Debbie Crowder-BaaramuLuke

There is usually a Jack Knox clinic in Leesburg VA, sometime in April (?), at Fleetwood Farm, hosted by the wonderful Walt Feasel (sp). In May, he visits Debbie and Steve Collison's farm in Davidsonville MD. These clinics are usually filled, but that brings me to my main point: can't get your dog in? Go Anyway! If you are just getting started, auditing a clinic is invaluable and less expensive. I have had to pull back from taking working spots at clinics, but would gladly pay to audit a good clinician's day. I will learn from each and every dog who is worked and not have the anxiety of working my own. Now my trouble is getting the time off to get to the clinics I can attend. I hope to have more clinics soon in the VBCA calendar, if a host is willing to let us post them, the information would alert newbies to opportunities to come watch and maybe make contacts with folks who can help them.

That was sweet. Trust is a two-way. Where I work grooming dogs, I get the ones who have been booted from the facilities for stuff like biting. I may have to muzzle them at first, but it's always my goal to get them out of it, even though they have shown me they will bite. I feel like once they know me, know what'll happen (nothing), I have to give it back to them to show I trust them. No better enjoyment than getting through the whole shebang and no muzzles. Good girl, Fly! Hugs to you, Donald. See you down the road.

October 4, 2012 marks the 36th State Fair Sheepdog Trial. As many Virginians know, our State Fair has fallen into some rough times, culminating in it's bankrupcy and auction of the real estate and property of the Fair. When the Fair announced its fate, it also regretfully announced there would be no fair in 2012. The new property owners (Universal Fairs of TN), and our Virginia Farm Bureau Federation have sprung into action to assure us that we WILL have a fair this year, and a short few weeks ago, they contacted Karen Thompson about hosting the SDT again this year. She called me, and I said YES!, as this is a tradition in agricultural exposition we want to see continued. Sadly, they contacted us past time when we could have any trial sanctioned by USBCHA or VBCA, so the trial we are hosting is not going to be for the points handlers. We explained that to the FAir folks, but they ordered us four sets of six ribbons, and we hired a judge. We have the privilege and obligation to showcase working Border Collies in the big equine arena (same one American Cowgirl Chicks had last year!) from 10am til 4pm. We have entries, but not a whole lot. It is on a Thursday and there is no payout. T What we propose to do is run classes with the entries we have, and in between classes, we will have demonstrations of non-competing dogs, and those who have finished competions. Our Judge, Julie Poudrier of Oxford NC, will be available for critique and an informal judging clinic of the classes was we work through the day. We have even proposed a jackpot Open (as in, anyone can enter) skills class with farm and trial elements. We are open to suggestion, we want the folks at the fair to succeed this year, and have us back next year, all sanctioned and payback if possible. This year could be critical, and we ask you for your support, if you can come, contact Karen (www.thompsonsbordercollies.com) for more information. Thanks for taking the time to read... Debbie Crowder (since 1992, a State Fair participant and volunteer)

I was told about this thread a couple of weeks ago, but stayed away til now. Donald, my heart is with you and Anne (and June's other beloved handler), I hate that you had to lose her. I appreciate what you both did when you found out about her condition, and I have to say I would easily do the same thing. Our dogs are with us until we let them go or God takes them. I think they accept what we decide, trusting that we need them. For me, it's hard to let go, but I feel like I step out of my body and that middle-aged person in it makes the call, while my heart is screaming like an infant. It's the hardest thing I ever do, deciding when my beloved companion will die. My first euthanasia decision came when my lab mix Carly was found to have lung cancer at 9. I found out in May and cried clear til July when I saw the light go out of her eyes and that other woman drove her to the VEC and told them to let her go. I was with her and it was so peaceful. All of the actual procedures went smoothly, and I have had others die before we could decide, but each time I learned more. Having horses is tougher, with them, the logistics of death take far more planning and practicallity, but that same other woman makes the call. I have to say, she is calm, determined and seems at peace when she speaks to the person who she arranges it with. For the animal, be it horse or dog (or kitty), I join up with her and take a calm, loving attitude, begging them to trust me and to know they are the love of my life, and I pray for them to know it. As for a "natural" death, I don't know if it is as peaceful. I have seen far too many to know it might not be. I pray for owners who cannot bring themselves (or that strong person they could call on from within) to chose euthanasia. They suffer so much, and those of us who serve them suffer too, but I have to believe their bond is unique to them, and no God would let anyone suffer but so much, not really. I kept the dog after Carly (Calvin, my first Border Collie) alive for an extra year when he was found to have immune mediated hemolytic anemia, and I think I made a mistake that time, and worried over it immensely afterwards. Regrets. The next dog I lost, Luke, I wholely believe God stepped in and took from me, not as punishment, but just because, maybe because we both might have suffered more than we needed too over what might have come, had he not been killed in that accident. I was able to hold him and tell him he was perfect and wonderful, and I still wonder what I would do now, if Simon meets up with an serious illness. He almost died in October, and I cherish every day I have with him, even if it means taking him out of what he loves to do. Is that fair? I am struggling now with an aged pony who is possibly faced with a terminal condition, and I have struggled with this same thing for the past few weeks. My oldest dog is 15 and a half, my oldest kitty is older. Each euthansia is hard, each situation difficult. Each one I pray I make the decision in time to lessen the chance they leave life hurting and too sick to want to stay. I never regret it when it's done, but it's with me forever. Worst thing my equine vet said recently hit me hard: "I doubt anyone would view you judgementally for deciding to let him go at his age". Does that mean I have to pass muster with them if I pass on further diagnostics for a 38 year old pony with a respiratory rate of 40-60 resting? Pass a tube down to his lungs to see if he has a neoplasia? Really? He won't know there's going to be no tomorrow, but we will sure know he's gone from ours if I put him down. His pain in living gone, mine for a while longer, I have to have the strength, for them, to take that on.

Check with Derrick, he's good and in VA. I've used him for our rowdy 4-H sheep. He's a nice young man and knows his stuff. http://lordwillinshearin.com/

Ditto that info, also goes for any DVM product you may be fond of, including their shampoos, Malaseb shampoo being prominent for lots of skin yeast and bacterial issues. I use a LOT of NuSal-T, malaseb, Ectokyl (flea) and Chlorhexaderm (use all these at work), a really good ear flush, T8 Keto, and the Synovi-G3, and the equine equivalent. We stocked up when we heard about the sale and the FDA issues, our distributor's stock is all there will be for a while. If you like the products, get what you can but be looking for substitutes just in case.

OH...I gotta add, one of the coolest things I've seen is finding birdnests that have blown down, lined with fluff or horse hairs, I find them all over my place, what a miracle. Let that fluff blow!

I groom dogs (and cats) and I would hate to wear what I throw away. No matter how clean you got it, the thing is, it is dog/cat, and even really clean, it smells like it. Sheep smells like sheep, alpaca smells like alpaca and angora rabbit smells like rabbit. Those scents are pretty innocuous, and I actually love sheep-scent. The best use for dog clippings is in the garden, to ward off those animals who are afraid of dog, and even that is debatable. I would wonder why a collie or another full coated dog would be wanting to give us it's coat for someone to spin into yarn, unless it's just the fuzzy undercoat they use. If we used every ounce of wool produced for processing into useful rovings and yarn, I would guess it would be an enormous amount. So many folks I know just toss it, burn it, or use it for erosion control. THAT"S an eco-shame.

We are making preparations for the State Fair SDT coming up in two days (Oct 1), and I am now familiar with the arena it will be in. It feels smaller to me than last year, maybe because it has no "cover" like last year, and it is definately smaller than those years it was held in the Grandstand Arena at the old Strawberry Hill facility. This is the first year it will be at the Meadow Event Park, and we are happy they included the trial in their plans for the new park. That wasn't a certaintly, even though the trial has been at the fair for almost thirty years! Karen has fielded some questions about the "arena" aspect of it, from some folks maybe not familiar with the trial, those who have been in the past know what to expect (no 300 yard outruns here!) Our judge is Carol Campion, and she has been to and judged these trials before, and she is helping us adapt to our new facility. These things are geared to showcasing our dogs for a fair audience, so the whole thing is up close and for that reason, our dogs need to be in control and the sheep have to be kept quiet and happy. Actually the same situation, in a more traditional setting, is true of Montpelier, another spectator event we host in a few days (!!!!!). If anyone has any questions, please put them forward, and those who know about the experience of an arena trial, help me to get them answered. I can tell you that the park is fabulous, but spread all the heck out, and our venue is on the opposite side of the highway as the Midway and excitement of the fair. We are in a small arena, which sits beside another one, both two-rail fences and ours is lined in contruction netting, which I think the sheep could go through if pushed and I am calling today to see if we can double-line it. I also need to find out if there is another horse event in that next-door arena, I personally would not want to be riding a few of my horses in it while a SDT is next door. There's no shade, so plan for it, but likely no hassle from the public with our open vehicles, but everyone needs to keep open eyes for that kind of stuff at any event like this (thievery, etc). Getting nervous, but looking forward to it.

There was a little confusion on the date, it is definately NEXT Thursday (not tomorrow, Sept. 24) October 1. The second Thursday of the fair, as is traditional. Day off to travel to Montpelier Station for the Fiber Festival and Sheepdog Trials NEXT weekend (not this one). See everyone there, hope you like the new fair location. It is gorgeous, they've done a good job.

Yeah, we rule at the top. I understand we get to work some nice woolies. I think this trial is going to be one of the special ones. Lets hope for some nice early fall weather now! Sue, Julie is right. The thing with me is that being around so many dogs, I would tend to lean toward vaccinating when ordinarily I would not. I would think us all being out in the open, we won't have much chance of spreading any airborne stuff. If we did have any cases in here, I would likely stay away from trials. I have not vaccinated yet, and he's not compelling me to do so yet, so I'm wondering how much of this is really urgent or a wee bit o' hype. CAn't believe I said that, yes, I love my job.

To clarify, we have not seen any cases, but there was an article that a client read from the Washington Post that told about CIV causing some problems for clinics and shelters up there. My DVM/practice owner got the vaccine, and we have started to offer it to clients and those who travel, board, that kind of thing. As an employee, I take a dog to work every day, sometimes a couple, and I do travel with my dogs to trials pretty frequently. I think I will go ahead and vaccinate for it. We have gotten the AVMA info on it, and listened to a teleconference from a DVM in Atlanta who got it in her kennel, and it was awful to eradicate. The trouble with it is dogs who develop pneumonia, that is also quite difficult to treat. Thanks for any advice, having had a dog with IMHA, I don't vaccinate lightly, but working, playing, and living with a number of dogs, just wanted to be sure.

Has anyone experienced any canine influenza in their area? I understand Northern VA and PA, Atlanta, and other places have had some real problems with it, and my practice owner (DVM) has gotten the vaccine and has sent out an email to our clients about getting the vaccine now before it gets to our area (Central VA). Tell me more, listening to the CDC phone conference at a staff meeting gave me the feeling that I should vaccinate, but I also worry that it's marketing. Any real experience out there with this one?

I thought I updated this, but when I hit send, it must have not sent. The officer came out again, Long Story Short, I passed, end of story (to her). She was pleased with the arrangements, asked me if this is where they're living now and I said yes. "Now" was yes, today, not so much. I will leave the set-up, but if I want to leave them in the house, I will. If I take them to the barn, so be it. I spent at least an hour picking her brain on this whole thing, hard to tell if this was her need to see it through or her department's. I did learn she is not staying in this job, apparently having trouble with the higher up's, and I didn't press. Her current assignment of doing these inspections was due to an injury that made her unable to do routine calls. She said they hadn't been doing them as needed before due ot lack of manpower, but they were necessary to ensure the health of those dogs kept in numbers. My back porch (clutter), my refusal to let her in the house, and a current cat hoarder case that included a number of BC's made her suspicious of me, thus the extreme follow-up. I know of this situation, last year a friend of mine told me about a woman who was living in her car since the house was so trashed, she and another friend had convinced this woman to give up a couple of dogs to them. No idea it was in the same county, so I was guilty by breed-association. I do plan to go to BofS, I simply want to say that the county AC department has duites that I feel are necessary for a governmental agency to perform, and that having eight healthy, legal dogs does not warrant three visits, and that the bigger government gets, the less freedom we have to enjoy our dogs. Community of friends, family, breed clubs and fellow enthusiasts can educate us on how we should keep our dogs. If we have pride in them, they will look good and be happy dogs. If not, we will police ourselves. If that fails, okay, then call AC. As for the vet that does what Raven L is suggesting, don't know what to say there, but I would ask the questions you have about the legality of it, how he mixes a breeder business with a medical service one. If he's accredited with AAHA, he will be inspected, books, records, kennels, the whole thing, this is not government, but there's those folks too. I'd have trouble working for him. I will update on my BofS appaearance, it is going to happen.

Vicki, do what gives you the satisfaction of knowing you are NOT a gutless wonder, no matter what the outcome. I just have to watch my emotions, not get sidetracked by my outrage/annoyance with the whole thing and keep it to basics. I feel I can't get any more basic on this than my initial concern that this is overstepping government's usefulness and taking my privacy away, and privacy makes me happy. Update: no one called yesterday, so I called AC. Round one, was put on hold for a few minutes. I dropped the phone which caused a hang up on my part, so I called again. The poor woman at the pound apologized, she said is was really busy and she was the only one there. I told her I understood, no big deal. Told her my concern, no visit, she said she couldn't answer for that, could get someone to call me. Told her the Chief never called me from a couple weeks back. She said she could put me on with him, he was there. Well, alrightythen! Long story short, Chief said he never got the message to call me. My friend was on training this week, he'd ask her about it, I said no big deal, she talked with me and helped me come up with the questions I needed to ask him. As for why officer Bland did not come yesterday, he said he did not know why, but today (yesterday) she was off and he'd ask her about it when she returned. He was nice, gave me a long explanation of why they do inspections, and I gave him my story. He stuck by the assertion that they needed to see where the animals were kept to be sure they were in fit quarters, even if they seemed in good flesh. As for why the three visits needed, I think he protected his interests by not dismissing me on that, he obviously needs to ask her why. It could easily be because the house, and barn, from the outside looks cluttery, and obviously, I didn't have the tackroom outfitted for a kennel in the five minutes I had to do it the day she came. It is now. His basic story is that the department does inspections to oversee the keepers of large groups of dogs, and to be a PUBLIC SERVICE (I wrote that one down) to use kennel people, in case we needed help with how to do it properly. I said I did not feel that it was government's job to teach me how to keep dogs, and that I didn't think it was appropriate use of time and funds in our caounty. He kept going on and on about how large the county is, and how small their staff was, which seemed kind of contrary to his argument for offering a service to kennel keepers to educate them on dog care. I told him flat out I felt it was harrassment and more of an foot in the door to look for violations (more dogs than reported, paperwork out of order). I told him about my predicament as a pet professional, a breed enthusiast (and a representative for the State club), and a 4-H leader of over 15 years, in that I will have caused the department three visits (if she comes) to have AC assured I properly maintain my eight dogs. "How embarrassing!"...I told him. He said, "not to worry, I'm sure you will be just fine" Only when you say so, sir. Until then, I lose sleep and get angrier. Arghhhhhhh....

Dang, Julie, don't give me away!! I know there was class-profiling going on when the AC lady came to my hovel last month, said to herself, geez, if this isn't a possible hoarder's meth-lab/puppy mill, I don't know what is!! Gotta be at least a pomeranian-fighting operation hiding in that house, all the toys (used for baiting) strewn about, and the B/W dogs are just to throw me off. No one ever came, no one called. AC chief has not called me back, Board of Supervisors man either. I feel like I need to go through this new routine all over again today, but I want to get my emotions in check before I call and ask what's up, and I will. My presentation to BofS is rolling around in my brain, and yesterday's no show by AC figures into it. Yes, it is possible they intend to come by when no one is here, or at another unannouced date, but that is so wrong. Talked to my DVM boss about it, he knows some of the animal politics in this county, he fears for my stirring up future trouble for myself by making a stand for my privacy, but this is so important to me. I was so ready for them. I AM so ready for them, but I also have a life to get on with, I have a nifty trial to go to this weekend, and I need to get back to normal life.

It's almost noon. She made her notation when she decided on this date that I have to be at work at noon (half hour drive). So far, no one has come, no one has called. Chief has not returned my call, no response from Board of Supervisors rep. Everything is perfect, the dogs are being really good in their "kennel", all are clean, and it's a beautiful day out. Not sure where I go from here if they don't show or at least call. ALL the wishes have been a blessing for my sanity. Thank you.

What I'm hearing is that it is not my right to subject my animals to live in a messy house, and I understand that, if it causes them harm. I have been a messy since I was born, ask anyone, and I am constantly trying to improve on it, but I stand that my animals speak for themselves. If you can see eight healthy animals, shouldn't you be able to assert that they are well-managed? I'm with you. Right now all of them (Simon, Beryl, Jane, Turk, Dillon, Shea, Bailey and Pearl) are in the "kennel", I am vacuuming it of all mouse turds, cobwebs, and dust AND horse and dog hair. It isn't that bad, but it is a barn. The TV is playing a church program, I can microwave up a nice lunch there, kick back on the couch, and even live there myself IF i had to, but I am not (repeat NOT) letting her in my house. That's what got me in this mess, and I stand on it. Good idea about the brownies, I can get microwave brownies (maybe POPCORN) going in there before she comes, as it is, I clean with Mrs Meyers products, and the barn cleaner is Geranium, so it's pretty nice. THAT is the whole thing, she didn't see doggy-slum when she came before. I will also heed the advice about taking pictures, it'll be handy for the Board meeting, AND if this escalates into a search warrant for the house thing, which I doubt. This whole thing is so stupid, and I am so done with it. I have better things to worry about in my life, making this all the more like harrassment.

Well, Emily, if I get thrown in jail in Hanover, I will be looking for your advice. Dang. SO, yoiu're saying I have to commit a crime? When I did live in Henrico (born and raised, with a brief stint in City of Richmond) you had to have no more than 5 pets total, including cats. You license cats in Richmond. Go figure. I have had at least five dogs all the years I lived in Henrico, and just kept mum on the cats, we lived in a suburban neighborhood and your place is Ag, right? For me to even have more pets legally in Henrico, I had to go before the Board of Zoning Appeals, and I never did. What I have done so far: all big kennels are in the tackroom, all nice and cozy. Fans are all on, all the outdoor runs (five total) and big pen are cleaned, fresh shavings on the ones that don't have rubber mats, and buckets for water. All rabies info up to date (Turk's expires Monday--maybe why she chose Tuesday to recheck me, vaccinated yesterday), Kennel Licence tag on a nifty wooden plaque, nailed up on the wall outside the door to the tackroom. Dog license tags are all on collars. All dogs will be bathed and polished beofre inspection, no they don't really need it, but this I can do. Tuesday morning I will get up bright and early, walk everyone and put them in the barn. Feed the horses and send the back field five down the hill to the lower field, out of sight. (I have too many horses for the acreage we have, but our barn has ten stalls, and I ain't lookin' for anyone to start counting horses). To look at our place, you wouldn't think we have this many horses, but this has been one of my anxieties all along, that this would be the next issue. We pick up all field poop, compost and sell the "Black Gold" as a 4-H project. I have sent a letter to the Board of Supervisors representative stating my case and informing him that I wish to address the Board on September 23 about the increasing government intrusion and oversight. I still have a call into the Chief AC man, he did not call me back last week as assured me by the field supervisor (also my friend). I am still losing sleep over this, and maybe it's a symptom of a bigger problem, but it all seems so unreasonable.

NO weeds on kennel property? That reminds me of one thing the officer said, I do have a couple of runs up near the barn where I used to put my old, old hound mixes when I was home, and I let my 4-H parents/kids put their dogs in them when they come to the farm (my rule, no loose dogs around the horses, not even mine). The runs have grown grass, she told me to cut the grass in them (hello, I don't use them). I have since round-upped the grass, cut it and dumped horse shavings on them. No more grass, but I still don't use them. In VA, the vaccinating locality does not report to outside localities if the owner does not live in the vaccinating locality. I work in Richmond, live in Hanover, so unless I use the town vet (and I have) for rabies, it won't get sent on. I have no idea how they handle rabies clinics. My boss-vet does LOTS of clinics for his hunting dog localiites, he makes a pretty penny on them, and I seriously doubt any Richmond addresses show up for those. I agree, if people feel they want to avoid the licensing, they won't be getting rabies vacs now, smart move. We do have rabies in this area, you hear about it all the time on the news, at least weekly if not a couple times a month, so I do vaccinate. Friday, still no call from the chief. Tackroom kennel still taking shape. All the trunks are out, four more crates going in today. Got my feed cans already in there, fans working, put my dog meds in the cabinet with the horse meds. No big deal, starting to feel like WHATEVER. I am planning to go see Board of Supervisors on this though. Anyone can speak, I think it's reasonable to spend a few minutes asking them to rethink the loss of privacy thing. I do have a friend/aquaintance who is a law student AND wants to work in Hanover law, AND has sheep, dogs and might be interested in this situation, I'll ask about Westlaw, thanks!

Sally, thanks. One of my points to discuss with Chief Kilgore is the fact that I signed a paper that enabled me to obtainthe kennel license, after giving the information and then showing my information (regarding rabies vaccination) to the clerk at the county office. She pulled out a packet of tags, gave me eight (one dog, sweet Marie has been PTS in June) tags. Since then I have gotten back a pup I bred, Bailey, and intend to keep her, bringing me back to eight. I have her rabies info in the book I keep on medical/legal animal papers. I have a K9 book (cats go there too) and an Equine book for the same, coggins, etc. I got a receipt from them for the check I wrote, stating this was the license, along with a two inch square tag that calls itself KENNEL LICENSE 2009(NAIL TO KENNEL). I should have been given (IMHO) something that states what I have a license for and my obligations therein. I am familiar with the FOIA, had to use it for the sheep killing incident in February. I was hoping for verbal info from him as to where I could find this info, and if not publically accessible (and why not?), may I have a copy. Seems to me, their standards of care ought to be included in my agreement to obtain the license, including the information that mandatory, unannounced kennel inspections should be anticipated. Geez, Louise, listen to me. FOR EXAMPLE: It is now 80 degrees in my tackroom (10:30am). I have always had a thermometer in there, is that temp okay for a kennel? My dogs are acclimated to do all kinds of resting temps, by my management of them so I can take them to trials, etc all year long. What about my neighbor with bird dogs in outdoor kennels (runs with dog houses)? His kennel was outside yesterday when it was 95 degrees, no doubt it was hot there, my tackroom will stay about this temp all day long, I open the doors at night and close them by day to keep in cooler temps and have fans running. I could live there just fine. I'll call him back tomorrow if I hear nothing, although at this point, might be better to just wait til it's over Tuesday.

I think this has turned into a learning thread for me. I want to restate that my objection to AC coming into my home is more about my right to privacy and freedom from government intrusion and less about my housekeeping. There are no flies in the house, the cats get those. I clean with a shop-vac, easier and more efficient, which does make me sound more like a house-barn keeper. I believe some of my crates may not be big enough, if we go on the "erect" rule too, but the ones in the barn will be. No feces, no urine, no smell. There is hair, between shop-vac runs, and I have stepped on a freshly hacked up hairball in the middle of the night, but I cleaned it up, sleepy or not. I have had friends in my home, they survived (thanks Sue!). My farrier was out yesterday, I asked him, an NRA liberal, what he thought, and he was upset. He had to go to kennel license status this year after adding the sixth dog to his household, and he said his wife, who works with a local rescue, would probably stop them too, all their dogs live in the house as well. No crates, except for #6, a puppy. This conversation also gave me reason to believe that I cannot go purchase separate licenses, as my AC friend said I could, to avoid scrutiny. Bill was forced to go with a Kennel license when he added a sixth. His objection was same as mine, what gives government, local or otherwise, the right to scrutinize my keeping eight dogs when more folks can't do justice to less? I can show you daily examples of our clients who aren't doing as well with one or two pets, either due to ignorance, lack of money or by lack of initiative (laziness). Many folks just don't buy licenses, but now in VA, if you vaccinate for rabies, your info is sent to the locality we vaccinate in and you are reported as having an animal that now needs licensing if you live in that locality. You get a bill and a letter in the mail. Last week, I was told I could speak to the chief AC person this week when he came back to work from vacation. He has not called me as of Thursday. I have thoroughly researched the code in Hanover, it says very little on how to keep a dog, but that an untagged dog is considered unlicensed, so I got eight inexpensive collars, rivets, and got all the tags on collars which will be on them Tuesday. My dogs don't typically wear collars. The young dogs have them on and Beryl (who is 13 and has hearing loss) just in case. When we travel, they wear collars. If I did live in a S--thole, I would expect my friends and family to get on my case, not the govenment. I do agree that no one should allow themselves or their pets to live in a s--thole, but define s--thole. Is it to the standard where it is just untidy, slovenly, unhygienic, sloppy, white-trash/trailerpark (my late Dad's description of so many things)? Tell my why I will have generated three visits (the first unannounced, and uninvited) from a local agency that wrings it's hands for lack of personnel and funds when it falls short on some other claim, like the story that happened here last month. A thirteen year old lab mix was euthanized by AC at the pound facility, it had been there for ten days, no tags, no tatoo, no microchip. The owner had lost her dog around July 4th, scared by neighbors fireworks, but the owner did not go to the pound (dog had been there from day one) to look, just relied on the AC website (they post pictures), and phone calls to the staff asking if a dog bearing that description was there. When the dog's picture was posted, she went to look herself on the afternoon of the morning it was put down, public outcry, media coverage, letters to the editor, blah blah blah. I was on AC's side on that one, it was her dog, her responsibility, if it was one of mine missing, I would have gone down there each and every day myself to look. Then again, all of mine are microchipped. The SPCA here is having a memorial microchip clinic this Monday evening, $20 a chip for three hours. All the arguments here have been helpful, and if he ever does call me back, I am ready to politely discuss this thing. When the officer comes Tuesday morning, I will be ready and fully expect to pass, and it will be over til next time. I'm not going to give her a hard time for doing her job. I respect my dog community, and I expect to be policed by them, but not by government. Their job is to be there for me to report people who aren't responsive to community/family/friendly pressure, and I do believe it is up to us to all do that for each other. It's the Libertarian me that is upset over this, not the dog lover/hobbiest/professional me, although that me is scared of the government being able to maybe take my animals away if I was truly falling down in their care.

Sue, thanks, big hug. Pam, Julie, I'm exactly like you, in that I have enough giant crates (from days long ago pre-Border Collie), wire and Vari to do this twice over, PLUS the old kennel runs from work when we renovated a few years ago to stainless steel. Altogether, I have five runs and one 10X10 exercise pen, just sitting here, and room in the tackroom for the sofa, TV, tenish saddles, cabinets, fans, and seven big enough crates. Typically, Simon goes to work with me and everywhere, so he can have the sofa, and if she says anything about that arrangement, I will give up. Three visits to my place, half hour each, is my situation worth an employee's time like that? I have nothing to hide! It just seems so stupid. Thanks for the offer of crates, Pam, so kind! I am still going ahead with my plans to speak with the chief and possibly Board of Supervisors, not to give AC grief, but to speak of the loss of privacy and freedom from harrassment and distress (THAT is the working term here.) I do understand what AC is up against, but it seems to me I'm not the problem. NOw, I'm working on getting the dang tags on the collars they don't typically wear. One week and one day to go.

Thanks for the thoughts... I did purchase the kennel license in the beginning of the year, and at that time, they give you a computer print out that is essentially a receipt of payment for the license. It does not spell out your rights or expectations for doing so, and this is one of the points I want to bring up with the chief. If I signed something that stated I knew I was granting permission for officials to come on my property at any time for inspections, I ought to retain a copy of that agreement. I guess I know that any goverment official has the legal right to come for the purpose of ensuring the animals are taken care of (ARGHHHH) properly anyway, but this is my problem. The officer I spoke with Friday is a friend, someone who I know personally because of horses. She gave me all kind of whatevers that were intended to make me feel better, like she told them at a meeting that I was legit, I took good care of all my animals, did 4-H, worked for a vet, blah blah blah, but all that did was get me more concerned, "you guys talked about my case?" I know they discuss interesting cases weekly as a training exercise. They had a lot of fun with the case of my sheep getting killed by the neighborhood dogs and the guy who owned the dogs going home and shooting one of them. Not illegal in Hanover. He had no rabies and no licenses. ALL CHARGES WERE THROWN OUT in that case, because my 4-H kid's dad, who witnessed the dogs being in the sheep's pasture, had his own pit mix kill a neighbor's westie the day before, and HE pitched a fit with the Commonwealth's attorney about being involved in yet another animal control case and would not take time out of his busy schedule to testify on behalf of our sheep, no more case. See why I want to pull my hair out? My head explodes thinking of that mess. I still intend to take Mr Sheep Killer's owner to small claims for vet bills and one dead sheep. Now this. SO, yes, my county is known for all kinds of stringencies, political croneyisms, and the law states have all the dogs you want (up to 50) in Agricultural zoned areas, kennel license available for up to 50 dogs, $35 for under 20, not sure how much for over, I will never be there. It is $6 per dog for normal folks, and they do claim to go door to door. We do have Rabies in the county, legit concern. We do have hoarders. We do have dog fighting issues, being close to Richmond. Most counties closer in have liomits on how many animals you can have (dog and cat). I did have all the dogs out in the yard when the officer who came did come to the house, and I pulled out some of my smaller crates and had set them up in the tack room, which she said were too small. I have three separate dog pens (nice ones for when the pups where too little to keep an eye on and old dogs needed to be watched and I wanted them out but couldn't guarantee keeping an eye on them (Eve and her old "walkabouts"). Those are not intended for "kennels" since I don't have barrels in them or igloos (LOL). SHe did say they looked wonderful, and they were so sweet and well behaved. No matter. She wants to see them all in BIG ol' crates with waterbowls not dumped (thanks, Shea), so back she comes on the 25th. I will let you know how this goes. Again, my main issue is privacy, use of county manpower for this, and my freedom to have eight dogs and manage them without any undue harassment from the goverment. I know what they have to deal with in some cases, but it bothers me that if all the social dog ills I mentioned happen somewhere, why do I have to be scrutinized when it ought to be clear that I am trying to go by the law and get the dang license and can show them eight good lookin' dogs. There are NOT fifty more in the house, even though it looks like a storage unit. Keeping my sense of humor!

I'm reading with interest the thread about the basset kennel, I got a call on my cell phone while at work a couple of weeks ago. An Animal Control officer was on my property, there to do "annual kennel inspections" and she could not find my dogs. She sounded kind of puzzled. I've lived in this county for five years, always bought kennel licenses and never been inspected. I told her that two were with me, and the rest were in the house. "In the HOUSE?" was her reply. I said, yes, in the house. I told her I was at work, "well, where do you work that you can have dogs with you?," answer, a vet hospital in Richmond (thirty minute commute from a rural county). I assured her the dogs, if not with me or anyone else, were in crates in the house. She asked me what my schedule was and when she could come back, and long story short, she came back the next week to see my dogs, or so I thought. Turns out she wanted to see them AND where and how they lived. I freaked out. I am a really, really private person, not the best housekeeper, but not worthy of making "Clean House" either. In no way am I in any danger of making Animal Precinct Hanover County. What I was prepared to do is show her my kennel license (the document that gave the county the right to check me out and my address and cell phone number), my rabies documentation and my eight dogs. I showed her all that and she insisted on seeing my house. I said no, probably not a good move. My only reasons truly were embarrassment over sloppy housekeeping (clutter, etc) and my gut reaction to government intrusion. She has to come back now, and I am willing to set up a faux kennel in my barn's tackroom, perfectly doable, and she agreed. Meantime, I have been pondering what others have to do to keep more than the general public's average dog household, and whether I was purely stupid not to just shut up and let her have her look-see. I have a call into the chief Animal Control man (on vacation) and want to at least ask him if this is a good use of county officer time, checking out kennels who go to the trouble to purchase licensing and who have no complaints against them. I can understand why, we have dog fighting, hourding, puppy mills, and just in-over-their-head rescuers here, but the day she came I showed her eight happy, healthy, well behaved, fit dogs AND their paperwork. Asking a dozen other Border Collie people at a clinic about what they lived with, and I got about half "don't buy licenses" and half "nobody checks kennels." Lucky me. Thanks for the vent. Inspection is August 25, and this is making me sad and sick as an American who already feels sad for loss of privacy and freedom. I did find out that if I purchase eight separate licenses at full price, I will not be considered a kennel ($48/8 vs. $35/>20). I think that's what I'll do next year.