Walkabout!
We did our first "walkabout" yesterday, at Fido's Farm. That's when you take a bunch of sheep (we had about 15) and move them over large distances. Here's what we did: First, we moved about a dozen sheep out of a paddock. Tristan had to move them out, into an alley. Then he had to move them out of another gate into the large field. I don't know the names of the fields yet, but this is the really large area where they have the large flock trials. There were three sheep way at the end of that field, hundreds of yards out. Chris told me to pick up those sheep and put them with the rest of the group. So we did! Tristan was awesome, considering this was his first time in a really big field with lots of sheep. We spent about 30 minutes moving the sheep and Tristan did some long distance work. Chris seemed really happy with our progess.
The feeling of being out in a huge pasture, wind blowing gently, with over a dozen sheep moving under the command of a beautiful, sable and white collie, with a bald eagle flying over head was simply amazing. I was overcome with the most peaceful feeling imaginable. What a precious moment, one that I will remember forever.
And Scout... well, the girl is coming along! We worked the same dozen that Tristan moved out of the paddock earlier in the day. She's getting more and more confident! Then we went into the large arena field where there were three sheep. She worked these sheep, off of Steve! She worked her heart out. After Tristan and I did the walkbout, we finished the day with the Spice Girls. Scout is one who loves to circle sheep, but she's getting the idea now that she needs to move them and bring them to me. Patience pays off. This was her best day ever with the woolies. And her desire grows every time.
A wonderful, magical day. And even the weather at Fido's was great. Not sunny, not too warm. But no rain. A great day to enjoy and bond with my dogs. Steve had a good time, too. He worked Seamus in the agilty field at Fido's and Seamus was awesome! It won't be long before this team will be ready to compete. Look out, small dogs!
The feeling of being out in a huge pasture, wind blowing gently, with over a dozen sheep moving under the command of a beautiful, sable and white collie, with a bald eagle flying over head was simply amazing. I was overcome with the most peaceful feeling imaginable. What a precious moment, one that I will remember forever.
And Scout... well, the girl is coming along! We worked the same dozen that Tristan moved out of the paddock earlier in the day. She's getting more and more confident! Then we went into the large arena field where there were three sheep. She worked these sheep, off of Steve! She worked her heart out. After Tristan and I did the walkbout, we finished the day with the Spice Girls. Scout is one who loves to circle sheep, but she's getting the idea now that she needs to move them and bring them to me. Patience pays off. This was her best day ever with the woolies. And her desire grows every time.
A wonderful, magical day. And even the weather at Fido's was great. Not sunny, not too warm. But no rain. A great day to enjoy and bond with my dogs. Steve had a good time, too. He worked Seamus in the agilty field at Fido's and Seamus was awesome! It won't be long before this team will be ready to compete. Look out, small dogs!