we're back... again

 We're up and running again... well not "running" as in a sheepdog trail but up and training! 

It all thanks to this little guy, Quinn. My new youngster. I was on the fence on if I would go back to training. Things just got well, complicated. Life. And all that. 

Back to Quinn. He's something else! I love this pup, he's everything I wanted when I spoke to his Canadian breeder. Those who know me know I've had several dogs from Canada in the past. I'm excited and hope to trail again when he's ready.

Here we have it, my Border Colle Quinn! optimism, resilience! Hope and Happiness! 

According to https://www.songtell.com/bob-dylan/quinn-the-eskimo-the-mighty-quinn

Symbol of positivity: Quinn the Eskimo represents a figure of optimism and resilience. In a world filled with despair and monotony, his arrival brings a sense of hope and happiness. The song suggests that Quinn has the ability to lift people's spirits and make them "jump for joy." He is depicted as a transformative force that can change the atmosphere to one of celebration and enjoyment.

Embracing uniqueness: Quinn is described as "the Eskimo," which implies that he is different or stands out from the crowd. This may symbolize the importance of embracing individuality and celebrating diversity. The lyrics emphasize that there is nothing else like Quinn, indicating the significance of appreciating and accepting unconventional or unique qualities in oneself and others.

As always, if you want or need help with dog behavior or training, let me know! I can help

Gotta Love Monsoon Season!

It's that time of year again! Monsoon Season in the high desert. Water water everywhere and the air is so fresh and clean. So nice to get the youngsters out to work when the ground is nice and soft. One of the fields has a bit too many rocks ... And is hilly (hense the rocks) so soft soil helps.

Guess that's what you get when you live on a hillside right on top of the San Andreas!

But seriously, the rain rocked. As did the storm. Had a thunder strike nearby and wow! Was it something! Happy with the progress Kell and Jos are making. Hoping to get back to a more regular schedule. Training 3 dogs, and working w the horses, trying to move and study keeps the days overfull! Anyone find a way yet to add a few hours to the day? Or ... Just come pack what's left for me? Most went to charity...

Can hardly wait to get outta here to new pastures...
Til next time...

"Got a lead foot down on my accelerator and the rearview mirror torn off
'Cause I ain't never lookin' back, and that's a fact."
Jo Dee Messina 

everything changes, and yet stays the same

So it's been, another long time, trying to get back into writing again, funny how things stay the same, yet seem so different than a few years ago. The same, is the dogs, the sheep, the llamas. The constants in life, tho ever changing. Lost a few good dogs over the past 2 years, which was real hard, but then there are the youngsters, Jos, Kell, and Lana.

Differences, well, seems there are a lot of them. The big thing is the Ranch will be sold, will be putting it up for sale asap, just getting some straightening up done. All those things, you think you have time for "later", comes time to leave, and it gets a bit nostalgic realizing you never, planted that tree, after all this time, never got the kennels how you wanted them, and never got the house painted. Sigh. Oh well and onward :-) oh yeah, I will no longer be offering sheep for rent or training others dogs. I will however be teaching obedience classes, puppy manners, all the basics. So that will be fun to get back into. Will get to keep the sheep I WANT, for MY dogs, and no one elses. fun? yes!

Not really sure where to go, just know out of California, too darn expensive here. And not a high elevation, which it a tough one! But after 2 bouts of pneumonia and "dying" one time, gunna listen to the Doctor!

Hopefully will end up somewhere green, where I can have more sheep! Just not doable here, no graze and the sheepmen are moving to other things and selling out. I wonder how that will effect our big sheepdog trials, that use the Range Ewes?

Looking forward to new adventures, for me and the animals, perhaps where ever we end up, I'll be able to live the dream, and be a shepherd on horseback :-) Altho, one horse is rather cowy, so that could be interesting, as she herds and cuts sheep... Anyone had experience w that?

                                          ( Shell as a stylish youngster)

For now... that's all and hope ya'll have been well :-) more to come... for Jos's experiences, will be posting on the blog, Jos's Journey. He's doing exceptionally well, and one of the most intuitive and willing Border Collies I've come across. Hope to have some pictures soon!

Been a looooong time....

It has been a long time since I've written... since last fall, well, that seems like a long ways off! Kell joined us at the ranch, he is a pup from Paula Bowden and is growing up to be a great dog! Kell is from Paula's lines, bred to her imported Killibrae sire.
We've already lambed, got our nice Merino ram for next year, and right when things were going well, I ended up getting sick and in hospital for pnuemonia for just under 3 weeks...  so things are moving rather slow around here, pups are learning to just, hang out, and grow up. Grown dogs are longing for the days of working sheep... but nothing to be done about it but wait a bit longer. Just in time for summer... sun, heat, and rattlesnakes... ugh.
All for now... hoping to get back to a regular update more frequently when we've something to write about!