C Crocker

Then I would speculate that you have been hanging around he wrong 'working" people.

With entries limited to 2, how do I negotiate this problem? Send in my entry with Dog 1/Dog 2??? When am I supposed to make my pick? By the scratch deadline? Elizabeth, I think those are great questions. I noted this entry draw to demonstrate yet another possibility for a trial draw besides the dog's name not being listed at all. Seems it should be one way or the other for the same trial. I suspect they are many variations of draws I have not seen yet. However, being a novice new to the game I would not dare to venture an opinion. I only started in 2007 and then it seemed as most trials in my area listed dogs' names: now it seems as though most do not, at least in my class. I don't know what caused it to change. See you at Hopland! Carolyn

The trials that I referred to left the dogs' names off the running order in the most blatant way IMO. They listed the dogs' names for the Nursery and the 'educational classes' and omitted them for just the Open class. Ray Coapman Hi Ray, Just to add to the mix of unnamed combos, take a look at the upcoming Hopland trial's draw . I am only in the "educational" class on Friday where all the names are listed, but the Open has an interesting twist to a draw order. Carolyn

The coop has changed hands and the sheep that were there with the last group are all gone. While there may some barbs there are other breeds as well and I believe fewer dogs of breeds other than border collies working them. Carolyn

Anyway, any sort of opinions I could get would be great. I didn't think the doctor would understand what the activity entailed, either the risks or the non-risks. Also, if I do keep doing this do I need to stay where I know what's happening, or could I still try and take a lesson with a different trainer (I've really got my eye on Suzy Applegate if I can get her to call me back!!)? Thanks in advance, --Kelly (ooky) Kelly, You need to email Suzy to get a more rapid response. Most of her communication is done through email, as far as lessons and other dog business is concerned. Go to her website Hoofandpawfarms and you will see her email there. I will highly recommend her as a teacher, at least she fits what I am looking for in a trainer and teacher. I bought my dog from her as a pup and she has trained her for me. I could not be happier with Lyn. You might explain your situation and ask her opinion as far as working when pg, as she has a 3 year old son and will understand. Good luck, both with preganancy and sheepwork. Carolyn

Welllllll Diane you're half right! Carolyn

I am sorry to read your situation with Lu. No matter the outcome remember your words --'for the past 5 years she's had the best life any dog could ask for". It may help you get through tough times with her. Good luck. Carolyn

Do a search for ISDS ( International Sheepdog Society) in England. They list some breeders. You can read their registration requirements and see what they require of a pup and it's parents to get an idea of what they require health wise. ISDS is the mother registry of working border collies, with the registry being over 100 years old.

Diane, Your description is just beautiful . Your respect for Tess and your enthusiasm for Rainey shine through with love for both. I met both girls at Klamath and from their demeanor it is clear they are two happy campers with Diane. Now Diane, if you can just put some weight ( or take some off??) Rainey she will be perfect!! Ha Ha! Carolyn

One of the things I ask breeders is what are they hoping to improve with this breeding. or why did you choose that stud. or how does the stud complement the dam. Things I have heard from working breeder (parents help on the farm) "I like the pedigree", "I like their temperment and the type of temperments they produce", "It was an accident breeding", "She was early and he was available". To me these breeding are all other then their working ability. So should they also be called something other then border collie also? (I am NOT talking about the breeder but the dogs that are being produced.) When ask about the dogs working ability and what they are hoping to improve (ask nicer) is almost always ingnore or avoided. ETA: I have ask can I watch your dogs work? I don't know anything about herding but I would LOVE ro see the parents work! I can come early or later! Some reply "well they mainly just "help" around the farm". I believe you have stated similar at some time in the past. I fear you are still hanging around with the wrong "breeders" of working border collies. Step up in your associations and you will learn if learning is your goal. Good luck. Carolyn

Yes that was evident in just a short visit with Eileen. Her love for the Border Collie is demonstrated immediately when speaking with her and I do admire that. Carolyn

Hey Ben I didn't know you are Northfield Nick!! And Yes you put long hours in as well to help out Diane. And I assure you the Hosptality folks working their butts off, Charlotte Jones , her mom Dolores and Charlotte's cousin CJ were not put off by the blogging at all. They are THE most helpful people and went beyond the call of duty to put on such a nice spread. Carolyn

I was fortunate to meet our Board owner Eileen who seemed to be helping out during the day wherever needed. I did thank her, as many have done before me, for providing such a great board for all and commend her on what seems to be a tough job , which I think she handles with grace and fairness. Truly it must be a labor of love on her part! Carolyn

Same here Suki. Our paths don't seem to cross much do they? I'll mention to all that Suki was a volunter at the trial and I saw her working in various places during the days she attended.

As most know Diane blogged from the Finals all week. As I saw her sitting at her computer for hours on end it seemed like she never moved , except to watch the Open and type at the same time. But she did, to run both her dogs in the Open, then to host two music nights at her and Getty's trailer site for any and all. I attended the first and had planned to attend the one on Sat night but after dinner I realized that incredibly after a week of doing next to nothing that I was bushed , so I forced myself to go back to the motel to pack to be ready to leave on Sunday. I cannot imagine how tired Diane must be as she truly never stopped all week. I REALLY enjoyed myself Friday night listening to her husband , Ray and Amy Coapman and Pierce Ward play and sing. And I just know I missed Getty playing the mouth harp Sat night! So Thank You Diane for the nice visit , the wonderful hospitality , and all your blogging that I am now reading. Carolyn

Diane, Best of luck to you and hope to say at Klamath. Caroly

Great news Diane, What a relief. Look forward to saying HI to you and Tess at Klamath. Carolyn

Diane, I would say it was $100 well spent!! Carolyn

Dave Did you by chance take any other dogs at SH this year? Carolyn

Hi Diane, Whoever said that this name change is common in reiners/cutters is blowing smoke! First off these horses have names given to them when they are registered and they are not changed at will. Second if the horse is from a (usually) big breeder then they may have a brand which of course identifies it for life as to who it's breeder is. No kennel names in this world! See you at Klamath and good luck! Carolyn

The money thing isn't huge for me - I can afford whatever should be done. That said, I don't like wasting money. The sedation thing worries me a bit more, as ThunderHill pointed out. They want to use Xylazine/Butorphanol to sedate her and Yohimbine to reverse it. Anyone know anything about these drugs? They'd do it in the morning and then keep her kenneled in the office for the rest of the day. I trust both of the people who recommended this vet practice to me, and each of them has had multiple dogs x-rayed there - some dogs more than once. But there's always that chance... If I go through with this, a friend of a friend will hopefully be offering a second opinion on the radiographs. I don't know what her specialty was, but she recently retired from the vet school in my area and she does agility with her dog. Once again, thanks for sharing your opinions, and keep them coming if there are more! I don't know whether or not you should have radiographs, but if you do try and find a vet who takes rads without sedation if tht is a concern for you. When I wanted to get my working border collie done I went to a vet who takes alot of rads that go to the OFA people and it was all done w/o sedation. One shot per angle and all went through OFA with out a hitch.

I had a paint horse (red and white, actually ) as a teen-ager and the blacksmith criticized him every time he came to care for his feet, swearing that all paint/piebald horses were obnoxious and stupid. Actually, Amigo was pretty smart. He was well mannered, gave no problems in trimming and shoeing and he learned all kinds of tricks, including a few self-taught escape tricks that were particularly clever. So why did the blacksmith not like him? For all I know somewhere along the line a paint horse kicked him in the head and knocked a few marbles loose . >>>>>> No offense towards you, but I would say your horseshoer was some sort of an idiot. Many people have preconceived ideas of many things, including all " insert word " are stupid, agreesive, weak etc. I take their opinion for what it's worth, not much. With your horse, same things are said about the white feet ( which all Paints do not have but that does not seem to enter into the "statistics"). And any horse with white on the face can sunburn, so that's another falicy. Not to mention there is more than one reason horses sunburn. I say enjoy your dog and be as color blind as possible. Genetics play a bigger role in your dog's makeup than just the color. So I would say if your dog is a certain genetic type (assuming he was not ruined by the human) than you have a dog who is a certain type who is also red, not a certain type of dog who is that way just because he is red.

Carolyn, which dog(s) is yours? I've been attending Soldier Hollow almost since the first year and I have been so impressed with the quality of dogs that compete. Her name is Lyn. She is a smallish smooth coat tri. Carolyn

Hi Lana, I will see you there again this year. I wish you the best of luck this year. You did a GREAT job last year and I was honored to be sitting at the dinner table with all of you pros! Shoresdog I think we met last year and I look forward to visiting again. I see you say Anna is there again this year. Hope I run into her to say HI as well. I am tickled pink to be able to watch my own dog compete there this year. I suspect that's as close as I will get to competing--owning an entrant! So many good handlers and dogs to watch. Carolyn

Perhaps go to Aled Owen's ( he is in Wales) website and send him an email concerning border collies in Japan. I believe he may have sold some to Japan not too many years ago. His border collies would be strictly working dogs , no show dogs.