Dog Show Weekend

Lowri - It was AWFUL!  It was horrible!  It was MUDDY!  I HATED it!!!!  I won, but it was icky.  My beautiful mother was Select to my BOB.  MC's Story was Winners Bitch.  My baby, Kevin, well...I will let him tell it.

It rained most of Friday night and a lot of Saturday.  It was an outdoor show.  I HATE outdoor shows.  I will admit that the grass was very short so that was not problem.  But there was mud everywhere.  As the day went on, the mud holes got worse.  By Groups, I was over it.  I was cranky.  My feet were dirty.  My belly was soaking wet, full of sand and mud.  TM says my attitude fully justified the judge ignoring me.

Sunday wasn't much better.  I won again, but I was NOT happy.  There were still mud holes in the ring.  One handler commented on how my expression changed when I went through a spot of sloppy ground.  Fortunately, MC picked my ground carefully for the last go-around.  The judge saw my worth and I went Breed again.  TM and MC agreed that I would still be sulking in Group, so we came home.  TM says no more outdoor shows for me for a very, very long time.

Kevin - I WON, I WON!!  I was entered in Baby Puppy and I won the Group.  I was very excited and got lots of treats.  MC got some really good pictures.

On the Move

I really, really wanted that bait.  TM thinks my tongue spoiled the picture.

Coming at you

TM is massaging me, not holding me with a death grip.

Baths and Pictures

Lowri - MC came up to go herding with us.  She was very important tonight as she lifted the circle when we came up behind the ducks.  I got to go first.  I did a pretty good job, although TM gets frustrated when I turn my back on my ducks to see what she wants.  Then I get frustrated.  But, we made it around the yard and did some fun stuff too.

Then Dinah went.  Oh my, was she a baddog!  TM had to walk her down a couple of times.  Finally Dinah remembered she is suppose to mind TM.  Then they had a great time herding.  I sure hope she figures this out before Nationals.  TM seems to think she will.

Late tonight, Kevin and I got baths.  We were very dirty!  I would go roll in some mud, but we have a dog show this weekend.

Kevin - I get to go to my first dog show!  I get to show in the baby puppy class.  I am very excited about it.  Here is my picture from tonight.  There is also a picture of Fable.

I have my tongue out.  I want that cheese!

Fable was being naughty.  It's a good thing she is pretty!

Queen of All I Survey

Lowri - I am the Queen of all I Survey!  Death to all the enter MY yard! 

TM thinks it was another bunny - there was no evidence (burp) other the the blood on my ruff and Kevin's feet.  Bunnies 2 - Lowri 9.  I HAD to teach my baby some basic survival skills.  He NEEDS to know how to feed himself in the event that I am not around; the freezer is empty; TM can't afford to feed him; PR, MC and MP don't care enough to take care of him; Cardi-rescue can't find nor feed him.  He needs good skills.

Kevin - Mama didn't let me do anything.  I had to just watch her.  AND I didn't get to eat it.  AND TM is refusing to feed me supper on the grounds that she THINKS I already ate!

Cardi Party Wagons

Lowri - Here is the Cardi Party wagon that my G'ma Janet has.  She took this picture at the Western Reserve show in 2011.  My daddy, Chase, is on the left, then me, Ginger and Sally (they are my sisters), then my beautiful mama, Scout.  We had so much fun that day!  G'ma is going to re-create the picture at Nationals this year.  That will be so much fun!

All five of us are Grand Champions.  Almost all of us have performance titles too!

TM just bought this Cardi Party wagon.  It isn't really a Cardi wagon, it is her garden wagon.  She is going to bring it to the Nationals so they can haul all the stuff to grooming and back. 

Kevin - I got my picture taken in the Cardi Party wagon! 

Lowri - Somehow, this isn't as much fun as the original.

Another Chicken Gone to the Big Pasture in the Sky

Lowri - We lost another chicken today.  Daisy, the killer Peeking Knees, caught it and killed it dead.  TM was not pleased.  Daisy is accumulating quite a toll - 7 ducks and 2 chickens.  She is moving to Texas in another month. 

I am in heat and need lots of love.  I have barely been out of TM's lap all weekend.  That has made it hard on her.  She doesn't like to disturb me if she can avoid it.  Right now she has difficulty typing because my head is under her arm.  She even evicted Kevin from her lap tonight so I could get all the love I needed.

I did help TM with the lambs.  I rounded them up and put them in the small pen.  Then I held them there.  Kind of like yesterday, although I did it much better today.  TM got them all their shots in record time.

Kevin - I am getting massages every day.  It is almost as good as food.

Big Sunday

Lowri - We had a big Sunday.  TM discovered yesterday that I was in heat.  Since my panties were at the house in town, we got up this morning and went to get them.  (snicker) TM had to tear the house apart to find them.  She had hidden them really well.  When she finally found them we came back to the farm.

While we were traveling, we heard from MC that Story had gone Winners Bitch again.  She is coming home with four points!  They came to the farm so MC could show all the prizes she had won.  She also picked up Dinah.  Dinah and Story and I got to go herding.  TM was very happy with how we all did.

I also got to help TM worm the baby lambs.  They were very wild.  I had to guard the gate so they wouldn't dive through the bars - with the gate closed.  I only lost one lamb and that was after TM got it wormed.  We get to do it again tomorrow as they need shots.  After herding, I got to go swimming again.  I was pretty dirty <G>

I got to help TM plant peas, carrots, lettuce and onions in the garden.  Dinah and Kevin were locked up.  I also helped TM build her new garden wagon.  She is going to bring it to our National Specialty so we can haul our stuff from the RV to the grooming space.  Then she will use it in her garden.

Kevin - I got to play with Fable and Story.  It was fun!

Weird Saturday

Lowri - It was a weird Saturday.  TM stayed in town and worked.  When she finally got done, we got to go to the farm.  On the way, TM heard from MC.  She, Story and Fable had gone to the dog show in Raleigh, NC.  MC and Story got to play in the show ring.  Fable was just along for the ride.  Story went Best in Sweeps!  Then she went Winners Bitch for a MAJOR!  Then she went Best of Winners!  MC was very happy.  Story has been Reserve Winners at most of her shows.  MC was saying stuff like "Always a bride's maid, never a bride."  I'm not sure what that means, but she was really pleased with Story today.  They show at 8:30 in the morning tomorrow.  We can't wait to hear how she does.

We didn't get to herd today, but TM says we will tomorrow.   PR says it is going to rain.  That means I will get muddy!  I can't wait.


Kevin - Dinah is so HOT!

Birthday Dog

Lowri - Miss Dinah came to Camp TM for her birthday.  She is two years old today.  I graciously let her work my ducks.  I warmed them up for her first.  TM said I almost got the "here" command today.  That probably means that I will really screw it up for the next week.

Then Miss Dinah got to go herd the ducks.  She is just starting out at the trial level.  TM helps her quite a bit.  They walked around the yard moving the ducks.  When Dinah got too enthusiastic, TM made her just stop and sit for a bit.  While Dinah held the sit, TM moved the ducks around.  It is a hard exercise when you are excited.  TM insists that you stay right there in a sit.  Dinah settled down and went back to working.  TM praised her a lot.

Dinah asked me when she would get a duck to eat.  She was sure that would be her birthday present.  I don't think that is what TM has in mind.  I am pretty sure there will be no more duck eating this week.

Kevin - Dinah is very HOT!  Very, very HOT!

Lowri - sigh, Dinah isn't in heat.  Hormones...

Herding in Town

Lowri - I got to go herding this evening.  TM got my ducks out and we started working.  TM did some strange stuff though.  She set up two buckets in the yard about 20 feet apart.  Then she had me drive the ducks in fat figure-8's.  I am not sure if she got better or I did, but by the end, it actually looked like I was driving them in a figure-8.

Then we went back to driving the ducks around the yard along the fence-line.  We are having communication difficulties.  TM says "here" and I turn and come.  Apparently, Kearney did it correctly (Kearney was my adopted older brother that we lost suddenly almost two years ago.  TM always said he was born to herd).  TM would say "here" and he would bend the imaginary line he was on toward TM - kind of curving out toward TM but still driving the ducks - all without taking his eyes off the ducks.  I don't get it.  I think "here" should mean "go to TM".  TM thinks I should keep my focus on the ducks.  She thinks I will actually learn to do it correctly.

I am doing "hold" much better.  TM says "hold them", and it means the stock is NOT supposed to go anywhere.  TM will walk up to the ducks and they try to leave.  I HOLD them right there.  Of course, I want to get up close and personal.  TM doesn't want that at all. 

I still think it is easier to just catch the ducks one at a time and eat them!

Kevin - I would like to eat one.  I think they would be tasty!

Letters

Lowri - My baby, Peyton, is going to go far!  We are sure of it.  Here he is tracking.  We think he will get the first title of all my babies.  Of course, each of my babies' parent secretly disagrees.  Their own superstar will be first.

Kevin - Mama, what is a title?

Lowri - Letters, baby, LOTS of letters!  All attached to your name.  My daddy, your grampaw,  has the most in our family.  He is HIT AM GCH/CAN CH C-Myste Baledwr Pursuit of Happiness, AM CD RN HSAds HIAs HXAs OAP OJP VCX ROMs TT.

Kevin - Wow, letters.  I want letters too!

TM is the BEST!

Lowri - TM is the best mama ever!  She just instituted a new self-feeding program.  I availed myself of it this morning.  YUM!

TM - Wah, wah, WA!

Lowri - The ducks aren't to be eaten????  Why did you bring them over?  Why are they in the yard right next to us?  Why are they stupid enough to come under the gate???

Kevin - I didn't get any.  My mama was keeping it all to herself.  I barked and barked at her.

Lowri - If you had kept your big mouth shut, I could have finished it off and TM would never have known.

Rain, Glorious Rain

Lowri - We have had two days of rain.  It has been lovely.  Every time I went out, I got wet and dirty.  Life is good!  Today, I found a really muddy spot.  I dug and dug!  I was filthy <VBG>  ALL of my whites were red.  TM was not pleased.  Tonight I got a bath.  <sigh>  Now I have to go get muddy again tomorrow.

Kevin - I was muddy too.  I got a bath too.  Then I got cookies. 

Herding and Playing Pictures

Lowri - MC sent some pictures of me herding my lambs.

I am trying to lift the lambs off the fence.  They aren't cooperating.

Here I am holding them off the fence.  They want to get by me to their mamas.

Kevin - MC also sent a picture of me and Fable playing.  I am showing off my NEW big, white front teeth.  I also have some molars and a canine tooth is poking through!

Herding and Swimming

Lowri - I had so much fun today.  I got to go herd all 10 of our baby lambs and then the ewes.  I had to lift the lambs off the fence next to their mamas.  It was hard because they don't respect me, but I won.  I was very, very good.  TM was happy with me.  Then I got to go swimming, partly because I was very muddy!  I LOVE herding and swimming. 

Dinah was most excellent!  She did the job as good as I could...WAIT, TM!  I did NOT think that! 

Story was a BADDOG!  TM educated her on coming when she is called.  She now comes happily when TM calls.   When they were done with the lesson, TM had her go back and move the ewes again.  She did that happily too. 

Kevin - TM cleaned out under the rabbit hutches and spread everything in the garden.  Mama and I were very pleased with the buffet being spread for us.  TM isn't thrilled with that.

Weaning Lambs

Lowri - Tonight we went back to the farm.  TM had me help her right off.  We brought the ewes and lambs into the duck arena and then I helped her put the ewes in the small pen.  TM had me sit in a particular spot while she moved all the lambs out of the pen.  Then I got to help again.  I moved the lambs back to their field.

It was kind of weird.  TM had me move just a couple of feet at a time.  She wanted me to be able to stop them from running to their mamas, but at the same time I was supposed to put just a little pressure on them to get them to move to the gate.  I would move a few steps to the side and then walk up a couple of steps toward the lambs.  They quietly moved out the gate.  I have never seen lambs move quietly before!  Weird...

Then I moved the ewes out into their field.  TM had me get between them and the lambs and just sit.  I was amazed that worked too.  Maybe TM does know something about herding.  Who knew?!?!?

Kevin - I got to play with Aidan.  He has such nice floppy ears.  They are fun to pull.

Living with a Massage Therapist

Lowri - I was limping a little bit tonight and TM noticed (Kevin and I had been playing hard).  She went to the bedroom and lifted Kevin up onto the bed.  I came running too.  We all snuggled for a bit.  TM was on her side petting on us.  Then she put her hands on my left shoulder.  I stuck the leg out a little so she had full access to it.  TM started gently working on it and I just melted.  I did a little flip so I landed on my back, leaning up against TM with her legs curled up supporting me.  I held out my leg and let TM massage it all over.  It felt wonderful.

Anytime I am hurting, TM will massage me all night long.  Every time I move, she wakes up and rubs on me some more.  By morning, she is pretty tired but I feel GREAT!  TM has done this for all of her dogs.  It is one of the perks we have because she is ours.

Kevin - I like sleeping on her lap.  I get my back rubbed on and I am asleep in no time. 

Lowri - I think we will keep her.

Building Fence

Lowri - TM is finally back to building fence.  She has to get it done so she can bring the ducks back here for a month.  Kevin helped her <snicker>

Kevin - I got to help!!!  I stole wood, I supervised the dig, I helped with the cement.  I even moved out of the way every time TM picked up the camera to document my help.  I had a great time!  I am going to help again tomorrow.  Whew, it is a good thing TM fed me again tonight.  I was starving!

Long Day

Lowri - Whew, we had a long day today.  TM took our four big lambs to market.  Unfortunately, market is over south of Nashville.  It took all day to take the lambs there and come home.

I got to help TM load the lambs.  She liked my help in putting the lambs in the small pen.  She liked my help loading the first two lambs.  But she did NOT appreciate my help with loading the last two.  It might have been because I was a bit too enthusiastic with my help.

To load a lamb, TM catches it in the small pen.  I help by standing at the gate to keep them in the corner.  Once she has caught it, she puts a leather collar on the lamb.  With the thick cotton lead rope, she moves the uncooperative lamb to the pen on the trailer.  I help by encouraging said lamb to move forward.  By the third lamb, I was fully enthusiastic.  TM started yelling at me to make me back off.   I didn't listen very well.  TM got run over a couple of times.   Oops...

When we went into the pen for the last lamb, I did not stay at the gate.  I forgot that TM has to catch the lamb before I can encourage it to move.  The lamb blasted through TM,  out the gate and then out the main gate into the open field.  TM said some blistering things to me.  She even said she was going to trade me in on a Border Collie.  I think she MEANT it!  TM finally got the lamb back in the arena and used grain (and me on a strategic sit/stay) to get him back into the little pen.  Whew, we finally got him loaded on the trailer.  I had NO idea we had such a long trip ahead of us.

TM drove and drove.  We finally got to the market place.  TM off-loaded the lambs (two guys helped her- as I was stuck in my crate).  She parked the rig so she could potty Kevin and me.  Boy, were there ever some interesting smells!  They have lots of livestock come through their market.  I wonder if they need a baddog Cardigan to help them?  I might have to look for a new job.

Kevin - I got to go too.  When we got home, I got my supper.  Then I went and bounced on the door.  To make sure TM understood, I sat and stared at the door.  It worked!  TM let us out so I could go play some more.  Life is good.

It's a Tennessee Alligator!

Lowri - Look what MC got a picture of in our swimming hole.  It's a Tennessee Alligator!!!

Oh wait, it is just me!!

Kevin - MC got a picture of me too.  I was herding!

Look how far I am from the sheep and they are still milling.  I have POWER!

We're Baaaack

Lowri - We are very sorry it has been so long since we have shared our story.  TM is having computer problems with her main PC.  It makes her cranky.  When she is cranky, she doesn't want to hear my thoughts.  I have had lots of thoughts, too.

Let's see...Last weekend we went to herding trials.  I had a BLAST!  I had so much fun, TM called my run on Saturday.  She was NOT pleased.  It really isn't fair, Dinah also had a BLAST - BOTH days!  But since she is in the Started class, TM was able to work with her and got her through the course.  I am in Intermediate and I had to work farther from TM.  Hence the BLAST <vbg>.  

TM made me do down stays all through HT and PT.  That was TOTALLY not fair!  I squirmed and whined.  TM didn't care.  She was not interested in my thoughts at all.  I finally gave up on Sunday (yes, she did it both days!), and just relaxed.  It was kind of funny, our run on Sunday was quite good.  Do you think maybe the down stays...naw, it was just a coincidence.

This weekend, MC went to the dog shows in Franklin, TN.  She went WITHOUT me!  That just doesn't happen!  Am I losing my good looks?  What is happening?

TM - Wah, wa, wa, wah.

Lowri - But, my coat is almost back in!  I am pretty again!  (sigh)  I guess I can wait until the end of the month.

MC got Major Reserves on Story both days.  I guess that is pretty good.  She is coming up tomorrow to get Dinah, who has been vacationing with us. 

TM took both Dinah and me out to herd.  She is focusing on what we really blew at the trials.  We had to do the basics - sit, stop and come - when there was stock in the arena with us.  Dinah really had a brain, um, brain,  uh...brain blowout.  TM told her every time she was right.  Poor Dinah, TM also insisted that she do the basics.  She says Dinah will be fine.  Tomorrow we are going to work with sheep rather than ducks.  TM thinks that Dinah will do better with sheep.

Papa Ron had a ramp built on the back of the house.  He said it is TM's birthday present - it cost a lot more than they had planned - oops.  TM laughed.  Her birthday isn't until November.  I didn't like the ramp on my first trip down it.  It is smooth and pretty slick.  PR says he will be putting a textured, rubber coating on it so it won't be slick.  I am pretty sure I will like it better then.  TM wanted the ramp so she doesn't have to carry Kevin outside any more.  Kevin isn't allowed to go down the stairs on his own until he is a year old.  TM carries him and he is getting heavy.

Kevin - Hi everyone.  I don't have many thoughts.   I will share them if I do have any.