Ignoramus

Years ago I had a terrible sore throat.  I assumed it was a virus.  In the meantime my kids fell down with strep.  I took them to the doctor, got them treated and all was well. 

Several days later I was sitting in church and happened to look down.  My chest was covered with a bright red rash.  Uhhhtoooh.  By the time we got home from church, my entire torso was covered.  I had the worst headache in the world & a high fever. 

I disliked going to the doctor and avoided it at all costs - especially the military doctors.  You see, going to the acute minor illness clinic meant spending 8-10 hours in the clinic with three agitated, annoyed, periodically screaming children before you were even seen.   So instead of going to the doctor I assumed it was Fifths Disease, gobbled Tylenol and went to bed. 

It took 5 days and I couldn't bend my knees.  I knew I was in real trouble when I couldnt get up off the loo.  I was stuck at home alone, with three little kids, and crawling out of the bathroom because I couldn't stand up.  My husband was deployed and I was on my own.

My neighbor rescued me that day.  She took over my children, and got me to the hospital where I was admitted for treatment of Rheumatic Fever, which left  lasting damage to my heart. All because I didnt want to go to the doctor. 

This is a pattern for me. 

I did it again.  I have been feeling like crapola for 3 weeks, fighting a horrible sinus infection.  Of course when I went to the doctor last week to talk to him about other things I did not mention the sinus infection.  Doh...

When the ear infection set in on Saturday I knew I was in trouble and PAIN - so I rounded up ever left over antibiotic I could find and almost had myself a full course.  Thinking I had it covered I didn't call the doctor on Monday.   Late Monday night, my ear drum ruptured - which felt  much better...because it relieved the pressure. 

Now my entire head hurts, the side of my face is swollen and it feels like I have been kicked by a horse.

I called the doctor today and have an appointment tomorrow morning.

When will I ever learn? 

I may return to blogging again at some point in the future - I am thinking right about the same time I pull my head out of my ass. 

It is nice to know they love you even if you're stupid. 

Imagination Hiatus

My creativity left me sometime Tuesday afternoon. 

I am not sure when it will return. 

I believe the beautiful weather, direct sunlight and warm temperatures are to blame.  Dogs need to be worked.  Suntans need to be started and the website I am designing has stolen the rest of my spare time. 

It is going to start raining again this weekend.  Hopefully my imagination will return in a day or two.  Till then...get off the computer and go outside and play!  We are!

Remember, Ranger says don't take candy from strangers and eat all your veggies. 

Chasing Geese

Last month we stopped at Farewell Bend State Park in Oregon on the way home from Idaho.  Historic Farewell Bend State Recreation Area is located on the Oregon/Idaho border, north of Ontario, OR.  Farewell Bend was the last stop on the Oregon Trail beside the Snake River. Oregon Trail emigrants traveled through the Snake River country for over 300 miles. Hardship and danger were constant companions, and death, particularly at river crossings, was not uncommon. The river also sustained life, however, providing water and fish in abundance. For many emigrants bidding "Farewell Snake" at this site, parting was bittersweet. 
 
The Park has a decent sized fenced in area for the dogs to burn off some steam after being cooped up in the car. 

Little did I know there were a pair of Canada Geese resting inside the dog area.  The girls spotted them almost immediately.  Whooosh they were off...

Beth is in the lead, Bea a close second, Brynn brings up the rear. 

Oh boy.....Beth looks determined to catch a goose!  Please NO...not in a State Park! 

Yeah!  The geese are airborne!  Whew!  I wasn't looking forward to explaining to a park ranger why my dog killed a goose. 

Uhhh,  hey Beth...you might want to stop before you smash into the fence? 

A dip in the Snake River was in order next to cool off.  Beth was not going to get in that water.  No way. 

Sigh....Bea...how do you manage to do that?  Everyone else is CLEAN! You are the dirtiest pup I have EVER met! 

"Look Camera Face!  More Geese, did you see them?"

Sorry, Bea the only flying creature I saw was you.....as I threw your dirty little body into the river. 

There, nice and clean.  Time to get back into the car before you find more mischief. 

Brynn's Favorite Movie

Ever wonder what a working border collie likes to do for relaxation?

Brynn's favorite movie of all time, Sweetgrass. I am unable to watch this movie without her sitting by my side transfixed. She remains there watching, even if I put it on mute...silly dog.

Bubble Bea

Yesterday I was 7 months old.  Can you believe it?  Seven whole months old!  

I am a serious puppy.  There is nothing wrong with being serious.  But Camera Face has embarked on a campaign to get me to lighten up a bit and play.  One cannot be so serious all the time.  So the other night she put all the dogs in the house and it was play time for me...ALONE!  

I was so happy!  Just me, Camera Face and Dad. 

They had a surprise for me.  

Oh, what is that?

What is that giant funny shaped thing floating down from the sky? 

Interesting...

Not so sure 'bout this...

ATTACK! 

Gonna get this one too! 

No bubble will escape my teeth.  

Sneaky bubbles think they can escape

But they dont know the Beaster.

Come here little bubble, I won't hurt you. 

I like to let them fall a bit and snatch them right before they make their escape in the grass. 

GOTCHA! 

Bubbles, bubbles everywhere! 

Bubble Bea to the rescue! 

 Ohhhh cool, a multi-bubble! 

I lure it into a false sense of security...then make my move.  

If Camera Face had been a little quicker on the draw she would have gotten me killing that massive multi-bubble.  

So you have to settle for another....Death of a bubble

Hurry up Dad, MAKE MORE BUBBLES!  

Bubble Bea at your service.  

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day.

I have gotten some memorable cards from my kids over the years.  My favorite - one year my son proudly presented me a hand made card, on the front he drew an octopus with an army man shooting a ghost.   Inside was another creation with ghost saying "I love you mommy, not tuna casaroll" (exactly as written). 

This morning I was surprised with this memorable card and a plate full of beautifully fried crisp bacon (dog's idea of a lovely Mother's day morning).

 It made me smile....Thank you!

*footnote from Ranger*  Ranger's name was added on for good measure.  While he is missing a couple 'boy' parts he is decidedly 'male'.  AND he wanted to add that he does not consider any female a 'bitch' in his life...he thinks they are all lovely & beautiful girls.

Smart Boy.

A Great Day

Today we had a great day at Fido's Farm. 

I went with a couple specific goals in mind for Beth and Brynn.  I also had an opportunity to put Bea on sheep again with Monique & Lucy as back up.   This was one of those days where things went well, leaving me with a positive feeling and a boost to my self confidence.

Bea was first up.  The goal with her was to keep her moving so she doesn't get sticky, no pressure & have fun. 

Brynn was next up.  Monique came out in the field with me to hold sheep.  We worked on outrun and fetch.  Brynn's out runs were lovely.  She self corrected and kicked out nicely each time she checked on the sheep.  She came in deep.  The lift went haywire a few times because I just couldn't keep my whistle quiet.  When I shut up and let her get the sheep moving on her own, she was beautiful. 

The problem happens on the fetch and she does not seem to want to cover.  When I flank her on a fetch, she slices instead of giving me a square flank.   So Monique and I set up a few dog leg fetch scenario's and I tried to work with Brynn to get her to take my flanks square on the fetch, rather than slicing.   We had a good set of sheep.  One did not want to play with the rest and kept splitting off, so it put some pressure on Brynn & she had to fix the mess at the top once or twice. 

It was good experience, and good work.  I was very happy with her.

When it was Beth's turn we tried something new - shedding. 

Slowly but surely Cindy has been trying to teach me how to shed.  Beth is never going to be an open dog.  I hold no aspirations in that direction for her, but the teamwork we practice shedding will help us in other areas beyond the shedding ring.   I also entered her in an arena trial this summer that will have a easy shed, so we needed to get our feet wet. 

I left about 30 sheep in the field.  I had Beth gather them up.

Beth was laying down, looking at me waiting for my next command.  

Then I picked four sheep at the end, faced the direction I wanted them to go...and called Beth to my side. 

"That'll do Beth, here.....THESE" (pointing at the sheep who were slowly moving away off my bubble). 

Beth got up, walked to me, the stopped...and dropped to her belly again - looked at the sheep on the left, the sheep on the right.  Then gave me a look that almost withered  my eyeballs.

Kinda like this...

I could hear her thoughts beaming into my brain.  

"WTF?  Seriously?  Have you lost your frigging mind? Bugger that! First you want me to put them together, then you want me to make a MESS?  No f*@king way.  Bite me you feeble ole' witch.  This is a trick...isn't it?"

"Its okay Beth, I promise this will make sense in a few minutes.  Please just give it a try...okay?"

Lo an behold, Beth listened...she came up tentatively at first and we walked together to behind the sheep we split off moving them about 50 feet away from the rest where they were content to graze.  Then I had to convince her to leave those and go back to the rest.

When we got back to the bigger bunch, we did it again.  The second time was smoother - she came in nicely (still slowly) and turned in the direction I was facing.  I took a few steps with her and then let her drive those four sheep to the others.  I called her back and we did it again, and again. 

Slowly a lightbulb turned on in her head.  She stopped beaming sharp daggers of death in my direction. 

"Oh, I get it now, you want these sheep here moved away from those.....no problemo!"

After the light-bulb moment things loosened up and she started working with me.  We would shed the sheep off, methodically moving them from one group to the other.  I tried to keep it simple and clear.  She worked with me and not against me.

Today reminded me of how much she loves to work up close.  Every flank was perfectly square.  Once she understood what I was asking, she was relaxed and happy.  In turn I was quiet and happy. 

I am sure I did more wrong than I did correct. But for now I am happy with my dog and for once...myself.

 
Next lesson with Cindy - Shedding 101. 

Return of the Ranger

Long Long ago on a farm far away...

Jedi Ranger BoneWalker has returned to his home crate of Sheepooine in an attempt to rescue Princess Bea from the clutches of the vile massively overweight space gangster Bonnie the Butt. 

Little does Ranger know that the Ovine Empire has secretly constructed a new armored space station even more powerful than the first dreaded Death Ball.

This ultimate weapon spells certain doom for the small band of rebels struggling to restore freedom to the farm.

"This is a machine of war such as the Farm has never known. It's colossal, the size of a class-four poo. And it possesses power unequaled in the history of Death Balls."

"Whatever the Evil Ovine Empire plans for this battle station, it cannot bode well for the farm at large.  We must do what we can to contain the destruction!"

Princess Bea sends a message to the leader of the Rebel Alliance, Jedi Ranger BoneWalker

"Help me, Ranger BoneWalker!  You are my only hope!" 

Leader of the Rebel Alliance ruminates on plans to attack the Death Ball. 

 They carefully test the Death Ball's shields.  

Obi Wan Brynnobi, gauges its strength...

"It is strong, the darkness gives it much power...the Force is weak in its presence."

Suddenly the Death Ball is under the control of Beth Vader who holds the Death Ball in her grasp...unrelenting in her fierce protection. 

Beth Vader is known for her horrible green tongue slime of goo, contact with which will obliterate Rebel Forces.   Beth receives assistance from Bonnie the Butt. 

Suddenly the balance of power shifts!  The shields are down...Obi Wan Brynnobi swoops in and begins her assault! 

It puts up a massive fight, almost bringing Obi Wan Brynnobi to her knees! 

Princess Bea, fights by her side...

The  Death Ball escapes her grasp

Jedi Ranger knows the Force is a delicate thing...as it whispers in his ear. 

"Ranger BoneWalker, You cannot escape your destiny. You must face Beth Vader again"

"Give yourself to the dark side. It is the only way you can save your friends..."

"NEVER!"  

 "Ranger ...  I am your mother."

"Who said that?"

"Did you hear anything?"

To Be Continued...in another 8-10 months.