I Am Official!!!

Kearney - Look!!!  I am officially a champion!!  TM says she can take me to the vet's to be "tutored" now.  I am so excited!

Lowri - BOO!  Kearney has MORE letters with his name.  I still don't have any.  I am 6 1/2 months old and don't have any letters.  I want letters too.  And now he gets "tutored" too!

CH Bluefox's Kearney HSAds HIAs - DN25441102

	Conformation - Awards Processed Through 16-JUN-2011
	CH Number of Points 16 Number Major Wins 3 Number Major Judges 2 Total Number Judges 5

	Herding Trial - Awards Processed Through 23-JUN-2011
	HSAD Number of Points 0 Total Number of Judges 3 Number Major Wins 0 Number Qualifying Scores 3 HSAS Number of Points 0 Total Number of Judges 3 Number Major Wins 0 Number Qualifying Scores 3 HIAS Number of Points 0 Total Number of Judges 3 Number Major Wins 0 Number Qualifying Scores 3 HIAD Number of Points 0 Total Number of Judges 1 Number Major Wins 0 Number Qualifying Scores 1

	Herding Test - Awards Processed Through 23-JUN-2011
	HT Number Qualifying Scores 2 Number Different Judges 2

PR's Place

Lowri - Last night we were at PR's place again.  Aidan had found a dead turtle.  It smelled GREAT.  We took turns rolling on it.  That was the BEST!! Here is a picture of all of us hanging together.

When I saw PR, I took off towards him at a dead run.  He is a good person.  I also like to sit in his lap when Aidan and Daisy aren't already there.

Kearney - Lowri and Aidan took turns rolling on the dead turtle.  TM threw it in the trash before I got a chance to.  I would have liked to have rolled in it too (sigh). 

TM took some pictures of the views from PR's place.  I like going there.

Scaring TM

Kearney - Last night, PR was here.  He brought Daisy and Aidan.  We had the best time out in the yard playing.  After everyone had been in for a while, TM saw Daisy slipping down the hall.  She called her back to the kitchen and put up a baby gate to keep us all close by.  Daisy has been having "on purposes" at PR's place.  For some reason, she decided the house was her personal bathroom. 

Anyway, TM and PR were playing Scrabble.  TM realized she hadn't seen Lowri in a while.  She called her, checked the crates - no Lowri.  PR said he KNEW Lowri came in with us.  TM went outside and called - no Lowri.  I could smell that she was getting worried.  She was going for her shoes so she could check out the yard, when she saw the little brat.  Lowri had wandered down the hall before the baby gate was put up.  She was hanging over the arm of the sofa, grinning at TM.  I don't think she had any idea how worried TM was getting.  BRAT!

New Pictures

Kearney - Here are some pictures from yesterday.  And I have to explain my video...TM doesn't normally let me chase the stock, but in this case she did.  I was a bit afraid of the new sheep.  I know, I know, they are half the size of the big mamas that I work regularly.  BUT, they didn't know that they were suppose to move away from me.  They stomped and stared at me.  TM got me all fired up so I would be brave enough to work them.  THAT is why she was cheering me on when I chased the little ram.

Lowri - I worked hard and TM let me cool off in the stock tank.  It felt soooo goood!





Kearney - I got to cool off too!

New Sheep

Kearney - Okay, I think life is NOT fair.  I had to get my peds cured even though I don't ever have to show again!  So not fair (sigh)  Anyway today, TM and I got to go up to Virginia to get some new sheep.  TM was getting a ram and maybe a ewe lamb or two.  We came home with a ram and FOUR new ewe lambs.  They are very pretty.  Although, when I started to herd them they stared and stomped at me.  I was pretty sure that they were going to get me.  TM managed to get me fired up and I dog broke the lambs.   Here is a video of me herding.



Lowri - I got my peds cured too.  I didn't get to help get the new sheep, but I did get to work sheep today.  I was great!  TM is very happy with how I am progressing.  Life is good!  MC uploaded my video already!

Back at PR's Place

Kearney - TM met with MC last night and picked up Chase.  When she got home with him, she let him herd the ducks.  She said he did a good job.  It is a good thing too, because he has more mouths to feed.  Lisa Anderson's Ditto, is raising NINE puppies by Chase.

Today we got to herd the sheep again.  With all the shows, we haven't been doing much herding.  I got to go first.  I moved the lambs around the pen and turned them whenever TM asked me too.  I had so much fun.  I love herding.

Chase went next.  TM is working with him on staying out from the lambs.  He did a pretty good job (although I was better!).  When TM finished with Chase, she let him go to water.  Chase walked into the creek and laid down.  He rolled onto his side and just soaked himself.  TM was laughing at him.  She will try to get video tomorrow.

Lowri - I got to go next!  TM called the big mama sheep down off the hill and put them in the pen.  I got to work on holding my stay (I DID) and then moving the sheep so they stayed with TM.  I am learning to rate my speed.  I made the sheepies move with TM and stay with her.  I LOVE herding!  It is even better than being a show princess.  Although, at shows, lots of people love on me - that is fun too.  I guess I will just have to do both (giggle).

Then we heard that my sister, Sally, won at her dog show!  That is so cool!  Three of us now have points!  My beautiful mama, Scout, went Best of Breed!  G'ma Janet has to be having the BEST couple of weeks!

Missing him

Kearney - A year ago today, we lost my big brother, Angus, to lymphoma.  These are TM's favorite pictures of him.  Angus was a really good big brother.  He taught me how to herd sheep.  TM let us work them together for the first four lessons.  Then she worked me alone.  By then, I had figured out what was supposed to be happening, because I followed Angus as TM directed us.  I was able to pass that information on to Lowri when she first started to herd.

Angus was Ch Bluefox's IceBreaker, HXAsd.  He was TM's heart dog.  She fell in love with him on the day of his birth.  He was only four when we lost him.

Lowri - But TM has me now.  She loves me!

Kearney - Yes, Lowri, she loves both of us.  You filled a hole in her heart.  TM knows that I would not be the herding dog I am if Angus had lived, because he would have always been her "go to" dog.  Now I am.  She also knows she would never have gotten to know the Chaseman and would never have gotten you to love.

That is the way it works.  You lose something precious and, invariably, something or someone else comes along to fill that hole.  It isn't the same love, because you always love the one you lost, but the new love can be just as strong, just as powerful, just as permanent.  So while she will always miss him, we are in her heart.  She loves us.

Long Day

Lowri - Today has been a very long, BORING day.  TM got up and went straight to work.  She worked all day long, and as soon as she was done, she got in the car and LEFT!  Kearney and I were outside most of the day.  When TM got home, she gave us a few scritches and got busy again.  What happened to life being all about ME!

Kearney - On the bright side, Lowri, TM fed us twice.  She took time to give us each some love.  When she left tonight, it was to drive to Virginia to a sheep meeting.  I smelled her, she did not play with any sheep without us.  She said she went to learn how the sheep industry is doing.  As a result, on Sunday she is going to go buy us some more sheep.  Yippee, new lambs to dog break!

My favorite subject, ME

Lowri - Boy, TM has been trying to post all day.  The blog just isn't letting her do the post.  Anyway, here is a picture of me at the Nationals.  I am sitting on TM's lap.  My friend, Doug Greig, took the picture.  Oh yeah, that is MP in the red shirt sitting next to us.

Here is one of me playing with Daisy, the Peeking Knees.  She has been shaved so she looks silly.

The last on is me playing with Aidan, the VeeSlaw.  While you see lots of teeth, we are just playing.  He is really big!  He is twice my size.

Not a Pointless Existence

Lowri - MC said I no longer lead a pointless existence (giggle).  I like MC, she is funny!  I had numerous requests for pictures and video of my de-butt.  TM only got this one picture while I was being groomed.  I know, I know, she was NOT doing her job.  She whined that she couldn't get pictures the first day because of the way the ring was set up.  The second day, she couldn't find her camera.  But the truth was, she was helping MC as a handler assistant.  She had to be at the gate to give MC Treasure as soon as I came out of the ring.  Then she had to be ready to take me back in if Treasure won her class.  So really, at the grooming setup was the only time she had to take my picture.

Of course, once I won, you would have thought she could have had the photographer take my picture.  I DID win after all!  Her excuse was she preferred to spend the money on entries for Western Reserve.  So I get to go to a Western show now.  Do you think there will be cowboys there?  Will they give me scritches?

My sister, Sally has her de-butt this weekend up in Richmond, VA.   Then, my sister, Ginger, will have her de-butt in mid July.  I am not sure where Ginger is showing.  We are all going to be at the Western Reserve shows.  I can't wait to be able to play with them again!

Kearney - Someday, she will be use to showing and I will be able to get a word in edgewise again.  For now, I just stay out of her way. 

I Won, I Won!!!

Lowri -  I am a princess for real now!  I Won at the dog show!  TM was very proud of MC and me.  She said I moved better today than yesterday.  I won LOTS of ribbons.  I got the blue one for my class, the purple one for going Winners Bitch, the blue and white one for Best of Winners and the red and white one for Best Opposite!  I even beat a champion!!!!  TM let me sit on her lap for a while before I went into the ring.  She played with me and tweaked my cheeks (giggle).  I was biting her hands and slapping at her with my feet.  It was so much fun!

When we were done, we had to wait for a while 'cause it was raining sooooo hard.  When it eased off a tiny bit, we ran for our setup.  TM and MC packed up and then MC took us to the car.  She had to wade through ankle-deep water!  She brought the car up to the barn door and stood in the water as TM handed her everything.  She loaded the car and then she and TM got in.  TM managed to stay dry.  Poor MC!  We stopped at the first gas station and MC cleaned out her shoes in the restroom.  TM was amazed at all the dirt in the shoes.  They cleaned and cleaned them.  MC still squishes when she walks.

There were a LOT of waterfalls from the rocky mountain sides all along the road home.  TM and MC were in a great mood.  When they got to MC's, they let us potty and then loaded everyone up so we could go to PR's home.  It has been a great day!

First Loser

Lowri - We got up this morning and went to MC's to get Treasure (and MC).  Then we drove to Waynesville.  We got there very early and set up for the show.  I was very good.  I got a massage and got groomed.  Finally, it was time for me to go in for my debut.

MC took me in and put me on the table.  The judge thought I was very pretty.  I got to show him how I could move and then he gave me a BLUE ribbon!  Then Treasure when into the ring and she got a blue ribbon too!  Finally TM took me in again, while MC took Treasure.  I won a purple and white ribbon.  I was so happy!

After talking to some people, MC and TM loaded up and called MP and then G'ma Janet.  TM told them how good I was.  I held my stack and everything!  Tomorrow we get to do it all again!

Kearney - I had to stay in the shade at MC's.  When everyone got home, we all took naps.  When MC went out to feed the lambs, she discovered they were GONE!  TM and MC walked and walked calling the lambs.  They finally found them up on the neighbor's front porch.  Their chihuahua had captured them and held them there (probably chased them out of the field in the first place!).  TM got them off the porch, but the bad lambs would not follow MC.  TM finally went and got me.  I did an awesome job of getting behind them and making them come with MC and TM.  After I got them in our driveway, I did a flank to get around them and put them in the secure field.  MC was singing "we are poor little sheep who have lost our way, Baa, Baa, Baa."  Thank God TM wasn't singing.  That might have made the lambs run farther away!

Primping

Lowri - I have had a very busy day!  I woke TM up at 6:30.  She staggered into the kitchen and let us all out.  Aidan and Daisy were visiting, so we all went out to see the ducks.  Aidan bounced around and barked at them.  I think he forgot he is a pointer.  We got to play until TM got up.  We got fed and Papa Ron took Aidan and Daisy home with him.

I got to clean my teeth on a chewy.  It tasted yummy.


Later, when TM was done with work, I got to take a bath.  TM soaped me up and scrubbed all my whites.  Then she rinsed me off.  It felt so good!

Then I got to get blown dry.  I do not even need to be tethered on the table.  I stood and let TM work her magic!  Afterwards, TM proved again that you cannot take a good picture of a stacked dog all by yourself.  I stood still like a good girl, but none of the pictures turned out.


Kearney - Lowri got to be all primped up.  I got to work ducks!  I would rather work ducks ANY day rather than go to a dog show.  TM said I was awesome - again!  I listened hard and did what TM told me to do.  I think she is ready to enter me in Advanced ducks. She said I would get to trial in September.  I can't wait!  

Two Days until My Princess Debut

Lowri - Debut, debut, de-butt (giggle)  TM is trying to make me learn how to say it right.  I know HOW, it is just more fun to say it the other way.  In two days, I officially become a princess!  My very first dog show is Saturday.  It will be all about ME, ME, ME!  I get a bath.  I get blown dry - instead of my usual towel drying.  I get groomed.  I get a fancy leash.  I get to go into the show ring to be crowned.  MC will put me on the table.  I will get to taste the judge.  I hope he tastes good!!  Then I will trot around the ring and freestack like TM has taught me.  I will be a very good princess!  Oh, Kearney's sister, Treasure, will be there too.  She is already a princess so she can tell me about anything I forget.  I am sooooo excited!

Kearney - I will get to stay at MC's house during the day - where it is nice and cool.  There will be big shade trees and lots of room to run.  It will be lovely.  I wish I could go watch Lowri's debut, I could hang with TM...

Treadmills Aren't So Bad

Lowri - We went to PR's again last night.  I had a great time playing with Daisy and Aidan.  Daisy is so much fun because she is a lot smaller than me.  She can't drag me around by my neck.  I haven't tried to drag her around, 'cause I think she might bite me if I did!  Aidan likes to play "run and roll."  He comes charging down the hill and slams into you, sending you rolling.  TM doesn't like that game!  I know if you drop to your belly, he can't slam you.  Kearney, Daisy and I are all pretty good at that!

When we got back to TM's house this morning, she took me into the sitting room and put me on the treadmill again.  I wasn't too sure about that, but she spent a lot of time just loving on me and giving me treats.  When she said "treadmill" and started it, I just went ahead and started walking.  TM was very happy with me.  I got to eat some treats as I walked along.  Then TM changed the speed a bit.  I got to trot on it for about 30 seconds.  Then back to walking, treats and praise.  I could get to like this!

Kearney - TM made the appointment to get me "tutored".  I go in July - AFTER I get my championship notification from AKC.   I am going to be a very smart dog!  I can't wait!  I bet I will get cookies too.  My Aunt Cyndi who has my mama, Hannah, said she is going to try and volunteer that day so she can watch over me.  I think that is very nice of her.  The only part of this I don't like is that it is a veterinarian that does the "tutoring".  Wouldn't you think they would use a teacher? 

Harder Than I Thought

Lowri - Wow, this being a show dog is harder than I thought!  I already mentioned the indignity of "matching".  I also get my peds cured every week.  TM keeps my toenails very short.  I must admit that I like seeing my nice round feet when she is done with the peds.  I just don't like the Dremel grinder all that much.

Last night, I learned about something else.  TM took me into the sitting room where the treadmill is.  I thought it was just something you stacked stuff on!  You know, clothes and boxes and stuff.  But yesterday, it was all cleaned off.  TM put me on it and gave me lots of loving and cookies.  That part was great!  But then she said "treadmill" and the floor started moving.  I FREAKED out!  I mean, TM wasn't moving and I WAS!  I dug in my toes to stop it, but TM just pulled me forward.  I quickly figured out that if I walked forward, I could stay with TM.  She gave me lots of praise and told me I could do it.  I walked slowly on it for about 10 minutes.  It was really weird!  TM would press a button and it would stop.  I got lots of hugs and cookies then.  Then she would say "treadmill", push a button and it would start again.  TM said we were just going to walk until I got use to it, then we would start doing something called gaiting.  She said we weren't going to do a lot of it, just some easy work for now.  I tell you, I didn't think that was easy work!

I also got to do something that felt really, really good.  TM put me up on the grooming table and gave me a real massage.  I was drooling!  She gently stretched out my legs and rubbed my back and neck.  I could have stayed there all day.

Kearney - TM said I was done with that show dog stuff.  I say Lowri can have it - except for the massaging part.  I still want my massages!  I got to go work the ducks last night.  I moved them around and around the yard and all along the fences.  I listened to TM and put them on the fence and took them off the fence.  I got LOTS of scritches when we were done.  

Sunday after the Shows

Look close to see her babies

Kearney - Last night, when we were almost to Papa Ron's house, TM remembered something she wanted to get a picture of.  So as soon as she was on the tiny back road, she picked up her camera.  Instead of what she was thinking of, she saw a mama wild turkey with a bunch of babies standing right next to the road.  She stopped and took their picture.  The mama kind of stood around and watched carefully to make sure TM didn't let Lowri and me out to catch her babies, but she seemed kind of proud of them.

See the babies?

Once we were at the house, we played outside for a little bit, then TM brought us in so she could spend a couple of hours in the garden (I only tried to go see the lambs once - sheesh!).

We had a nice evening at PR's.  TM kept looking at me and saying "Champion Kearney."  She would say it in that higher voice that shows she is very happy with you.  My insides get wiggly.


Lowri - Best part was there were NO matches in sight!!!  I got to hang out with TM in her chair.  She kept me there because when my feet hit the floor, it was a madhouse!  Aidan, Daisy and I tore through the house playing.  We were loud and wild.  It was GREAT!  TM finally picked up the spray bottle of water.  Aidan immediately quit roughhousing.  I don't see why he doesn't like it.  It is just water.  You can catch it in your mouth and it is fun.  I tease TM sometimes just to get her to spray me.  She gets exasperated when I just play in it.

I finished!!!!

Kearney - When TM got back from town yesterday, I got to help with the doctoring of MC's lambs.  They are not dog-broke so I had to be really careful.  I got behind them and held them to TM.  I had to work like a cutting horse to hold them.  It was a good thing that I was pretty far back.   That gave me room to move around.  TM was VERY happy with how I worked.  Because I was out in the poison ivy, TM would not touch me.  MC lifted me over the fence and then gave me a bath.

We went back to Asheville, NC this morning at O'dark:30.  TM and MC got up at 4:30 again.  I do have to note that they were moving a bit slower!  We finally got on the road just before 5:00 AM.  Asheville was a little cooler today because we had some thunderstorms overnight. 

TM cleaned up my feet and belly, groomed me up, told me I looked excellent and off we went.  Well, I did wait while MC groomed Treasure.  TM carried me over the dirt and then let me walk into the building.  I was strutting my stuff - feeling great.  After playing with some cute Cardi girls, I went into the ring with MC.  She said I did a beautiful job of free-stacking.  I WON!  I was Winner's Dog.  TM was happy, but still holding her breath.  Apparently, I needed to do a little more than that.

My sister, Treasure, won her Bred-by class.  She went back for Winner's, but didn't do anything there.  She looked good (if you can say that about your sister).  The cute girl I had been playing with won Winner's Bitch for 5 points.  I have very good taste in girls!

We went back for Best of Breed and I managed to beat my girlfriend.  I also got 5 points for going Best of Winners.  That means I am now a Champion (once AKC confirms that I won) and have letters in front of my name too.   The judge, Janet Robinson, liked me when I was a puppy too.  TM was very excited.  MC was quite proud of me.

TM says that once I get my Champion notice from AKC, I get to go to the vet to get "tutored".  She says I will be happier then.  I don't know, I am pretty happy now.  Maybe "tutoring" will make me smarter?

Lowri - I mostly had a great time today.  Everyone gave me lots of scritches.  They talked to me and petted on me.  I had the best time then.  BUT, I don't know about being a show dog.  There are some real indignities!  TM did something she called "matching".  I DID NOT like it at all.  Apparently, there is a new rule that no one told me about before.  If TM says to "go potty", you only have so much time to assume the position.  If you don't, she gets all weird!  She took a paper match, wetted it and stuck it halfway up where the sun doesn't shine!  I yelled and told her I DID NOT like that.  She didn't care!!!  She did it anyway!  It didn't hurt, but it surprised me.  Then it irritated me.  I assumed the position, took care of business, went potty, whatever you want to call it.  TM said I was a good girl.  But I don't LIKE it.

The good part of showing is that you get lots of scritches, lots of treats, and if you are good like Kearney, you get LETTERS!  I guess that outweighs the brief indignity.  My de-butt is next weekend!  I can't wait!!

Dog Show Saturday

Kearney - Well we went to the dog show today.  I was First Loser AGAIN!  TM says it is RWD, but it still is First Loser.  TM and MC said I looked great.  I stood up proud and didn't wave my tail at all.  TM says she still took home the best dog!

I have to say, dog show weekends are tough.  For instance, this weekend, we have an almost two hour drive each way.  Our show time was for 8:00 AM.  You do the math.  What with the drive, having to set up and get groomed, we had to get up at the crack of DARK!  I think TM and MC were up at 4:30, we got put out to pottie while they jumped into their clothes.  We were on the road by 4:50.  We get to do the same thing tomorrow morning!

TM went to bed at 9:30 last night, but she tossed and turned for most the the night (and we won't count HER pottie breaks!).  I tried to help settle her down by cuddling close, but I am not sure it helped.  At one point, she had a bad dream (you should have seen her twitch), then she woke with a start and scared me!  You could smell the adrenalin pumping.  I had to start all over getting her settled down.  This morning she told MC that Lowri snores.   It is true (grin).

Lowri - I DO NOT SNORE!  I merely breathe heavy.  And if you want to talk about snoring, you should hear TM when she gets going (giggle).

Anyway, I got to go to the show too.  As I walked past one man, he was snapping pictures.  I TOLD TM that I needed to get my picture taken, but she just kept on going.   But, I did get to watch the show from TM's lap.  Several people commented that they thought I was working on my provisional judging license, but I just wanted to see Treasure and Kearney.  Since I am going to be shown next weekend, I wanted to make sure I knew everything I had to do.  I am glad we get helped onto the table.  That is a bit high for me to jump up to.

On the way home, we heard from MP in ColorRedO - I think that is close to how you spell it.  My half-brother, Holmes, went BOB his first time out as a Special.  He earned a Grand Championship Major and beat other champions!  MP was VERY excited.  He gets to go to the group place.  Holmes has letters in front of his name.  I sure hope I can get letters soon!

Past Views

Lowri - TM was looking through some photos.  Here are two from April when we were at the Nationals.  Here is one of my daddy, Chase.  His real name is  AM CAN CH C-Myste Baledwr Pursuit of Happiness CD HSAs RN VC TT   Whew, that is a mouthful.  I can't wait until I have letters with my name!

TM says he is showing his stud dog credentials.

This one is one of my favorites.  Mama Cheryl is sleeping with me and my daddy.  I got to be the stuffing in the sandwich, the creme in the Oreo (giggle).

 Kearney and I were just chillin' out in the kitchen.  Probably waiting for TM to feed us!  We do that a LOT. 

Here is one from G'ma Janet.  All of us are sitting together for once.  It is hard to get eight puppies still long enough to take a family picture!

TM says I am growing up too fast.  I think I need to get grown up so I can get letters for MY name.  Everyone else at TM's and MC's has letters!

Kearney - After all the excitement yesterday morning nothing much else happened.  TM did go buy a plant to give to the lady next door.  Everyone feels badly that we didn't know about the BAD man.  I would have barked at him if I had known!

TM got to spend a few minutes playing with us this morning, then she had to go to work.  Tomorrow we go to MC's to get ready for dog shows this weekend.  My sister, Treasure and I get to show.  Next weekend will be Lowri's first show. 



Lowri - TM took me for a walk last night, but after the excitement, I guess no one cared to come out and see me.  We did see some bunnies, but their pictures didn't come out.


TM is fixing our cool beds so we will be comfortable in the heat this weekend.  I get to go even if I can't show yet.  I am TWO days too young to show.  At least everyone will get to see me and give me scritches! 

Excitement in the Neighborhood

Lowri- TM took me for a long walk last night and I got to meet a lot of the neighbors.  There was a kid in a little car.  I was worried he was going to get eaten or something, but the plastic car let him out.  He came over and petted me.  Everyone thought I was adorable.  TM said I was doing very well walking on a leash and posing when she asked me too.  I already know how to free stack.

Kearney - PR was here last night with Aidan and Daisy.  We always get to watch TV in the sitting room when he is here.  It is more fun cause we all can get on the sofa to watch TV together.  When TM is here alone, we generally sit in the kitchen and watch TV there (it is closer to the computer).

This morning, TM gave PR a massage.  His back hurts him a lot.  When it was over and he was getting ready to leave, TM heard some voices outside.  She opened the door to see who was there.  It was a whole bunch of police officers all dressed in their tactical gear.  They were standing by their cars right in front of TM's house.  Shotguns, pistols, tazers, kevlar, all sorts of stuff.  TM promptly called PR to come see.  The police didn't seem concerned that TM and PR were watching.  Then TM went and brought all of us dogs inside, so we didn't get to see anything else.  One thing I was disappointed about was there was no police dog.  I wanted to see one and get some pointers on protecting TM.

Anyway, the police stood around for a few minutes watching the house next door.  Finally, they went over and broke down the front door.  Pretty quick they hauled a guy out in handcuffs.  The elderly neighbor lady is okay.  TM was glad to hear that.  The police told TM there was no danger to the neighbors, they were just worried about the lady.  The bad guy was apparently a BAD man.  Apparently, he was physically abusive to the lady and wouldn't let anyone talk to her.  The lady's daughter told the police to go in the house and help her mother.  The BAD man is going to jail.

Lowri - I am just glad that TM remembered to feed us.  I was getting hungry.

Lowri - Last night, I surprised TM by jumping into her lap - over the arm of the recliner.  I am just as graceful as my daddy, Chase.  I had been jumping into the van by myself for a while, but TM didn't realize I could already judge the height and muscle requirements for the jump into the recliner - over the side - I just had to say it again (giggle).

Papa Ron commented this morning that I didn't know how to go down stairs yet, and how was I going to learn?  TM repeated the many times told caution to NOT let me try until I was a year old and my joints had closed.   PR just wanted to know how they were going to teach me.  TM said by stopping carrying me.  Just a side note, PR has LOTS of stairs.  I think there are at least 15 steps to get outside the front or inside doors.  TM says that is too many for me for now.  Since she fell down them last year, she knows how hard those steps are on joints.

Kearney - I got to help TM again this morning.  She let me out of the van, into the field with the lambs and gave me a direction to go.  I went and got the lambs and held them to her.  I made a couple of decisions on my own to help TM.  She was pretty pleased with me when I did that.  She said I am developing into a really good stock dog.  I love my job!

Monday Morning Working out

Kearney - I got to help TM with the lambs this morning.  She needed to do a little doctoring on two of them.  I went right out an fetched them up to her.  Then I held them while she worked on them.  I even held them while she left the field and went and got their grain.  TM said I was a very good dog.  I like hearing that!

  On the way back to her house in town, she saw turkeys sitting on a bale of hay.  That isn't a sight you see all the time.

Lowri - Thor is a Great Pair o' Knees.  He got shaved yesterday.  TM and MC wanted to get all the matted fur off of him so he could cool off better.  They tried to leave enough so he wouldn't get sunburned.  I know that he feels a lot better.  He was smiling pretty big at TM this morning.  

I didn't want to tell him, but he sure looks silly.  The cows and sheep didn't seem to care about his changed looks, they still knew it was Thor.

Sunday Video and Pictures

Kearney - I didn't get to do much herding today.  TM needed me to move the sheep out to the big field.  When I came out, I saw she wanted me to move the COWS too!  I did NOT sign up for that!  I went up to the barn and told TM I would wait there.  She was not happy.  She came up and put me on a long line and took me back out to the field.  I tried to leave, but since she insisted, I helped her move the cows too.  It turned out to be pretty easy, the cows moved away from me right off.  I guess I was silly to object.

TM and PR unloaded the rest of the hay.  They worked hard.  Then they napped hard.  MC came over about 3:00.  They loaded up MC's trailer with her hay.  Then TM got Chase out and worked him.  It was about 95 degrees and high humidity.  Chase took some time to cool off.  He is laying in the creek!

Treasure did some nice work.  She was fairly enthusiastic today, and I wasn't even there to cheer her on.

Lowri - MC took some video of me.  I did a nice job!  TM said so.

Weekends are the BEST

Kearney - We didn't go to Papa Ron's until Saturday.  TM had a couple of things to take care of.  She painted the front deck with some non-slip paint, went to the doctor for the poison ivy she got moving hay, and then to the drug store for some medicine for PR.  Finally, we went to PR's.


While she worked in the garden, Aiden, Daisy and I went down to see the sheep.  TM was NOT happy with us for going down there by ourselves.  She knows I can duck under the fence and get in with the lambs.  Once she realized I was gone, she called and called.  I came - because it is better to come than not.  She went back to working with the garden and lost track of me.  I thought about going back down to see the sheep, but decided it was too hot.  When TM realized that I was gone, she called and called.  Since I was in the shade up by the car - and she wasn't calling in MY direction - I stayed put.  PR finally saw me and told TM where I was.

Finally we got to go herd.  First TM moved some hay - again!  Then I got to go play with the lambs.  I don't see what the big deal is if I go one way or the other around them to bring them, but TM is pretty insistent on me going the direction she wants me to go.  Even if, especially if, it means walking up into their faces.  I don't really like that because they stomp at me.

Lowri - My daddy got to go next.  Working on the ducks with all the stopping really paid off.  He listened to TM most of the time.  He walked the lambs around the round pen both ways, stopped when he was told to, most of the time, and got to push them.  That is his favorite part.  I kept yelling that I could do it too.  I didn't want TM to forget me!

I got to go last.  TM worked me on holding my stop at the first.  Not much fun in that, but it makes her happy.  Finally, I got to go work the sheep.  I am beginning to see there is a job here.  I am supposed to hold the sheep to TM.  She is trying to get me to understand that I need to keep them with her, not up in front of her.  She is very happy with my stops!  I do that very well.  I also got to hold the big mamas while TM opened the gate.  I got lots of scritches.  I think I am the best herder - that is why she saves me for last. 

First Friday in June

Lowri - Yay!  My daddy is here!  TM met with MC this evening and brought my daddy home.  We will have him all weekend.  I got to play kissy-face with him.  We romped in the yard.  It is great to have him here.  I wish weekends would last forever!

TM took daddy out and worked him on the ducks.  If he would just STOP when TM told him to, everyone would be soooooo much happier.  She spent a lot of time with him tonight.  I kept yelling at him to just STOP, but he wouldn't listen.  A couple of times, TM took him back to the place she told him to stop.  Finally, he started stopping when she told him too.  TM gave him lots of scritches and kisses.  Then she would say easy and touch his tail.  My daddy was grinning from all the love.

Kearney - I got to work ducks too.  TM had me running circles around them and driving them this way and that.  We did a lot of driving around the yard on the fenceline.  Chase got to do that too.  I don't really understand that, but it makes TM happy.  I think I would be happy with duck soup (grin).

Lowri - I just got to practice my favorite job.  I am an ENT specialist.  I was cleaning TM's ears and nose.  She wouldn't let me check her throat - and I TRIED.  TM was squealing and ducking.  That made it a bit hard to clean everything, but I did my best (giggle).

Thursday was good

Kearney - I got to herd my ducks today.  Can't have a much better day - unless there are sheep involved.  TM was very pleased with how I worked them.  She is thinking of entering me in Advanced Ducks.  I just hope the ducks aren't too advanced.  I like my ducks pretty simple.

TM mowed the lawn just before dark.  She wouldn't let me run through the grass so I could turn my feet green.  Since I was sick, she has stopped a lot of fun things.  She wants to make sure that whatever the allergen was, I don't run across it again.

Lowri - All I can say is - BORING.  I didn't get to play with the ducks, I didn't get to run through the grass, I didn't get to go to ALPS - I want to do that before the people forget how special I am.  I didn't get to play with any of TM's clients.  NOTHING!  Although TM did scritch me.   And she fed me.  And she talked to me.  Okay, maybe today wasn't too bad.

Hay and Air Conditioning

Kearney - TM has had a busy day.  Not only did she work all day, but she had to get the Air Conditioning guy out again.  The ceiling was leaking water.  When she checked, the pan under the unit in the attic was broken.  He is replacing it tonight.

After work, she and MC met at Papa Ron's to bring in the hay.  PR has been slaving away in the heat for days, mowing, raking and baling.  Tonight MC and TM bucked the bales while PR drove the tractor.  I think they brought in almost 150 bales.  They were covered in hay and in sweat.  Pee-yew!!!

Lowri - We got locked up in jail while they worked.  It wasn't fair.  We would have helped.  We could have chased bugs and spiders and all sorts of stuff.  Instead, we had to stay locked up.  BOO!