What Keeps You Grounded?

My dogs keep me grounded.  We have been going through some ups and downs here with both of our Grandmas not doing good.  What is nice is I always have the dogs to make me smile.  If it is working them in herding, agility or just watching them be dogs, they always bring me back down to earth and say "It is OK".

This is a normal morning with Skarlet on my chair and Singe in the couch.  Miss Skar loves to get in my chair as soon as I get up to do something.  Singe can either be found on the couch or in Murray's chair.

I love these next 2 pictures because they involve Kate still playing with the pack.  Kate is 10 1/2 years old and has come into her second puppy hood.  She and Lash have this game, I can not explain it to a tee, that the play when all of the dogs are running.  Lash goes behind me and takes off with Kate on her behind.  They then meet up and do this mouthing thing, all in play.  If you saw it as an outsider you would think one of them is mad at the other.  This is Kate's way of playing with her grand daughter.

Skarlet doing her famous watch over Havoc.  You can not see Havoc in the picture, but it is usually Havoc laying by my feet and Skar waiting for Havoc to take off running.  Game on!!! One day I will actually capture it on camera or video.

Run Nan, Run!!!! (Jen x Singe)

Risk escaping the pack of wild dogs on her butt.

Lash does this mouthing with Lash too.  It is the same game that she plays with Kate.  Lash and Havoc are 1/2 sisters.

Rosie is running so fast that her tongue won't stay in her mouth.

Oh no, the pack of wild dogs are on Risk's butt again.

I love getting pictures of pack line ups.  This is part of our pack and it is truly a line of pack order.  Yes, we are missing a few dogs, but I can basically insert them into the line if need be.

Line up goes Singe, Mick, Lash, Havoc and Skarlet.  If the other dogs were in the line up then it would be Kate before Singe, Jen after Mick and Risk after Jen.  Then there is little Fusion running around the dogs.  I have a sneaking feeling that Fusion will be somewhere at the front of the pack.  Oh Lord have mercy on me!

Singe always seems to have fun no matter what he is doing.  I wish I could have his attitude in life.

I have been having a good time training dog is herding and agility.  I am hoping to set up the tri pod next week during some agility training.  Maybe I can talk Murray into breaking away from work here (so much to do) on the weekend and video taping Skar and Risk training on sheep.

Til' Next Time,

Brittney

Godspeed Luke

I received very sad news this morning.  Misty's house burnt down yesterday.  She was able to get her other dogs out, but Luke would not come out from under the bed.  Misty tried, but the flames and smoke were too bad.  Luke did not make it out.  Luke was from our Piper x Sinner litter.

There are no words that can say how sad I am for you Misty.  Luke will always be remembered and will remain in our hearts.

Below are some pictures of Luke growing up.

Luke as a happy puppy.

Luke always loved the water.  He would then make a nice muddy mess after he swam in any water he could get into.

This picture was taken the first time he saw sheep.  He was a handsome boy.

Luke's first time on sheep.

Luke with Grandpa Mick.

Luke was one of those puppies that was always happy.  You can clearly see it in his face.

Luke's first snow.

Luke is pictured here 1 1/2 weeks before the tragic loss of his life.  He was a very handsome boy.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to

someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can

run and play together.

There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and

comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored

to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong

again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each

miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when

one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent;

His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying

over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend

finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted

again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the

beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet,

so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

What A Nice Couple Of Days

As you can see by these photos our sunsets have been gorgeous here in Central Oregon.  I was out feeding the sheep tonight with Connor and as we were walking back to the house I noticed the beautiful sunset.  At the time Connor was in the wheel barrel  and thought it was cool when I started pushing it faster and faster.  I got to the driveway and plopped him on the ground as I ran in for my camera.  He then thought it was funny that we were running back towards the sheep with 8 Border Collies also thinking it was cool that we were playing chase.  I was able to snap these pictures right before the sun set.  I even got one with our Alpacas in it.

I have had a great week training dogs.  Today was the only day that I did not train any of the adults.  It doesn't hurt to have a day off.  :-)  I concentrated on the puppies here.  I video taped Nan and Rosie's sessions.  All of the girls are working on different things, so it is really fun.  Both Nan and Rosie are looking for homes.  

Rosie is working on backing up and I also started showing her heel position.  She started offering me back up yesterday, so today I decided I would video it.  She is up to about 5 steps back.  

This is Nan's session with down.  She offered me a very nice folding down in our session this morning, so I went with that and marked it each time she offered it.  By this afternoon the was continuously offering me a nice down.  I did click once for a down that started with her butt first.  It was the only time and I said ooops, more for my own mental negative marker.

Our other handling skill we are working on is the beginning of rear crosses.

I really hope the good, dry, weather stays around as it really keeps me in the mood to train the dogs.  It is really hard to drag a 3 year old out to the sheep or agility field when it is freezing or raining.  Connor is at the age where it is really starting to interest him.  He ha even taken to training Kate now and asks to train her.  We are working on downs with her.  I am trying to get her to pay attention to his commands and not wait for me to tell her a command.  I am also working on Connor's delivery of the treat.  Kate loves food, so sometimes she is a little too excited to get the treat.  I will have to get some video of him training her as it is really cute.  I am hoping that he will be able to run her in Juniors next spring and summer.  Kate is 10 1/2 years old now, but is still going strong.  Connor is 3 years old and I want him to start with a dog like Kate as she is SOOOOO biddable and LOVES to work.

Till Later

I Am Sorry For I Have Been Busy

OK, I am back alive and well.  Fall time has been hectic here.  We are trying to finish things before winter comes.  I am not complaining, but I don't think winter is coming any time soon now.  It was in the 60's today (end of November).  Murray and I have been able to accomplish so much since it has been good weather.   Murray took some time off of work, so that means I have had 6 days with hubby.

Today I started to Aussies (client dogs) and then worked Singe and Skar (Skarlet) on sheep.  It was so nice to work Skarlet as she has been laid up for a few weeks.  When I was out of town she nearly ripped her big pad (not stop pad, but big pad) off.  There was no way that stitches could stay in, so she had to be rapped and put on antibiotics for a few weeks.  I didn't want her to work sheep before it was healed.  I am back working on square flanks with her.  That is our major area of work.  I will not let her do any outruns until she shows me that she can give to the sheep.  I am fine with this as I am having fun.  She is similar to Risk and now Risk is one of my major ranch dogs.  Singe was fun to work as he is a clean slate.  He is so biddable and a total cross between his parents, Risk and Divot.  I truly enjoy working him in anything that we do.

We have been busy with our boarding dogs.  We managed to finish most of our dog room before the holiday.  I will take some pictures tomorrow when the sun is shining through.

Below is a picture of Connor playing Chuck-It with the dogs.  He is growing into such the dog boy.  I love to see his relationship with the dogs.  I can see who he REALLY likes and then the ones he LOVES!  Kate is his absolute favorite.  That is good as that is his agility dog for next year.  

Pat and Cheryl's dogs came to stay with us through the holiday.  Pat owns Scout (Jen x Mick) and Cheryl owns Spark (Lash x Sooner).  Below is a picture of Spark.  He is very intense.

Kate, at 10 1/2 years old, is still getting the ball before the others.  I think she is going through her 2nd puppyhood as she has been playing quite a bit lately.

Well, what can you say about Singe, but he is a freight train.  He is super powerful in his stride.

I got this picture of Mick relaxing in a bed my friend, Christie made.  ALL of my dogs love this bed.  The problem is I have 9 dogs and 1 Christie bed.  What to do, What to do????

Oh Murray's new  baby girl, Fusion.  Fusion is from our Jen x Singe litter.  We did not plan on keeping a puppy, but somehow Murray and I fell in love with this girl.  She is a total combination of both of the lines.  I absolutely love her.

Rosie is Fusion's sister.  She is still available to a working/performance home.  She was the most independent of the litter, but with much attention she is now very into humans.  She is already showing herding behaviors.  She is still too young to bring to sheep, but I see it in her.

She LOVES Connor and I put a video of Rosie an Connor on our You Tube  www.youtube.com/HillcrestBCs

Nan is also from our Jen x Singe litter and is available.  Like her sisters, she is working on her basics plus fun tricks.  I taught Nan to jump into my arms the other day.  I bring the puppies out with all of the other dogs and work on recalls with them.  I kneel on the ground and call them to me and then reward them.  Nan was taking a leap into my lap, so I started to push her back witch made her leap at me even more.  Soon she was leaping all the way into my arms (chest high on the ground).  All of the puppies have an awesome recall as all of my dogs do.

I couldn't resist taking this picture from our front field.  We live with the rocks surrounding our property.  I have taken some spectacular pictures from our front field and front deck.  This was the latest with the rainbow over the rocks.

Well there you all go.  I have started to blog again and hopefully I can keep up with it.  Maybe not everyday, but hopefully at least a few times a week.  Raising working dogs, a 3 year old, a ranch and a husband is a lot of work.

Till The Next Blog,

Brittney

Yeah No Rain

The rain finally stopped here.  Friday and Saturday were just a rainy and muddy mess.  The dogs spent a lot of time in their crates drying off.  Sunday was pretty good with times of sun.  Things finally dried out and the dogs had a blast today, running and swimming.

Havoc going for the scoop up of the ball.  A BC can never slow down to actually get the ball.

Singe and Jen, happily coming back to me.  Singe has the ball.

Singe has to do everything full tilt.  The ball bounced up after one hit of the ground and Singe felt the urge to jump in the air for it so that no one else could get it.

Singe showing off his turning ability and his happy face.

This is the new girl here.  Her name is Skar and she comes from Hay Ewe Border Collies in Idaho.  We have brought her here to our place to see if she will work out as a stock dog for us.  I worked her earlier, just to see how she was.  She was very happy to work and is a good listener. I only worked her in a 1 acre field as I didn't know what she was going to do with me.  I will work her in our big field tomorrow.  This way she can actually fetch the sheep a longer distance and I can do more of an outrun with her.  She is still young as she will be 2 years old in a week and a half.

SWIMMING TIME!!!!!

The water is cold, but the dogs don't care.  If I say they can swim they are 110% for it.  I got some pictures of the dogs jumping in the pond for the ball.  It is very hard to take pictures and throw the ball all by yourself.

Risk is a funny girl as she starts to swim when she is in the air.  It is like she is trying to walk on the water.

Singe is a big leaper and he always extends his body while jumping in the pond.

I am not sure how much "swimming" Skar has done.  She definitely likes the water, but she was hesitant to jump in.  I finally got her to get in when a ball was right in front of her.

Kate @ 10 1/2 years old is still the best leaper of the group.  I was going to enter her in dock diving at Cynosports this year, but I am now going on my own.  Murray will be staying home due to the time off we took to go to Hawaii.  I will be flying out on my own with Lash and Risk. So, Kate can pond dive here instead.

Mick is always game to bring me the ball back at full speed and then plop it at my feet.

Off to train Lash, Risk and Singe in agility.

Brittney

Feeding Raw

I have fed raw to our dogs for over 9 years.  I switched when, a then, good friend had a BC diagnosed with Lymphoma.  We did a lot of research and started finding out the fillers and chemicals that were put into kibble.  A few of us switched and loved it.  Mick was my first puppy that was fed raw from 7 weeks of age.  The breeder used to tell me that I was stunting his growth because he was smaller than the rest of the litter and never went through any major growth spurts.  He just grew and a steady and even rate.  I know I didn't stunt his growth because he is 20 3/4" tall and 45 lbs of muscle.

In the past we have raised our puppies on kibble (Wellness) and some raw meat and bones.  I had never raised a litter solely on raw until this Jen x Singe litter.  These puppies have seen nothing but raw meat from the time they were 3 weeks old.  When I put the pan of ground turkey in front of them they went to town on it like they knew exactly what they were doing.  None of that stepping in the food and getting it all over the place.  They were fed 1 meal a day of ground Turkey or ground Chicken.  At 4 weeks of age they started getting ground chicken backs and ground chicken necks mixed in with the pure ground meat and yogurt.  They were also switched to 2 meals a day.  These puppies never waste time eating and there is never anything left in their bowls (poor Jen has nothing to clean up).  I remember with our kibble fed litters that there would be leftover kibble in the bowls and the puppies would eat, but not EAT like this litter.

I added a little Mackeral to the ground chicken necks this morning and they loved it.  I will give them some goat bones to chew on later this afternoon.

OK, honestly one of the HUGE rewards of raising this litter on raw is that there is no POOP smell in the puppy pen.  What a relief to get up in the morning and not gag.  They also don't poop as often as the kibble fed litters.  The poops that they do have are very formed and not squishy.

I will take some pictures of the puppies chewing on their bones later.

Brittney

Where To Begin

Wow, raising a kid, dogs, ranch and a husband doesn't leave much extra time to write in my blog. Where did the summer go?

OK, let's start with the dogs.  Lash and Risk are headed with me to the Cynosport World Games in October.  This is at West World (Scottsdale, AZ).  I am just polishing up training stuff with them and trying to close any holes in our training.  I have a great jumpers course set up for this weeks work.  I will try to get some video of the girls training.

I have been working more and more with Singe.  He is a total blast to work.  We are behind in his training because, unfortunately, when he was young I had to have back surgery and that put me out of a lot until I was released to work dogs again.  Murray keeps saying he is going to start Havoc, but sometimes ranch and house work gets in the way, especially after he has had a long day at the office.

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Jen and Singe's puppies are now 4 1/2 weeks old and they are wrestling and playing all of the time.  They are inside in the evening and morning and then go outside to play during the day. They have a big pen on our grass.  They can hear all sorts of noises and see our dogs run.  We also take them for little puppy walks in the field.  You can see pictures of our puppies on our website www.hillcrestbordercollies.com

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Mick had a new love in his life.  No not a female dog......It is the Alpacas here on our ranch.  We have 7 Alpacas and they are not halter trained.  We move them from area to area to eat, so I started using Mick.  He is in heaven working them.  They are in between cattle and goats as far as working style.  They kick, charge and don't flock nicely.  I think that is why he likes them, it is a challenge. You can see him working the group on You Tube. www.youtube.com/HillcrestBCs  I started introducing Risk to them, but she got zapped by the electric fence and that sent her flying.  So, now she is back working them with Mick.  Kate also loves to work them, but at 10 1/2 years old I don't want her to get in a situation that she will get hurt.  I still let her work them.  She LOVES doing any of the animal chores around here and always has a smile on her face after.

I have started Singe on sheep.  He is a bit freer moving on stock than his mom Risk, but he still has a very nice amount of eye.

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Connor is in preschool now, so that is allowing me a couple hours 3 days of work to do "me" stuff.  "Me" stuff is usually training dogs, doing dog nails or occasionally I will actually sit down and relax.  He loves school and it is great for him to be with all of the kids, since we live out in the country.

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Murray, Connor and I actually had a vacation this year (no dogs).  This is the first vacation in about 10 years (that didn't include dogs).  We met my parents in Maui and we had an awesome time. This was their Birthday Gift to all 3 of us.  Snorkeling was awesome and we saw some amazing sea life.  We also got to explore some caves that not a lot of people get to see.  The beaches and water were great.  Soft sand and warm water.  Connor learned how to Boogie Board and Body Surf.  He loved the sand and was basically a beach and pool bum.  We saw some gorgeous sunsets while we were there.  I had a blast taking pictures with my camera.

    

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We are getting a new Border Collie to try out.  We will get her either Sunday or Monday morning.  I will let her settle in here and then do some stock work with her to see how she is. If she works out then she will be here to stay and help us with chores here on the ranch.  She is coming from Idaho  www.hayewebc.com.

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I will try and write about our happenings more often now that things are settling down here.

Brittney