What a Weekend!

Lowri - Wow, what a weekend!  There were specialties up in Washington and in Illinois.  Our family did great.  Where to start, where to start.

Up in Washington, my uncle, Pilot, was Best Veteran.  My daughter, Gimme went Select Bitch, a couple of times.  My daughter, Sara, went Best Puppy and Reserve Winners Bitch.

Kevin - Same Specialty, my son, Baxter went Winners Dog on Sunday for a 5 point major.  Our family did great!

Lowri - Then up in Illinois, my sister, Ginger, went Best of Breed with Aunt Kathy handling her.  She then went Owner-handled Group 1 and regular Group 1!!!!  MC said she looked fabulous!

I almost forgot, MC judged sweepstakes in Illinois!  She says she had a fabulous time.

Kevin - And at another show, our son, Barron (Sara's brother) won two points.  He became the seventh puppy in our litter to go winners - before they were a year old.  Four of the kids have majors!

Lowri - We had a slew of other relatives competing in Obedience and Rally.  A half-brother of mine went HIT twice finishing his open title - in three straight shows.  A half-sister went High Combined in Rally, I think.  I know I have forgotten some - I will blame TM if anyone (like Mama Penni) gets after me for not listing some of our fabulous family.

Our daughter, Sara

Kevin's son, Baxter 

Herding at Home

Lowri - I love my new ducks.  TM mixed them up with the ducks we had and took the quietest to town.  I have worked them several times.  They are working well together.  TM keeps pushing the envelope on what I know and what she wants me to learn.  Mostly, though, she just wants me to stop when she tells me too.

Kevin - I got to work on the ducks too.  TM was standing there with her mouth open because I was doing so well.  She was trying and trying to remember when she had taught me everything.  She finally decided that sending me out in the big field and making me work is what did it.  I remember that stuff.  It is HARD chasing them up hill and around the trees.  I decided to listen to TM - it works better that way.

Today, I got to go into the middle field, and gather the sheep.   I did a beautiful outrun.  TM was so impressed.  I herded them to the gate and held them there while TM gate-cut the ewe she wanted.  No fuss, no muss, just nice work.  I surprise TM again <G>

Lowri - I got to work the lambs and the one ewe that TM cut out.  TM had me bring them up and put them in the small pen so she could doctor the ewe.  I was pushy.  TM  kept telling me to stop - which I ignored.  Finally she said "down".  I was so surprised, I dropped.  TM was pleased.  Then we did a lot of walk-ups and sits and downs.  I did most of it.  TM was quite pleased with the new tool I gave her.

Long Drive

Lowri - We had a long drive home today.  It took us 8 1/2 hours.  It was tough because TM bought me five more ducks to herd.  They road home with us, but I couldn't get near them.

I finished my B Course Advanced Duck title today.  I taunted TM over not holding up her end yesterday, because if she had, I would have a major win to go toward my Herding Championship.  As it was, I got the 1st place and Reserve High in Trial.  It was a good run.  I got a 3rd place in A Course Advanced Ducks.  That means I qualified and placed in all three of my A Course runs.  I am amazing.

Kevin - We got to bring home a set of five ducks.  I am going to get to train on them too.  I thought the duck runs looked very interesting.  They were pretty stinky in their crate in the back of the van.  I was glad when we got home.  My nose is much more sensitive than TM's.

At the Herding Trials

Lowri - We have been at the herding trials for two days now.  One more day to go.  I have been very, very good - okay, so maybe I am practicing selective hearing, but I have still been good. 

On Friday, I had a tough set of ducks on B course, but I made them mind.  I didn't qualify, but TM said I tried - or was that the class that she said I was very trying?  On A course, though, I was very good.  I won the class of six!  TM was really happy because that was one requirement for my Dual Championship.  I also earned a point.

Today, I did much better on B course, but TM didn't hold up her end.  I was so close to "Q'ing", but we didn't quite get there.  TM says she will do better tomorrow.  I was mostly naughty on A Course ducks, but we still came in 3rd.

Kevin - I have mostly gotten to sit in the van although we have gone on a lot of walks.  Right now, we are in the camper van and TM is leaning up against me.  She says I am warm.  I am just glad I can help. 

I just heard that my daughter, Kellie, won a "Best Puppy in Show" at an International show.  I am very proud of her.  TM keeps telling her people that they are welcome to send her back any time, but they aren't going to fall for that.

A Herding We Will Go

Lowri - Herding!  I get to go herding!!!  Tomorrow, TM is loading us up and we are heading out to herding trials.  I get to sleep on the bed with TM in the new camper...EVERY night.  Kevin will just have to sleep on the floor.  It is MY turn.

Kevin - Just don't get too near the edge.  I don't like being on the bed unless I can sleep in the middle.  TM doesn't let me stay there as she thinks she gets to sleep wherever she wants to.

Lowri - You just don't get it, Kevin.  You are supposed to sleep ON TM and hold her down.  You get lots of scritches that way.

Anyway, this weekend is about ME.  Three whole days of herding trials.  I am so excited.  I haven't been herding in a long time.  TM and I have done a lot of practicing, so hopefully, she will do me proud.

Our Ride

Lowri - TM has almost finished our ride.  It is functional as a camper for her and we love it.  She did all the design, assembly and installation, although Papa Ron gave her pointers along the way.  The pictures don't show the big 8 inch foam mattress, but I assure you it is comfortable!

Kevin - Unless you get too close to the edge.  You might fall off if TM doesn't grab you pretty fast.  I don't like being near the edge.

How the ride looked when TM had barely started.  Yes, that is a porta-potty and our crates.  TM has her priorities!

Working on the insulation

The porta potty is enclosed now.  The board on top is for stuff while we are travelling

Since there are only two of us, TM stores stuff in the upper crates.

More storage on the left and places to hang our leashes

View to the rear showing the ceiling

More storage above and below the bed.

TM built two locking storage cabinets around the wheel wells.  They are support the bed

More storage.  It can hold a 400 crate set up.

The view from the back doors

The bed platform.  A 300 crate could go on the floor on the right.

A Blue Fox decal is on each side of the door for our kennel name of Bluefox.

Photo Shoot

Lowri - Yesterday was all about me.  It was a great day.  I got my pedicure and a bath.  TM spent the time blowing my coat dry.  I was having a photo shoot later in the day.  TM was whining that my coat was all falling out.  She was doing her best to dry me without turning me into a naked dog.

MC came up and patted me.  TM winced as pieces of my coat puffed out into the air.  We all went over to the red carpet and I posed and posed.  TM fed me LOTS of cookies, and MC took lots of pictures.  TM had to vacuum again when we were done.