Got all of Usher's ribbons

The ones on the left are from Sat. & the ones on the right are from Sunday. Guess Usher did better Sunday- no red. LOL.

I was pretty low before my lesson today, but now I've perked up- thanks to a pep talk from Kelly. Here's bragging rights for Mama and Kelly did all the work.

The ASCA Trial

I chickened out and let Kelly Orr run my dog. Sure glad I did as I fell a couple days before, hurt my knee and my head, which brought on a dystonic attack. For those of you at the trial, you were lucky enough to see one. Not fun.

I came home right after Usher's run on Sunday. So, I don't have his ribbons for Sunday. All the girls did real well. Hopefully at the Couch's trial, we can see more of each other.

Kelly did such a good job. I skipped this Tuesday's practice. Still too shaky. When I pick up Sunday's ribbons, I'll post more pics. I would not have this many if I ran him myself!!!!

It was nice there some ran trained dogs, some ran their own dogs, and I had my dog ran for me. I think everyone had fun. Did I say thank you Kelly? LOL.
Just 9 the first day ~smile~

A little of this and that

I haven't blogged for awhile. Haven't fallen off the face of the planet. Just busy. I'm hoping that Usher is ready for the ACSA trial, but since I decided I'm not running him, I don't feel like throwing up all the time. Wondering if it's just me that gets nervous weeks before a trial.

I had a much better lesson last Tuesday. I STILL get mixed up with my byes and aways. The only real trouble with that is Usher really takes a command well and it shows what an idiot I am. Gotta keep reminding myself that my dog has only seen sheep maybe 45 times in his life. It's not like I can go out the back door and practice.

Since some BC trials are coming up, I need to get to Dianne's and refresh myself with the rules. Why am I more comfortable at these trials?

Now for the bad news. It won't be a very happy Mother's Day here this year. My daughter-in-law is 5 months along and was cramping and spotting. She went to the Dr. yesterday and there is something wrong with the babies heart. She will be seeing a specialist ASAP and they will be doing surgery through Mama to the baby, so any prayers or mojo much appreciated.

My puppy was born today

I still haven't made up my mind. I don't want the border collie board to rule my life. I go there for opinions. But, you know what they say about opinions, they are like a$$holes, everyone has one and some of them stink. LOL. I really like the BC board. Like a nice discussion, but don't like arguments. Anyway, there were 12, count 'em 12 in the litter. WOW.......is about all I can say. I am used to seeing 5-6. I wasn't sent any pics, he is waiting to make sure they all make it. That's a big litter.


My last training day was a disaster. It's depression week here. My trainer noticed I was shaking more and he got "on my case" about how I was handling Usher. Know what? He was right. I was going to back out of the ASCA trial, but he said he would run Usher for me. So, Usher is doing Sat. AM & PM sheep & cattle and Sun. AM & PM sheep & cattle. If Kelly runs him, there's no reason for a DQ. That's MY job!

I thought being away from them for a time being, would be like riding a bike, just get back on and it all comes back to you. I'm sure I am the most frustrating student Kelly has. Bless him for putting up with me this long.

Don Couch Clinic

This was a great clinic, just built for Usher and myself. The sheep were pretty light in the morning but got heavy in the afternoon for the maltese cross. Sorry no pics of that. Usher was pretty amped, as usual. We only used a 3 sided pen. Here we are "reading" the sheep. Noticing which way the heads and ears are turned.

Once the sheep are in the proper position, it takes little work from the dog and the handler to get the sheep penned pretty easily. Patience is a virtue.

Here the sheep are all the way in. It paid off and Usher's hard work and my listening worked well. It is nice to live in an area where so many good trainers are out there.

Thanks Don. I learned a lot and it was fun.

April 15, 2009

Usher and I had our lesson. Isn't it sad when you forget your camera? Kelly had to change it a day because he had a corgi trial, he did very, very well - got reserve High In Trial. Missed High in Trial by 5 points. Usher and I worked on a few outruns getting further and further away, then it was back to penning.

Just for fun, he let out 6 head of cattle and Usher really amazed me. He did a nice outrun and fetch and brought them right to us. FUN FUN FUN!!!!

This week-end I'm headed out to Don Couch's for a penning clinic. I'm glad Kelly's been helping me so we don't make TOTAL fools of ourselves. Who am I kidding? We will anyway. On the way home, I made sure I knew where he lived. I get lost a lot.

Kelly ran into someone I once knew and were talking strange names of dogs. She said I once knew a gal who named her dog Migraine. He said, you mean Dianne, well she's a student of mine. Small dog world.

Tuesday's lesson

Kelly and I worked very hard on penning and re-penning. We had Usher in a pen with some tough sheep, non flighty and not afraid of dogs. We moved Usher around in the pen moving the sheep until he got his confidence level and would work quietly. It was a good lesson.

We are still going to the Don Couch penning clinic, basically so I can watch other dogs. Kelly's the guy for me. I really like his patience with me.