Valhalla

Cute or what? David warns me not to handle them too much (don't want them too bonded to people), but it's so hard to do when they look like this! A farmer in Montana purchased one of our working adult Maremma's a few years ago and we just heard that a pack of wolves recently killed the dog. He is looking for another working adult female Maremma. If anyone knows of one for sale, please contact me privately at pastorshill@netzero.net. All we have are pups. Thanks!

How about Norma Stewart and Jill at the Cattle Dog Finals? This will most likely be Jill's last Finals and she and Norma have been one helluva team throughout the years!! I will contribute $25 if you can get others to complete a sponsorship.

Me. too! I like to have that time by myself with my dog, visualizing my run and trying to think of things that might happen and how to prepare for them.

You got that right, Wendy!

When I come off the field at a dog trial, I am in a "zone"... thinking over my run, what I did right/wrong, what my dog did right/wrong, what I could have done differently, did I handle a certain situation correctly, etc. That 15 - 20 minutes after a person's run is a crucial time for focus and there is even a sort of an un-written "15 Minute Rule" when handlers like to be alone, especially after they've had a bad run. Sometimes those "zone out times" can come across as the handler being rude, but it is not that at all.... it is just a time of reflection for us. Does that make sense?

Someone came up to me at Rural Hill on Sunday afternoon, right after my run with Rook, and asked me "Is that Rook?" I answered yes and then we started to talk. A minute later a friend came up to me and asked me to do something, so I had to leave. If the person who asked "Is that Rook?" was someone on these boards, I hope I didn't seem rude by walking off. It was not my intention!

This clinic next month is now full, but Becca Shouse will be hosting David for another clinic at her farm in NC on November 15th & 16th for those that are interested.

Yup, that'd be us! And you STILL don't have sheep, my dear! That was 9 years ago! Imagine how you'd be kickin' hiney if Ben and Huck had their OWN sheep? I'll see you at the post at Belle Grove in 2010!

We'll be sending an "in spirit" entry. We'll just be getting back from the Finals a few days prior, so won't be able to attend.

Hey Debbie, wasn't it cool to be able to hang out in the handler's tent with all those big hats? You were the best roomie... up at dawn with me to even watch the handlers stand on the field for the handlers meeting and then watching almost every run and staying until the end of each day. We couldn't have slept in at the hotel if you paid us. We were so excited to get there. What a terrific learning experience that was. And like you said... it got us even more hooked! Amazing what these dogs have done for us, gotten to know and become friends with so many wonderful people.

Yippee! I attended the finals in 1999 at Belle Grove as a spectator. I lived in GA at the time and flew there with a friend to watch. I was just starting out... had a novice dog and Rook was not even a year old yet. I purchased a Finals poster and had all the top 20 sign it. It hangs in my mudroom and is very special to see the signatures of the handlers and their dogs I now know and compete against (and some that are no longer with us like Stu Ligon and Ralph Pulfer). It is a stunningly beautiful site and the staff and volunteers did an amazing job! So glad the Finals are coming back east again!

David Henry will be doing a herding clinic in New Kent, VA (about 20 minutes from Richmond) on September 27th and 28th hosted by Thompson's Border Collies. All levels and any herding breed is welcome. Attached is more info and an entry form. DAVID_HENRY_CLINIC.doc

What en excellent name for the trial, too!!

Thank you Denise! As usual, you did a tremendous job!

VERY well stated, Julie!

Thanks Deb! We usually get Henry Ray to shear ours, but if he is too booked up in the next few weeks, we'll give Derrick a call (and tell him you referred us)! ;-)

Melanie - what is a TCA?

I'm glad you waited on him... I knew he'd turn out nice! And if you ever do decide to sell him, let me know!! :-)

very nice!

We had the pleasure of having Donald McCaig stay with us this past weekend as he did a book signing at our local library on Sunday for his new book Rhett Butler's People. He read a segment from the book and then answered questions. There were about 150 people there (most people they've had at a book signing) and there were quite a few die hard Gone With The Wind fans. I am a fan myself, but the highlight of the evening for me was when he read "Silent Night", one of the stories from his book A Useful Dog. Donald is an exceptional writer and hearing him read his work out loud, in front of a crowd, was an extra special treat. For those of you that have not gotten this book, it is a great read for the Border Collie (or any dog) enthusiast!

Emily, I know that vultures will attack lambs... they land on the back of their necks and peck at their eyes! David has sold a few guard dogs to people specifically for this purpose. I wonder if a vulture might have tried to carry off the lamb and then dropped it while trying to fly away, thus cracking the skull? It is a mystery!

Yup, Mr. Destructo "McCloud" ate off the horns, the feet and de-squeaked his. He now has a Good Cuz and this one is lasting a bit longer, although the feet have some chunks missing! They are a good toy for hard chewers!

That's it exactly!

Hmmm... another topic for a good discussion! To me it is that "read eachother's mind trait" that the special dogs possess with their person. When I am upset or sick, Rook will just come sit or lay by me... like he knows I just need his company. And each morning he greets me with a wonderful hello howl! It is kinda hard to put into words, but he just knows me inside and out... like I do him.

There will never be another Rook for me! Never! I may have one some day that is even better than Rook, but he is the one that all other dogs will have to live up to. Those others will always have big shoes to fill. Like Robin said about Spottie in the other thread "All my future dogs, better or worse, owe her something". It makes me cry thinking about the day I can't run Rook anymore or even worse... the day he leaves me. I will probably have to be committed when that day comes.