No Barn Kittens allowed!

Say what, about two year ago, I got three feral barn kittens. One went to live the life of a high rise condo kitty with my mom and is totally spoiled. Sarah and Simon got to be the official barn kittens. Sarah warmed up to me and loves to be petted and fussed over. She loves to be in my lap and be my assistant manager on the farm. She ignores the baby chickens but goes after the rats and mice. Simon is not as friendly but will let me pet him but not pick him up. Sarah loves being a lap cat.

But alas, they are barn cats and know their roles on the farm. We made the decision NOT to have any house cats. So, cats are not allowed in the house. The exception we did make was for Rigby. He was Getty's cat and as a result, Getty let him come in the house, take a snooze and be a part time house cat. He actually turned out to be a great house cat but spent part of his life in the house and in the barn. Since Rigby passed away we kept the non cats in the house rule.

That was the only exception. We agreed to that. We have nice, leather couches and Getty prefers them to stay cat-scratch free.

As you can see below, we have never let another cat in the house.

Certainly not Sarah.

And most certainly not in Maid's dog bed.

Note. Maid was not hurt in this session. She wisely decided to vacate her dog bed to run off and hide behind me. When Sarah says "Move" the Border Collies all say "How fast?"

Turner Trial

I just pulled in from the Turner Trial....it was a long almost 6 hr drive. Janet drove and then I drove my truck back from her house. I thought I would take a new shortcut via North Bend but instead a new scenic, dark route over hill and dale and finally 20 minutes later decided to cut my losses and go back the normal route.

Janet and I drove down on Friday to Turner, Or. We drove in her parent's nice truck that was very comfortable. I want a small truck like that one.  The trial was about the size of a small baseball field with a sheep fair going on the side of the field and a parade with sirens going on. The sheep were very drawn to the exhaust and quickly figured out they could bust thru the cattle panel and once they did that, that was the end of your run.

 Nan got a DQ on her first run, then a decent score on her second run. Her first run had a lovely outrun and as the sheep turned the post they ran to the exhaust. The prior run did not shut the gate so the sheep ran in and that was a DQ.  They tied the gate up later but the sheep would just bust over the top of the panel for quite a few of the other runs. It was combined for the overall trial so that kicked us out. Her second run was quite nice but she didn't get the cross. The sheep would line up in the mouth of the cross and refuse to go in. She had a great run up to that point and held the pressure very well. Her outwork was brilliant.

Maid ran well but didn't get her Maltese cross on the first run so that kicked us out of the top four spots. But she managed to forget her down on the Maltese cross and by her creeping forward, the sheep bolted out of the mouth of the cross. Her outwork was brilliant but her drives were fast as the sheep did not like her push and ran. She could keep far enough off them in the small field and it was tough at the cross. I guess some close work in a small field with light sheep is in the future for us. However, her outwork was quite nice on both runs. For some reason, she was very much amped up on her runs.

Rainey managed to pull the DeltaBluez name out of the mud and scored an honorable 81 out of 90 on her first PN run. She had a nice wide outrun and good lift and fetch. The sheep tried to bolt to the exhaust (which was in the line of the first leg of the drive) but she held her  ground and slowly inched them up the field to the first panel, tucked them through and then to the second panel and tucked them in clean and then marched them to the cross and walked them in a bride walking down the church aisle. No muss, no fuss, just a easy saunter into the cross.  Lucky for me, I was holding onto the cross as I about fell down in shock. Her second run was nice too. I had to whistle her on the top as her eye stuck her but she brought them nice down the field, sweet turn and marched them to the panel for the tight turn to the pen. The second PN run had one panel as the first PN run, the draw was the death of most of the runs. After she swept them through the panel. I opened the gate, she strolled them in for a perfect pen. She got 80 for her efforts. She got high overall for the PN and won a beautiful chair that had embroidery on it for the Overall PN run Combined. The PN runs was very tough and she was very obedient and the sheep liked her so that was nice. She may not be the strongest dog that I have, and I have to cheer her on but she is all heart and gives me her all. She won't quit but tries and tries.

Janet ran JUde and RT on her first run. During his run, there was a lot of fair noiuse, kids screaming and all sorts of ruckus. Plus three people were holding his sheep and Janet went up the field to help him. On the second run, Janet handled him well on his outrun but at the last second her crossed but for the rest of the run, she ran him well. Nice drive with a bit of a bobble and as she was closing the gate, the time went off. They are a nice team and you see how well they have been progressing along. Jude runs his heart out for her and she gives him the help he needs. a little more seasoning and they will be a tough tema to beat.

We hopped in the truck right after the awards and headed home. It was a long drive and I was wiped out and a couple of times, fell asleep. I guess running six runs and fives hours of sleep wiped me out. We did stop and got some VOODOO Doughnuts in Portland. They are quite tasty and I got a dozen. After we ate our doughnut, we then stopped for dinner. Normal people eat dinner first, then dessert but hey, I guess we aren't normal! I bought a dozen so we can enjoy them on Sunday.

It was a fun trial put on by Lora. The weather was nice and the company was superb. Janet was kind to drive and do all the arrangement so it was a pleasant trip. Thanks to Janet for driving.  No pixs as I never pulled the camera out of the truck.

Rosemary and Grapes Lamb Chops

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 TB olive oil

8 lamb loin chops, 1 1/4 inches thick

salt to taste

black pepper

3  TB  chopped fresh rosemary

4 cloves slivered garlic,

2 cups seedless red grapes

1/3  cup dry white wine

1  ts honey

DIRECTIONS

Heat the oil over moderately high heat in a large nonstick frying pan,   Season the lamb chops with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.   Put the chops in the pan and sprinkle 1 1/2 tablespoons of the rosemary in the spaces between the chops.   Cook the chops for 5 minutes.   Turn and sprinkle the garlic in between the chops and cook until medium rare.

Remove the chops and garlic and keep in a warmed oven at 100 degrees.   Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the pan.   Add the grapes and the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons rosemary to the pan.    Reduce the heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the grapes soften, about 8 minutes.

Add the wine to the pan and simmer 2 minutes.   Stir in the garlic and any juices from the lamb, the honey, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of pepper.   Serve the lamb chops and put the topping on top and side. Serve with fresh salad greens on the side.

The Road Warrior update

Wynn has been hitting the sheep trials pretty hard with Scott Glen. Jenny has been updating on her blog on Wynn which has been wonderful. Wynn has been running quite successfully and now has qualified for the USBCHA Border Collies Sheepdog Finals in the Nursery class. Scott will be taking him to the Finals while I cheer for him on the side!

Below are the list of his placings. I hope I got them all correct!

Happy Hollow Day One
Nursery 5th

Happy Hollow Day Two
Nursery 2nd

North Carolina State Championships
Nursery 2nd
Nursery 5th
Open Ranch 7th

Bluegrass
Nursery 2nd
PN 2nd
Nurery 8th

Wynn has another trial this weekend and I hope he just getesbetter and better. I love the Wynn updates. Also this wouldn't be possible without Angie (Kinlock Sheepdog) who sent Wynn over to me. I owe her a big THANK YOU!

Adorable hamster plays dead

This is so freaking adorable!

A video of a hamster showing amazing acting skills to play dead has gone viral on YouTube.  Sitting upright next to some shredded newspaper, the pet can be seen looking intently towards its owner who is filming the incident.

In a seemingly well-practiced routine, the cameraman points his fingers in the shape of a gun in the direction of the hamster, reports Metro.

Upon hearing a fake gun shot, the pet slumps back against the wall, before slowly closing its eyes and dramatically rolling onto his side.

The video was uploaded onto YouTube with the caption: "Adorable hamster plays dead. No hamsters were hurt in the making of this film."

ARTICLE

Dog follows cyclist for over 1000 miles

A stray dog has become an internet star after running for 24 days to keep up with a 1,100-mile bike race across China.

Xiao Sa's incredible journey started when one of the cyclists, Zhang Heng, 22, gave her some food on highway G318 in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Since then she's become a celebrity in her homeland and a micro blog recording her life online has attracted more than 37,000 followers in two weeks.

Mr Heng, a student in Wuhan, Hubei province, had decided to cycle to Llasa as a graduation trip with friends when he met the lonely dog.

"She was lying, tired, on the street around Yajiang, Sichuan province," he told China Daily. "So we fed her, and then she followed our team."

 

During their journey, Xiao Sa, Zhang and his team covered 1,138 miles and climbed 10 mountains higher than 4,000m.

"Many people stopped cycling in some sections, then took the bus, but the dog made it," Mr Heng added.

"I would like to take the dog home and take care of her. She has been a stray on the road for a long time. She needs a home."

Article

Monday Trial results for PN and Nursery

Let me start off first by stating I forgot to take a pix of the ranch and Novice trial results. I headed down to take a pix but got sidetracked talking to someone about dogs (imagine that) and just forgot. I don't even remember who won each class either so I am totally useless in that department. I think Jeanne B won with Secret in Ranch BUT I am NOT sure.

Notable highlights were Nan got points and 8th, Maid and I are really clicking and she got 85 out of 100 points, Sava got fourth and Rainey got fifth in PN. But the BIG NEWS is that Kathleen qualified JOSH for the USBCHA Sheepdog Nursery Finals in ONE WEEKEND. Plus she trained him all by herself and he is a Kelpie. How cool is that? And then to top it off, she won PN with Gael. Such a score!

Rainey got only two points off her drive and it was the best drive of the day.....dead on....a year ago, it was an effort to get one foot in front of the other foot to even do a drive!

Tess was an excellent lap warmer the entire weekend. Plus she worked the trial crowd for snackies and got some bonus treats. She had a good time. She got Sue MacDonald to give her some cheese while she was cooking lunch and then cruised the crowd for easy marsk...she found a few and was quite happy to be off her diet. She goes back on her diet tonight!

Trial was a delight, the hosts (George and Sue) go all out. A tough but small course that leaves no room for errors and a chute or Maltese cross that make you drink heavily after you run the course. Wily sheep and a sunny weather made this a five-star trial. It was my first trial since my heart surgery and it just made my heart sing.

I will do the big write-ups in a day or so when I recover, then download and edit the pixs and try to recall what happened on the runs.

More this week as I am too tired to do much of anything but relax with the dogs on the couch and drink hot tea.

Day Two Open and Nursery of Memorial Day Trial

Quick recap again.  Very nice run by my dogs. The trial course was reversed and we had to send the dog down the hill.  Maid ran first and had a wonderful outrun. The set out person who set all day, said she had the best outwork of all the dogs. Maid listened at the top and was soft on the fetch. She was very sweet to work and I really enjoyed running her. She had 4th place for a good part of the day with an 85 out if 100 but slipped to 16th by the end of the day.

Nan ran very well and got 87. She was on the muscle on the super light hair sheep but listened well. Nice outrun and drive was spot on aside from the handler who hit the drive panels too low, thinking the drive was dead on....oops. She had to work at the Maltese cross as one brown ewe decided to snuggle next to me and not move. She placed 8th and got some points towards the Finals. But they won't count as she already has higher points that count but I am happy on how well both Open dogs ran.

I will go into more detail and have pixs when I get back into town. The trial was outstanding and just a real joy to be at.....highly recommended!

Open- Sunday results.

Nursery- Saturday Final

Nursery- Sunday Final

Kathleen had a stellar run with Josh, the Kelpie. Nice drive and popped the sheep through the Maltese cross like a pro. She got her first leg towards the Nursery Finals. She trained Josh by herself and she has done an outstanding job. Congrats to Kathleen on a job well done.

At lunch time Liz, Tea and Kathleen hung out with me  in my trailer. Rainey made sure that Liz and Kathleen  petted her since they were in her trailer. She might be kinda spoiled.

First Day Open Scores - Memorial day Trial

Quick recap....Nan and Maid are in heat and therefore down is often ignored and pushy is more than normal.  Nan was on the muscle and we missed the chute since she forgot her down and you could not go on unless you did the chute so we timed out. On her outwork, she had push but ran well and I was very  pleased with her work.

Maid was very pliable and a real joy to run, She stopped at the top as asked, lifted nice and had a sweet fetch. She listened to everything I had asked of her. I have been working on reducing the drive commands and it was a success.....her drive was sweet but the missed cross panels cost us dearly. Nan also missed them but she failed to heed my down and as a result, flung the sheep on one side. Maid listened well but my handling  error was the downfall. I really loved running Maid as she was soft and very willing. I felt like our run on the outwork and drive was the best. At the chute, I had them lined up and told her down but she stepped on step more and one slipped by. We tried it several times and she was getting frustrated but didn't grip. We timed out but she tried and I need to work on the down without a tiny more step added. She was quite happy after her run and her eyes were shining happy at me.

I didn't get the Nursery scores but will tomorrow.  Janet ran Jude and they had a nice outwork but timed out on the drive. Kathleen had a wonderful outrun with Josh, her Kelpie, and timed out on the last leg of her drive. She would have only lost 13 points on her drive otherwise.

More tomorrow, I promise.

Heading out

We are heading out later today for a three day trial at Sue and George MacDonald's. Sat and Sun will be open and Nursery. Monday in Nursery, Ranch, PN and Novice. Maid and Nan are in Open. Sava and Rainey are in PN.  Tess is going to be the lap warmer.

Getty (Husband) will be going along. Since I am still only 5 week off from the heart surgery, driving really hurts. The seat belt digs into my incision and it really is painful. I drove to work two days this week and that was painful so I got to work at home for the rest of the week. This is nice as I can read and do my documents without any interruptions. I can get twice as much done doing this than at work. So, as soon as I am done with my work shift, we are hitting the road. Getty is doing all the packing so I just have to hop in the truck. He is not keen about the trial but will go Frisbee disc golfing when I am at the trial.

My four trials dogs, Maid, Nan, Rainey and Sava are in standing heat....and as a result, have forgot the down and really leaning on the sheep. If the sheep don't move fast enough in their minds, they do a little hock grip. So this weekend will be lively for me. This way, I can truly see if my pacemaker is working as I get all pumped up when my dogs blow through the bit. I worked them on Th night so hopefully they remember what I reminded them!!

Tess is going along and being the lap warmer. Plus her usual role of pillow thief. She is the only dog that is not in heat but then again, she has been fixed for a few years. She is doing quite well considering her congestive heart condtion and kidney diease. She is on meds and on K/D dog food.

I think I will have internet access so will post at the trial. If not, then you will get nothing on the blog until I get home. Wish us luck and have a wonderful weekend.