especially when he came up a little lame after a unsatisfying training session, that I pass on this trial. Hard to miss it, and a tad hard not to watch runs and think “if only,” but his limp went away after a few days, so we got to work exhaust together. He and Maggie both were absolutely perfect, they didn’t put a paw wrong and I walked away with my heart so big and gooey it was ridiculous.
That lasted until I walked off the field to go back to the car. The dogs knew what was up. They heard: “That’ll do,” and they decided that meant they were TOTALLY done and so they ignored me when I called them away from sniffing something suspicious. The message was clear: WE WERE PERFECT. WE ARE ON BREAK NOW!
I did have to explain that, actually, we do still need to keep working together; which is difficult to do while laughing so hard. Their minor moment of On Strike passed quickly, and we got back to shade and water and the car soon enough. I just thought it was such a great example of how dogs need breaks too.
Here are my Most Adorable Dogs in the Entire World hanging out with Jim. This is actually from a week ago, when I audited a Kathy Knox clinic. I’d argue that Jim is the Most Adorable Husband, but he’s hidden by the sun screen. Next time.
We took a day off from the trials on Sunday and explored Willow Creek State Park nearby. It’s a gorgeous park, with a kick ass waterfall. It’s a popular attraction though, so if you can go early in the day, I’d advise it. It is a bit of hike up and down, but we went at dog-sniffing speed (matching that of a toddler in front of us), and we all had a good time.
A few more photos for fun: This is friend Paul’s dog, Ben, after working in the Kathy Knox clinic. I love the yin/yang curve of the tongue and paw. (Sounds like a British pub–Ye Olde Tongue and Paw.)
Remember the book Dog Smart that I’ve raved about? The author, Jennifer Holland, joined me on The Larry Meiller show last week. It could not have been more fun . . . okay, maybe if there’d been scones and Earl Grey tea? If you missed go to the link, it should be in the archives.
One last shot from a while ago: A male Baltimore Oriole in full color, helping himself to an orange I’d put out. I have had more fun these last few weeks watching teenage birds, (especially Red-Bellied Woodpeckers), learning how to perch on the feeders, or getting fed by their parents right on the feeders. It’s pretty slow at the feeding stations now because so many birds are molting, getting fresh feathers for the long migration, or just winter, ahead.
That’s it for me today, I hope this comes to you after you’ve had a relaxing holiday weekend (or just a weekend if you live outside of the U.S.). Tell us your Favorite Thing That Happened in the last few days! Mine is easy: Skip was bringing a tough group of sheep off the course when one turned and faced him, looking for a fight. I saw that the other sheep were moving away, and so asked Skip to lie down, my voice quiet and musical. He did instantly, taking the pressure off the ewe enough such that she turned and followed her friends. But then he didn’t hesitate to get around toward the front of that same group, now charging like deer for a hole in the fence that led to their evening quarters, not the rest area. He turned it off, then turned it on like a champ. Good dog Skip. Tell us your Favorite Thing, we’d love to smile with you!
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