Caitland1

I havent hibernated...

2012-01-15T06:54:00.000-08:00

Calving season is here.
Weird weather for January , not much of anything for snow or cold temps until today.
Calving going ok, going on little sleep since I came off of night shift from work to night checks at home
...once a person is outside at night, just too hard to fall back asleep if a person does at all.
Not getting much else done , nor feel any great burning desire to do so. Will be glad when there is a break and
a person can re-energize...have lots to do and catch up on.
Bonus, spring is a couple months away. Part of the winter has breezed by. Looking forward to a couple of
herding clinics and trials. Which also means catching up with old friends since winter calving ties a person
down to the farm.
New evestroughing now up on the building and have ordered windows for the south side. Still need to
get some painting done on both inside and outside , may just need to hire those jobs to ensure it just gets
done this year. ( I hate painting :)
Next set of dog classes filled up and looks like I may need to add another evening for the overflow. Have a few
private lessons booked during the day....so things are pretty steady in that dept.

a little herding humour...

2011-11-14T16:55:00.000-08:00

Thanks sis for sending.

Moose

2011-11-13T07:26:00.001-08:00

Picture taken during rutting season.
On the way to the pasture we happened to come across what we thought was a cow / calf.
Turned out to be a bull hanging around a cow and her twins , had a camera with me but not the
lens I wish I had with me. Only had a few seconds to get this one.

Colors of Dawn...

2011-11-05T17:28:00.000-07:00

Time change coming up making it even darker for chores.
Missed getting a really cool shot of two horned owls sitting on the fence line with those
gorgeous dawn colors to silhouette them. A family of them live across the road in the old barn.
I never seem to have a camera in hand to capture them...they hang out all year round.
Did get a chance to 'shoot' a couple of golden eagles sitting up in the trees along the lake here...should
of grabbed the tripod but was in too much of a hurry....a little camera shake when lens zoomed out. Once
the last goose is gone, they'll leave.
Snowed yesterday and still here today....days are getting noticeably 'shorter'

Congrats new legs and titles...

2011-11-05T15:09:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Jackie & Meg...after not competing for the past 2 years Meg came out this weekend and
Qualified in 5 out of 6 runs. Way to go girls!
2 - Open Touch n Go for her Open Title
2 - Novice Hoopers for her Novice Hoopers Titleand 1 Elite tunneler run for her Elite Tunnelers title.
Meg is litter sister to Sting ( Quade x Jinx daughters )

Congrats to Larry & Denver ( Walker x Faith ) on new advanced standard title.
Good luck with the advanced games !

Congrats to Jerrie and the girls!
Bizzee ( Derby x Desi ) picked up her 1st leg in Excellent Rally (1st place) & 1st leg in Novice Obedience (2nd place) a few weeks ago. Desi ( Dare litter sister / Walker x Jinx ) picking up her Elite Jumpers title awhile back.

Congrats to Anne with (Derby x Sting daughter)
Dazzle aka Caitland From Out of the Blue STDd NJ
Good to hear she is maturing nicely for you.

this and that...

2011-10-27T19:44:00.002-07:00

Productive days catching up on farm stuff.
Calves in the yard processed through the chute with Quade helping with moving things along
the runway into the head gate of the squeeze chute. A good job for him to learn to chill abit
inbetween loading jobs....made things go alot smoother with his help. Actually cut the job in half.
Macey ( Dare x Derby daughter here ) freezing her tongue to metal first thing am as she was licking
the frosted metal....weather certainly has gotten colder here.
Geese loading up on calories in nearby fields , getting ready for their annual trek south.
DH helping me build a low grooming table for large / overweight dogs I have difficulty getting
up on my present grooming table...esp hard on a person's back when they have no desire to be co-operative.
Cant wait to put it to good use. Need to order a stand dryer to free up hands as well.
Visit to Lloyd recently to watch Grand - daughter Jade in swimming lessons as well to visit with Jackie for a few minutes to talk about the Grooming trade and any gems from a recent Grooming Seminar.
Putting together a semi private Studio lighting day with photog peers in November. Finishing up with Oct shoots and have a few booked into November....still outdoors shoots.
Have another group renting my building once a month over the winter months , which helps offset the building expenses.
Still waiting on electrical for changing lights upstairs.

Draft Dog Zack

2011-10-27T13:20:00.001-07:00

Jack is the first from this kennel to acquire his DD title. Amber pretty cool to watch the video clip.

Thanks for sending! Appreciated. Sister Jinx gives a high 5 on all that precsion carting training!

3 leave this wkend....

2011-10-23T10:21:00.001-07:00

Waaay behind on posting everyone's achievements and trying to catch up.
Dare and Sting left this am to Europe, Tide a couple of days ago to his new owner in B.C
....the place is certainly quieter with the feeling that 'someone' is missing.
Know each one has gone to a great home suitable for them...but always sad to say 'goodbye'

Hanna Banna

2011-10-23T10:07:00.000-07:00

Hanna ( Ethan x Jinx daughter ) and Dianne
Overall High In Trial with a duck score of 113.
Believe this was at Harvest Moon ( like a mini Nationals for events ! )
Not bad for a youngster :):)
Know she did well in agility too... !

Having a Hey Day...

2011-10-23T08:40:00.000-07:00

aka the little red engine that could.

Amber lost 'Whoopie' this summer and I had asked her to write down all her accomplishments.
She had many.

What is truely incredible is that Whoopie was involved in a horrific poisoning
where her 2 litter mates, Caly and Jake were lost ..with Whoopie some how surviving the ordeal.

She had to literally learn how to eat and walk again all thanks to Amber's diligent care. A huge
task and committment.

Whoopie went on to enjoying many years at Amber's side training in all
venues available to them.

"Caitland's Having A Heyday" did have a hey day each and every day.
Thank you Amber for that and more.

CKC:

CDX
Companion Dog Excellent (Open)
TD
Tracking Dog
HI
Herding Intermediate (Two runs short of Herding Advanced)
AGN
Agility Novice - Regular
CGN
Canine Good Neighbour
AGNJ
Agility Novice Jumpers - Regular
AGNS
Agility Novice - Selected
AGNSJ
Agility Novice Jumpers - Selected
RA
Rally Advanced
AGIV
Agility Intermediate - Veteran (One run short of Agility Excellent)
AGIVJ
Agility Intermediate Jumpers - Veteran (One run short of Agility Excellent)
PCh
Performance Champion - CNASA

NADAC:

ECS
Elite Chances Skilled
OJC
Open Jumpers (One run short Elite)
EAS
Elite Agility Skilled (Regular)
TG-N
Novice TouchNGo (One run short of Open)
TNS-E
Elite Tunnelers Skilled
WV-N
Novice Weavers
HP-N
Novice Hoopers (One run short Open)

ASCA:

OTDs
Open Trial Dog sheep
ATDd
Advanced Trial Dog ducks

AAC:

ATChC
Agility Trial Champion of Canada
Bronze
Bronze Award of Merit (1 standard run away from achieving her Silver Award of Merit)
ExSt
Excellent Standard Bronze (10 Masters Qualifying runs) (one short of Silver)
EXJ
Excellent Jumpers Bronze (10 Masters Qualifying runs)
EXJ Silver
Excellent Jumpers Silver (25 Masters Qualifying runs)
EXJ Gold
Excellent Jumpers Gold (50 Masters Qualifying runs)
EXG Bronze
Excellent Gamblers Bronze (10 Masters Qualifying runs)
EXS Bronze
Excellent Snookers Bronze (10 Masters Qualifying runs)
EXS Silver
Excellent Snookers Silver (25 Masters Qualifying runs)
VBA
Versaatility Bronze Award (3 Bronze Awards) (2 runs short of Versatility Silver Award)

Whoopie ranked nicely in her major years of playing, however, 2009 was her banner year. In Standard runs, she ranked #60 in over 1500 dogs playing in Canada. And she was #2 in Canada in Masters Jumpers.

AHBA:

JHD
Junior Herding Dog

Bacchus

2011-10-22T16:40:00.000-07:00

Thank you Mary Lou for sending such a lovely photo of
CH CAITLAND'S LEGEND OF THE FALL HT CGN RN ADC ANJ

a Quade x True son.

love it of course :)

Congrats on a great year.

Derby on front cover DIC magazine

2011-09-28T18:49:00.000-07:00

http://www.dogsincanada.com/blog/?p=3893

Will be away for awhile...

2011-09-27T06:03:00.000-07:00

Being away for a 2 day workshop in the city and having an ill family member will keep me
busy catching up to emails / phone calls for a length of time. Chipping away at them.

Quiet house...

2011-09-21T06:08:00.000-07:00

On the road yesterday and then back on the road tomorrow for a few days.
Dot and Dixie left yesterday for the long flights to their new homes.
House is certainly quiet with only 2 pups.
Tide leaves in a few wks when his folks get back from vacation.
In the process of getting a 'mountain' of paperwork / health checks etc for 2 adults and
their international trek overseas. Know the girls are going to good homes and will be contributingto a smaller gene pool than we have here...but still get teary about parting with them.

Decisions, decisions...

2011-09-13T15:39:00.000-07:00

Struggling with making a decision on my keeper pup.

Gracie or Tide...

Partly because this is Dare's last litter here.

... as well , there wont be any Derby litters again for a few years

born here at Caitland. ( Both Fly and Reba are merles )

A few ramblings....

2011-09-12T08:36:00.000-07:00

Garden is overdue in processing with the corn and all the tomato plants my husband brought home are heavy with fruit...I'm the only one that eats tomatos so will be giving what I can away. Weather changing with good hints fall is here. Covering some plants at night just incase. Tree's turning colors.
Have several family photo sessions to do before it turns cold. As well a Grad fall request.
Calves get weaned tomorrow and general yard catch up. Then back to work for another long stretch.
Today will be packing up & setting up 2 display booths 'after' I finish unpacking my truck to make room...for tonights EEOC evening ( community night )
at the Hall.
Two puppies booked for flights out on the 20th and then back to the city a couple days later for a
Maternity & Newborn Photo Workshop in Edmonton area.
Fall Dog Classes start the wk after.
Still have sheep fencing to put away and grass to cut in the bale yard. Havent had a chance to do any training on sheep. The calves will give
Quade chore work from here on until spring and they are back out to pasture.

Edmonton Trip

2011-09-02T20:05:00.000-07:00

Still havent unpacked and cleaned the trailer from Sheep Camp.
Another road trip to the city for 4 adult dogs and eye exams.
All clear.

2010 Herding Standings - CKC

2011-09-02T20:04:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Carly Smith with the Quade offspring and their CKC standings for 2010
Caitland Leap Before Ewe Look HS, DNA-CP ~ Impulse "Number 1 Started Herding dog in Canada 2010"Caitland A True Pirate HS ~ Turner "Number 7 Started Herding dog in Canada 2010"
SWEET !

Trial Results

2011-09-01T05:47:00.000-07:00

Very tired but pleased with the two girls at Herding camp, followed up by the one day trials.
Sting earned her JHDs and CKC HT ( similar to ASCA started for skill set )
Fly earned one leg towards her JHDs title....naughty girl on her first run we managed to settle
down to earn her 1st leg and then CKC HT title. So we've finally kick started their herding careers and hopefully
'stella' will keep up with her training groove.
Huge Thanks to Jackie and Camryn for keeping the pups and spending so much quality time with them.
Loved the pictures you took!
Will take me a wk to catch up on emails and phone calls / unpack etc

Garth....

2011-08-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

Happy & social....very out going pup that loves to please...heading to

southern Alberta

Desi....

2011-08-22T08:04:00.000-07:00

Dare says 'waaay to go sister Desi' on a great wkend up in Canada !
Picking up points ( out of coat ) as well
1 - 2nd place ( 99 ) and
3 - 1st place with perfect 100 scores in Rally for her Rally Novice.
Made it worth the trek up across the border with her and rest of the crew.

Away from Aug 24th - 31st

2011-08-21T16:46:00.000-07:00

On the road with Puppies as well Herding Camp and Trials.
Cell service only *if a person stands on a certain hill in the pasture.
So will be away from my computer/cell during all that time period.
~ Cathy

The Hooligan Gang

2011-08-21T08:23:00.000-07:00

Well they havent heard the vacuum cleaner a whole heck of alot lately...Tractors to Harleys, yes.
Certainly have heard chain saws, hedge trimmers and lawn mowers going the past while as we get caught up
on yard projects. They've met all the adults here, taking turns playing and interacting as we take them for
walks around the farm. Have found the odd burr patch in the areas the sheep need to clean up....ongoing problem
when a person brings in hay bales from areas not on some kind of weed control ( as well bird population )

Trying to get out the door with 9 pups is like a 3 ring circus as they take off with your second boot or your houseshoes.
Dot is usually leading with the "Hooligan gang' in hot pursuit of her 'hocked item'. They're managing steps and have their favorite shade areas in the yard.

The youngsters Sheba and Reba ( original hey? :) great babysitters and play mates for the puppys as they try and entice them into games of chase with toys or ropes in their mouths.

The Hooligans have dug a hole under their wooden dog house in their day run...better than any tree fort for a kid to them. They've had several baths and truck rides in their crates. Vet / Eye day coming up quickly...packing the truck for the trip as will be gone for the entire day.
Still sorting pups to homes. Have a couple that would do well in Performance homes.

Starting to sort out a few pups to their new homes

2011-08-20T14:30:00.000-07:00

Which will likely strike a little moment of panic in the other homes that are waiting for 'their' pup :)
Not sure how the domino affect will go but some of it will hinge on some people 's decisions.
One active red female available still to a home that will channel her energy into constructive training.
She truely is a sweet pup in all other ways. Face kisser, problem solver...a confident pup that is extremely
agile...already doing 360s'.

Patch...

2011-08-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

First one to leave home next wk...heading to northern Alberta

to a young ladies home. Watch for them in the Agility ring.

Black Tri Male

2011-08-20T14:21:00.000-07:00

Tenatively spoken for...details soon.

Dixie

2011-08-20T14:20:00.000-07:00

Heading to B.C as soon as flight day can be figured out.

Breeze or ?

2011-08-20T14:18:00.000-07:00

Heading to a young ladies home not far from home.

Super for me as I'll get to see her

easily.

Hanna ( Ethan x Jinx )

2011-08-18T07:58:00.000-07:00

Wow, looks like a load of ribbons Dianne !

Congrats on new stock titles on Hanna.

Her sister here says she rocks!

Dot...

2011-08-16T16:20:00.002-07:00

...aka Dragon Slayer.
For one small and mighty tomboy ....she is 'all aussie'. Love her attitude and confidence.
Available to a dog smart home, would do well as a competition performance dog.
Very correct in a moderate package with 'no fear' stamped on it.
Ended up taking with me doing chores and to the sheep pasture, we ended up with a couple

snaps of her.

Note to self to put up my sheep fence and move sheep to the other side and clean up grass around the farm

when I get back from herding camp.

Dixie

2011-08-16T16:20:00.001-07:00

Available

Red Female

2011-08-16T16:17:00.000-07:00

The blue girls

2011-08-16T16:10:00.000-07:00

Will be running on these two girls for awhile and make a decision when

rest of litter sorted out. One will be available to the right home.

The boys just over 5 wks of age

2011-08-15T11:43:00.000-07:00

Bathed / blow dried and first trip into town / in a crate. Too hard to take pictures of them ripping around in my
training building so ended up taking their crate and parking it by a field fence pointed away from me ( since they
are typically right on my heels ...following ) so managed to get a few of photos of them with my zoom until Garth
discovered me...then had to pin him under my arm to take a few more pictures ...before I had puppies on top of me.
The girls hopefully tomorrow. Need to get garden picked and processed as well.
Family reunion and herding camp coming up!

Garth

2011-08-15T11:41:00.000-07:00

Tide

2011-08-15T11:40:00.000-07:00

Patch

2011-08-15T11:38:00.000-07:00

Black Tri Male

2011-08-15T11:36:00.000-07:00

Reba...

2011-08-09T20:35:00.000-07:00

Intent on a wild cat in the yard

Red Female ' Dixie'

2011-08-06T11:29:00.000-07:00

Available to approved home

Black Bi male

2011-08-06T11:08:00.000-07:00

Ollie aka Oliver

2011-08-06T10:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks Rhonda for keeping me up dated on Mr Oliver and sending pictures.

Love the Montanna background!

Derby

2011-08-05T17:57:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Jessica Schacherl with a Derby x Uno son
Ch. Ewenique's It's All about Me with
BPIS / Multi Group placements and Multi Best Puppy in Group wins
at just over 6 months of age.... finishing easily.
More than a 'great start' to a promising career :)
Way to go.

Play Time outside...

2011-08-05T17:54:00.000-07:00

If you see grass seeds on their coats , they are enjoying a good romp

and tussle in the grass as well in the cool

shade of my vine on the back side of the house.

A few more pictures to upload later

Red Female ( Little Dot )

2011-08-05T17:51:00.000-07:00

Available to a performance or companion home ( non breeding contract )

Dot is the first pup to bounce over to greet you.

Will be a small to moderate female.

Red Female

2011-08-05T17:50:00.000-07:00

Home pending

Blue Female ( Smudge )

2011-08-05T17:49:00.000-07:00

Home pending

Blue Male ( patch )

2011-08-05T17:48:00.000-07:00

Blue Male

2011-08-05T17:46:00.000-07:00

July...

2011-08-01T07:02:00.000-07:00

Poof..it's gone.
Not sure where it went but disappeared like a quick flash. ( why cant a winter month go by this fast )
Haying season continues, not that we have lots of land..it's the time thing...squeezing it in on available day light hours when we both work off the farm....AND working around wet mornings as well rain. Bales with too much moisture heat up and end result is a moldy bale....or worse yet catch fire. More than one farmer has pulled bale stacks apart when they see or smell things heating up. All the hawks in the area have set up shop in the fields, now that the grass is short. Wish I had my camera with me at times as a person can get really close before they fly off to the next round bale....waiting for their next meal to try and scoot by.
Husband off for next 3 days which really means 'no days off' to catch up on 'my stuff'. All the bales need hauling in to the bale yard here. Machinery needs more repairs ( ongoing with old equipment ) Yard work and garden work is everyday. Rasberries and peas getting picked most evenings. Beans need processing this wk.
I need to get a few extra meals made and in the freezer as I'm gone in a few wks to sheep camp. Have camping to pack for, along with what I need to for all the dogs and Herding Trial.
Pups growing well. Pictures later this wk.

The boys

2011-07-28T16:27:00.000-07:00

A few quick snaps , first time outside.

Mashed meals will start as well continually giving them new experiences.

Nails have been trimmed every few days, introducing the dremel.

New pictures sometime next wk.

We have 2 puppies not spoken for.

Serious inquiries only please.

The girls

2011-07-28T16:23:00.001-07:00

another rabbit hole...

2011-07-27T10:52:00.000-07:00

Just finished up with 2 ugly stretchs of nites with another wkend of work coming up. Did it to myself to arrange whelping time along with vacation coverage ( since staffing is limited )
A short notice trip to the city to send fresh chilled semen made for rebooking appts into this next wk.
Haying season in full swing. Supper is ate just before falling into bed. Rain , raking and breakdowns all part and parcel of this season. Makes for tired grumpy men in the house.
Finishing up with some orders from previous photo sessions withseveral bookings over the next few wks. People with their dogs which are always Fun to do.
Getting an estimate on new evestroughing for the training building as mine cant keep up with a hard rain....translates to wet carpets in the basement. Have the rooms tore apart, until things dry. Need to finish painting in and out and recaulk the windows since they are showing their time.
Puppies are growing , eyes are opened. Need to find one open day to bath / photos / process / upload !

Teething...

2011-07-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

Samson with teething ears going on. Thanks Kelly for sending pictures. He's growing nicely.

Bacchus

2011-07-19T05:19:00.001-07:00

Congrats Mary Lou with Bacchus
-CKC Rally O Novice (2 high in class rosettes) title
-CKC Herding Tested title
and all of his Q's on JUMPERS with weaves in Agility
Enjoy your 5 days at Herding Camp!

New RN title

2011-07-17T16:56:00.000-07:00

Congrats to co-owner Laurie Albright on Shea's new RN title!

Sheba says 'props' for a job well done.

De- Cluttering...

2011-07-11T07:51:00.000-07:00

Clutter, too many projects on the go at the same time...I AM my own worst enemy :)
Have a bunch of lists started, might help me get more things done if each area has all the needed projects listed on it
so things can get crossed off with some sense of getting 'er done.

Finally got around to taping my bamboo stick for stock training and using it for a little more reach. Used properly it's just to add alittle more pressure and release as soon as you get it...otherwise to traffic going by looks like a very long fishing pole resting on your shoulder while working your dog.

Working on getting more distance with Quade as well working on his top. With Fly , we are back to using the corners and bringing stock out of the corner and fetching back into...finding balance. I can reach her if I see her dropping her shoulder to come in for a fly by grip.Sting hasnt missed much of a beat on stock , she pushes nicely out. Hope to get to at least one other place with sheep to train on before Sheep camp.

Have told the CKC Herding Council I'm stepping down from being Alberta/NWT rep at the end of the year. One by one stepping down from club, council committments. As many years as I've been in dogs , I've been involved in all the behind the scenes stuff ...time to step back from the majority of it.

Yep, you've heard me say that several times but I seem to keep getting 'swept back in' :)

Need to get ribbons ordered for the Herding Trial coming up as well get my entries in now that the postal strike is over. I also need to pick up the prizes next time I'm to a bigger center.

Etching out time to take the two boys down the road for some brisk walks since I've let both get out of shape...I need the exercise as well. Now to make it habit forming instead of falling off the wagon a few wks into it...same with the training schedule.
Need to 'park' something else to the back burner for now.

Have 2 grad pictures to do still plus want to keep on top of my 1st year baby projects with grand daughter Jade and great niece Pyper.( It's a series of photo sessions taken at different miles stones in babies first year...need images to put on a long narrow frame for a display )
A few family picture requests this summer / fall. Hooking up with another person for practise photo sessions...canola fields blooming in a riot of yellow. Working on a few Grad books as well gift books for the kids for Xmas....that will be here soon enough and want to get a jump on that.

Need to get middle son to sneak hubby's Harley out before canola fields get cut so can do an evening shot with the field in the background...might just be cool on canvas. Barrett was thinking he'd like the same effect with his Mud Racing Truck ( CMRO circuit )

Have a Booth booked in Sept at EEOC Community Night awareness, planning on a few Xmas booths this late fall...ordering booth display supplies now. Will need to update my slide show closer to the dates.

Invited to son's friends wedding in fall so may be an opportunity to work on OCF skills.

A couple more days off before back to work on another series of nights....pups all doing well.

Majors...

2011-07-10T14:09:00.000-07:00

This past ASCA show wkend being shared mainly between Ralf, Rayne & Derby. Congrats to the two 'Ice' offspring Rayne ( Jackie ) and Ralf ( Terry ) on your great wins and to finishing Ralf !

Heard the puppies did great in the non regular classes!

* Thanks Deb for showing the Derbster for me *

The girls..quick snaps

2011-07-09T11:53:00.000-07:00

The boys

2011-07-09T11:51:00.000-07:00

A few quick snaps before tails / dewclaw removal.

Fly...

2011-07-08T13:30:00.001-07:00

Plan was to trial Fly this summer on stock. Trial we did with 2 days of rain leading 'up to' and the 2 days 'of the' trial....4 days of rain on a clay base arena
translates to boot sticking and I mean boot sticking mud. Waiting for your stock to be let out meant moving your feet constantly in place to ensure you were not stuck. My worst fear was getting stuck in the quamire and having the dog push the stock completely over me as knew I'd never get out the way in time....had already kissed it in the clinic the day before :)
Fly gathered her stock and we managed to settle them nicely before moving them around the course...score sheet reflected only a few points lost there.
We managed to get all stock through the obstacles ...only to grip out after the second panel on first two runs. Fly still feels the pressure going in between the fence and her stock and does a 'fly by grip' on her way through...something I'll need to help her work through. Even though we didnt pick up any Q's I was still pleased with her performance given the little training this year....basically working with instinct and hodge podge training over past few years.
Have 1 day of AHBA & CKC trials after Sheep camp at Dog Tale Ranch next month. Now to get 'Stella back in the groove again'
Reno's continue at the training building - lighting this time. Next wk puppy classes start with Sheba as demo dog.
Haying season starting. Ditches walked for garbage clean up before the swather goes...and then again before the baler. Can be hard on the equipment
if the wrong piece of road trash feeds through either implement and minimizes hard wear problems in the livestock. A few magnets kept on hand to put down
with a pill gun if needed if a person suspects hardwear when feeding ditch hay in the winter.
Sheep prices good this year. Smallest lamb $120 - $150 for oldest lamb. Down to 4 head now which is a treat for chores. Last year to use the pink metal Ketchum tags...by Jan 1/12 everything has to be tagged like the cattle population in Canada with RFID ( radio frequency id )

Glad this is a summer litter and not winter!

2011-07-07T12:08:00.000-07:00

4 males and 5 females....busy ensuring everyone gets nursed for next few days. Wasnt expecting this large of a litter so have a couple of pups not spoken for, number wise , time of course will tell 'which ones' head to homes lined up for them.
Wonder if my sister remembers her promise to babysit while I go to Sheep camp next month....

New blog for photos

2011-07-07T08:17:00.000-07:00

Had started another blog for my photography images / sessions....files in low resolution.

http://cathybishopphotography.blogspot.com/

As well a Smug Mug website listed there as well.

Dare....

2011-07-05T06:02:00.000-07:00

Deuce ( over 14 yrs ) started a personal trend here of waiting until the girls were around 4 yrs of age before breeding
....before it became a more 'common' practise with those breeding dogs.
The majority of the girls here are bred for the first time at the age of 4 and 5 yrs of age to ensure not only
themselves but their 'siblings etc' have a trackable health record as well. ( Waiting for some age also narrows
the window to achieve breeding goals )

Derby x Dare litter due first part of July
Dare had her first litter at the age of 5 yrs. We've decided to repeat the cross for a summer litter.
A nice change with the opportunity to actually get pups outside in decent weather instead of winter / calving season.
Her first litter of 3 red girls are going great guns in agility training (as well tracking )
The waiting list has deposits with a couple of open spots pending of course what shows up in the whelping box.

Grad season

2011-06-30T09:40:00.000-07:00

Busy doing Grad sessions since I've been back...has a few more to do.

Grandkids :)

2011-06-23T14:58:00.000-07:00

Have been away for a week playing in mud ( herding clinic and trial ) ...am back ( kinda ) havent been home...busy making trips down the road for one thing or another...and doing Photo shoots inbetween....sure wish the house fairy would show up and catch my laundry up ( including my dog bedding ) , cut the grass and finish up with returning phone calls.

Enjoyed supper with Michael & Loro and the grandkids...Cohen & Jade the other day.

Grad photo session

2011-06-09T12:02:00.000-07:00

With Alyssa..great subject..lots of cool locations on the old family farm..

Trial set up...

2011-06-06T16:13:00.001-07:00

Due to distance spent almost the same amount of hours 'loading and on the road' as hours spent finishing the sheep arena as well building the Duck arena.
Ducks looked great. Didnt get time to work stock as had to leave to get home to do chores. ( everyone gone at my household ) The trial ASF of Alberta puts on
always has good stock in all areas as well the comradrie and food rate first class as well.
Have a couple of photo shoots this wk as well client dogs to groom...then it's packing up the truck for the better part of a wk away from home. Which means
I need to get caught up on grass in town as well both farms esp across the road with the neighbors having a Family Memorial service.
Dog classes end tonight and a new set / new dates need to be advertised soon. Have a few catch up lessons ( with people that missed a session ) and a private lesson to arrange.
Of course when you send you entries away, then the negative thoughts come to play....and a person second quesses if they can get their dogs ready enough.
Have 3 head left at home and the dogs really need to watch heads on the small group vs the larger flock...good practise for them.

Snowed yesterday

2011-06-05T05:11:00.000-07:00

... after freezing several times past wk or so. My garden is sporting blankets scattered all over hoping to save plants like tomatoes and cukes.

Back to work on night shift and doing physio to strengthen ankles, sure can feel where I've lost my 'sensors' when working the dogs...pretty easy to roll either one on uneven ground...esp with a flock of sheep pushing on you with green dogs. Sent my entries away as trial filling quickly...ended up grabbing the last 2 runs and on the waiting list for sheep. Havent had ducks here for a few years so none of the crew have had time on them.

June is Grad month so have a few photo shoots with outside locations. Baby photo shoot coming up in a few days.
Set up a Smug Mug acct so will be adding Galleries when time permits.

Picked up my new Agility Teeter and a few standard jumps yesterday. Today Jackie is slipping down from Lloyd to help load sheep and duck arena and traveling to Donalda to set up the arena's for the clinic / trials.

May be time to work a dog or two while there.

Had a bath yesterday

2011-05-29T09:59:00.000-07:00

and trimmed for the 3d time...didnt stay clean very long

Derby

2011-05-29T09:48:00.000-07:00

Did a few quick photos of Derby..
windy day and forgot to change my WB from a previous shoot, so color is abit off.

( pictures in small file resolution )

*thanks Deb for your help*

Going through images for possible

2011-05-26T20:22:00.000-07:00

consideration for display/ marketing material.

Pink Collection

2011-05-26T20:10:00.001-07:00

Playing around with grayscale and pink with a few images taken earlier.

Part of a Sepia Collection..

2011-05-26T20:07:00.000-07:00

Went through some images I had did in a Maternity session and turned a few into a sepia for a different look / feel.

Caper...

2011-05-24T12:39:00.001-07:00

A familiar look...

Thanks Joanne for sending out photos of Ms Caper.

Salute to 2 Vets...

2011-05-24T06:58:00.000-07:00

It doesnt get much sweeter than this....

'Hi Cathy,
Last week was my 84th and today is Louie's 10th. Last week we were in a Master's Gamblers and there were 23 dogs in the class. The main gamble looked fairly simple -- over the dog walk through a tunnell and over a jump, but out of the 23 dogs only two Q'd. I was proud of Louie. He came over the dog walk paused on the contact as I asked him, I said "right", he looked right I said tunnell, he turned right through the tunnell and over the jump. You could hear the cheers in downtown Kelowna. There was only one other dog who got it. Louie knows his right from his left and it gives him a real advantage. Everyone wants to know how th train left and right commands. Takes a lot of time but it is worth it.
At one of the training sessions the trainers husband took a video of Louie. It was a gamble. If you picture a U shaped tunnell with a jump on one side and the chute on the other side. He had to go over the jump, past the first tunnell opening into the second one, turn right, skip the tunnell openings and go into the chute. I am going to send you a copy of the video. He is such a good dog and we have lots of fun.
I am downsizing and moving into Riverbend Seniors' Community. Louie will get to do pet visitations to the part of the complex where the people are less able. It will be a new adventure for us. '

Kane

2011-05-23T19:22:00.000-07:00

Photo credits to Sheena Staples - Big Air Photography

Thank you Mary for this great picture of Kane...he looks great.

This old Ford Truck

2011-05-20T10:21:00.000-07:00

Would be so cool to go back with a tripod and work on images for a true HDR image.

Place across the road

2011-05-20T10:19:00.000-07:00

.. is much like a museum of days gone by horse drawn equipment.

It even has an old Black Smith shop with original tools of the trade.

Wanted to take a few photos of things as they sat undisturbed before

I move my electric fence around it for grazing...alot of the items will likely

be moved. The old black smith shop is falling down and on the slate to

be burned down by the fire dept for 'fire practise' some time this year.

Enzo

2011-05-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks Cathryn, love the sweet look on his face.

Laid up...

2011-05-19T14:53:00.000-07:00

Working on the second sprain of the year, only this one taking far longer. Get re - rayed next wk. Glad I had the garden totally in as well most of my sheep fence up for rotational grazing before the dogs took me out in a mock one race...a couple forgot to deek at the last minute when I had my back to them. Totally frustrating as limited in training dogs and I have to decide if I can keep my clinic spot or kiss the spot good bye. Time is ticking....

Oliver...

2011-05-16T09:05:00.000-07:00

Thanks Rhonda for sending this lovely picture of Oliver...I'm envious of the *green and blossums' west coast is serving up for Spring...still brown and drab with yellow dandelions adding to the local color on the lawns that are just nicely getting green here.

Early morning

2011-05-09T06:50:00.000-07:00

Spring still slow to arrive here on the prairies...colors still in brown tones...tree buds and grass waiting for some sunshine AND warmth to reaally take off. Planting some of the garden today. Birds making good use of the sheep wool for nests.

Practise...

2011-05-06T19:45:00.000-07:00

Feeling alittle rusty from not picking up the camera much this winter so trying to get a few shots off each day. Thought I'd try abit of sun haze through some old weeds/bramble...except tough to wait out a pup to composite it. Other shots were taking with her outside the bull pen...they are walking up behind me being curious.

Set up the electric fence for the sheep...guys here busy corral cleaning and should be ready to get onto my sheep pen this wkend.

Havent worked dogs with my sprained ankle this past wk...need to get on it as have sheep that need legging up as well. Entries sitting here waiting to be filled and sent off...

Career Day...

2011-05-05T15:09:00.000-07:00

Well we survived... and enjoyed every minute of it.
Sheba & I were part of Career Day for Grades 1 to 6 in our town here. We were given 15 minutes to talk about our Careers and then open up the floor for questions with each grade. Sheba was a good little trooper and handled the cyclone of energy that entered each time a new class came into the room as well was a good demo dog for properly greeting a friendly dog to end our sessions. Clearly a hit with the kids ( what puppy isn't ) The kids had good questions about Dog Training & Grooming as a career. Generally the kids were just as eager to talk about their dogs at home and shared stories.
The biggest challenge actually was not to have some kids dominate question period and encourage the quiet ones of the group to stick up their hands and ask a question.
Sheba provided entertainment value as she made a toy out of anything offered to her. A few of the Grades had previous dog class students of mine so I invited them to be part of the demo for teaching basic obedience.
Have one tired puppy sleeping off her big afternoon....

Great Grand-mother 'Brooke's 16th birthday today. Sister Shadow enjoying the day with 'her family' in Edmonton.Really seems like it was just yesterday they were born...many adventures, many fond memories along the way..

Red Female

2011-05-04T21:31:00.000-07:00

My hubby named her 'Sheba' since it was alot easier to

put a handle on her than simply calling

her 'puppy', he's been packing her

around riding shotgun while work is slow.

2011-05-04T21:30:00.000-07:00

Jade...

2011-05-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

Newborn Pyper pictures

2011-04-22T14:22:00.000-07:00

Newborn pics of Great Niece taken this am.
(Need some post processing for skin tones etc)

Newborn photography is challenging as much as they

do like to sleep alot....when you start posing them and

dressing in 'outfits' or lack of 'outfits' its all different

to them..so it takes a few hours of patiently waiting on

them on 'their time'....ended up with several useable images

for Amy so am happy...also want to try another session using

different props I have for a brochure I'm working on.

Next time around want to try using my big photo tent for a different look.

A few on their way...

2011-04-21T19:12:00.000-07:00

All pups cleared their health checks as well cleared their eyes. By noon the bathed clean pups looked like they hadnt seen a tub.
No patchs of grass to pot dogs..just dirty pavement. Pups were good at the Vet clinic. A little singing in the crates.
5 pups making their treks to their new homes...One leaves tomorrow...pretty quiet here.

A very familar look at the gate...

2011-04-20T20:13:00.000-07:00

It's been a project trying to get decent pictures of the red female...so thought if I took her down to the sheep pasture, she'd freeze with the number of sheep I have and I'd snap a few off....should of figured out
I was in trouble when presented with a familar butt at the gate...certainly reminds me of grampa Quade.

Red Female

2011-04-20T20:11:00.000-07:00

So much for trying for a few frozen natural stacked pictures she takes off right away moving sheep...now with a pup this age it becomes a chase since they are on the butt of the sheep instead of 'covering the heads'...but
with legs this short not possible at this age.

she pauses up enough that the sheep are able to regroup

A little too happy with herself...

This means from here on she has a long line tied to her collar and she

doesnt get to repeat this adventure since it will just set her up for a few bad habits...was happy tho' that she was fearless given the confidence needed with a flock of sheep ..stomping ewes and all.

Red Female..finally

2011-04-20T20:09:00.000-07:00

Got a few natural stacked ones.

Packing up...

2011-04-19T13:25:00.000-07:00

Getting to one end of the farm to the other only takes a few minutes with a brisk walk...taking a crew of pups turns into a good 1 /2 hour as you continue to regroup 'as a Group' and carry on. Always one pup leading the charge with the rest in hot pursuit with a lagger getting side track with some interesting smells or something needs a little taste testing along the way. With hawks circling over head and a good chance of Eagles in the area given last year we saw them daily for a stretch ....the kids need to be kept as a group and not mistaken for an off colored gopher or rabbit.
A good change of ground surfaces from gravel, snow, mud, garden mud, manure & straw and more muck with sheep tidbits....lots of nose work with taste testing along the way....new sounds the cattle and sheep with dogs barking from their runs.
Weather not nice enough to leave outside in a run with tarps and plastic bags flapping in breeze to get used to some outside stuff.
Baths & tattooing tomorrow.
CERF's / Vet checks and flights on Thursday....making for a big day as well an early start at 04:30 to time feeds and pit stops
for the trek to the city.

Back in the hospital ...

2011-04-16T14:54:00.000-07:00

Admitted back in the hospital for bili lights yesterday...hopefully they'll keep her long enough to make sure her levels *are coming down. Wish she was born in the hospital I work as know things would of been alot different...

Little people...

2011-04-14T15:15:00.000-07:00

< sigh > winter weather past few days. A few unexpected events added to the platter this wk. Came home from errands to little people in the house...my hubby brought home his niece's kids as she ended up being rushed to the hospital for a quick delivery. So a few projects put off and the puppies brought into the kitchen for games and some training time around kids. Red Light-Green Light works great for blowing the steam off both :) ... kids were shown how to bounce pups off them as they jump up and to wait until the pup offers a sit to be petted. Kids were told they could be as loud as they wanted and we could use all the noisy toys. ( hubby had left for town ) One hour later one kid down and 2 pups left to crash. Pups were really good with the kids and the kids ended up with a little sister in the mean time. With husband off work this wk, means catching up on outside stuff with me on the end of a wrench helping getting things serviced...ended up with a 200 lb implement table dropped on my elbow when it fell of the blocks...had to be lifted off since I was pinned. Thinking to myself I dont have time to be layed up...Still swollen and sore , but useable. Breeding season with bulls on both sides of the corral fence that needs to be monitored daily. Seems everytime the husband leaves is when I have bulls that try jumping the fence...except it's more like crashing the fence. Thank god for a good dog to move and sort things back and move them with a small pasture inbetween. Would be perfect if he could hold boards or manage a hammer. Think we have 2 left to cover ...will know soon as the next cycle passes through before they head to pasture. My sheep pasture is under water....have only a small area of ground to use for training. Have 2 days of booth at trade fairs starting tomorrow...need to get packing.

Jade

2011-04-12T20:22:00.000-07:00

Another bili drawn today as been jaundiced since a few days after delivery, under the bili lights for a day then discharged again. Made Jade a tutu with easter colors...outfit too yellow to wear for pics for now....will save it for later. Gone for the day to visit Mike , Loro and Jade and managed to get a few photos...fussy today and certainly not liking being undressed for other types of photos

Red Tri Female

2011-04-09T15:43:00.000-07:00

Red Female

2011-04-09T15:42:00.000-07:00

Black Female

2011-04-09T15:41:00.000-07:00