The Fall of Dogs and Sheep
Labor Day weekend was our traditional weekend to go see my parents and start gathering firewood for the winter. I left Friday morning with Maddy, William, Nat and Biff and got there around noon. I took the horse trailer this time around and we got it loaded that afternoon. Maddy and William are a great help! Wow! My mom and dad helped out too!
Mom and Maddy splitting wood.
My dad is 84 and can still run the chainsaw longer than I can! Meagan and Tyler came on Saturday and we got started on the 18' flatbed trailer and finished in Sunday morning.
My dad loading wood.
We also got a head start for the next loads. We went to friend of my mom and dad's for some of the wood. I took Beckit, Poppet and Rooster with me. Beckit had been doing great hanging around while we were cutting, splitting and loading wood. She was across a creek when they decided to cut down another tree. I tried to recall her, but she wasn't sure about crossing back over. Well, she finally made it when the tree came down and it scared her, so she took off! William and I headed out to find her, calling like crazy. Couldn't find her. Went back and got a 4 wheeler and rode to the top and called. We decided to go check up at the house and William found her by the four wheeler. Whew! Good girl Beckit for finding something she knew.
William and Beckit after he found her.
So, when thinking about when we could go back, I discovered that I have no free weekends except for one until the third week of October! Ha! This weekend is a herding puppy clinic on Saturday at Broken Circle Border Collies. Beckit is 7 months old and hopefully we'll get a good picture as to what she's going to be like. I had Robin Brown look at her papers and there's some strong cowdogs back there, so hopefully she won't be a sheep eater.
Grandma and Grandpa got a side by side, which is nice for hauling around the old, the young and the short.
The next Saturday we're back at Broken Circle for round two of the Pick Your Poison cow or sheep arena trial. Last time Rooster and I were fourth, maybe we'll do better this time. Then we have a break.
We took 11 dogs swimming.
The last weekend of September is a Kathy Knox clinic up in Council. I went a couple years ago and had a good time. Rooster was real green! This time I'm going to ask about shedding. Heather is going to join us, which I think will be a lot of fun!
First one in and the last one out, Beep.
The first weekend of October is Rooster's Open debut at the Bar Quarter Circle in Payette. Yikes! In the past he's done well there, hopefully we can continue that. Last, but not least is the Trailing of the Sheep trial in Hailey, Idaho. I'm excited about this, not only because of running Rooster, but it's a whole sheep festival and I've never been there.
Whew! Lot's going on, hopefully we can fit some practice in there!
Chainsaw Nana!