More Snow

Well it started snowing this afternoon about 1 pm.  The kids (dogs) needed some  exercise, so I thought I would take them for some fun in the snow again.  They wanted to go outside and play, but Abbie and Meg had torn paw pads from the last sub-zero weather and I have dog booties so they begged me to get them so they could go outside.  Well it’s like getting kids ready for school, they run to the door and then back to the bed to get their booties and then back to the door.  After much back and forth running and barking, I finally got them on.

Dutchess wanted to wear her new Camo jacket too.  She would not hold still to get it on, for fear someone would get to go outside before her, again after much back and forth, I finally got it on and off we went.

They ran and ran and kicked their heels up.  The best part was running and sliding on the frozen lake.  Even Molly got in on the action.  Clancy and Dutchess are the best at it and they can slide forever.  Shepp was a little scared, but what you expect from the kid, he’ll learn soon.

All I need is a Big Red "S" on my Chest

After much needed play, everyone, no, let me restate that, Dad was tired and cold and wanted to get back to the house and get my Almond Sunset, that I know was waiting for me.  The kids are still outside trying to get a cardboard box for the hills.  We’ll see…..

Snow Day = Play Day

December 4, 2010

We were only supposed to get about 1 1/2 inches, and I knew the dog were watching the weather and they would be disappointed.  Well,  the snow gods prevailed and voom ....  8 inches the next morning.  They just could not wait,  come on dad.... leeeeets go...Please...... Hurry.  So off we went.  It was a beautiful snow, just wet enough to stick to everything, so I grabbed my camera, not the Frisbee to much of their disappointment and off we went.  When we started walking, all the sad puppy dog faces soon disappeared, and fun was had by all.  They got to run, bark, run, play "catch me if you can" and did I say run?.  Abbie even jumped in the lake, she was so excited, she didn't care.  Clancy got enough herding to move hundreds of sheep for weeks.  Dutchess couldn't understand why I wouldn't throw my brimmed hat.  It certainly looked like a Frisbee.  Meg and Abbie would run like there was no tomorrow, and I'm sure to them, there was not.  Shepp is starting to come into his own.  He is quite a handsome little man, and I say, little man, because as he grows up, Clancy is starting to let him know where he fits into the pack, in a loving way, for now.  Molly was content walking with me as I snapped the shots and peacefully move through the forest.  When I would stop, she would sit next to me and reach up with her head and touch my hand wanting a pet, which she got...   Life is Grand

Meg

You sure that hat won't come off?

I'm prancing now

I know there here somewhere

Ain't I Cute

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Clancy and Molly

Fear not kids, this is only the first of December, there will be many Snow days and Play days ahead.  Dad

Ruby

She was the little girl of Dutchess and Clancy and was born during the summer. She was only 4 months old when she passed away. I know she went to a very loving home because I had met with, and talked to her parents many times before they took her home. I remember everyone was excited and when they pulled away, Ruby was looking out the window at us wagging her tail. I also remember how excited she was to go to her new house, little did I know that would be the last time I would see her.

I received a call the day before Thanksgiving about her, and how sick she was and everyone was crying, and I said a prayer for her, hoping she would be spared, but it was not to be. She passed away on Thanksgiving Day.  I would have loved to have been with her rubbing her little face and being with her as she passed, just to let her know she was loved and not alone. It does break my heart because her owners decided not to keep her updated on her vaccines and she died of Parvo and was isolated and alone.

Ruby's death has hit me pretty hard. She was the first Border Collie we have lost other than Midnight who was only two days old. She was a wonderful little girl who had lots of jumping and running yet to do. I will miss you, and I'm sure that your owners will too, but remember to wait for us at the Bridge.

I really do love them all so much and will always feel they will be part of us. When we do have one of our pups or adult dog come back to visit or board, they always go to the kennel, which was their first home, just like they always did. I have always hoped that when my time comes, God in his wisdom, knowing my heart would allow me to sit in a big field on a beautiful day just outside heaven.  All my dogs and all the pups that we have had would run to me from all directions, jumping on me and licking my face and we would roll on the ground and play, and then we would all go in together. This would be my heaven.  Ken

Life is Good....

Over the holidays we are boarding a dog from one of the last litters. His name is also "Shepp" He loves the water and has had great fun with it. He gets in the water bucket, toilet with both front paws, shower, when you're in it and bathtub. He loves water...  The great thing about us boarding our pups we have sold is you get to see them "all grown up" and see just how beautiful they really are.

Puppy Update

The pups have grown and are doing well.  I have had a lot if inquiries on them.  They are growling each day and barking and growling at each other.  They will run and bark and jump on each other like their tough stuff.

All Gone

Please Let This be Done

I took the Dogs walking on Friday Morning and the weather was Beautiful I enjoyed this time very much.  It's enjoyable to see the dogs run and just get close to God.  It is so nice just to spend some quite time reflecting on your life and being happy with how things have turned out....

Early Morning

 

7 AM, The sun is just starting to come up



PLAY A LOT

Today they, the dogs were just on edge.  They have been "cooped" up for a day or two because of the rain, so they were raring to go all day.  I have them on a new food that has a lot of protein in it and it has really charged them up.  I have been taking them for long walks and they get to poo and pee all along the way.  It is a long road and there are other dogs that walk too.  They make a point to mark each and every spot that every dog from Moses to the present has marked, but they enjoy it and it really cleans them out.  So we went to the area of our property that has a lake and a big field.  One reason we went to the lake area is "Meg" and "Abbie the House Dog", on one of the walks rolled in some poo and got it around their neck.  With that being said, "Abbie the Official House Dog"  was not Official last night.  She stayed in her kennel run last night just to air out. 

So off we went to play.  It did serve two things, the first it wore them out, and then it washed them in the lake.  Abbie is so pleases because she gets to be Official tonight.  By the way, if your thinking it's too cold, they don't seem to mind and they will do it until the lake freezes over.  Meg and Abbie did jump off the dock (with just a little help) just to make sure they got a good cleaning.....



They do love the water and don't care how cold it is. 

If I only Had a Cup Holder





Clancy James "Clancy"

There is no doubt Clancy is our alpha dog when he wants to be.  He is strong, stately and carries himself well.  His hair is hardly ever messy, and he holds a striking figure.  But what you don't see is he is the most loving and gentle of all our dogs.  As I write this, he is inside, by my side, asleep, with his head on my foot.  His movements are slow but sure, always knowing where he is headed and in what direction.  We got Clancy from a breeder in Pekin, Indiana.  He said that he had an excellent bloodline, but we didn't really care because it was not important to us.  Little did we know his bloodline had some Champions, some which are;

2004 International Supreme Champion
98/96 Scotland National Champion
1994 Irish National Champion
94/91 International Supreme Champion
92/89 International Supreme Champion

His Grandparents are from Kamloops, BC Canada and Selkirk, Scotland which is one of the oldest Royal Burghs in Scotland and is the site of the earliest settlements in what is now the Scottish Borders.
Selkirk is the site of the first Border Abbey. William Wallace, was declared guardian of Scotland in the town and little did we know that Our Clancy James had famous parents and Grandparents, but it really doesn't matter because we love Clancy, because he is Clancy

Just today Clancy and the girls were put up because I was going to grade the roads with the tractor and I didn't want him to follow me, it's a long way, and he would be on the roads.  When I got back, he had let himself out of the kennel and opened all the runs that the girls were in and they were all waiting for me.  Clancy had a tennis ball in his mouth and was sitting, waiting for my return.  Of course, we played ball.  He is the best.

He loves the snow, water, mud and any action.  When he runs, he will gallop like a horse until he sprints full speed.  Clancy doesn't jump unless he has to.  When he sits in my lap, and I am in the recliner, he will slowly work up the recliner moving ever so slowly making a nest and settling in for the night.  Clancy loves to play ball and jump off the diving board even when it's cold.  He's one of those dogs that likes to sit near you, leaning up against you,  and when I put my shoes on, he puts his head between my arm and body trying to get me to rub his head, which I do.

Some of the cute things he will do is find a ball (we have many around the farm) and bring it to me and set it at my feet.  If I move, he will pick up the ball and roll it to me, stopping right at my feet again and if I move again, he repeats it again and so on.  After a while, I will pick up the ball and play with him.  Of course, the girls are ready to play too.  He is also a licker.  If you sit in a chair and your leg is exposed, expect a good washing from him, he will make sure there is not a speck of dirt, sweat or anything foreign in that area.  He is such a lover, a great companion, and devoted friend.

Molly Mae

Molly Mae is my "Heart Dog."  For those that don't know what that means, she is my forever dog, my soul mate dog and usually, humans have only one.   I went to the Tennessee/Kentucky border to get her, and she was in a big barn, and the old farmer had 2 females that had delivered 8 pups each two weeks apart It was quite a site to see 16 puppy's running around "just looking for love."  You could not walk for fear of stepping on one.  For some reason, Molly and I made eye contact, and she captured my heart, and I wanted her.  My cousin had gone with me, and she kept steering me to other ones, but I kept going back to Molly.  Little did I know Molly's half-sister was also running around as a pup, and in two years, we would have her too.  More on that later...

Molly was a cute pup, I called her the cow pup because she had a "party" coat.  She was not marked as most Border Collies, but she has a random black and white pattern.

Molly has a look that can pierce your heart.  She is so gentle and loving, and she is our only dog that will speak in whines and grunts.  It's just like she is trying to talk.  She doesn't beg or pester.  Most of our dogs look to her as the female alpha.  She is quite, but strong.  Every once in a while Dutchess will challenge her, but every time Dutchess comes up on the short end of the stick

Molly is the best mother of all the females.  She is very devoted to the pups and will nurture and care for them the entire time they are here.  During this last litter, we were with her as we always are and as she was cleaning and licking them, I attempted to move them so I could keep the area clean and put down clean bedding.  When I picked them up and moved then just a foot or so away, she would gently pick them up with her mouth and move them back to keep them close.  She will forgo food and water to keep her baby's safe.  The only time she will bristle up is when another dog gets too nosey with the pups, and they know she means business.  She loves to be inside and lay in my lap.  Many Sunday afternoons we will take a nap together in the recliner and when bedtime comes, just say "let's go to bed"  she will trot to bed and be waiting for me with her head on my pillow.....