March | 2011 | Elyan Cardigans 2011 March

March, 2011

Herding Videos From The Trial

March 27, 2011 by myeye

Here is the first part of Chase’s run from yesterday. What I love is the crowd commentary about how well our dogs with no legs herd. Because of the thunder and lightning and rain, the sheep were a little wild-eyed and took off at the twitch of a tail, but Chase did a good job overall and was one dog from Reserve High in Trial. Video by Cheryl (as always)

This second video is the second part of the Day 1 run — battery replacement was required:

And today’s Reserve High in Trial Run — unfortunately the trees hide much of the action — we’re just not used to having that problem in New Mexico

Susan has such patience — and it’s obvious that Chase loves working for her. Good boy, Chase! Chase’s housemate Treasure was in season and today would have been a good day to breed her (if that was the plan). As a result, Chase’s Started run took only two minutes and 46 seconds — he had things to do and places to go (he wished).

Category Bluefox, Chase, Herding, Other Places | Tags: | 8 Comments
Word From The Herding Front

March 27, 2011 by myeye

It thundered and lightninged all night, but was dry this morning in Georgia. Chase was Reserve High in Trial and earned his second Started Sheep leg. Both Chase and Kearney were wild because Treasure is ready to breed. Susan had Chase on a down stay for 30 minutes before she took him into the arena. He spent that entire time quivering all over in anticipation. Once in the ring, it was clear he wanted to CHASE SHEEP. Somehow Susan controlled him, and he managed a reasonable run. I’m lucky to have Susan training and handling him — a lesser trainer would have sat in the grass and cried. High in Trial today was a Pembroke, so again Corgis ruled! Treasure earned one of her HT legs. Video later.

These photos from Janet Suber:

Coming Around

Easy

Next herding stop is Houston and the Cardigan Nationals where Chase will try to finish his sheep title and begin on his Started Duck title.

Janet brought Sally to play with Lowri and the girls had a wonderful time chasing each other in the grass. It’s so much fun to see the littermates get together after an absence and recognize one another. Party time!

Category Bluefox, Chase, CWCCA Nationals, Herding, Lowri, Tennessee | Tags: | 2 Comments
Nola and Holmes and the Sunset

March 26, 2011 by myeye

Nola and Holmes seldom are still for enough time to take photos. Tonight, however, the dogs next door were interesting and I had the opportunity to take a couple of head shots that it turned out I really liked. There’s a sunset for Tom and Taryn as well.

Holmes – 18 months old

Nola – 5 months old

. . . and tonight’s sunset

Fighting snow and rain one day at a time — a New Mexico Sunset

Category Holmes, New Mexico Beauty, Nola, Weather | Tags: | 2 Comments
Soggy Sheep – First Leg

March 26, 2011 by myeye

Chase, Kearney, Treasure, Lowri, Susan and Cheryl are in Cumming Georgia for an all breed herding trial (sheep only). It is raining and thundering and lightninging. The sheep want to be in their pens, and not be pushed around by some stoopid dogs. The trial was stopped during lightning/thunder episodes and folks sat in their cars for safety. When all but the Test classes were done, Cheryl and Susan called me. Kearney was HIT from the intermediate class (that’s his third HIT at an all-breed trial). Chase was 2nd in Started with an 86 (not bad considering it’s his first trial and the weather is atrocious). The dog that was 1st in the Started Class is a German Shepherd that trains at the facility hosting the trial. She earned 89, was RHIT, and finished her Started title today.

The forecast for tomorrow is not any better, but my theory is if the Chaseman can push the sheep through the Y and the Z and cover them when they break for the pen, in this weather, he is a herding dog. I haven’t heard yet if Treasure earned a leg on her HT — she is is standing heat so, let’s add one more variable to her attempt. That’s a big variable for Chase and Kearney as well. Little Lowri is there as OWG in training — you don’t know about OWG? Chase and his kids are Official Walmart Greeters (that would be OWG). Lowri always thinks she is having a great time!

More news later or tomorrow — one leg down, two to go.

Category Bluefox, Chase, Herding, Lowri, Other dogs, Weather | Tags: | 3 Comments
Out In The Back Forty

March 26, 2011 by myeye

This morning, as the roosters were crowing (that’s for people who don’t have dogs that want them to arise in the dark), we went out the gate to the wide open spaces. This is what happens out there.

Nola chases Holmes

Holmes Chases Nola

They run together

Inca joins in

Nola stalks them both

A great start to a Saturday in the spring.

Category Holmes, Inca, Nola, Pinto - Los Lunas | Tags: | Comments Off