What I Have Learned

It's funny, as a child and young adult I was always more partial to cats. I wasn't particularly interested in the dogs. It wasn't until I was in my twenties, when a bad break-up and a birthday present for said ex resulted in my acquiring a puppy, that I became a bonifide dog lover. That dog was Tessa. Over the years I have learned a tremendous amount about dogs, especially Border Collies.

I started out with two books purchased from Chapters talking about how to train a puppy. I picked up more strategies (most of which I've since discarded) from the ranchers who I rode and roped with. My dog became my traveling companion, out of necessity going where I went. (I had no one to care for her.) I became a champion problem solver, using whatever resources were available to me, tapping into student "puppy sitters" so I could meet my professional obligations and my new found pet parenthood obligations. I quickly learned my former lifestyle wasn't going to work and adapted accordingly.

I have learned that there is no magic answer for problems, that all animals are individuals and should be trained and treated as such. I took hours of lessons trying to master the challenge of developing a herding dog. A journey I'm still very much on. I've made mistakes. And I've learned from each and every mistake I've made. I can only hope I've learned enough to not repeat them!

I've learned that books and the Internet experts aren't always right. This latest lesson has been most clear after having the opportunity to watch my puppies grow into teenagers. Case in point: Zoey was the most assertive female pup and she is the best socialized and friendliest teenager. Ryder was my most active and hyper pup and he has grown into a calm and easygoing adolescent. Diva has turned into a bold and brave young dog. If I had picked a pup based on their traits at 8 weeks (and based on what I had read), I would discover those traits did not hold true to who they are today.

I've learned a tremendous amount about dog language and behavior. I've had the opportunity to giggle as Diva slithers up to a sleeping Ryder and requests some play. I've stared in amazement as Reba, Tessa and Ryder slept peacefully at my feet. I've felt severe amounts of frustrations as Reba and Tessa go to war. I've learned how to deal with problems using positive strategies. I've learned oodles about the care both medical, physical and emotional for the dogs. I'm a continued student about Border Collie quirks, genetic features and breeding.

And most of all, I've learned about myself. I've discovered a deeper self-awareness. It becomes increasingly clear that most of the time when I have trouble with the dogs my ego has gotten in the way - creating it. Or I've skipped steps. Either way, I've learned.

To Blog or Not

Have you ever wrote a post and then chickened out of publishing it? That's what I did this morning. It was deeply personal and about something very much on my mind right now. It's something that could potentially open me up to negative responses, while on the other hand, open me up to new strategies. It's a post that's saved, sitting in "the cloud". What to do with it?

Without going into detail, I have a scary, stressful, and horrifying dog experience. It's one that needs to be solved. And one I have taken steps towards solving. (If it's even possible...) It's one that tears me up inside. Normally, I would blog without fear. However, I have learned that not all people read this blog because they're interested in what's going on in my world. I have learned that there are people who read this waiting to attack, place blame or just be negative in general. These are the people I don't write for. And these are the people making me hesitate with posting about my current issue.

Thoughts?

I Feel Like A Child

Yesterday I woke with a sharp stabbing pain in my ear. It got increasing worse as the day progressed. Now you can imagine the joy of dealing with 22 excited children when their little voices pierce your eardrum. Toughing it out, I went to the MediCentre, (thank you Canada for free and easy to access medical services!), and after a brief examination was told I don't have an ear infection but I do have an angry and inflamed ear.

With prescription for ear drops in hand I went and filled it (which cost me $1, thank you benefit plan!). I've been popping Advil and laying on my side, feeling much like a child. Talk about a way to build empathy for the little farts who are prone to ear trouble!

The worst thing?

I can't ride (or swim, but I hate swimming so don't care about that)! I can't ride for at least 5 days. So lemons into lemonade, I've taken Bacardi's vaccinations to the barn and GB (the stable owner) will give her the shots. This way, it's not too painful to not ride.

Two Paths

Sometimes my country roots goes to war with my short attention span and desire to "do". I had been tamping down one of my interests, in the interest of getting Roxy through training and competing with the dogs. However, last night, I gave up the fight. I've decided to scale back on some things and ramp up others.

I've decided, that next summer, July 2012, I'm going back to Europe. It's something I've wanted to do since I came home from my first trip. This time, I'd like to concentrate on England, Ireland, and Scotland. I've been to London. Just touched the surface of things I'd like to do and see. Now I want to go back. I want to explore and experience. And I just may take in some dog trials (and get some lessons) while I'm there.

This is the plan and I'm really excited about it!

Can't Win for Lousing

I can't win for losing right now. My darling fur-babies picked up lice (or should I say a louse) at doggy daycare. They called me yesterday at work to say one of their regular grooming and weekly daycare visitor had some even smaller visitors on it. As a result they checked all the dogs, and my little man Ryder, had a louse setting up house. Not cool.

A call to the vet, and an order of the topical treatment were the result. I have 5 dogs. I have 5 dogs to treat at least twice this month. You do the math...

The positive is that it's lice and lice are significantly easier to treat than other types of pests. I'll put Revolution on them to kill anything that may be trying to take up residence. I'll also do all kinds of laundry, and thoroughly vacuum (isn't vacuum a strange word??) the house and my truck. Let the good times begin...

Rescues Rant

Lately every time I indulge my guilty pleasure - Kijiji, I'm left with a sour look on my face. I've started to develop a rather large peeve with some of the users out there. Now most times, I get a kick out of the ads. I have a guffaw over spelling and descriptions.

There seems to be a bit of a trend right now. Horse Rescues. It seems everyone and their dog is now operating a "rescue". The ads all plea for money or resources, tugging at your heart strings, trying to guilt you into giving to their cause. But I for one am sick of it. Seriously, who are they to say who's qualified to own a horse? To say which horse is "deserving" of a rescue? Do they even need rescuing?

These people troll the local auctions "rescuing" horses from the meat pen. Their ads state things like "so we can save the good ones". Don't get me wrong, selling a horse for meat is not a choice I'd make. But do I have the right to say that there are horses out there who shouldn't be in the meat pen? Nope, I don't think so. I hate that these people buy up horses that have nothing on them, call them rescued, and place all kinds of conditions on the buyer of the horse.

One of the issues is the horses they are rescuing are a dime a dozen. There are no special features or training that distinguish them from thousands of other horses, and I don't understand the mentality of having a horse just sit in the field as an ornament or pet. I had read an article that stated the number of animals going to the packing plant has actually decreased. It seems to me that people are the problem. Would we need to rescue horses if people were more responsible? If they didn't breed randomly? My vet likes to say that breeding a horse gets another horse. And yes, my horse is bred. But that baby has a home and a use. And yes, if Whiskey ends up only being broodmare sound I will try to rehome her. I don't need or want a broodmare. I will look at reputable and responsible breeding programs, with an approved home, and sign her over. For free.

What I won't do is randomly breed her to some strange unproven stallion with a bizarre yet trendy color just for the sake of getting a baby. (Seriously, if the stud fee is only $300 there is a problem here.)

As to those rescue organizations... get a life and stop the propaganda on the sales forums. I fully and completely support the SPCA and Rescue 100 as they take neglected and abused animals. I do not support organizations or individuals who go to local auctions and try to "save lives".

Okay, I'm done my rant.

Close Encounters of the Wild Kind

We've been going for hour long rambles in the grazing reserve. The grazing reserve is thousands of acres of wilderness and fields that's beside Elk Island National Park. All in all, a lot of undeveloped and protected land filled with wildlife ranging from moose, deer, coyotes, cougars, black bears, fowl and birds. You get the picture...

On one evening walk I spotted a coyote. Thank goodness it saw us before the dogs saw it and beat a hasty retreat. Last night, as we passed one of the shallow sloughs I could see something swimming in it. Something Diva also saw. Head and tail in the air she ran full tilt, barking, into the water. Stomach in my throat and sphincter sufficiently tight, I hollered at her to come back. My imagination went wild with images of Diva bloodied and mauled by the swimming creature. Diva was fearless, and not in a good way! She was giving no quarter. At least until the huge beaver hit the water with it's tail, splashing her and scaring her with the loud bang. Thankfully, she came running back.

Today, we were passing the dug out in our usual walking field when the dogs spotted a Canadian Goose. For the record Canadian Geese are large and not known for being nice. Once again using my holler I tried to redirect the dogs. No go. And what dog was the worst? You guessed it. Diva. The little fart chased the goose into the water. She was chest deep before she stopped. Once she decided the goose was sufficiently put into it's place she returned to me.

That little fart is the devil! But oh so full of character...