Pippin's Gentle Blog

TMT: Thankfulness edition #1

2011-11-03T09:55:00.002-04:00

1. What are you thankful for this week?

I'm thankful for my people, who give me food at Breakfast time and at Dinner time, since I wouldn't be very good at getting it for myself. I'm thankful that we could move to a new house and my people gave me and the other dogs our fields. I'm thankful for the people my people bring to our house so I can practice my kissing skills. I'm thankful our house is warm; our sheep are happy and fat; and our dog beds are fluffy and clean.

2. How do you deal with a squeaker/shrieker/noisy dog?

Put him on his back and tell him to shut up. As the boss of the house, I find that works pretty well. I don't do it except in the most egregious cases, though. Works on cats, too--or at least *that* cat.

3. Barbara wants to know: what would you say is ONE skill or attribute needed to be successful?

Delicate, deliberate, well aimed kissing.

4. Pippin (that me!!) wants to know: what are your favorite games?

I like the game where my scribe and I walk down the driveway and then I stop (since she thinks I'm too dumb to stay out of the road--but that's part of the pretend I play with her) and she walks on to get the mail. Then, when she comes back, I run, run, run back to the house. I also like the game in the early morning where I slither onto the bed like a snake and give tiny, tiny kisses right on the scribe's mouth. She likes it too. No, really.

5. What are some of your favorite strategies for dealing with winter?

I grow more fur and that helps a lot (but then it has to get brushed out in the spring). In the winter, I'm glad I'm not a slickie, smoothie like Rafe, Kyzer and Lad. (But for their part, they don't have to deal with ice balls sticking to the fur on their feet since they don't have any fur there)

Here are some pics of how our little farm gets ready for winter (all taken by Tansy's scribe, who has an expert eye for a good photograph):

TMT #12: Lottery!

2011-10-06T21:51:00.001-04:00

It's TMT day again, friends, and thanks to Laura over at Crooks and Crazies for another week of thought-provoking prompts.

1. If you won the lottery (a big one... I'm talking stupid muchos cash) what would you do with the money?

I would buy another house--we could call it a dog house--that had many rooms to house lots of people. I would go visit them every day and give them food and kisses--even if they didn't want the kisses, I would give kisses to them because they would be my people who I bought to give kisses to. I would also buy 107 dog beds with lots of cushiness and thick bolsters--nicer even than the ones the scribes look at on the computer window. I would buy Rafe, Hamish, Kyzer and Lad some more pasture land so they could have some more sheep, and I would buy Tansy 13 soft toys that would be in a special room in the dog house that only she could go in so that only she could play with them and they wouldn't get destuffed by some other dog (Rafe, we aren't looking at you. Nope). I would buy Renzo some videos so he could have lots of video nights with our scribes.

I would donate the rest to the place we got Tansy, cause they could sure use it. And some to RDM at That'll Do Border Collie Rescue, too, because she helps other dogs like us.

2. After winning the lottery would you work a day job? If so, what would you do?

Definitely not. I don't work a day job now.

3. Do you have any auxiliary dogs? Auxiliary dogs are dogs that are not essential to your main purpose (usually tiny, but not always). If you don't have an auxiliary dog what might you choose?

We have Renzo. He's not tiny, but he has got some terrier in him and those are often auxiliary dogs. He is first dog, so really, we Border Collies are kind of his auxiliaries.

4. Do you have a favorite crock pot recipe (or other recipe) you can share?

We don't make this in a crockpot, but it's pretty good:

Quick Canine Hash
1 cup millet (or you can use bulghur or couscous if your scribes can safely handle wheat products. One of our scribes has celiac disease, so we don't have wheat at our house)
1 cup ground meat (any meat will do; we like hamburger)
1 1/2 tsp bonemeal
1 tblsp nutritional yeast

Cook the grain, add the meat to the hot grain, stir in the other stuff. You can add some cooked vegetables and fruit, esp. melon or banana. Kyzer would like to mention that he's not really a fan of banana.

Serve with a nice Pinot Grigio (for scribes only)

TMT: About me

2011-09-29T20:29:00.002-04:00

Friends, we missed last week because there was an accident at the farm where Lad was born and my scribe got kind of caught up in it - one person broke a leg being thrown from a horse, but everyone is recovering now, Thank DoG. Anyway, I couldn't really blame my scribe for being preoccupied and then of course she had to catch up on the work she hadn't done that day....Here we are today, though.

1. What movie do you love but are too embarrassed to admit you love it?

I know the truth is that pigs can't do that--but I still get all teary eyed watching that little pig work so hard. "That'll do, Pig."
2. Ann wants to know: How far do you drive/travel to attend trials, clinics, lessons? How far is too far?
We travel lots of distances. I don't travel with the scribes and trial dogs much because of my important work keeping Renzo company and kissing the nice lady who comes to let us out. The people travel about an hour to go to lessons a couple of times a week. They've traveled about 8 hours for clinics, trials, etc.
Once one of the trial dogs convinces them to move into Open, they might travel a little further. We don't have a rolling house yet so it's kind of a hubbub getting us all into a hotel room.
My scribe, Hamish and Kyzer traveled 3600 miles to visit the Mean Man from Alberta last fall. They stayed there for a while and had lots of adventures. They learned some things, too. Including about mountain snowstorms. And praire snowstorms. And snowstorms caused by lake effect snow. (It might have been just a tad late in the year for that kind of travel. But, the scribe didn't consult me)
3. What is your theme song (circa Ally McBeal)?
"You've got to get up every morning with a smile on your faceAnd show the world all the love in your heartThen people gonna treat you better
You're gonna find, yes, you will
That you're beautiful as you feel"
--Carol King

"I'm a Bitch; I'm a LoverI'm a child; I'm a MotherI'm a sinner; I'm a saint
I do not feel ashamed
I'm your hell; I'm your dream
I'm nothing in between
you know you wouldn't want it any other way"
--Meredith Brooks (But, I'm most certainly not a "Mother")

4. Laura S wants to know: If you had to choose a new dog activity, one that you had never done before, what would you choose?
I think I would look smashing at a Canine Freestyle Dance competition

5. What would your dog choose (or scribe, if you're Pippin--hey, that's me!!)?
My scribe thinks it would be kind of neat to learn to send a terrier to ground (we don't know how to tell her that Renzo is the only terrier who will ever live at our house)

Back to TMT and it's week #9

2011-09-15T08:09:00.002-04:00

We missed last week despite my every attempt to get the scribe going. The terrible time of work has come for my scribe, but she has promised to try better to remember what's actually important, like being my scribe and throwing me a ball. She'll need much reinforcement and occasional correction I think.

1. If you're not at the 2011 Sheepdog finals this weekend whatare you planning to do?

I'll be spending the week-end snuffling around in the tall grass, helping my scribe pick up the mail and do gardening chores, nap. I'll have my breakfast at the Breakfast Time and my dinner at the Dinner Time. I think my scribe rather than Tansy's scribe will be in charge of meals this week-end since I heard that Tansy's scribe might be going visiting. My scribe isn't as skilled, but we don't starve.

My scribe will be working and watching the finals (If I were a betting kind of dog [and I most certainly am not] then I'd say that she'll keep telling herself to work but that she'll mostly be watching the finals)

2. One item you NEVER walkonto the trial field (any trial field, or training class will suffice) without?

Hmm, since I don't trial or train for things much anymore, not sure, but I guess the one thing would be my collar.

When the scribes and the trial dogs go to trials, my important job is to stay home and keep Renzo company and give the nice lady who comes to let us out kisses (see below). Kyzer and Hamish tell me that the scribe takes her stick and the running order, which she checks obsessively and still brings them out way too early because she's got this weird time thing. But, really, it's best not to go there so early in the morning. I'll just say the time disease is a real challenge for all of us and leave it at that.

3. Katy wants to know if you have a pre-runritual that you observe?

I like a good nap and a cookie.

4. How old were you when you had your first realkiss?

Oh, probably when I was a a few days old or so. I've been kissing for a long time. It's kind of my specialty and I'm very good at it.

5. Bonnie wantsto know what you do for yard mud control during the winter?

In the winter, our yard is frozen solid so we don't have to worry about mud. We used to have mud at other times of year at our old house where the soil was clay and the grass was none. Then, the scribes would spread large quantities of wood chips and when those broke down, they would spread pine shavings from the TSC store. I think all that roughage probably really improved the soil, but we don't know that for certain since we left it behind. At our new house, the soil is sand and the grass is plentiful, so we don't really worry about mud. Wet feet, yes, but mud, no. We enjoy bringing the sand into the house and onto the scribes' bed so that they can enjoy it, too.

Tell me, please

2011-09-01T19:28:00.000-04:00

Here we are again, coming in late and just under the wire. And I totally had to beg the scribe.
1. What five things can't you live without? (I think asking what five things I could live without would be much more appropriate and overall easier, but I'll do my best)
1. People who appreciate gentle kisses2. The occasional kitty food snack3. Balls4. My goofy little brother Hamish5. Evening cookies (peanut butter 'n' blueberryz Zukes)

2. How do you transport your dogs? This question suggested by several peeps, including Mara. Well, the dogs in our household are transported in the Rolling Living Room. It looks like this

The RLR can house five dogs and three kitty carriers. If more of us need to go, then we use the auxiliary commuter car, a small Honda Fit that can hold up to three of us, but only one crate, so it's DANGER, DANGER, DANGER. We ride in wire crates from Kennel-Aire that our people picked because the wire is close together. It's strapped in with straps from the hardware store called ACE and also these stretchy things with hooks on the end. One of the crates also usually has our water carrier strapped to it so it doesn't tip over and spill.
3. What role does obedience play in your training or running of your dog(s)? I insist that my dogs be very obedient to me. My scribe was taught that you don't have to be in control all the time but you have to be able to get it (and give it up) and that's the principle she tries to work with. I think that's silly.
4. At what point do you start putting commands on your dogs? I put commands on my dogs immediately (and see above in terms of expectiations for compliance). Rafe received his first command to back off on the first day he arrived. Fox, the evil cat, also has a "Scram" command that he mostly obeys, but in a haughty, feline sort of way. I have several different "play" commands that I use for Hamish, Lad, Kyzer and Rafe. Tansy needs no commands from me and I none from her. I also put commands on the people like "Food", "Let me Out", "Let me In", "Throw this", "Throw this Again", "Throw this Higher", "Move over, You're Hogging the Bed" (but only Tansy's scribe listens to this one), and "Keep that Brush Away from ME." They haven't really learned that last one very well--I don't think I had them on the right reinforcement schedule, so, my bad.
5. Do you talk to strangers in elevators? Question posted by Laura #1 Talk, not so much. Kiss, definitely (but I've only been in an elevator a handful of times). Hamish and Kyzer rode in several when they took a long trip last fall. They talked loudly to everyone in the elevator, which meant the person mostly decided to take the stairs.
Oh and who knew this was up, but these appeared in our pasture last week-end.

It's TMT!!

2011-08-25T19:25:00.009-04:00

My scribe is really coming in under the wire today. Hope the Carson's Crazies will still let us play....
Here are this week's questions:
1. How do you teach recalls to your dogs? I don't teach recalls to my dogs. I prefer them to keep their distance from me. When I want them to come to me, I just run the other way and act like I'm doing something fun. But, really, I don't do that very often. They don't really leave me be enough; however, so I frequently have to correct them for coming to me.
The people taught recalls in different ways. With me and Renzo, they were the most dedicated to actually training it and they played games and hid in the house and hid at the park and called us back and forth between them--that kind of thing. With the rest of them, I guess they just kind of used Renzo and me as the lures. They also showed us that we often get treats when we come. We Border Collies all pretty much come when we're called (we don't always lie down when we're told, though and my goofy little brother Hamish sometimes decides against that'll doing when he's driving sheep somewhere. You can hardly blame the guy, though the people do.)
Renzo remains a hobo at heart though and, while he'll come pretty well when contained, if completely loose, he takes flight.
2. What is your favorite Restaurant or type of food? Clearly I have food on the brain much of the time.

I used to prefer any food that was available on the counter but then a few years ago, I got really turned on to kitty food. We had this old cat, Inji, who ate on the side table and that was great. Since she was old and weak, she was easy to push aside. The counters at our new house are a lot wider, so it's harder to get my treats. Now, my favorite food is sardines, which we get on Wednesday nights.

3. What is your favorite interest outside of dogs/livestock/sports?

Well, I think I've mentioned that I like to play fetch (but only when the other dogs don't come to me and get in my way) and I like to visit with people and give kisses (funny, the visitors don't usually seem to appreciate my gentle, delicate, hardly wet at all style). I don't like any sports really. That's why my people ended up going to sheep. I also like to lay on the couch and rub my face after dinner.

The people read. And read. And read. I guess they like that. At least they let us sit with them when they do it.

4. Describe your path from where you started out to where you are now! (For example, how did you get from Novice to Open? How long did it take? Train dogs? Buy dogs? I'll take answers for any sort of discipline, or even how did you go from wild dog that didn't listen to well behaved dog - interpret this however you like.) This question was suggested by Pippin (yes, that'd be ME!)

I started training the people in 2004 when they brought me home. I worked hard to teach them to give me cookies and stuff like that. Before all the other dogs came, my scribe taught me lots and lots of tricks. I can whisper and play dead and shake with both left and right. I know how to bring useful objects on command and to turn on the light. I can shut doors. That was fun stuff to learn. My person tried to train me to discriminate among different toys like those Border Collies, Rico and Chaser, but she was not up to the job. Once the other dogs started to come and the people got interested in stockwork, I got new jobs. I'm the second in command (or third if you count the people as two instead of as a unit--but we don't usually do that) and I take that pretty seriously.

The people started learning to do stock stuff in spring 2006, but they didn't really have the dogs for being serious with it and they wanted to be more serious. Hamish was pretty good, but he was only one dog and they needed at least two. Tansy was fun, but had some baggage. So, in summer 2006, they added Rafe as a 7 mos old and then in December of that same year, they got Kyzer as a puppy. So, there they were with three young, green dogs to work (plus Tansy) and green as grass themselves. I shook my head....but they got good advice from their training friends and slowly learned.

My brother Hamish went to his first trial in 2007. (N.B. If I were that kind of braggart, I might add that I came in first in the second Novice/Novice trial at the Bluegrass in 2008. Just in case you're wondering about me. H.B. Moy.) My scribe sent Kyzer to see a man about a bridge in Alberta all winter in 2009. They all moved into Pro-Novice in 2010 and are now at Ranch, but they haven't been trialling much lately. Spending more time and effort on learning. My scribe is thinking that she is going to move into Open with Kyzer next year. Kyzer claims he's ready to go now, but she's holding him back.

Tansy's scribe got Laddie last September and he's looking pretty fine. He's never written a blog post, though--maybe next week.

5. Is there a dog that you raised that, if you knew then what you know now, you would have raised them differently? Question posed by Jodi.

My people would have handled things differently with Rafe and Hamish. See, they are silly and don't get along at all, so one or the other of them has to be in the crate all the time. The people would have done more to intervene in their interactions if they'd understood where things were headed. No telling if that would have made a difference. They would have also done more to socialize Kyzer and build his confidence around people and other dogs, especially other dogs. Then he might not bark at those dangerous dogs in the mirror so much. We all find that annoying.

Tell Me Thursday (Guest Blog)

2011-08-18T15:26:00.007-04:00

Rafe here.

Miss Pippin said I could answer those questions from that gal at Carson's Crazies. Okay!

1. Who is your newest dog? Where is he/she from, and why did you choose this particular dog/breeding?

Well, newest pup is Lad. Nice fellow, real fast. Spotted him at the big field we work every week or so. Smart handler there, she has some good challenges for me. So, we saw she had a tri-color smoothie like me, guess my folks knew that was a good look. Thought he'd grow out of all that white, lord he glows in the dark.

2. What traits drew you to this dog or breeding?

Not real sure, guess it's where he's from. Local boy, like me. Tells me his ma and pa are good workers, ma even works cattle. My handler said she likes to learn from different style pups, and trusts that smart handler about the kind of pup to bring into the flock.

Here's a photo of the Lad, looks good:

3. What's on your feet right now?

Nothing!! Lord. Got a bit of a split nail, hear talk of "vet wrap". Never like that stuff.

4. What are you reading right now?

Sheep. Well, if they were here. Read the people, cats, other pups.

5. What upcoming trials are you looking forward to? If you don't trial dogs I'll take whatever activity that you're looking forward to.

Hear talk of Kentucky and Ohio when the sun sets early. Hear we're getting our own sheep too. Right now, looking forward to going outside.

Woof,
Rafe

Tell Me Thursday

2011-08-11T14:46:00.006-04:00

Thanks to Laura over at Crooks and Crazies, my scribe is staying on task with my blog. Woot!! I will be thinking of a nice present to send Laura as thanks for getting my scribe going two weeks in a row.

Here are this week's questions:

1) In sheepdog training (or let's call it *any* type of training), how do you keep from taking yourself, your person, your lack of progress too seriously? posed by Ann

My person frequently suggests that I, and my packmates, should take her more seriously. Kyzer and Hamish listen to that nonsense, but they are suck-ups.

I don't really take *myself* seriously, but I do take very seriously my right to be on the bed without other dogs (Rafe, I'm speaking of you) getting in my space.

"Progress" requires thinking about the past and projecting into the future. As a dog, I don't think like that. I just pay attention to what I'm doing right now. Which at the moment is this

My scribe takes herself too seriously frequently. She should try and be more like me and she'd find that progress is only in the eye of the beholder. (We also try and remind the scribe that she came to stockdog training with no horse or other livestock experience and about a year's experience with dogs. The curve has been, let's just say, a little steep, and remembering that helps her not take it all too seriously.)

2) How many crates do you have? For reals

I used to have a crate at my old house that was mine, all mine. I also had a crate in the car that was mine, all mine. Those days have passed, though and I have no crates to call my own. There are some crates in our house, though. Each of our kitties has a crate (3), there are soft-sided crates that the people take on long trips (2), there are the crates in the basement in case of a tornado (5), there are crates in the rolling living room (4 or 5, depending on whether Lad is going), there are crates for dogs who can't be trusted unsupervised (3), there are the puppy crates for, you know, any puppies (2) and there may be another couple hiding here or there, so that makes 20+. Yikes. Thanks for pointing that out. On the other hand, sounds like we're in good company.

Here's me using the crate in an unconventional way

3) How do you keep your people in shape?

We run them around the yard, insisting they throw things for us. Kyzer always makes it easy on them by bringing the stuff back to them, but the rest of us make them walk a little ways. We take them on off-leash walks around our property and I take my scribe on the special task of going to the mailbox (about 1/4 mile). I try to get her to run, but she usually declines. We go on hikes with them sometimes, too, but we don't really trust them to be off leash around other people.

4) Who is your favorite movie/tv star eye candy at the moment?

I find several of the movie stars in this clip pretty easy on the eyes

5) What is your livestock situation? Have your own? Borrow? Herd the cats? (You can substitute other equipment for livestock if you don't work stock with your dogs)

We moved to a new place in December so that we could have some livestock. We have 15 sheep waiting for their pasture to be fenced and somewhere there are some chicks, who are a twinkle in their momma's eye, who will come live with us next spring. For now, though, some of us go and visit Laddie's parents' farm and Kyzer's mom's farm. Some of us (me and Renzo) keep the home fires burning while that happens. We are all curious to see how Renzo will respond to our sheep and chickens. That should be a lot of fun!

Tell Me Thursday

2011-08-04T14:50:00.016-04:00

Laura over at Crooks and Crazies has this Thursday game going and I thought it'd be fun to play.

(1) How did you get into border collies (or whatever your dogs of choice are)? What started it all?

I got into Border Collies when I was born as one in Nov. 2003. Here's what I looked like when the people brought me home on Dec. 31.

The people got into Border Collies because they were playing flyball with the mutt, Renzo

In his case, that meant learning to bark less (which, if you know anything about flyball, tells you something about how much he barked). The people had been avowed Cat People but then something happened to them one day and they brought home Renzo. He was insane. Srsly. So they found flyball to channel his insanity. They saw lots of Border Collies there. They liked them but had heard that Border Collies are insane and they couldn't fathom having two insane dogs. Their flyball peeps convinced them otherwise, so they got me. Then, about 18 mos later, they got my BFF Tansy from Great Lakes Border Collie Rescue.

She took them to the next level of the Border Collie vortex. Several more of us followed her, and she made the people buy us a little farm and our sheep are just waiting for our fence to be finished before they'll join us, too.

(2) How many dogs do you have? All dog math variations accepted.

Well,Tansy and I jointly own the boys, so I guess technically, I co-own five.

(3) What do you do for a day job?

I make sure the people's couch doesn't fall apart while they are gone or that the bathroom floor doesn't suddenly get hot for some reason. Don't smirk, it could happen. The people work in a city about 30 minutes from our farm. My scribe is a linguist. Tansy's scribe is a visual resources specialist. I have no idea what they do all day. My scribe complains more than Tansy's.

(4) What questions would you like to answer (or ask)?

My scribe has always been impressed with how quickly you moved into Open and would like to know if there is a magic charm (We've told her that the magic charm is called "talent," but she holds out hope that there might be something else, too)

(5) What was for dinner last night?

Kibble with yogurt, Salmon oil and melon. (ETA: I actually forgot what we had for dinner last night. See comments for an accurate account.)My scribe missed dinner because she was on a plane at dinner time and was too cheap to purchase the delicacies on offer. Don't worry, she didn't faint dead away from lack of food or anything.

Peep on the way home

2011-08-03T11:08:00.003-04:00

One of our people has been gone for a month (cavorting with some pups in Colorado).

We hear she's on the way back. About time.

Some of us are watching for her!

Lying around

2011-07-04T12:45:00.005-04:00

It's been, like, literally, years since I've been able to rouse the one with the thumbs into posting on my own blog. Seriously, if you were to go back and look for the last post by *me*, you'd be looking in 2008.

Oh well, new times, new promises.

We've been doing lots of things. We lost a member of the pack (old kitty, Inji). We added some new members to our pack--a couple of cats (Lars and Milo) and a young pup, Lad. The biggest thing is we moved. We moved to a lovely place outside of town where we all have a lot of space to run. My BFF Tansy showed you some pictures when she resurrected the blog a while ago.

Still, some things don't change. Even though the majority of us are Border Collies, we all still spend a lot of time just lying around.

Here's Fox, the dastardly cat, looking all picturesque.

Here's one of the new boys, Milo, in a unique spot in a window.

Kyzer with only a stone for a pillow.

My handsome little brother

And me, glorious me.

Investigations (Guest Blog)

2011-06-29T21:13:00.005-04:00

Greetings, Gentlepups!

One of the Delights of living in the Country is the Wealth and Variety of Smells. And Objects. I believe this Delight is understood by Everydog. Therefore I will not Describe; you will simply Know. Here is Pippin, enjoying a Smell:

She was soon joined by Rafe:

Lovely!

Barks,
Tansy

New Fields! (Guest Blog)

2011-06-16T11:33:00.003-04:00

Greetings, Gentlepups!

I am Delighted to return to barking here! Many Suns and Snows have passed since we have moved to the Country. Much Work, Tales to Tell. We love our new Space. And I believe It loves Us, it has become more Beautiful since our Arrival. Here I present a photograph of my First Visit, before the Snow:

And you saw how Beautiful it is now, in the Photograph on Minimal Monday?

Barks,
Tansy

Minimal Monday (Guest Blog)

2011-06-13T16:12:00.003-04:00

Greetings, Gentlepups!

Barks,
Tansy

Well, hey! (Guest Blog)

2010-07-08T20:27:00.002-04:00

Rafe here.

Goodness! We pups have been Absent With Out Leave (that means "AWOL")! Time to get "back in the saddle".

Learned a few things these past suns. New word combinations. More ways to move Sheep. Working on a way to take one away from its pals. Just for a time, then let it go back. Wouldn't be nice to Sheep otherwise.

Got a few more stories to tell. So does Tansy. Not sure about Miss Pippin, think she wants to show pictures, stay quiet. Wordless Wednesday, she tells me. OK (that's "okay") by me. Right now, I'll show you this picture. It's me after a good time Working.

Woof,

Rafe

Pilla! (Guest Blog)

2010-03-12T21:26:00.007-05:00

Rafe here.

Serious pup, I am. Like to Work. Might not know, like to Play, too. Good game: Pilla!

See a Pilla - pounce!

Grab and carry

Uh-oh, tipsy off

Pull it back up

A Fine Game, Pilla!

Woof,
Rafe

Young Kyzer (Guest Blog)

2010-02-28T10:45:00.007-05:00

Greetings, Gentlepups!

I told last of a Journey to take young Kyzer to college. There is more of the Journey, yet news of Kyzer also needs told. We hear of his progress near every Full Moon - a Curious Time to choose, perhaps of Ovine importance?

Our news of Kyzer is best told with Photographs.

The weather is good. Cold at times, but not too much Snow:

He does still have his tail (it was tucked out of sight in the previous Photograph):

The Sheep will wander, but he has learned how to move them with a wave of the paw:

(That was a Joke!) Young Kyzer is working with authority, driving well and responding to whistles. If I may add, he looks like a Fine Sheepdog:

Barks,
Tansy

A Journey: Destination (Guest Blog)

2010-02-24T14:43:00.005-05:00

Greetings, Gentlepups!

It has been many Suns since my Journey. And my last Report. My scribe apologies. We have had Snow. (And Work, and Books, and Light Box watching as of late.)

My report has been on our journey to take Kyzer to Sheepdog College. He is most Fortunate to attend college and study with a Gentleman Trainer. (We have had some news from young Kyzer. He has been reluctant to make Friends with the other sheepdogs. I believe he is staying true to his Flock.)

Here I show the last road to college:

And our first view of college:

The most beautiful Barn he sees every day:

A splendid place to work, do you not agree?

Barks,
Tansy

A Journey: Second Report (Guest Blog)

2009-12-08T20:46:00.007-05:00

Greetings, Gentlepups!

I have some more Words about our Journey. After the smooth land stopped, we entered a State named Montana. I have Uncertainty about this State.

There were pleasant Vistas:

And useful Historical Information:

Yet at times we felt Unwelcome:

And, might somedogs agree, Disrespected?

Sharp Barks!
Tansy

A Journey: First Report (Guest Blog)

2009-12-05T12:06:00.010-05:00

Greetings, Gentlepups!

Some Suns ago I accompanied Young Kyzer to his Sheepdog College. We journeyed Far and saw much New, some of which I would like to share.

The first New was this youngster:

She is attending College with Kyzer and traveled with us. She is small, and most unusual in appearance for a working border collie. I gave her a Sharp Bark! upon greeting, and she behaved very well thereafter.

We were busy the first Suns, traveling and sleeping in new places. On the third Sun we stopped to see a beautiful New:

After so much smooth landscape these Valleys and Hills [the Painted Canyon in North Dakota's Theodore Roosevelt National Park - ed.] were a Surprise! We saw Horses, but no Sheep there.

We saw much more New of which I will report later.

Bark,

Tansy

Smoothies update (Guest Blog)

2009-11-24T10:45:00.000-05:00

Rafe here.

Well, not here. At the Farm. Getting some advanced driving training. Sheep, not Cars, I like to be chauffeured.

Sure do like working every day. Hear young Kyzer is working every day too, on a Farm in Canada. Should have some good stories for us. He's staying here:

Good to see he has a Red Barn too.

Stay warm, pups, snow is in the air.

Woof,
Rafe

Words (Guest Blog)

2009-09-24T15:56:00.010-04:00

Rafe here.

Been thinking about words. Our scribes, into reading and writing - words. Me, I like a few words - come bye, walk there, lie down. Well, don't like lie down so much. Pictures are nice too. Words, pictures, hmm. Here's something they might like:

I like the biggest word.

Woof,
Rafe

Scribe's note: go to www.wordle.net and enter your URL or text

Sharp Bark! (Guest Blog)

2009-09-04T14:30:00.005-04:00

Greetings, Gentlepups!

On occasion I think about Writing and how there is no Sound. I find that Pleasant, as I can then Relax on the couch when Writing is being Read. Several suns ago I thought about Photographs, which also have no Sound. I thought more, about my own loud Sound. I put it here in Writing and in Photograph:

Sharp Bark!

(I was addressing our winter foster pup, Wasabi.)

Gentlepups, do you not hear Sound from that Writing and Photograph?

Soft barks,
Tansy

Reading (Guest Blog)

2009-07-30T15:00:00.003-04:00

Greetings Gentlepups!

Some suns ago, Fox-Cat inquired about my Reading. I had yet to complete my Book so did not wish to Bark about it. Now, after much diligent Couch Sitting, I am prepared.

My book is On talking terms with dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas. The Author is from Across the Water, so her words are slightly different. I enjoy her vocabulary. She names a group of dogs a Flock. That is more refined than a Pack.

The Author is Wise, and knows much of Dog language. To tell of this language is very kind, as we may then all Understand each other better. She speaks most of how we dogs communicate to try to avoid Conflict and create a Calm World. She is quite Correct.

Our Flock Scribes had been curious how much Dog I know, as I was Alone in my Early Years. Goodness, of course I know Dog! A wonderful example is "splitting": Miss Pippin was Frolicking with a toy and tossed it. Young Master Hamish leapt upon it with Glee. Miss Pippin was displeased and prepared to scold young Hamish. I trotted over to them and walked between them. This "splitting" calmed them down. We were all Pleased.

I am next reading Barking: the sound of a language by the same Author. I believe everydog and their Scribes would enjoy these books by Turid Rugaas.

Barks,
Tansy

Reading (Guest Blog)

2009-06-29T14:16:00.003-04:00

Rafe here.

Thanks to my fellow Sheepdogger Hamish for the shout-out. Good pup, won in Kentucky.

My Fox cat said we could tell about what we've read past few months. Me, been reading sheep. Helped me a lot, helped me at that Trial. Different sheep, Shetlands, Scottish Blackface, all move different, have to learn to read them. What I'd like to do is be overseas, so I could go to school. Ewephoria, like our Sheepdog pals Holly and Zac did. Look here, Mr. Aled Owen was the Teacher:

Lucky pups, living near there. Good looking ones too.

Another bit of news: Grizzly Salmon Oil smells real good, tastes good, good for you. But if somecat offers you a 32 ounce bottle, politely decline. Moderation is best.

Woof,
Rafe

Shout out to Rafe, Novice Champ

2009-06-23T15:12:00.004-04:00

From the desk of H.B. Moy, Sheep King Extraordinaire

Since my last missive about a month ago, much has happened at our humble house. I think my sister Pippin plans to talk about some of the things that have happened (since some of them involve her), but I wanted to show how humble and gracious I am by giving a shout out to my packmate, Rafe. In general, I don't see much to like about this country bumpkin who my people brought into our pack against my better judgment. He is quite a goof-ball and can just really get up under your skin, if you're a thinking, careful, well-mannered dog like myself.

But, I have to give credit where credit is due.

Mr. Rafe won the Windswept Farm Novice trial last week-end. He came in second place in the first round and first place in the second (as a small side note, I came in sixth in the first round, second in the second and third overall) and had the overall high score. This is especially great for him because he's been working through some "issues" according to my people (we don't tell them this, but our "issues" are usually called "our people.").

Kyzer was there, too, and did his best job yet.

I don't have much else to report on, but here's a "trial report" my person wrote:

The trial was at Jeanne Weaver's Windswept Farm, which is about an hour northwest of us. This was Kyzer's first time on this field, but both Rafe and Hamish have been to a trial here before and both of them have also done a few clinics/lessons here. This was a pretty new set-up for novice, though--running east-west instead of north-south, which has been the case in prior years. There are draws on both sides, but an especially strong one to the south (away to me side), where the sheep normally hang out and where the set-out was. Also a pretty strong draw behind the post because that's where the exhaust was (as a side note, at Hamish's very first trial two years ago, which was at this same trial, he ran into the exhaust after his run and pushed all the sheep out!!).

The sheep are Katahdins from two different flocks. Our sheep were ostensibly the sheep Jeanne uses for lessons, but they were nonetheless very light--totally clocked the dog for overflanking or coming in close.

There were 16 dogs in the class--mostly familiar local folks, but a few newbies.

The course was a little strange--there were no fetch panels and a very short wear between some cones. Basically an S-shape--clock-wise around the post, counter clock-wise around the wear-cone adn then to the pen. The outrun was maybe 150 yards. 3 minutes.

First round:

Rafe went first and started on a very nice outrun, but the sheep got away from the set-out before he was even halfway up, so the judge (Dal Kratzer), told Susan to call him back and gave her a re-run. That meant little Kyzer was the first dog up. Yee-haw. I sent him right because I figured that if he stopped short on that side, the sheep would squirt off toward the less strong draw. But, the trick there was a large tree right in the path. Kyzer had a coat-hanger outrun--started almost straight up the field, but once he cleared the tree, he kicked out nicely and came in pretty deep. He ended up overflanking some, but he got them back on line and charged them down the field. He was pretty good, but he didn't keep them tightly together and one kept trying to sneak off. He covered, but it wasn't beautiful (though he did get a 19-8-18 OLF). He pushed pretty hard around the post and the one that had been trying to get away split. I got them back together, but she took off again and was bee-lining it for the woods. I tried again to put them back together, but Kyzer either didn't see the one that had split or was feeling weird, so I decided to just work the two left--dumb, beginner mistake, but lucky for me, we timed out, so he still got his points (46).

When Rafe's turn came, Susan had to shoosh him twice as he started to lock up but then he got going and was very deep--beautiful lift, truly high caliber. He brought the sheep straight down the field, pulling himself up when necessary without a command from Susan. No troubles at the post or the wear-cones and Susan did a very stylish backwards run to the pen and the sheep walked right in as if that'd been their intent all along.

Hamish was next up and I decided to send him right on a similar theory to the one I used with Ky (this was probably the first time I really tried to strategize which way to send), but it was a mistake because he was too sensitive to the pressure of the barn/set-out and came in really tight, so I had to lie him down and re-direct him. He took the re-direct, but still came in pretty tight. Then, he was off-line for most of the fetch--I tried to get him back on line, but it's such a short distance. No troubles around the post or the wear-cone (I actually "drove" both rather than wearing) and a perfect pen. I got lots of compliments on the run, but the score wasn't great (63/80) because of the messy OLF.

Sid, the "most promising young dog" at the Bluegrass, won that round, Rafe came in second and Hamish came in 6th.

Second round

Hamish was up first of our guys and I decided to send left so that he wasn't running into the pressure. Excellent choice; beautiful outrun, reasonable lift, but again, off-line fetch. But, he held good pace and kept the sheep quiet. No troubles around the post or the wear-cone. I didn't get him lied down quick enough to get to the pen before the sheep, so I had to work him from the back of the pen--which he did. I was careful to let them drift out far enough that he could turn their heads to get back into the pen, which he did and in they walked and he got a 69 (second place). Combined score of 132

Rafe came next and this time, he had an even nicer outrun--no encouragement from Susan, beautiful, wide, came in deep, lifted like a pro. Again, the fetch was bang on-line; post was great. Susan overflanked him a bit on the wear, but the sheep didn't cross the plane, so she was able to send him back around and get the wear. They had to work a little more on the pen but were able to get it easily. I don't remember his score for this run (but he had a 20-10-20 OLF), but he got first place and his combined score was 140 (which was 1-point higher than Syd, the dog who already runs nursery) for the high score in the class.

Kyzer was the last of our crew and again did the patented coat-hanger outrun to the rumble of thunder and rain. He was a bit tighter at the top, so the lift wasn't as good and he brought the sheep barreling down the field--he did pull up once when I gave him a "time", but he had jets on. And so did the sheep. It got kind of messy around the post-the ended up circling the wrong way and then booking toward the exhaust. This is the kind of situation that has gotten me in trouble many times with Hamish, but I decided to trust Kyzer and sent him. He covered great and go them back coming toward me. The rest of the wear is a little fuzzy in my memory--maybe because it was going light-speed but at some point my stick got stuck in the ground just as I needed to head to the pen, so I left it there and ran to the pen, sheep hot on my tail. I flung open the gate and got Kyzer to lie down in just the right spot and lo and behold, those ovines turned their heads and went right in. Again, a 46 score, for a combined total of 92--right in the middle of the group.

Musings from the sheep king

2009-05-27T14:43:00.004-04:00

From the desk of Hamish Braeburn Moy, Sheep King Extraordinaire (in training)

It's been a long time since I posted here, I know (actually, it's been a long time since Pippin posted as well). I've been after my secretary for some time but she had this and that to do. You'd think that Pippin and I (and the rest of the pack) would be the ONLY thing she should be doing, but she had different ideas (Note to self: Consider new secretary ASAP).

Anyway, since the snows went away a few months ago, we've been working with the sheep twice a week. Naturally I'm the best, but I encourage Kyzer, Tansy and Rafe to do the best that they can. And they do, bless their hearts. Pippin and Renzo keep watch over the home fort--we tell them that's really important work so they don't feel bad staying at home.

Still, I'm the best. In fact, we went to an important stockdog event two weeks ago. It's called the Bluegrass Stockdog Classic and it's where all the really great sheep dogs (like me) strut our stuff.

There are two fields at the Bluegrass: the "Open" field and the "Novice" field. Since my person is still a trainer in training, we went to the Novice field (I could do the Open field of course, but I wouldn't want to have embarrassed my handler since most of the Open dogs are great themselves AND have great handlers). On the first day, my handler didn't trust me (silly handler) and called me off before the run was done. I still smiled encouragement at her, though--you know these beginners need lots of strokes. Kyzer and Rafe went on the first day, too. Only Rafe got a score. His handler is better than mine (even though, I'll remind you, I'm infinitely better than Rafe). Kyzer was a little zoomy and a little confused, but it was only his second time at a Stockdog Event.

On the second day, Rafe decided he'd most like to look at the sheep rather than disturb them, so his handler had to call him off. Kyzer, well, Kyzer was still pretty zoomy and this time, he did one of the biggest no-no's for a stockdog at a stockdog event--he grabbed a sheep with his teeth and rode along with it while it ran. The judge said "Thank You, Kyzer", which is a polite way of saying, "Yeeerrrr Out".

But, me, well, I won the day. Seriously, I won first place (I even got some money.) Now, you see I have the chops to claim my rightful title as the King of the Sheep.

Here's my winning run (my handler tells you what's going on--as if you can't tell the awesomeness all on its own). Since it's the Novice field, it's not as hard as what the Open dogs do--but we've got our sights set on that Open field. Once my handler gets just a little bit better....

Hi! Hi! Hi! (Guest Blog)

2009-04-30T12:33:00.002-04:00

It's me, Fox!! Cat is Dog Bloggin!!

Dogs busy, workin! Scribes busy, workin! What work? Readin!! Kay I read too!

Good book*! Lern dog Secrets, don tell!!

Rafe say he read, tell all. Other dogs and scribes too! Hey, let me see what Tansy read!

Maybe she tell next.

Ciao!

[*Patricia McConnell, The other end of the leash: why we do what we do around dogs]

Nice Video (Guest Blog)

2009-04-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

Rafe here.

Flock's been busy. Scribes too. But, saw this on the portable Light Box and wanted to share. Some fine work there, looks like a Fun Place to go. One year we'll go, even just to watch not run.

Woof,

Rafe

What a Pup! (Guest Blog)

2009-02-17T11:11:00.005-05:00

Rafe here.

Told you about a pup we had here a few Suns ago, BC/ACD mix. Fun gal, here she is playing with Miss Pippin:

Sent us word about how it's going for her and her forever home. Had a few chuckles, here, read:

Dearest Aunties S. and R.,

I am writing to give you an update on how training my human, L., is progressing. L. is very bright and learns quickly. When I bring her a toy, she tugs it for me. Good human!! I have taught her to give me treats in many situations, and most of the time, all I have to do is put my butt on the floor instead of my feet in the air. It doesn't take much to impress this human.

I have also taught her to let me snuggle with her in the recliner, and to let me sleep in bed with her at night. She has learned quickly that it pleases me most to walk me three times a day. This weekend, I even convinced her to take me to work with her, since she had to do two overnights in a row at the emergency clinic. I have charmed all of her co-workers, and I got to meet my new godmother Dr. P., who was a reference for me on the rescue application. I also have Dr. P. trained. She doesn't even ask me to do a trick, but gives me treats because I am cute.

Finally, I have trained my human to cook all my meals for me. I scoff at dog food, I tell you-I am Wasabi and I deserve the best. I eat chicken, beef, salmon, it changes every few days, and I get two sides: veggies and grains. Life is good. Give me a few more weeks, and I will have this human eating out of my paw. Or wait, the other way around.

All is well here, I am loved, I am a good dog,
Wasabi

Soft Woof,
Rafe

Chilly (Guest Blog)

2009-01-31T10:27:00.000-05:00

Greetings, Gentlepups!

We have been a Quiet Flock of late. Well, quite Active at home, but not Going Out much or Barking On Line. I believe I have had less than 4 Walks since the last Moon! For good Reason have we not ventured far, as the Air and Ground are Very Cold. We do not wish to keep our feet on the Icy Snow, and find it difficult to walk without touching Ground. Here you see a Typical stance Outside:

I believe the Air is getting Warmer so we will Walk more. Also, I will be learning New Tricks and practicing Old Tricks. Therefore I will be busy and have more of which to Speak! Others of my Flock will also Speak On Line.

Sharp Barks,
Tansy

40 Things About Us (Guest Blog)

2009-01-28T16:55:00.006-05:00

Rafe here.

Pippin said she let her Scribe post. Something about everyone knowing everything about us already. Nonsense. Think I can come up with 40 things.

40 Things About Pippin's Flock

1. Miss Pippin is very polite. Somedog wants a toy she has, she lets them have it. (Blog posts too.)

2. Miss Pippin will "bow" if a person blows at her face.

3. Kyzer is crazy-excited to go outside in the morning. (Guess we all are.)

4. I have a couple spots on my inner front leg. Otherwise I couldn't've joined the Flock.

5. Hamish has at least 6 shades of brown in his coat.

6. Tansy has more collars than any other dog in the Flock.

7. Renzo has titles. CGC, FDCh (or something), also "Sir Barks-a-Lot"

8. Kyzer's seriously good at Agility. World Team potential. (Some stockdog!)

9. Renzo loves lettuce spines.

10. Pippin jumped up and took a lady's contact lens out with a kiss.

11. When I was a pup back on the farm, I shared a fresh lamb leg with my brother.

12. Renzo sleeps in the Red Chair when the Scribes are gone.

13. I sleep in the Red Chair when the Scribes are here. Unless they shoo me off.

14. We got a squirrel in the back yard once. We're not telling who did it, but it wasn't Tansy even though she pranced around with it.

15. Kyzer doesn't like canned food.

16. Pippin doesn't like rabbit meat.

17. Renzo doesn't have front dew claws anymore. He kept ripping them when he was young. Still thinks they're there, though.

18. Fox hid in the basement ceiling for 8 hours as few suns ago, didn't tell the Scribes. We watched them walk around outside in 10 degree cold, shaking cat treats. Should've told them he was o.k.

19. I was recruited to be a cover dog for Naturally Wild dog food. They chose a prick-eared black-and-white border collie instead. Fine. Don't eat that food anyway.

20. Tansy's the last one to have her collar off at night.

21. She gets an extra goodnight cookie too.

22. And, she gets first walk in the morning.

23. Tansy's pretty special.

24. Pippin does not like being groomed. Couldn't get her CGC.

25. Hamish threw up on car rides when he was young. Bonine and maturity ended that.

26. Renzo was cornered in a laundry room by an orange cat.

27. Pippin leapt a couch to escape that cat.

28. I stayed clear of that cat when I visited those folks.

29. Renzo loans Pippin his dog park tag sometimes. Think that's illegal.

30. Kyzer doesn't like to go in the stock tank after working sheep. Even when it's hot.

31. Inçi lived in Germany.

32. Hamish and Pippin are immigrants.

33. Pippin rubs her face on the snow.

34. Tansy scoops up snow when she runs.

35. Inçi loves "Feline Greenies." I do too. Should be called "Canine Greenies."

36. Hamish has liked every dog he met. Except one Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Sailor.

37. Pippin loves her Moni best.

38. We have dogs visit us a few weeks then leave. Just had a fun gal, Molly, part BC, part Australian Cattle Dog. More ACD the longer she was here. Heard she's doing well.

39. All of us border collies have different ear styles.

40. Some of us run off leash in a nearby park illegally. Don't tell.

Woof,

Rafe

40 Things about my Person

2009-01-27T10:19:00.005-05:00

Taz' person tagged my person in the "40 things about me" game. Since we pups, the normal authors of this blog, have played this game before, I've decided to hand over the typing keys to my person so that she can tell random, boring things about herself. For normal readers of the blog, just skip this post--I'm sure you aren't all that interested to know about her, but sometimes I find it's best to humor her a little.

Here's a recent picture of her--yes, she's that scary.

40 Things about my Person by My Person

1. When I was seven, I heard a preacher talk about the road to hell being a road with no other cars on it. Ever since then, I feel irrational panic whenever I am the only car on the road
2. I lived in Switzerland for a year and learned Swiss German
3. I was born in Bremerhaven, Germany (on an American Army base)
4. I worked as a maid for a summer in a hotel on the Mediterranean coast in central Turkey
5. I wrote my dissertation on Turkish-German bilingualism
6. I can’t spell. And I don’t really care all that much.
7. I was raised a Southern Baptist. I am not one now.
8. I met my significant other in a café in Germany on my 28th birthday
9. I have recovered from a serious illness
10. I was the valedictorian of my college class and had to give a speech. I almost threw up from nervousness
11. I sucked my thumb until I was a teenager
12. I worry about whether or not my students like me
13. When I was 16, I got drunk for the first time. On rum and Coke. I ended up throwing up out the window of a moving car and haven’t had rum since.
14. I haven’t been a smoker for 13 years.
15. I often wonder what paths my life would have taken if my father hadn’t died when he did
16. I have been a vegetarian who eats fish since 1995
17. I am not at all crafty, except that I love to knit
18. I bake most of our bread
19. I sometimes ache knowing that I’ll only see my niece and nephews a couple of times a year
20. Every other year, I make jam out of all the Michigan fruits as they come into season: strawberry, blueberry, apricot, plum, peach, raspberry. I don’t use pectin. I did once and it was a disaster--all the jam molded.
21. One of my ears has four piercings, but I rarely wear more than one earring in it
22. For most of the years I was a teenager, I plotted novels while shooting baskets in my backyard
23. I once owned a beautiful marimba that I played regularly (I was a percussionist in the high school band). The one decision in my life I truly regret was selling it.
24. My mother asked me if I was gay when I was 18. I said no. Ten years later when I said yes, she asked why I’d lied to her when I was 18. (See #7)
25. I am learning Anishnaabemowin (Ojibwe)
26. I like country music. A lot. But not so much the racist, misogynist bits.
27. For 8 mos. out of the year, I work between 70-80 hours a week.
28. I regularly complain about how much I have to work but I don’t think I’m qualified to do a different job
29. I’ve never been caught doing anything illegal. Except running a stop sign.
30. I have experimented with various illegal substances—but not in a long, long time
31. I haven’t carried any debt beyond my mortgage in over a decade
32. I follow David Allen’s “Getting Things Done” program and it has made life infinitely more manageable. Even though it’s pretty much common sense, it’s also taken me a long time to learn.
33. I love the snow but remain afraid of driving in it
34. Learning to do livestock work with a border collie has been the most intellectually challenging thing I’ve ever done
35. There is nothing I want more than a small farm where I can raise sheep, chickens and produce (including fruits to jam—see #20)
36. Lecturing to 100+ students twice a week takes most of my available energy
37. I drove from Germany to Turkey in a VW bug one summer
38. I’ve lived in Germany for six years, but not consecutively
39. I prefer doing dishes once a day rather than after each meal. My significant other is the opposite
40. I have a high tolerance for clutter

Yes, We Can

2009-01-20T13:15:00.004-05:00

Here at Pippin's house, we are over the moon at the peaceful transition of power that has just occurred.

We have lots and lots of news to report

But, today, we salute the humans and their new president, Barack Obama.

(Image copied from CafePress--click on it if you want to buy that fetching shirt for you or your canine buddies)

Taz's person tagged me!

2008-12-16T20:34:00.004-05:00

Tazimodo's person tagged me in a fun game. You go to your computer archives and then go to the 6th folder and pick the 6th picture and then post it along with the story behind it.

The 6th folder in my person's computer box is called "Renzo's Flyball Debut" from Sept. 2002 (At that point in time, I was in my momma's belly, but my people didn't know anything about me, hadn't even decided to get a border collie and so didn't know that I was on my way to them.)

This was in Davisburg, MI and my people had been training Renzo for a long time in flyball (he had trouble ignoring the other dogs and also holding the ball). So, this was his very first run at a tournament. It was a practice run, but he did a very good job (though his form is not necessarily the best). Renzo is my people's first dog and flyball was the first thing they did with a dog.

Little did they know that the trailhead they had entered would lead them to five border collies in addition to Renzo and through flyball, agility and finally to sheep.

Now it's my turn to tag and I tag

Army of four
Charlie the Big Dog
Turbo
Meeshka
Ivy
Kingsley

Thank you Ness and Run Free

2008-12-03T19:28:00.008-05:00

Our good old girl Ness crossed the bridge Monday morning.
She had fought a fast-growing inoperable tumor since the start of October.

Ness so enjoyed her life with her Flock, her soft beds, her cheesy treats, her walks, and most of all her squeaky toys! She would so joyfully bound around the yard in her floppy way...leap up onto the feather bed and give a big border collie grin...watch out the picture window and bark at scooters and bicycles...run and find a toy to squeak when we arrived home...

Ness shared her life with us from November 18, 2007 to December 1, 2008.
Far too short a time to live with us, yet more than enough time for us to love.
We miss her so.

Thanks, Fox! (Guest Blog)

2008-11-23T19:50:00.007-05:00

Rafe here.

Miss Tansy said we are to Bark Thanks. Lots to Bark - Work, Farm, Walks, Flock, Soft Beds. Have a special Bark to Fox, Cat.

Once Fox gave me a box of Thin Mints. Good cat, Smart, Agile, Generous. Other day, he tossed down a Treat from the counter for Me:

Came at it from an Angle. That's best, with Strange Objects.

Gave a good Sniff - WHOA!

Guess I say Thanks, Fox. Now I know what a Lemon is.

Woof,
Rafe

Thanks for Game! (Guest Blog)

2008-11-15T20:48:00.010-05:00

Greetings Gentlepups!

I have heard that the Time is soon to give Thanks for Blessings. I have many many Thanks so I begin Today. (I believe several Suns will be Required.) First barks are for my Flock.

Young Hamish is a Good Flockmate and Kind to his Sheep. This summer he showed me a new Game: Worming! His Instruction was Excellent. Here are Photos illustrating his Technique:

First, sniff out a likely area:

Ascertain the Presence of Worms:

Push dirt with Nose:

Stay aware of the environment:

Yet focus on Task at hand:

Persist, Dig deeply for Success:

I learned well. Thank You Hamish!

Sharp Barks,
Tansy

What a Border Collie looks like, III (Guest Blog)

2008-10-20T21:27:00.004-04:00

Rafe here.

Miss Tansy asked for Aerial Photographs. Here's one of Young Kyzer and Me. We have Smooth Coats. Ky is on the left.

We've got nice sleek fur over our muscles. Look good.

Kyzer's long. Aunt Chris calls him "Big Boy". I call him "Otter" Here's his long-lost cousin from over at the International Otter Survival Fund:

This fella's brown, Ky is black, but otherwise...

Yuk-Yuks,
Rafe

What a Border Collie looks like, II (Guest Blog)

2008-10-18T19:25:00.003-04:00

Greetings, Gentlepups!

Miss Pippin recently Posted about a topic of great interest to our flock: What We Look Like. As you may have Noted, we all look Different. Not only our Color, but our Coat and Build and Ears and Eyes and many other Aspects.

I share with you today an Aerial Photograph. (Curious, what Images are made of us, but often Useful!) I find it well illustrates my Sturdy yet Trim body:

(You may also note the lovely Waves of my Coat and attractive coloring of my Ruff.)

I will ask the other members of my Flock to share their Aerial Photographs, so as to further Knowledge and Understanding of the Border Collie.

Barks,
Tansy

What a border collie looks like

2008-10-14T20:38:00.003-04:00

I've posted before about how border collies come in lots of shapes and sizes and are definitely not all black and white. As exhibit A, I present my two younger packmates, Hamish and Kyzer.

They are the same breed, but look different in many ways. What makes them the same breed is how the move and how the work sheep. That's true for me and Rafe, too (though we won't comment on who does a better *job* of working sheep--that's not what's at issue here.)

Anyway, not too long ago, Rafe had the opportunity to be the spokesdog for a bag of dog food. A big company and food that our people don't feed us, but still we were all flattered that the company creating the bag image was interested in Rafe. Rafe even made some money for his work. But, alas, when the new dog food bag came out, guess what kind of border collie was on it.

This kind:
I'm sure this is a very nice dog--but don't you think Rafe (or Hamish or Kyzer or for heaven's sake, me, me, me) would have been a better choice?

Working. Yep.

2008-09-24T12:30:00.004-04:00

Rafe here.

Many suns since we posted. Not sure why. Well, been busy, working. Good work too.

I've been learning to drive. That means move the sheep, but not fetch them to my Handler. Move them somewhere else. I like it. Here's what it looks like:

But, not really. I'm fetching in that photo. Just can't see my Handler. Didn't mean to fool you.

Woof,
Rafe

How many of us can you find?

2008-09-01T16:47:00.003-04:00

As those of you who've followed me over the last several years know my pack has gone from two dogs and three kitties when I started to blog to seven dogs and three kitties.

When my people tell other people this, especially when they mention that six of us are border collies, people are pretty sure that they are crazy and that our house must be nutty. Really, it's not particularly nutty at all. We're usually ready for big fun, but we also settle down if we have to. Note Exhibit A above.

So, right now, my goofy little brother Hamish is at sheep school and Fritz didn't fit in the picture above. But, the other 8 of us are in the picture along with one of the people.

Can you find us all (hint: one of us is hiding in the curtains)?

If you can find us all, can you name us all?

Most important, can you find ME?

Fun Play! (Guest Blog)

2008-08-18T16:43:00.005-04:00

Rafe here.

Hey pups! Another beautiful day! Let's run and play!

Ammy, you come and bring your pals! Hamish is always ready to play!

Woof,
Rafe

Fun! (Guest Blog)

2008-08-16T11:35:00.005-04:00

Rafe here.

Hey pups! It's a beautiful day! Let's go out and play!

Olym-pups (Guest Blog)

2008-08-10T20:33:00.003-04:00

Greetings Gentlepups!

We attended a Lovely Event today - the Annual Picnic of my Rescue. I was most Delighted to see many who helped me and other pups on our journeys to forever homes. We are ever grateful to all who Work in Rescue.

The Theme was "Summer OlymPups". I believe that Theme to be related to the enjoyable time our flock has been spending on the couch watching the Light Box. At the picnic we had several Contests. Our own Miss Pippin won "Best Trick" with her famed rendition of "Twist and Shout"! Curiously, she declined to "Bow" at the conclusion. Perhaps she will explain.

I preferred to stay "out of competition" but was persuaded to give an Exhibition of "Best Kiss". Here is a photograph:

I must admit to be proud of my Posture and Technique - perhaps worthy of a Medal?

Barks,
Tansy

Penning (Guest Blog)

2008-08-09T12:59:00.004-04:00

Rafe here.

Miss Pippin is sleeping now. Went frolicking at the dog park with Renzo. We working pups were going to go to the Farm, but won't because of Storms. Don't know why Stormy wants the Farm to herself. Heck, I'd really like to meet her and her Pack. But, I respect her. Need to nap this afternoon anyway.

Here's what I think about when I nap: Work. Penning, these days. Here's a shot of me penning:

Lost that dark sheep at left. Could have been my Handler who lost it. We got it back. Learned a few things from that, good. Learn more when I sleep on it.

Woof,
Rafe

Working? (Guest Blog)

2008-08-05T20:45:00.003-04:00

Rafe here. Reporting on an investigation.

See, when it's just us pups and kits at home, we stay in the front room. Quick access to doors. Convenient observation posts too. But, I saw we were missing young Kyzer. Hmm. Secret mission for the International Dog of Mystery? So I conducted a search. Here's what I found:

He said he was conducting comfort tests. Essential work.

Woof,
Rafe

This just in

2008-07-29T21:40:00.002-04:00

After months and months of hemming and hawing. Reading and searching. Putzing and putzing and putzing.....and putzing. My person has finally updated our static web page.

She's a bit of a geek in this department, but finally decided to make some things a little easier on her design-challenged self and use a pre-made template from Apple computer. (and you know, I'm named after an apple, so anything Apple must be good, right?)

Anyway, pups, check us all out and let me know what you think--it's the first cyber-showing for three of my packmates: Kyzer, Ness and Fox (yes, that's how long it'd been since my dumb person had updated the site).

Also, there was something new and cool for me in the backyard this evening. People will try to get pictures tomorrow.

Putting my boyz to work

2008-07-23T10:02:00.003-04:00

Hi gentle pups,

Again it's been a while since we put paw to keyboard. And, as usual, it's because we've been pretty busy. My people have been taking the working dogs out to work a couple of times a week and I have my important agility work to do. Even Renzo has been mighty busy on squirrel patrol and Ness, well, Ness has been busy destroying plush toys. This is important work, I recognize and a task she is singularly well suited to. The rest of us don't get to destroy toys very often, but our people think that because Nessie probably had few opportunities to destroy toys in her life before coming to us, this is a job she should get to take on. And she's good at it, something we all like to see in a working dog.

As a worker, as many of you who've read about me for a while may remember, I'm not what you'd call "ambitious" or "driven." I'm more of the "do what you have to to get the kibble and spend the rest of your time napping, preening and looking out the window" school of thought.

But the younger males in my pack really do like to work and so I thought I'd share some recent evidence of them moving up their respective career ladders (ha ha! don't tell the Sheep King, but I have it on good authority that after last week-end's shenanigans, he may face a demotion).

Below, is the Sheep King, aka my goofy little brother, Hamish, moving some ewes. You'll notice that one is facing him. That's because she's wondering if she really needs to do what he says. After about 4 more steps on his part, she decided the answer was "yes" and turned to follow her sistren to the pen.

Here we have the oaf-pup, Rafe, catching the ladies as they wish to move toward the group of trees. Rafe has a very nice outrun and pace. And, yes, his ears really do flop like that when he runs. We try not to talk about it too much as he's a bit sensitive about it.

And finally, young Kyzer had his turn. You'll notice he is a bit tighter on the sheep than the older boys and there are more sheep to work as that's a bit easier. He is quite a nice little worker overall and our person is looking forward to watching him mature.

So, there you have it. And just so you see that I, too, occasionally have important work to do, here I am making sure a sneaky paper bag doesn't get away as Hamish stands by gawking in awe.

And now for something different

2008-07-02T11:54:00.003-04:00

These are my kitties. That's Inji on the left (she's old--18--and official "first pet"), Fritz in the middle and Fox lying like the pasha that he is on the chair cushion. I like my kitties, though Fox and I don't always see eye to eye and I was pretty scared of him when he first showed up here.

Anyway, I'm doing some work on the blog today--taking away some of the flyball links there on the side and adding some links to other activities--mostly about sheep. Check them out!

My person is also working hard on updating our "static" pages. Once she's finished, I'll post the link and you can let us know what you think.

Good, solid work (another guest blog)

2008-06-24T11:00:00.003-04:00

From the desk of H.B. Moy, Sheep King Extraordinaire

Hello dog and human friends,

A quick report from last week's trial. First, I came in fourth overall. Fourth, I said. Did I mention it was fourth out of 16? No, well it was. Although I did not have as lovely an outrun as my buddy, Rafe, I did finish the course on both runs. No thank yous from the judge and my person didn't have to leave the post to help me. Neither run was pretty, but I (sort of) got the job done. I was mostly hindered, as I generally am, by my inept person.

The sheep were wiley, light and frisky first thing in the morning. I was the very first dog of the trial and we poor dogs couldn't see the sheep because they were right under a swale. Almost all the dogs had trouble finding the sheep and they changed the course for the second run--so it really wasn't just me this time. The handler at the post could see them, but we couldn't.

I looked and looked and finally found them. Came in tight though, so they squirted off to the right and I didn't get them back on line in time to turn the post. Bummer. In this trial, the novices had both a chute and a pen. I was working the sheep to the chute, but my stupid person thought they'd crossed the plane of the chute and she moved on to the pen. The judge hadn't told her to or anything; she was just being stupid. Typical. I lied down though and listened to what I was told (even when it was wrong--not sure if I'll do that again). I sweet-talked those ladies right into the pen. I couldn't believe the run was over!! I was just getting started. But I came back when the stupid person said, "That'll do, Hamish."

Second run. Pretty bad outrun just about straight up the middle. What can I say? The holder was faced in a weird direction and it threw me off. So, again, pretty bad lift and not enough room to get them on-line before the fetch panels. But, once I had them under control and walking nicely, my stupid person TURNED THE WRONG POST!!!!!! I was listening very well and she was telling me the right things, but she was in the wrong place. What's a red dog to do?

I moved the sheep through the chute very nicely and then my stupid person didn't get to the pen in time to open it, so we played ring around the pen. I was a little tight and she wasn't putting me in the right place, so we didn't get the pen. Better score than on the first run, though, so that's not so bad.

And, overall, I listened to what I was told and I lied down like a good boy (not like Rafe, who didn't....).

Now, it's back to some training for my person so that she can do better at the pen and teach me what I'm supposed to do too.

That's the quick report from my side of the field. Over and out

Hamish Braeburn Moy

I chopped down the cherry tree (Guest Blog)

2008-06-21T15:13:00.003-04:00

Rafe here.

Trial Report: I did not Lie Down. Well, I did, but not at the right time. Sheep were light. Heard Lie Down too late. Sheep were moving so I kept moving too. Bad choice. Did not get to finish and pen sheep.

Had a beautiful Outrun though. Heard lots of Open Handlers say so.

Still get to eat Kongs. Get to study sheep more too. It's all Good.

Hamish worked well. Did our flock proud. He'll tell you about it.

Woof,
Rafe

Clarification from the Sheep King

2008-06-16T17:28:00.004-04:00

From the desk of H.B. Moy, Sheep King Extraordinaire

Hello fellow pups,

My packmate, Rafe, who recently tried to blind me in a fit of jealousy over my livestock-tending skillz, mentioned in his recent post that I was recently unable to find my sheep during a trial. I have of course asked my people to issue a cease and desist letter to his people with the threat of legal action for libel should he decide not to comply. While this is winding its way through the canine legal system, I'd like to give just a glimpse of the true state of affairs concerning aforementioned unfound sheep.

While it is true that I did not find the sheep I was supposed to find, I found a MUCH larger stash of sheep hiding in a pen. I think this is much better than finding the sheep the stupid people wanted me to go after.

However, since the people are in charge of the rules at sheep herding events, I've resigned myself to going for and returning the sheep I'm directed to by the people, even when I know better bounty awaits elsewhere. You see, in the interim, I've been to sheep college (unlike Kyzer, who is currently at sheep preschool.....) and learned that it is in my best interests to abide by what the people want. That is the lot of a sheepdog--even a sheep king such as myself.

I will prove my prowess this coming week-end, Friday to be specific, when Rafe and I both show what we are made of at a Sheep Herding Event. I promise, before DoG and my fellow canines, that I will find my sheep and bring them where I am directed to. I will also Lie Down when so instructed and challenge Rafe to do the same.

In the meantime, I will be meditating upon sheep and shoring up my mental and physical resources with Frozen Peanut Butter Kongs from the fridge, as Exhibit A above indicates.

Sincerely,

Hamish Braeburn Moy

Not Much Going On? (Guest Blog)

2008-05-30T12:57:00.008-04:00

Rafe here. Miss Pippin said I could post, since she was having no luck. You'd think we had nothing going on. Ha. Headlines:

1 - Ness Barks, Scooters Persist
2 - International Dog of Mystery Has Play Dates
3 - Renzo Wins All Races at Dog Park
4 - Trial: Hamish Can't Find Sheep, Rafe Can't Lie Down
5 - Sitting in Laps Results in Snuggles, Pippin Finds
6 - Tansy Revels in Farm Vacation
7 - Hamish and Rafe to Attend Clinic; Tansy and Kyzer Will Too
8 - Welcoming her 19th Year, Inçi Investigates New Diet

Woof,
Rafe

Dog bloggin'

2008-04-11T21:52:00.003-04:00

Hey pup-a-dups,

So, my person has been away somewhere I never heard of before. It's called something like Afterthedam and to get there, she had to fly over the big ocean called the Atlantic. The funniest thing, though, is that she went there to talk to other people about, guess what....DOG BLOGS!!

That's right pups, my person told a bunch of other people about us and what we blog about (well, for some reason, she didn't tell people about me and my pack and what we blog about--that would have been unscientific, so she says). She told people about all you doggies' bloggies.

She's been working on this for a while (that's where some of your people's tax dollars have been going--so at least you know they're going for something good and useful....). Anyway, Opy and Charlie's SHD sent her the spreadsheet of all the dogger bloggers about a year ago (when there were *only*350 of us) and then she let her computer pick out 20 blogs to "work on".

It looked to me like she was playing around--counting some stuff and shouting "Eureka" once in while.

The people at the place in Afterthedam liked what she said about our writings. Here's what she said, if you're interested (it's a little weird to me, but maybe you'll get it)

Sheep! (Guest Blog)

2008-04-02T16:27:00.005-04:00

Greetings Gentlepups!

Our Flock has News! A few Suns ago we went to Work. And, we had a Surprise!

These lovely Sheep are Ours! We are Delighted. What is best, is they are Light. They will respond with alacrity to our Communications. I find that quality Excellent, as I then can refine my Technique. A good Sheepdog is Polite to her Sheep, and needs to know how to be Subtle when her Sheep are Light. (Upon occasion she needs to be Pushy; that is not so difficult to learn.)

Here you can see them look at Young Kyzer, who had moved a step:

And here Kyzer keeps them in Place:

Our Sheep will live at the Farm, as our own Pasture is not big enough for Mud Pud, ball throwing, and Sheep. I believe that is Best; we will then have no Distractions when we Play.

Barks,
Tansy

Spring snow

2008-03-22T10:50:00.003-04:00

Hey everypup,

Here in Michigan, we got our first big spring dump of snow last night (we're also hoping that it's our last dump of snow for the season.....). The pups in my pack LOVE the snow (except for Renzo, who gets cold--but even he likes it for a little while). My people took us out at 11:30 last night just to play in the snow. They had some delusional idea that having us play later would entice us to sleep later. Bwahahahah--silly people.

But, we still had a lot of fun. We've had a lot of fun this morning, too. You can see me running and frolicking up there.

Below are Hamish and Kyzer having some fun with each other
Rafey with his ball. Doesn't he look all serious-like--he's kinda like that, but he also knowns how to have a goofy time, too.
And the people even captured our new packmate, Ness, with her ears UP!! She mostly likes to keep them tighter to her head.
The people are sorry they haven't been bloggin' much. It's their usual story. The one who has all the work at the universe seems to think it's reasonable to turn OUR house into the universe too and she's been working a whole lot. The sem-tester (what is a sem-tester?) is over in a few weeks, so she'll have no more excuses about the blog. Except, somehow she always finds some.

When the one spends so much time, the other one has to pick up all the household chores, which means she doesn't have time to blog much either. And neither of them has been visiting my dog blog friends very often to let them know that we're still alive and to tell me about the blogging pee-mail. We just found out that Charlie'd been sick and that Freda's person had been at the people vet.

Hamish has been pining for Amber and we've had no way to let Copper know we've been following his travels in his quest to find Hershey. We wanted to invite him to Michigan on his way home, but the people are too lame to have let him know in time to add us to his itinerary.

We've also just caught up on how much Ivy's Benjamin has grown. We're very sad to see that Marvin the Hollow Hound has left the circle of dog bloggers and even his archives are gone.

And we haven't been to visit any of the dog bloggers who've left comments for us.....

Anyway, my people will be better soon and do more to fulfill their people-responsibilities. Luckily, they've been pretty good about getting us chow, taking us for morning walkies and making sure we have some enrichment activities like agility and working sheep. So, we have good hope that they will get back with the blogging program soon.

Archives (Guest Blog)

2008-03-03T10:21:00.004-05:00

Rafe here.

Still quiet. No sheep yet. Heck, I'd go for those Musk Ox in Alaska at this point. (Miss Pippin posted a photo of them below.)

Dug around in the Archives, and found these photos. Me and my litter mates. Two pics. Can you tell which one is me?

Here's a hint: I wanted to leave.

Woofs,
Rafe

Border Collies aren't the only workin' dogs!

2008-02-28T10:59:00.003-05:00

This just in from my friends at the Border Collie Boards. They are talking over there about the Iditarod (partly to show that it isn't only border collies who do important work). Look at the picture that someone took (and it's been verified and is not Photoshopped!). Those sleddogs really did encounter a herd of musk oxen, but no dog or ox got hurt or anything.

And then those cards at the Onion made this one. You can see my own thoughts about Westminster at this old post.

My person is channeling me remotely from Florida where there is no Itidarod running. I'm looking forward for her to come home at the end of the week. I don't know why she goes there all the time, but I've heard there's another toddler-in-training afoot down there......

Snooze. No Snooze. (Guest Blog)

2008-02-26T20:32:00.003-05:00

Rafe here.

Quiet. Except when we bark, then it's noise.

Lots of snow. Ice too. Snow, then ice, then snow. IceSnow sandwich. Love the snow. Don't love ice, no sheep work for us. Not so many big walks. Lots of snooze.

Woofs,
Rafe

Kinnearing

2008-02-02T18:34:00.001-05:00

A few weeks back, my geeky person was at the American Dialect Society's selection of the word of the year (if you care for such things, and I don't suppose you do, you can read about it in excruciating detail). The word "subprime" was the overall winner. I'm pretty sure subprime refers to the kind of meat that's in cheap dog food, so it's entirely appropriate that that was the word of the year. Really, what some people think is reasonable for us to eat....well, that's a different post.

One of the words that was a contender for the category of "most creative" was the verb "to kinnear". This means to take a picture without looking through the viewfinder of your camera because you are holding the camera at about hip level in order for the subject of the picture not to notice that you are taking their picture. It was coined by a woman who was doing exactly that in an airport where she was trying to get a secret picture of the actor, Greg Kinnear. Pretty clever play with language, huh?

Anyway, after learning that word, my person kinneared us.

I'm not sure she can really call it that, though 'cause I wasn't fooled. Can't speak for the goofy boyz--I think they never caught on to her trick. Don't know why not--she looked like an idiot with the camera at her hip....but then again, it's not all that uncommon for her to look like an idiot. Maybe we can coin a new word: to idiotbutiloveheranyway. It means that you let your person do stupid stuff to you without making her feel bad about it.

Whatcha think, pups?

Keeking (Guest Blog)

2008-01-15T11:47:00.000-05:00

Rafe here.

Working a couple suns ago. Lots of snow. Went on big outrun, come-bye, brought my sheep, good. Did that a few times, more and more distance. Good. Then told to go away to me. Started to, then stopped. Looked back at my person. Was sure I'd lose my sheep if I went that way. Away to me. Started to, looked back, crossed over to come-bye. Bad choice. Lie down. Here. Away to me. Started, stopped, looked back. Away to me. Okay, I went away. Sheep didn't leave. I brought them. Did that a few more times. Good.

So, when I looked back at my person? Keeking. Not good for a sheepdog. Lack of confidence. Well, I'm confident now. And I trust my person's commands, for now.

So, don't call me a keeker. This picture here, I'm looking back. But I'm not working. I'm not keeking. Even if Hamish says so, I'm not.

Woofs,
Rafe
Not a Keeker.

Snow Time? (Guest Blog)

2008-01-07T14:11:00.000-05:00

Greetings Gentledogs!

It is a New Year, and a most Curious Time. Most Delightful, we have had Much Snow! Here is a Photograph of me, "Yucking It Up" as Master Hamish says in his Odd Way:

Yet today we hear many Birds sing, and the Earth smells of Spring! Lovely, but I would like some More Snow.

When the Snow was leaving, I had a wonderful game of Mud Pud! Thereafter, I had Pain in my Leg, and my People spoke of Re-injury. What that means I do not know; I do know I have much Couch Time and Short Leash Walks. Most Curious Time, indeed.

Barks,
Tansy

Home for the holidays

2007-12-22T19:40:00.000-05:00

Hey friends,

Two pups have come home just in time for the holidays. First, young Kyzer has finally returned from sleep-away sheep camp. He's pretty much the same pup. He likes sleeping on the feather bed in the people's room, barking loudly and often gamboozling for a tennis ball. A couple things changed. The big one is that he became a sheep dog. My people were oohing and aahing about him. So that's a good thing. His head broadened out and his ruff got all thick like he's a grown-dog.

We're pretty happy that he's back in the pack.

My people also decided that our foster friend, Ness, should be our packmate and live with us.

They talked to us about it and of course we all said yes. (I don't think they'd have listened if we'd said no, so it was good we said yes--that way they think that we're all on the same team. Which we are. Most of the time. We're not on the same team on some things. Like hiding our treats and their chocolate. Or being quiet when we want to bark. Or them going to work all day).

Snowpups

2007-12-17T21:29:00.001-05:00

Our backyard has changed. Where last week there was hard brown, this week there is soft white. I like it. A lot. I would like to place an order for it to stay this way all the time. I like it so much, I even let the oaf-puppy, Rafe, stay right next to me without even trying once to bite his nose.

We are good dogs and sit for cookies. But we don't like to stay, so probably no holiday picture this year. Oh well.

Actually, I do know how to stay and do it when asked politely, as is befitting a gentlepup such as myself. I will also bow graciously and stay while my picture is taken. Evidence that this is true, directly below:
Woofs out to all the pups--keep your peeps warm and cared for.

Model Dog (Guest Blog)

2007-12-03T12:59:00.000-05:00

Rafe here.

Miss Pippin's a nice looking pup. Love that photo in last post. Think she thinks I'm nice looking too. At least, she likes to play with me sometimes.

Thought I'd show a nice photo of me. Professional. Remember I said I had an odd detour when I visited Gram and Gramps? Had to go into a new room, sit on a box, and look Noble. For a long time. Got to watch a tennis ball, that helped. Had some walks too. Met a nice guy. A nice gal had camera. Here's a photo from then:

Not looking Noble, looking Quizzical. Can't see Noble photo yet. Have to wait til warm time, maybe cold time again. Then might see it on Food Bag. Let you know.

Woofs,
Rafe
Dog Model

The Newz from the Crew

2007-11-28T19:50:00.001-05:00

It's me, friends, Pippin. My person has been BAD, BAD, BAD (I even called her "Bad Person" and hit her on the nose with my paw--not that she would ever dream of doing that to me. 'Specially since I'm not a person....). There's been so much news with our crew that it's hard to even remember what's happened.

Kyzer (he's the one standing up with the bat ears) has been away at sleep away sheep school for weeks and weeks. We are worried that he isn't going to remember us when he comes back. We think he'll remember sleeping on the feather bed, though.

Our people seem to think that the house goes out of balance if it doesn't contain six dogs and so while Ky's been at ovine camp, there's been a foster dog at our house. Her name is Ness and she's an older gal--somewhere between 8-10. She was going to have to go to sleep for a long time (that's what my people said) and so they brought her to our house so at least she can sleep on a cushy bed until she can go to a rescue place in Ohio.

She's put us all in our place kind of like a school marm. She likes to sleep in the same room with all of us and really just enjoys sleeping on a soft bed and having some good food.

She's very, very skinny and the vet thought maybe she'd had many puppies. She told me that she'd been running around on the street, scrounging for food for a while. Before she came to our house, a doggie doctor wanted to make it so she couldn't have puppies any more, but then he said she was too skinny and needed some meat on her bones first. Plus, she had creepy crawlies in her belly, so those had to go away, too.

I guess I'll save the other newz for another post. Maybe by doing that, my person will feel a little more guilty about how much she's neglected the blog. I hear that the universe will soon be in remission or something like that, so maybe she'll give me the opposable thumbs more often--at least for a few weeks.

Injury (Guest Blog)

2007-11-14T13:48:00.000-05:00

Rafe here.

Not me hurt, it's Hamish. Not bad at all. Cornea ulcer, mild. Had to wear a cone. Gets drops in eye. Really all better now, plays with his silly Purple Ball.
My fault, sort of. First thing, we go outside for business and play. Miss Pippin and I chase tennis balls, Hamish his Purple Ball. Hamish's person threw the tennis ball for me. Good. Then Hamish runs in front of ball. Bad. Gets hit in eye. Yelps, long. Dark eye is a different size. Off to the vet. Comes home with cone. Can't go work sheep. Acts small. I know, if I didn't like Tennis Balls, he wouldn't hurt. My Bad.

Really, he looks good now. Like in this photo, but older.

Hey, any of you pups have odd hurts happen?

Woof,
Rafe

Dona Nobis Pacem

2007-11-07T17:47:00.001-05:00

Me and the pack doing our part for peace. DoG knows the humans sure need some help in that area. Peace, pups!

Gram and Gramps (Guest Blog)

2007-11-06T11:57:00.000-05:00

Rafe here.

Went on a ride a couple Suns ago. (Odd detour, tell you about that in another post.) Got to see Gram and Gramps. Love 'em. Been to their den several times. Behave like a Gentle Dog, they like that. Course I do, they're Elders and I respect that. Lots of Elders live near them, it's a community. Good place: the Elders can have dogs, or cats. Either way, good.

Gram and Gramps both had some work on their hearts. Had to check on them. They have good hearts, so I'm glad they are taking care. They say they are tired but healthy. Good.

Here's a photo from the warm time. I'm waiting. You can see Gram behind me. Way behind, see an Elder and another pup?

Bark softly, pups.

Rafe

Pictures of the pack

2007-10-28T16:14:00.000-04:00

Hi everypup,

Long time no write, I know. Story of my blogging life, I tell ya. Anyway, the person is as she usually is, so I don't have all that many minutes before she boots me off the electronic box.

We had our pictures taken last week by a photo-grapher. A pretty good one, I think and he's a friend of our people, plus he taught me and Renzo in a class once. And his wife, Ms. Annie taught all of us except Kyzer at least once.

Anyway, if you want to see some of the pics of us, he put them on his website. If you go to Samuel Ritter Photography and then click on "Events", you'll find us at the bottom. We are "The Dog Pack". Our people have to decide which ones they like best. What do you think? I really like the ones of my and my goofy little brother, Hamish.

It was pretty interesting going there. We loaded up in the rolling living room and it was the first time all six of us were in there at the same time. Since only five crates fit, Tansy rode loose. She was very good and stayed lying down the whole time. Then, we were at Mr. Sam's house. In his yard. And he had all these different objects set up and when we walked by them, they flashed like lightening and he gave us a cookie. Most of us forgot about the flashes pretty quickly, but not Tansy. She was pretty unimpressed.

Anyway, we ran around in his yard and then one by one, he would call us up and we had to lie in the grass and he took some pictures. They tried to take a picture of all of us together, but Hamish and Rafe didn't want to have to sit close to each other and then Renzo didn't want to have to be close to Rafe either. I sure didn't want to be by his stinky self. Kyzer got worried about the whole thing and didn't want to stay there, so he went and hid under the deck. And you can imagine Tansy.

When our people take our picture together, they usually just try and get us to stay in some spot. But Mr. Sam wanted us to all lay down and be touching each other. Really. People are pretty funny sometimes.

Gentlepup? (Guest Blog)

2007-10-15T13:21:00.000-04:00

Rafe here.

Want to post, but it's Pippin's turn to post.

Waiting.

Waiting.

Still waiting.

Well, here's something we found. It's Pippin, I think that counts as her turn.

Woof,
Rafe

Heeling Experience (Guest Blog)

2007-10-09T11:26:00.000-04:00

Greetings Gentlepups!

Our Flock has been Most Busy of late. Yet we all have Tails to Tell. Miss Pippin has requested that I Speak first.

My Recent Experience began with a small Laceration, of unknown Cause, inflicted upon my Flank. (It was not deep, and is all Heeled now.) To Mend, the Vet stapled my Wound and gave me Heeling medicine. Alas, the staples fell out. (Master Hamish said the same had occurred to him. Perhaps it is a Sheepdog Issue.) Then the Vet sewed my Wound. I also received a clear Lampshade to wear. Pups, I believe Lampshades belong Elsewhere, do you not agree? My people agreed. But they did not wish for me to Heel my wound myself. So they placed upon me a Heeling Shirt:

(Here it is being Gathered and Pinned, so that I might Run Freely.)

This Heeling Shirt carried Greater Power than I knew! It bore the image of a Wolverine. My people said the Wolverines were Lost, and Many were Sad. Everypup, can you Guess? Once I began wearing the Heeling Shirt, the Wolverines were Found! I wore the Shirt for Ten Suns. Then my people declared me Heeled. I no longer wear the Shirt; the Wolverines are still not Lost.

I am Most Pleased that wearing my Shirt helped the Wolverines. Yet it is quite Curious, to Wear a Shirt and Impact Distant Events. I will Think About It, and Nap.

Barks,
Tansy

Rolling (Guest Blog)

2007-10-04T14:19:00.000-04:00

Greetings Gentlepups!

I wish to Speak to you of one of My Favorite Things: Rolling! I do hope everydog has an opportunity to Roll. My best Morning Walk is to the Park with Dewy Grass. Often I can Roll several times there.

The Technique is simple:

Sniff out a promising Place

and Roll!

Lest your people be concerned, I am most Careful not to Roll in Unpleasant Matter.

Bark,
Tansy

Big tongues

2007-09-21T20:02:00.001-04:00

Whose tongue is bigger? Hamish's or Rafe's?

Mine of course is delicate as befitting a gentlepup

Something is upside down

2007-09-12T21:44:00.000-04:00

Hey Pups,

It's me and I am not happy about the turn of events at my house. I think the world has just gone all topsy turvey. First, the new term of doggie classes started and RAFE!!! is going to as many classes as me. My people seem to have forgotten the rules we agreed to almost a year ago concerning guest blogging. Note in particular condition #4. Blatent violation and I will be contacting the steward of the Pupsters tomorrow.

In addition, after many sun-ups and sun-downs, my person seems to be working somewhere other than home. For a long time now, she's been home. Letting us out to play and potty every hour or so, more if we demanded it. Giving us cookies for looking cute, scritches on the ears just because. You remember me mentioning the universe(ity) where she works? Well, I think the on-switch got switched and now she has to go there all the time. And then, when she comes home, she still has to tap, tap on the computer, but it isn't on my blog. What's up with that? She was doing something before called sab-ba-ti-cal. Do you know what that is? Oh well, now she's doing something called tea-ching and com-mit-tees. I know about teaching because that what I do with Rafe, but I don't know about com-mit-tees. I don't think I'd like them, though.

On top of that, she was gone for a long time with my brother Hamish. Hamish came home being frankly a bit on the smug and snotty side. Seems he was off with my person at the farm doing important work. And she only took him. Note, that she didn't take ME. Sigh. Here was some of Hamish's work friends.
and here's what it looked like in the morning
And here's one just for Amber
(p.s.--Hamish is all recovered from his ow-ey from a couple weeks ago, Amber).

I really hope that things get back to normal sometime soon!

New camera and other happenings

2007-08-28T11:52:00.000-04:00

Hey pups,

Lots has been up at our house this week, including lots of new weeds that joined our yard after all the rain we've had.

This last week, my people went to a herding trial that was just for fun. They took the three young boyz (Hamish, Rafe and Kyzer), but the boyz told me they just stayed in the car most of the day. So, I didn't feel too bad that I got left behind since my favorite person in the universe came over to play ball with me and let me give her kisses.

The trial was for more advanced dogs. They had to do a 500 yard outrun (which means the sheep were 500 yards away) and the sheep were being held in place by a person on a horse! That's pretty different from how it usually is. The trial was set up to be REALLY hard to help the people and the dogs get ready for this fall's trials, including the National Herding Finals.

Kyzer's mom and dad will be going there to compete and a lot of his mom and dad's friends are going too. My people hope one of us will go there someday--even if just to watch.

My person made me some new agility jumps--four of them to be exact. We can do lots of practicing and different activities with them--and the best part is when we work with the jumps, it's just me and my person. All the other pack members have to wait inside. I love that.

Last night, my goofy brother Hamish had to go to the late-night dog doctor and get three staples in his side. My people noticed him licking and licking his side and when they looked there was a big gash and a long scrape. They have no idea how it happened. Normally they would blame Rafe, but they knew that Rafe hadn't been around Hamish much at all. Hamish told me that it came from one of Kyzer's teeth from when they were playing, but he didn't want to rat on Kyzer and get him in trouble.

Hamish was a good boy at the dog doctor, but he sure didn't like having that cold, round thing put on his chest or that long, skinny, slimy thing put you know where.

My people got a new camera! They decided that their trusty 2 megapixal, 6-year old camera needed to be upgraded, so they went out and bought themselves a digital SLR. So, now there'll be lots of new pictures of us (though I don't really understand it, first they took lots of pictures of the CATS!!!! :-0

That picture up top is the first group portrait. And down there is Rafe with his beloved.

Hamish looking handsome as ever.

Tansy waiting patiently for the camera to go away

Renzo enjoying the favored Kuranda bed by the front window
Cutie-patootie Kyzer-roo
And me looking expectantly... what do you think I'm looking for?

Mud Pud Game (Guest Blog)

2007-08-21T13:47:00.000-04:00

Greetings, Gentledogs!

We have experienced much Rain in the past days. We hear other Dogs may also have Rain. I Delight in Rain, for it means Puddles and my Favorite Game, Mud Pud! For other Dogs who do not know Mud Pud, I will explain. Perhaps you then can Play!

These Photographs are from after a Snow, when the Sun came and the Air was warm.

First, Discover a Puddle! Test with paws to see if there is Mud:

Then, Twist and Dip in the Water and Mud:

Toss and Taste some Water:

Play in Small Puddles too!

I only put two Paws into Small Puddles:

Enthusiastic splashing is Best:

After Playing Mud Pud, say Thank You!

Barks,
Tansy

Boring, rainy day

2007-08-19T16:07:00.000-04:00

Well, friends, we are bored today. It's raining (meaning short, wet walkies) and the people are doing boring, VERY boring things. Here I am thinking carefully about tennis balls while my person types away and away.

Kyzer has also decided that today seems to be more or less a bust. Though he did get a new Nylabone to chew on, which made him act pretty spoiled and not wanting to share
Miss Tansy is waiting for her special person to stop doing laundry

And my goofy brother Hamish can barely muster the desire to open his eyes, he's so bored.
What are all you other pups doing on this lazy Sunday?

We are fam.i.ly

2007-08-07T21:11:00.001-04:00

Hi pups,

Pippsie here--I've been on a bit of a hiatus. My scribe's had the usual this and that to take care of. Now that the universe is about to be in season--uh, I mean session--again, it's time for her to shift some attention to her lessons...and to what she's going to teach those students. Anyway, that usually means more time at the computer, less time with the tennis ball. Sigh.

Rafey wrote about seeing his family (little Kyzer saw his family there too--it was fun. Or so I heard, I didn't get to go as usual). Got me to thinking about family and how much I love my pack even though only Hamish and me share some genes. But, love makes a family, so I've heard. Now, Hamish doesn't really love Rafe, but I guess that happens in families too.

I've even come around to loving the wicked kitty Fox. Why, just last night, I play-bowed right at him.

The other thing I was thinking about family is about my dogs with blogs family. We were so sad after we heard about dear Oscar leaving us for the Rainbow Bridge and then read about poor Marvin's mom worrying that she didn't visit enough other pup blogs. So, we started feeling a little guilty too. We read lots of blogs but we don't always comment--even when we laugh at everydog's adventures. Then, we heard from Chuck, the bizzle dizzle, that it was one year since our doggie friends convinced my person to keep on bloggin'.

See I'd been blogging for a pretty long time and never got a single comment. So, my person and me decided that maybe we should focus more time on learning flyball than on blogging about it, so we said sayonara. We'd joined Dogs with Blogs a few months before that--I'm dog #59 (who would have guessed there'd be such an exponential rise in dog bloggers to almost 600 now!). And suddenly all these doggies came to the blog and left me a message and I looked at Chuck's page and his Opy had come up with Paw-It-Forward. I was the dog who was going to quit--sad but true.

And suddenly, we had so many friends and we keep getting more. And, that's another way of looking at family.

And that is totally cool....

Family (Guest Blog)

2007-08-02T16:27:00.000-04:00

Rafe here.

Went to a reunion a while back. Well, it was Kyzer's. His dad lives at that Farm. All dogs related to that Farm were invited. Some dogs whose people helped at that Farm were invited. Kyzer said we could come too. Turns out I saw my pup family. Hmm.

Here's my ma, Snip, and my sis, Floss:

And a closer view of my ma:

I'm bigger than them. And darker. Different ears. Guess we still look like family.

Here's my dad. He's from Isle of Man. Older, about 11 now.

Don't look much like my dad. He's very Stylish on sheep though, and so am I. Thanks, dad, I do like my Style.

Woof,
Rafe

Me! Me! Me! (Guest Blog)

2007-07-29T13:02:00.000-04:00

Hi! Hi! Hi! It’s me, Fox! Doggin bloggin! Got Rafe’s pass word, for Thin Mints! They sed there’s questions! I answer!

!. Your age?
Fox: 2 snows? 4? 1?

2. Your age when you came to live with your people?
Fox: 2 snows? 4? 1? Not tellin! Stray Cat Secret!

3. What color is the collar you’re wearing right now?
Fox: No color! No collar!

4. Who is your favorite person other than the people you live with?
Fox: Visitor lady! [neighbor Moni]

5. How much do you weigh?
Fox: 2 bags of flour

6. Most expensive thing you’ve every chewed up?
Fox: Can food! Every day!

7. Do you like other Dogs?
Fox: If nice! Love dogs!

8. Who is your best non-human friend?
Fox: Kyzer!

9. Squeaky toys or tennis balls?
Fox: Too big! No

10. Do you like to be brushed?
Fox: Yes okay

11. Peanut Butter or cheese?
Fox: Cheese, specially with macs!

12. Do you people cut your toenails?
Fox: No! Well, yes

13. Any formal education?
Fox: Cats dont have school, born with wisdom from Egypt!

14. Couch potato or Energizer Bunny?
Fox: Yes! Yes!

15. Five nicknames your people call you:
Fox: Foxy, Foxberry, Billy, Scoundrel, Fluffyboi

16. What is your best trick?
Fox: Diggin snakes from box! [getting dog leashes out of basket]

17. Do you like kitties?
Fox: Yes, fun!

18. What did you have for breakfast?
Fox: Chickin Can Food and smidge venison from dogs

19. Can you hunt (i.e. have you ever killed anything)?
Fox: Yes! No body saw. I can jump! High!

20. When and why was the last time you went to the V.E.T.?
Fox: While ago. So I could ride in a box in the car

21. Where do you sleep at night?
Fox: Best on bed! Feather soft!

22. Do you like to swim?
Fox: Get wet?

23. Can you make puppies?
Fox: Why?

24. Do you give kisses?
Fox: No. I give a bath if I want

25. Can you potty on command?
Fox: Why?

26. To Cuz or not to Cuz?
Fox: No cuzzing! I am proper polite!

Ciao!

A Tad about us elders (Guest Blog)

2007-07-26T13:12:00.000-04:00

Greeting Gentledogs,

Miss Pippin has requested that Renzo and I address the questionnaire. We are Pleased to Do So. We would also like to Apologize to our Readers for the Paucity of Posts from our Flock. We will be more Diligent in Encouraging our transcribers to Work harder. (More Photographs are also needed. As you See, the Photograph of Renzo and me includes Another. )

Let us begin:

1. Your age?
Renzo: 6 years and a bit
Tansy: almost 7 years

2. Your age when you came to live with your people?
Renzo: around 1 year
Tansy: 4.5 years

3. What color is the collar you're wearing right now?
Renzo: Mostly orange and turquoise, with a touch of yellow
Tansy: Lavender with lovely dragonflies

4. Who is your favorite person other than the people you live with?
Renzo: Aunt Chris
Tansy: Miss Mandy at Agility Class. And Miss Deb, though I have not seen her in Some Time.

5. How much do you weigh?
Renzo: 28 lbs
Tansy: 30 lbs

6. Most expensive thing you've ever chewed up?
Renzo: Bag of Hershey's miniatures
Tansy: Nothing. A GentleDog does not chew things up.

7. Do you like other Dogs?
Renzo: If they aren't Border Collies
Tansy: I am very Discriminating

8. Who is your best non-human friend?
Renzo: Zuri, our neighbor dog who moved away
Tansy: Fritzl, our tiger tabby. I am quite focused on him, to what end I Know Not

9. Squeaky toys or tennis balls?
Renzo: Squeaky toys
Tansy: Squeaky toys

10. Do you like to be brushed?
Renzo: Not really, I prefer a massage that also helps me shed
Tansy: Yes, as long as there is no pulling

11. Peanut Butter or Cheese?
Renzo: Both
Tansy: Cheese

12. Do your people cut your toenails?
Renzo: Yes
Tansy: Yes, with Reluctance

13. Any formal education?
Renzo: Yes, three household obedience classes and four agility classes
Tansy: Yes, several household obedience classes, agility and working sheep

14. Couch potato or Energizer Bunny?
Renzo: Both, I love a good run-around as well as video night!
Tansy: I believe I would be considered an Energizer Bunny

15: Five nicknames your people call you:
Renzo: Ren, Ren-Ben, Ben-Renzo, Renbabydog, Sir Barks-a-Lot
Tansy: Tan, Tan-tan, Z-Tan, Tan Pan, Pan-Tanorama

16. What is your best trick?
Renzo: Jumping through a hula-hoop to catch a ball
Tansy: Run Big Circle

17. Do you like kitties?
Renzo: As long as they keep their distance
Tansy: Very much

18. What did you have for breakfast?
Renzo: Raw turkey, organs and bones
Tansy: I had the same. I eat more Quickly than Renzo

19. Can you hunt (i.e. have you every killed anything living)?
Renzo: Yes, I am a squirrel afficionado
Tansy: I assisted Renzo once, after the deed

20. When and why was the last time you went to the V.E.T.?
Renzo: Soon, need some shots and my heartworm test
Tansy: Some days ago for my shots and check-up

21. Where do you sleep at night?
Renzo: Loose; I choose to sleep in a round bolster bed near my Flock
Tansy: A lower level crate, much like a garden apartment

22. Do you like to swim?
Renzo: It's O.K. if necessary
Tansy: Not unless I must. Splashing is fun!

23. Can you make puppies?
Renzo: Nope
Tansy: Gracious, no!

24. Do you give kisses?
Renzo: Yes
Tansy: Yes, but only to Select people

25: Can you potty on command?
Renzo: Yes, we all potty to "hurry"
Tansy: Quite right

26. To Cuz or not to Cuz?
Renzo: Occasionally
Tansy: I prefer plush

Us smoothies (Guest Blog)

2007-07-19T15:20:00.000-04:00

Rafe here. Miss Pippin asked that I answer some questions. Happy to. Young Kyzer too. We smoothies from the farms stick together.

1. Your age?
Rafe: 18 months
Kyzer: 9 months

2. Your age when came to live with your people:
Rafe: 7 months
Kyzer: 7 weeks

3. What color is the collar you're wearing right now?
Rafe: Red, with yellow squiggles (not snakes, Emmy) and black and white squares
Kyzer: Grays and greens in this really neato pattern!

4. Who is your favorite person other than the people you live with?
Rafe: Gram and Gramps. The best.
Kyzer: Oh, not a big people dog, but I sure do love Kelly, my original human

5. How much do you weigh?
Rafe: 49 pounds
Kyzer: Gosh! I think maybe more than 35 pounds now?

6. Most expensive thing yo've every chewed up?
Rafe: A Chuck-It
Kyzer: Keen sandals. Or a library book. Which I did last night.

7. Do you like other Dogs?
Rafe: Yes, especially little ones
Kyzer: Not at first, but then I come around!

8. Who is your best non-human friend?
Rafe: Sure do like Scamp, the toy Aussie at my old agility class. Though there's a fine gal, an Afghan named Renee, at my new agility class. Not real good friends, but I'd like to be.
Kyzer: Hamish or Rafe!

9. Squeaky toys or tennis balls?
Rafe: TENNIS BALLS
Kyzer: Tennis balls

10. Do you like to be brushed?
Rafe: Not really, it's kinda strange.
Kyzer: Don't know!

11. Peanut Butter or Cheese?
Rafe: Cheese
Kyzer: Peanut Butter

12: Do your people cut your toenails?
Rafe: Never done it. Don't need to.
Kyzer: Yes.

13. Any formal education?
Rafe: Household obedience, agility, and herding. Sleep-away herding school too.
Kyzer: Kindergarden! And I'm starting herding school now!

14. Couch potato or Energizer Bunny?
Rafe: What's a couch potato?
Kyzer: Bunny? To chase?

15. Five nick-names your people call you:
Rafe: Rafey, Raf-ish, Rafe-a-roni, Big Boy, Handsome
Kyzer: Ky, Ky-roo, Kroo, Kroozer, Ky-rooster

16. What is your best trick?
Rafe: Hugs
Kyzer: Sit up and wave with both front paws

17. Do you like kitties?
Rafe: Love 'em
Kyzer: Love 'em

18. What did you have for breakfast?
Rafe: Rice and chicken. Got a little intestinal upset. Better now.
Kyzer: Merrick kibble and Innova canned food.

19. Can you hunt (i.e. have you ever killed anything living)?
Rafe: No
Kyzer: No!

20. When and why was the last time you went to the V.E.T.?
Rafe: Last Monday for my shots. Not real impressed.
Kyzer: In February for my last puppy shots

21. Where do you sleep at night?
Rafe: Crate, top left above Miss Tansy
Kyzer: Crate, bottom right, next to Miss Pippin!

22. Do you like to swim?
Rafe: Don't know
Kyzer: What?

23. Can you make puppies?
Rafe: No, but I've got an eye for the gal dogs! I know my manners, though.
Kyzer: I'm still a puppy myself!

24. Do you give kisses?
Rafe: Yes, but only occasionally
Kyzer: Very rarely

25. Can you potty on command?
Rafe: Yep, "Hurry"
Kyzer: Yes, "Hurry"!

26: To Cuz or not to Cuz?
Rafe: Sometimes. When Miss Pippin is.
Kyzer: Not very often, but I think I chewed a foot off!

We, the Moy Dogs

2007-07-16T14:52:00.000-04:00

The Dogs of Jackman Ave started a fun game, called MeMeMe. We thought we should play, even though we're about a month behind everydog else. Hamish and I thought we'd start (and we won't tag anydog since mostly everyone's already done it I bet). That us up sharing the dog bed. We're half brother and sister because we have the same mom--Ness Moy. Moy is the name of the kennel we came from in Ontario, Canada. It's about 8 hours away from where we live now. Here's the rest about us:

1. Your age?
Pippin: 3 1/2 (Nov. 8, I'll be 4)
Hamish: almost 2 (Aug. 21)

2. Your age when came to live with your people?
Pippin: 7 weeks
Hamish: 9 weeks

3. What color is the collar you're wearing right now?
Pippin: Pink with big flowers
Hamish: Green with vegetables

4. Who is your favorite person other than the people you live with?
Pippin: My neighbor, Moni
Hamish: I love everybody

5. How much do you weigh?
Pippin: 39 lbs
Hamish: 44 lbs

6. Most expensive thing you've ever chewed up?
Pippin: Snazzy work trousers
Hamish: Expensive, beloved leather boots

7. Do you like other Dogs?
Pippin: Not so much--but if they keep their distance, I don't snark at them
Hamish: you betcha

8. Who is your best non-human friend?
Pippin: Hamish and Rafe
Hamish: I like 'em all, except Rafe

9. Squeaky Toys or Tennis Balls?
Pippin: Tennis balls, but I also like squeaky toys a lot
Hamish: Neither--I like my purple plastic ball

10. Do you like to be brushed?
Pippin: NO!!!!!!!!
Hamish: It's o.k.

11. Peanut Butter or Cheese?
Pippin: Peanut Butter
Hamish: Cheese

12. Do your people cut your toenails?
Pippin: Absolutely not
Hamish: No need

13. Any formal education?
Pippin: Yes, I have a doctorate in Dog Classes--been to too many to count--obedience, agility, flyball, herding. Right now I'm taking herding lessons and agility lessons
Hamish: Yes, two obedience classes, plus puppy kindergarten, several agility classes and herding school

14. Couch potato or Energizer Bunny?
Do you really need to ask?

15. Five nicknames your people call you:
Pippin: Pippy; Pip-a-dip; Pips; Pippikins; Dippy-do
Hamish: Hambone, Hamster; Ham-bam; Bam-Bam, Mishkin

16. What is your best trick?
Pippin: Turn on a light switch
Hamish: Wriggle on the floor like I'm a worm

17. Do you like kitties?
Pippin: Yes, unless they try to jump on me
Hamish: Yes, unless they make weird noises like scratching or hissing

18. What did you have for breakfast?
We all had raw lamb, organs and bones

19. Can you hunt (aka have you ever killed anything living)?
Pippin: An ant
Hamish: No, but just let me at a squirrel. And I almost killed a sheep by running her into a fence

20. When & why was the last time you went to the V.E.T.?
Pippin: Last summer when I had giardia
Hamish: in Dec. when they took my manhood

21. Where do you sleep at night?
Border Collies sleep in crates in the bedroom

22. Do you like to swim?
Pippin: N.O.
Hamish: Not so much

23. Can you make puppies?
Pippin: No
Hamish: I wish I could, handsome as I am

24. Do you give kisses?
Pippin: Yes, many
Hamish: Yes, bruising ones

25. Can you potty on command?
We all potty to "hurry"

26. To Cuz or not to Cuz?
Yes, To Cuz (we have many Cuz options at our house and we love them all)

Hi! Hi! Hi! (Guest Blog)

2007-07-13T15:04:00.000-04:00

It's me! Fox, CAT on Dog Blog! Agen!

No Dogs, Doggins not Bloggin! Sleepin Eatin Barkin Playin Workin!

So I say HI! I tell Dogs to Blog Soon. Else I steel all their Can Food, not jus small Bites!

Ciao!

My People

2007-07-05T18:36:00.001-04:00

Copper said awhile ago that I should blog something about my people. Seems like Hershey got this started and lots of pups have been telling stuff about their people. My people are both female people and like most dogs-with-blogs people, their main job is taking care of us pups (and sometimes the kitties, too--but that's really more of a hobby). That's them up there from when they only had Renzo and the kitties. Don't they look deprived? Thank goodness we Border Collies came along to save them.

They trade off giving us our breakfast and dinner and taking us for walkies. The taller, skinnier one takes Tansy, Rafe and Kyzer and the shorter, dumpier one takes me, Hamish and Renzo. That's pretty important work, we think.

But, they also go out in the rolling living room sometimes and bring us back stuff and they want to buy us some of our own land and sheep, as befits dogs of our stature and breeding--so, they talk sometimes about making "money". I think that's kind of like going out hunting. See, they leave and they often say, "O.k. dogs, we're off to hunt and gather. You be good." We're usually not good, but they still come home with stuff for us. And that stuff seems to come from money. Where do they get it?

They both seem to get it from a place called a "university". I think that's kind of related to the word "universe" since sometimes it seems like they spend a LOT of time there.

That one makes pictures and puts them on the Internet for people to see and use. Sometimes she makes the pictures herself with a camera and sometimes she turns pictures into digital images. She also helps people get books and videos when they need them AND she looks at pictures and works hard to figure out what they're of, so she can tell other people in case they want to use them. She learned in college and gradual school how to look at all kinds of things like paintings, sculptures, photographs and blueprints and find out what's interesting about them. It seems a little boring to me, but what do I know being sort of semi-color-blind and all.

The other one talks a lot about weird stuff that no dog would ever want to try and understand. She learned how to do it in gradual school, too.
(that's her trying to tell Kyzer about it there--doesn't he look bored?)

She mostly seems to type on her computer-box and go to meetings. Sometimes the meetings are at the universe but sometimes they are somewhere else--like where people speak a different language or have a different clock time. I didn't know you could get money from meetings, but apparently you can. She also listens to sounds on her computer and then turns the sounds into some kind of numbers. It's all very strange and we try not to ask too much about it.

They met each other a long time ago in a land far far away when they were both doing something for their gradual schools--something about getting material together to write a really, whopping big, long, boring paper that has something to do with dissing--I don't know who they were dissing, but it seemed to take a long time--that must be why their school was called gradual school.

The one already had Inji, one of our kitties (she just turned 17) and for a long time, she was the only furry friend they had. They lived in several different states and Inji told me that she got put in her box a lot and moved somewhere else. One place had an island and another place had lots of gecko lizards. Then they got an orange kitty, Theka. He was quite a rascal. When they moved to where we live now, they got Theka a kitten so he'd stop pestering Inji, and the kitten turned into Fritz.

So they had three kitties for a while and talked all the time about how crazy it was for people to have dogs since you couldn't do anything if you had a dog--you had to go home all the time and make sure the dog could go out to sniff the flowers. They even used to leave the kitties for several days and just have a neighbor come check on them--can you imagine??

They got Renzo on a total whim one Sat. afternoon in November. They went to the pet store to get kitty food and there was a rescue organization there and they saw him all curled up in a little ball, like this
Wouldn't you have brought him home? He seemed so soft and sweet. Thing was they didn't know diddly-squat about dogs--both of them had dogs as kids, but their moms took care of them. Things were pretty topsy turvey for a while. Fritz moved to the basement and the people thought they'd have to give Renzo back. But then, suddenly one day, they both looked at each other and realized they loved him and they couldn't give him back even if he was a bad dog sometimes--and very barky (which he still is).

So, they took him to some classes and started to learn more and more. And then came the monumental decision to get...ME!!! Probably the most important decision of their adult lives. Certainly the one that most of their family and friends identify as the start of their spiral into dog-nuttiness. They haven't even told everyone about Kyzer and he's almost 9 mos. old!!

They also do some other stuff than keep us entertained (though I don't really know why). They like to garden and cook. One of them bakes amazing pies (and we've tried a couple, so we know of what we speak), and the other one bakes a lot of bread. They like to read books and the newspaper. One of them plays on the computer a lot. The other one plays the piano. One of them was a drummer in the marching band in high school and the other one was a representative at Girl's State.

One of them has one sister, who is married with a son, a daughter and a new baby coming in Feb.. The other one has two sisters, two brothers, four nieces, three nephews and one grand-niece. One of them is the oldest in the family and the other is the youngest. One is scared of thunderstorms and one is scared of horses. One has some back trouble that is very ouchy and the other one has bum ankles (she got thrown from a horse and messed her ankle up when she was 8--that's why she's scared of horses now). One of them comes from a military family and was born in Germany (her dad fought in a war that lots of people weren't very happy about--it was far away and the people spoke a different language). One of them didn't talk hardly at all until she was 6 (and she still doesn't talk all that much).

But, really, the most important thing about them is that we love giving them kisses and wagging our tails at them and snuggling with them on the couch, and they seem to like that back.

Still king

2007-06-28T09:41:00.001-04:00

Hey every pup,

Thanks for the well wishes on my work at the trial. Sorry, I don't have any pictures to show of my fine work. One of the people was scribing for the judge (writing down the scores) and the other one was helping me look good, so they couldn't snap any pictures.

I didn't win the trial, but I can say that I am still king of the sheep--at least compared to the other pups in my pack. The sheep bow to my great presence; listen when I give a nudge; let me chase them if I get that bug (which happens sometimes--you just can't always control it). My person gave a wordy description of it all on a discussion board. I recognize some of the words she used, like "come bye" and "away", but all that other stuff she wrote about seems like gibberish, so I'll leave you to decipher it if you want to.

I got kinda nervous because my person was a little jumpy. Don't know why, it's not like it was something we'd never done before. Oh, wait, I guess it kind of was. But it didn't seem that different to me.

Anyway, I'm ready to do it again anytime. Hey, wait, I heard there might be some action this week-end. I wonder if I'll get called to the plate.

Break a leg, Hamish

2007-06-22T13:11:00.000-04:00

Hi everydog,

I hope that all you pups out there will be crossing your paws for Hamish and our person this week-end. He's going to be competing in his first sheep-herding trial. He's feeling pretty chuffed with himself, but our person is a little nervous. Hamish spent the week at sheep school and worked very well for the trainer. He doesn't work as well for our person because she really doesn't know so much about what she's doing and he doesn't respect her quite as much. That's what the trainer said anyway.

But, they both try to do their best and that's what we care most about.

Hamish will go once on Saturday and once on Sunday. Each run is about four minutes and consists of the outrun (leaving the handler to run toward the sheep); the lift (when the dog moves behind the sheep and the sheep start to move away from the dog); the fetch (when the dog moves the sheep to the handler); the wear (when the handler walks toward two panels and the dog keeps the sheep between him and the handler); and finally, the pen (where the dog and the handler move the sheep into a pen.

While it's all fine and good to be focused on Hamish, you might wonder what the rest of us will be doing. Rafe and Kyzer will be going to the trial, too. That means they'll hang out in the rolling living room and get to go on short walkies every few hours 'til dinnertime. Renzo, Tansy and I will be holding down the homefront. My most favorite human in the entire universe will be hanging out with us, playing ball and doing that laugh I love most of all. It should be a great week-end.

Hamish will no doubt report on his work next week. Right now, he's resting to shore up his strength.

Education (Guest Blog)

2007-06-15T11:32:00.000-04:00

Greetings, Gentledogs!

Gracious, it has been many Suns since I have spoken to you! I do apologize. We have been most Busy. My Flock has worked Sheep many times. (Sir Renzo is kind enough to guard our House when we are working.) We have also been learning Agility. I do enjoy that Work, especially when we have many Obstacles.

Most wonderful, I had a Special Event: I had Two Days with my person in a Seminar. In a lovely outdoor setting, we met with Other People and Dogs and Learned about Relationship Based Training. I also had a Delightful Massage. My person says she learned a Great Deal. She highly recommends a book by the Teacher:

I believe I Learned as well. As we Dogs do every Day. And is that not Wonderful?

Sincerely,
Tansy

Finally home

2007-06-08T11:51:00.000-04:00

Hi everydog!,

It's me Pippin. Do you remember me after so long? I hope so. My people have been doing many things--flying around the world (Copper, you were right, my person was in Hamburg, Germany), doing things on the computer, doing things in the garden, going places in the rolling living room, going away for many hours and then coming back, and then to top it all off, we all went to herding camp together for a couple of days. It's been quite a time this last few weeks, but now we think that things are going to be back to normal. We hope so.

Here are some highlights from the last few weeks' activities

1. We had two days' of herding camp and on the first day, Hamish was AWFUL. He chased a poor sheep around the whole field, even outrunning a four-wheeler that was trying to catch him to make him stop. The poor sheep ran into the fence twice and we thought she'd broken her neck the second time (but luckily she didn't). Our person who was running him was mortified. On the second day, he got some tough lessons on listening to what the people say. By the end of that day, he was back to being a pretty good boy. Still, since his first trial is coming up in a few weeks', his performance that first day earned him a week-long pass to herding school at our trainer's. He'll be packing up his stuff and staying with her starting on Tuesday.

2. I was perfect both days' of herding camp.
(comment from Hamish: Don't believe a word she says)
(comment from Rafe: Believe her on Hamish)
(comment from Hamish: Rafe's just a goody-two shoes who was too much of a weenie to really take matters into his own paws. Who gets to go to herding sleep-over camp after all?)
(comment from Tansy: Gentledogs, both young Dogs tend to speak too Well of Themselves. Pippin, also, may See Things differently than the People do. I, however, was Truly perfect. My person will Verify. Indeed.)

Hey, tail out you three--my post, my version. If you want to tell your story, get your own blog.

3. The people tried to make me sleep loose in the hotel room since they only had crates for Kyzer and Hamish. Boy, did I feel frisky. I woo-wooed at 11 pm, 12 am, 12:30 and 1:15. Then the people made me and Hamish trade places. That suck-up didn't even bark once--he was trying to be on his best behavior after the debacle on the herding field. But Rafey did bark and there was nothing the people could do about it (but they did threaten to make us all spend the night in the car--except Tansy of course).

4. Renzo stayed home while we were at herding camp, but he had his own adventures, including a sleep-over at our neighbor's house and a double dinner when some communication broke down.
(comment from Renzo: The double dinner thing was a well-orchestrated and rehearsed plan on my part. You Border Collies aren't the only smarty-pants in the family, you know)

5. The person who went to Germany brought back much chocolate and gummy bears, but she has not shared them with us. We are planning our revenge.

6. We have now confirmed that Kyzer has his father's eyes and his mother's ears. We await to see what kind of sheep herder he will be because he is still a wee bit afraid of the sheep, but he runs like his mother.
(comment from Kyzer: I'm my own boy and will do my own thing. My existence isn't only about who my parents are. Jeez. I am not afraid of the sheep. I just don't want to scare them before I learn to harness my power and intensity.)

7. Renzo caught and killed a squirrel in the backyard while we Border Collies were playing ball with the person. Renzo did not receive sufficient reward for his good work. In fact, the person threw things at him and acted like she didn't like him for several days. Most perplexing for us all.

8. Many flowers are blooming in our yard. We agree with the people that they are quite lovely. The people are not sharing their strawberries with us, however (and they have so many that they are having to freeze them).

9. Now that we are all back home and back into our routine, we will be blogging and visiting our blogging friends more regularly.

8 things (Guest Blog)

2007-06-02T18:58:00.000-04:00

Rafe here.

Been busy. Scribe's been busy. Time now, though. Here's me at the Farm:

Valiant Max tagged me. 8 unknown facts about me, hmm.

1 - My Pa's from Isle of Man. Or Ireland. Across the Water, anyway.
2 - Sleep on my back.
3 - Speak Cat. I think. Fox understands me.
4 - Like almonds. A lot.
5 - It's in my Blood to sleep under a Truck. Here, I choose the table.
6 - Love the Old Cat here. She has my Colors.
7 - Want to be a therapy dog. Stayed at a Retirement Community with my person's people once. They liked me. I liked them.
8 - Like to do my business right after breakfast. Guess my whole Flock knows about that.

Max tagged Tansy. She's still thinking. Mysterious pup, like her a lot.
Think we're getting Hamburgers tomorrow. Not sure, though.

Rafe

Waiting and waiting for 11 days

2007-05-24T13:13:00.001-04:00

I've been trying, friends, but the person just wouldn't give me the thumbs. After being gone all last week, cavorting with my goofy little brother Hamish on the farm, this week, my person has spent all day every day getting ready for a conference she's going to in a place that sounds like something you eat.

She's flying far away on Monday. I heard her say it's over the water, where they speak a different language. She speaks that language to me sometimes and I pretend to understand, but I like it better when she sticks with good ol' Anglais.

What does this all mean for me? Neglect.

Well, not really neglect for me because there is the other person, but certainly neglect for my dog blogging friends and fans and my own blog. We haven't been to visit anydog in two whole weeks. But she has promised that once she gets back, things will be back on track. I'll get to see what all you dogs have been up to while I've been whiling away my time on the couch.

Watch over the next week or so for some guest blogs though and we still have to post about our important A04 mission.

Off to the farm (Guest Blog)

2007-05-15T13:13:00.000-04:00

From the desk of H.B. Moy, Esq. and Sheepdog Extraordinaire (in Training)

I'm so excited I can hardly keep my tail from helicoptering. You know how my people have sent Rafe to sheep camp twice and me to sheep camp exactly zero times? Well, my person is going to farm sit for this week and I get to go along. Only me. We're going to stay there together through the week-end. There are 10 acres with a flock of about 50 sheep (including cute lambs), a horse, two goats, a donkey, a bird and several felines.

There will be some other doggers there who live there, but they are old and can't work anymore, so my person is going to have to depend on me to help with the livestock chores. We went yesterday for a test run and I made the whole flock of sheep go into a little pen--even the day-old lamb (but my person told me that I had to be more careful with her because she can't run very fast yet. Whatever.). Then I made them come out again. There are even two rams, who can be mean, but were no challenge in the face of the sheep king.

I heard my people talking and they said that I would probably get to work a couple times every day--every day, dog bloggers. Can you believe it? The other person is going to bring the other dogs out a couple of times so they can practice too. But, it's me who's going to have to get the chores done, so they can play around all they want. I'm a workin' dog.

Sincerely,
H.B. Moy

p.s. Pippin got tummy tagged by Kingsley, but she doesn't ever lay on her back (really-she never does), so I have to step in to bat clean-up on that one. I'm good at showing my belly! I don't think I'll tag further right now, though--gotta go pack my stuff for the farm.

p.p.s. What a sad day we had when we learned that the hamsterrier FuFu had gone to the Bridge. We will miss him and know that his family must be very blue.

Even a diva works sometimes

2007-05-13T17:06:00.000-04:00

Hi friends,

Somehow three guest blogs got by before I was able to post myself. Hrumpf. Actually I've been really enjoying the weather of late--it is PERFECT spring weather--cool, crisp, spring-y. My person has taken me on some nice long walkies and we have had good ball play. The nice weather just makes me feel like running and playing.

The flock is pleased to have Rafe back with us. (Well, Hamish is not so pleased, but we are ignoring him when he grumpfs because the rest of us--and especially the people--missed Mr. Rafe-a-roni.)

Here's some video of me working. I have to be honest and admit, it's not the best example of sheep herding--the sheep are worried about me and running fast. Rather than staying back, I'm cutting in on them, which is kinda bad. Plus, I'm overflanking (which means going too far to the left or right) which makes them serpendine around. At the end, I get it together better and get them through the panels, but boy, I need a little more practice, I think. I just couldn't help myself. Watch though, how they move their heads in response to my movements--that part is pretty neat.

Back from camp (Guest Blog)

2007-05-09T10:29:00.000-04:00

Rafe here.

Been gone a while. Missed my Flock. Specially young Kyzer. Found out I'm a Trooper with Army of 4. Good, thanks. Copper's a grand-dog, good.

Here's a video of me [and trainer], working. Hot out. Camera dirty.

First, just quick outrun and fetch. Next a bigger outrun. [Hay feeder for sheep in foreground.] You see me flank very wide. Sheep are light, I am powerful and have strong eye. Sheep start to hustle. Used to be, I'd turn in and stop too soon. Sheep wouldn't move. At camp, learned what to do right. Then, after lift, bring them to trainer. Next shot, don't know what's going on. Think I'm moving sheep. At the end you see the pen. Sheep go in it. That's my new job. Working on it.

Woof,
Rafe

Across the Other Water (Guest Blog)

2007-05-07T14:41:00.000-04:00

Greetings, Gentlepups!

Miss Pippin is still Savouring our lovely Weather, and asked that I Post to the Blog. I am a pup of few Words, and I too Enjoy the Weather. Well.

My person graciously showed me this Photograph, and I will Share it with you. This dog is a Collie, but not Our kind. Her name is Peggy, and she lived in Japan. Japan is Across the Other Water. Perhaps one day I will See the Water. Better, to see Sheep.

Best,
Tansy

Across the Water, Again (Guest Blog)

2007-05-03T10:22:00.000-04:00

Greetings Gentledogs!

I have Recovered from the Anniversary Festival. It was delightful to Chat with so many Pups! "Frosty Paws" are tasty, although not so delicious as Pizza Crusts.

I wish to give a Sharp! Bark! to Toby and Maureen. These Pups are in the Agility class Hamish and I attend on Monday Evenings. I do need to scold Toby, since he is a Young Male, but Miss Pippin assures me he is a Good Dog.

My people said the people of Toby and Maureen might be interested in another picture from Across the Water. Everydog may also find this Intriguing. I believe I understand the Meaning of the Word on the Sign.

Do you Dogs?

Have you seen such a Sign on your Side of the Water?

Tschüssi,
Tansy

Anniversary Party

2007-05-01T09:12:00.000-04:00

Well, pup, we've had a lot of recovering to do after the big shindig this week-end. Tansy and I visited the Wine and Cheese Party chat room a couple of times. We talked to some old and new friends--Opy, Freda, Kingsley, Buster, Chester, TinTin, Maggie, Oscar, Snowball, Pappy's dad, Asta in Oz, Peanut and many others. It was fun to talk to pups all over the world, but my people are not as chatroom savvy as many and so they were easily lost by the quick exchanges.

We also had a lovely wine and cheese layout. First my people got everything set up--the cheese sticks and cookies in the little bowl in front were strictly for us pups.

Then, I took to my station as prime party hostess

Everydog waited politely (except for poor Rafey, who is away at herding camp again. But we'll tell him about it when we next see him)

When the people said o.k., all pups dug in

And of course, that rascal Fox had to get in on the action (Stormy, we're pretty sure he's becoming a dog rather than Kyzer becoming a cat)

And then our people had a special treat just for us dogs (no kitties allowed)--Frosty Paws!!

And then we slept the rest of the day away

Happy Anniversary again Dogs with Blogs. Great work and we're looking forward to another great year of dog blogging.