Maddie O' Maddie

Dear Maddie:
It has been a year since you've been gone. A very long year. I was looking at some pictures of you and Reese last week and you two were such good buddies. She loved you and was always happy to see you coming over for a visit and she loved the walks we went on.

Your Mom and Dad still miss you very much and I know that they think of you often. We all know you are not in pain anymore and are having fun chasing bunnies and running after your chipmunk friends. But you will always be missed and we will not forget you.

Love,
Sare

Ears

I love watching what a border collies ears will do. They get big when they are little and sometimes have a hard time deciding what to do. Up, Down, half mast.  It is so fun to watch a pup grow into their ears. This was Reese when she was little and trying to figure out what her ears were going to do.  It's sort of like when you want your hair to be curly and it will only be wavey. Or you want it to curl under and it only wants to flip out.  Sometimes you just have to learn to work with what you get.

The Flying Nun ears

Copter Ears

Right, I said go Right

Trying to keep it straight.

Oh, well one must relax when chewing a good bone.

Say you there, with the box on your face....Get away from my bone.

Say what you want about my ears, you know I am the cutest little thing.

Working Dogs

This past weekend was absolutely gorgeous. I finished up the fall yardwork on Saturday. Reese and I went for a long hike and played and played and played some more - all outside of course!

Sunday was just as nice, a little bit cooler but only by a few degrees. It was a great day for working dogs and Reese and I had a great day. Reese worked the goats and did a fabulous job. She looked great, she worked close but not too close, it was all controlled and she kept her balance point very nicely. She took corrections for her flanks easily and it just felt great.

We really felt like a team out there. I feel like things are really starting to come together for us and we are starting to click as a team. We are working on some non-stockwork things to improve our teamwork and it is really starting to come together and it shows.

It wasn't just evident to those watching us but when that working relationship clicks you can feel it, and I did. I know Reese was very pleased with herself and it took a lot out of her, she was concentrating and working very hard to keep things in control and she was rewarded by it working. I know she worked hard because she was completely wiped out all night after we got home. It was nice to see a very contented pupper after a good days work.

Ireland

While in Ireland we went to the town of Tralee which is where my grandmother was from. We met up with some relatives, who took us to lunch at the Tralee Golf Club.  The Tralee Golf course was the first Europeon golf course designed by Arnold Palmer. Every hole has a view of the Atlantic ocean.

The Tralee Golf Club

Helicopters would fly golfers in to play, then take them to the next course for their next round.

This helicopter landed next to club house while we were having lunch.

The Cliffs of Moher

No, this cow photo is not out of place. This cow was grazing next to the long walk up to the Cliffs of Moher.

Dublin, Ireland

Trinity College

The famous Molly Malone Statue

On our way to Dingle

I have no doubt that on a sunny day Ireland is a beautiful country. It was cloudy and rainy almost everyday that we were there. The people however were always sunny and chipper. I only met one gentleman that I didn't care for - the Admiral.

Dogs Working Stock

Haven't gotten any video of dogs working lately, but here are some still photos.

Ash working the goats.

Sara N. working Zephyr on the sheep...this lil'dude is fast so he is hard to photo.

Sorry I don't have any of Reese as I am always taking the photos.  I hope to get some of her this weekend and will post them then.

Wales

In 2005 I went on a trip to Wales.  Flew into London and took the train to Bath a little historic town, which I could have skipped. However it was a nice introduction to the English way.

I got this tourist to stand next to this Knight for a photo Op.

Then we moved on to Wales.

Castle in Conway Wales

Harbor during low tide.

  

On the way to the car rental I stumbled upon this little beauty...I love the mini and this was a one of a kind.

Driving to the sheep dog center. Notice we are on the left.

A town called Betws-y-Coed along the way.  It is located in the Snowdonia National Park.Finally we got to the sheep dog centre.  Not easy when all the signs at the round-abouts are in Welsh!

Did I mention it was Aled Owen's sheep dog centre?  I didn't know who he was then.  Little did I know a year later I would have a bitch pup sired by dog that he had trained.

A new pup that he had.

Some of the visitors couldn't resist giving the pup a cuddle.

Our B&B

Loved the town of Conway would definitely go there again.