The puppies turned 6 months old yesterday, and we celebrated with baths and grooming and then a few photos. The formal stacked side shots didn't turn out as they're just so wiggly but I'll try again as I need them for their ASCA registration. A few candids, however, came out nicely. Their coats are so glossy and their colors so bold and rich. I am loving how these kids are growing up! Owners from Indiana who have "Blair" and also Nancy of Buff Cap who has Mindy, also sent photos and I must say, this is a lovely, very consistent litter of beautiful Aussies. So proud.

We started out the week with a formal herding lesson for Capri and also for Will. He has so much interest in the sheep here at home but was a little apprehensive about formal exposure with a stranger, though did settle down and had a few brilliant moments for a baby. Capri did very well but again, was a little concerned with where I was (watching from outside the pen) but I'm sure that will improve with time.


Aspen and I attended her first formal handling class also this week, and she was amazing. With my conformation dogs, I usually teach stand stand stand and not so much sit sit sit, and I pay for it later when I switch to some Rally or obedience training as the other maneuvers tend to then come a little slower. With Will and Aspen, I've worked on "sit" and "down", and now am teaching a hand stack and free-baiting, and although she sat the first couple of times, within 3 or 4 corrections, she was standing and by the end of class was even starting to self-correct. She usually walks quite nicely on a leash, and amazed me with how quickly she also began gaiting beside me. On the group go-rounds, she seemed a little concerned with the dog behind her but quickly let that go as well. A month from now, her first CKC show will already be under her belt. Aspen will debut at the Alberta Kennel Club show in Calgary the first weekend in February. Should be fun ... I haven't had a class dog in a year!

And, not to be left out, next week Capri and I start formal Rally Novice training with Kim down at Hyper Hounds http://hyperhounds.ca/ and hope to "maybe" be ready to trial by summertime. On the same evening, Aspen and I will begin her 6 weeks of training for the CGN test (Canine Good Neighbor). Such a busy time coming up!


Happy Trails ... Theresa

Peace in the valley ... or crazy on the prairie

It's a bright sunny crisp morning in Strathmore. I heard the wind blowing all night and worried that my "miles" of greenery, white lights, and big red bows adorning the fenceline would be strewn all over the pasture by daybreak. Fortunately, all is intact and Mrs. Claus is a happy girl this morning.

The crew sounds happy, too. Will and Aspen have been out in the yard for 3 hours already. I let them in every 45 minutes or so and they run around the kitchen and warm up a bit, but head for the door the moment I even hint at getting up to let another group of doggies in or out. Their coats are beautiful already at their young age of 5-1/2 months and with the colder weather, their undercoat is quite thick and plush. I sometimes tease that I'd like to have a dog show outside in the snow as my Aussies look soooo beautiful in a natural setting.

Old Zoey lies up against a large round bale in the farmyard. It's a sunny spot and sheltered from the wind, and affords her a perfect place to keep an eye on the comings and goings. Her old body is so stiff these days, especially with the colder weather, and we feel blessed with each day, week, month, or yet another year she gives us. Stiff or not, her old joints never let her down when she suddenly spies a coyote out in the field. Just moments ago, I heard her loud warning bark and sure enough, she was up like a shot and charging out into the pasture. She knows what her job is and does it well and as I glance out to the south, sure enough there are two brave, if not naive, coyotes trotting through the field along the fenceline, unaware they're about to be swiftly escorted off the property. She'll return in a little while, moving much less slowly on the return trip than she did in the pursuit. I'll probably soften a little and open the door so she can come in and lay in the mudroom to warm up and rest her weary bones. For a Pyrenees guardian dog whose life has been spent outdoors, she has no problem adapting to life inside the house and would probably move right on in if given the opportunity.

Pearl is laying in a spot of snow outside and Will is bark-bark-barking at her, trying to entice her to chase him. Aspen has come up to the door on the kitchen deck, hoping to be let inside. Once in, she's supposed to head to her crate until her feet dry, but lately she hops right back to perch on top of the toy box and hope that her cute antics will make me break a rule or two. I told you Aussies were smart!

Happy Trails ... Theresa