We went back to Willowside Ranch in Pescadero again this weekend for an AHBA trial on Sunday. In contrast to "hot" Dixon, CA, it was typically cool, foggy, and misty in Pescadero--that great coastal dog/sheep trialling weather!
Bid got 86.5 points in HRD-III (sheep) for a 12th HTCH leg.
Coal took third place in a fairly competitive HRD-II (sheep) class for his first leg at that level.
Even Chief got in some practice on his obedience during the down time, with several willing participants helping with his stand for exam. With persistence, we may get there!
The dogs worked very well and the level of competition was very high. Many thanks to the Pescadero crew for providing us with another fun day of AHBA trialling in a fantastic facility.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Lambtown USA July 19
Saturday we enjoyed a sheep/wool festival in Dixon, CA called Lambtown USA. A small USBCHA style trial was held in addition to the other sheep-related festivities. Both Coal and Bid ran well on the St. Croix cross sheep. Coal was first in Novice-Novice and Bid was third in Pro-Novice. Scores are here:
http://www.ptpleasantranch.com/lambresuts.htm
Many thanks once again to the Spencer family for offering us such fine and enjoyable dog trialling events.
http://www.ptpleasantranch.com/lambresuts.htm
Many thanks once again to the Spencer family for offering us such fine and enjoyable dog trialling events.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Willowside Ranch, July 12-13
We had a fun weekend at a USBCHA trial at my favorite spot, the Willowside Ranch in historic Pescadero, CA.
Bid ran in Pro-Novice and on Sunday we actually got around the course in good form, but timed out at the pen. His outrun was gorgeous and parts of the drive were also very nice. It was encouraging after a few trialling experiences lately where Bid and I seemed to have no luck, not to mention "handler error" rearing its ugly head!
Thanks to NCWSA for working hard to put on this lovely trial at a wonderful location with friendly folks all around.
Bid ran in Pro-Novice and on Sunday we actually got around the course in good form, but timed out at the pen. His outrun was gorgeous and parts of the drive were also very nice. It was encouraging after a few trialling experiences lately where Bid and I seemed to have no luck, not to mention "handler error" rearing its ugly head!
Thanks to NCWSA for working hard to put on this lovely trial at a wonderful location with friendly folks all around.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Down to the Wire--AB1634
AB 1634 is supposed to be heard in the California Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday July 14, 2008.
Please contact your Senator if you are a California resident, and state to them that you are opposed to this bill. Please contact each member of the Appropriations Committee as well.
The following websites have information and talking points. The NAIA Trust has a letter-writing tool that could not be easier to use. The Save Our Dogs site has a letter that fiscal information can be drawn from.
Time is of the essence! Do not wait. Do not expect others to fight this battle for you.
http://www.naiatrust.org
www.saveourdogs.net
www.petpac.net
If passed AB 1634 will spell the end of the working dog in California.
Please contact your Senator if you are a California resident, and state to them that you are opposed to this bill. Please contact each member of the Appropriations Committee as well.
The following websites have information and talking points. The NAIA Trust has a letter-writing tool that could not be easier to use. The Save Our Dogs site has a letter that fiscal information can be drawn from.
Time is of the essence! Do not wait. Do not expect others to fight this battle for you.
http://www.naiatrust.org
www.saveourdogs.net
www.petpac.net
If passed AB 1634 will spell the end of the working dog in California.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Marin County Fair, July 6th
Today we ran in the Marin County Fair in a RESDA-sponsored sheepdog trial. It is always a lot of fun, no matter how the trial turns out, to participate in a vanishing slice of small-town America--a county fair with animal exhibitions. The crowds were huge and adoring of the dogs and sheep--as if we were all an endangered species--which I guess we are (especially considering that AB 1634 is alive and oh-so-well).
Bid got a poor lot of sheep, ran 8th of 21 dogs, and we didn’t have a very good run, with only 16 points out of 50. It was definitely not his fault and he worked hard for every point. Of the 3 sheep, one wanted to come to me all the time like a “school” sheep (plus she wanted to stand and fight); another wanted to run the complete opposite direction all the time, and one was “medium” which if I’d had 3 like him/her we would have been fine. We timed out at the pen, not due to Bid’s effort but the sheep were just not cooperating. Oh well -- that’s show biz!
Coal ran last and ended up with 37 points out of 50 (I believe the winner had 46 pts and 2nd place had 43 so we were not that far out of it) and 10th place…getting a big purple ribbon. He did well, had a nice group of sheep (I was worried that Coal would get another uneven lot like Bid, since they would be the last set in the pen but they had brought one extra set of 3, thank goodness). Coal is still a bit headstrong and I’ve got to get better control in order to place better but I was overall quite pleased with him. I think it was another good experience for him in a strange place because he thought twice about running out for them, but did. Coal got a lot of compliments and had some adoring fans in the crowd.
Next weekend it is USBCHA driveaway for Bid only down in Pescadero (cool!) in Pro-Novice.
The following weekend we have one day of driveaway in Dixon (Lambtown USA) where I have both dogs entered and on Sunday an AHBA in Pescadero (both dogs).
I have one dog entered at the next/last fair (Sonoma County which is closest to home) that I will do this year, and I will probably take Coal at this point and leave Bid to the big open-field trials where he does better.
Bid got a poor lot of sheep, ran 8th of 21 dogs, and we didn’t have a very good run, with only 16 points out of 50. It was definitely not his fault and he worked hard for every point. Of the 3 sheep, one wanted to come to me all the time like a “school” sheep (plus she wanted to stand and fight); another wanted to run the complete opposite direction all the time, and one was “medium” which if I’d had 3 like him/her we would have been fine. We timed out at the pen, not due to Bid’s effort but the sheep were just not cooperating. Oh well -- that’s show biz!
Coal ran last and ended up with 37 points out of 50 (I believe the winner had 46 pts and 2nd place had 43 so we were not that far out of it) and 10th place…getting a big purple ribbon. He did well, had a nice group of sheep (I was worried that Coal would get another uneven lot like Bid, since they would be the last set in the pen but they had brought one extra set of 3, thank goodness). Coal is still a bit headstrong and I’ve got to get better control in order to place better but I was overall quite pleased with him. I think it was another good experience for him in a strange place because he thought twice about running out for them, but did. Coal got a lot of compliments and had some adoring fans in the crowd.
Next weekend it is USBCHA driveaway for Bid only down in Pescadero (cool!) in Pro-Novice.
The following weekend we have one day of driveaway in Dixon (Lambtown USA) where I have both dogs entered and on Sunday an AHBA in Pescadero (both dogs).
I have one dog entered at the next/last fair (Sonoma County which is closest to home) that I will do this year, and I will probably take Coal at this point and leave Bid to the big open-field trials where he does better.
4th of July in Carmel
Once again we escaped to Carmel, CA over the 4th, so as to avoid the firecrackers in the neighborhood at home. The added benefit was visiting with old and dear friends from Illinois who were also in Carmel for vacation. On July 3rd, the skies were blue and the sea just as crystal clear.
The terrible fires near Big Sur were not an issue except for added murkiness in the skies on July 4th at the beach.
One of the many art galleries in Carmel displays some of the "blue dog" artist's works.
Here is the courtyard of our favorite dog-friendly inn, The Vagabond's House.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Pool Time
Summer is here and it's time to fill up the pool. The guys are so excited!
Waiting a bit more patiently:
So excited we can't wait for the water to jump in:
Waiting a bit more patiently:
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