Play Date??

I thought I'd work on Ryder's separation anxiety.  I left Diva at home and took Ryder to visit the dog we'd babysat earlier in the year.  The most interesting thing happened.  After debating between leaving Diva in the house or in the garage run I chickened out and left her in the run.  I don't often separate them and I wasn't sure how she'd respond.  I quite like my leather furniture... Diva kinda bounced around when I loaded Ryder in the truck.  As I backed the truck out of the garage, Diva looked on intently.  Ryder began to jump around (not normal) and cry.  He spun circles and put his front feet on the console looking out the front of the window.  As the garage door lowered he cried before lying down on the one back seat that's left up.  He curled up into a little ball.  (Also not normal.  He's a pretty happy traveller.)

Once we were at the friend's house he was tense and a bit clingy.  He settled down but the two dogs never did have the good play they'd had while I babysat.  It was quite interesting and a learning experience.  Clearly I need to do more of this type of thing.  I hadn't realized how dependent he was on his sister.

The Latest

Here's the link to the 365 days of pictures that I'm attempting.

http://365andrea.blogspot.ca/

Fat Camp

This is Bugsy when I first got her.  Take a look at her neck, and um, waistline.

Bugsy, in November - different view.

Bugsy 6 weeks later.

I think this view shows how much she's trimmed up!  Ready now to see what she does under saddle.

Wind Swept Walk

We had to shorten our walk in the park today.  The wind was brisk...  Ryder loves lying in wait to attach his sister.  Loved the contrast with the windswept snow.

My Happy Place

With the weather warmer, I made the two hour trek to Ken's to work dogs and play with ponies.  It did my soul good.  I walked off his property with a smile on my face and peace in my heart.  Both dogs worked surprisingly well given the fact that they've had at least two months off.  Diva *be still my beating heart* actually is beginning to listen.  She's becoming so much easier to work with and is starting to work with me not against me all the time.  So wonderful.  Ken says she's starting to bond with me.  And Ryder is just so freak'n talented his lack of confidence makes it hard to take.  (Ken thought he was a beautiful worker - so it's not just me!)  Because there's so much snow here and my parents don't have large enough clear space to work dogs, I'll travel to Ken's throughout the winter to get the dogs worked.  

Sorry the pictures aren't the best.  I need a much fancier camera to get good shots as they move so fast and it was a dull overcast day.

Diva walking onto the sheep.

 Diva working on driving the sheep.

Ryder working on his flanks.  One of his weak areas.  

Love this shot of Ryder!

Ryder

Ken working Ryder (this is how I managed to get pictures...)

I had to laugh when I saw this next picture.  While I was working Diva, huffing and puffing, I pulled up.  Ken talked to me a little bit and told me to get going.  Looking at him I suggested he work her for a few minutes.  Giving me a steely look he told me to get my arse in gear.  Keep in mind I had on long underwear and the heavy duty Sorel winter boots ~ and I do mean heavy!  Also keep in mind that I was tromping through snow.  Giving him a prune face look I said "What is this Andrea Fat Camp??"  He laughed and said "Apparently."  So when you look at the next picture you see Ken in action.  It's an excellent highlight about how when you're training stock dogs (particularly young ones) you don't stand around.

Best Buds

Bella

Bella's best buddy Ryder.

Don't worry, it's just a friendly wrestle.

We take turns being boss.

And have lot's of fun making the snow fly!

New Year

Normally I don't worry too much about New Years.  My new year always starts in September with a fresh crop of little faces.  This year will be different.  With Sarge making the break at a break I've had some thinking to do.  So this year I will have some new "resolutions".

1. Exercise: While sad, the only way that I know how to heal my bruised self-concept is to exercise.  It's one way I've had in the past in dealing with issues and it will be my crutch for the future.  I'm planning on entering the 10k Melissa's Road Race.  The registration for the race is usually in February and it will give me something to focus on.  I'd love to train for a marathon but just don't have time until I'm done University.  I'd also like to either join a recreational sport league or take some classes.  Time becomes a factor because I get resentful when I'm away from my dogs too much.  I also took my measurements and I'll weigh myself at the farm when I go that way today.  This way I'll have some data to compare.
2. 365 Day Challenge:  Last year my friend told me about this challenge where you take one picture every day for a year.  This year I think I'd like to try it.   I'll start a separate blog for it.  Again, it gives me something to focus on and think about.  
3. Dogs: My doggy goal this year is to get both Diva and Ryder "finished" on stock.  As in, we can go to competitions finished.  Not much will happen in the winter because we have too much snow in the fields and I'll be dependent on driving them places to work them on stock.  I also plan to continue on with doing some basic training - obedience or trick - each night.  I think it'll be good for all of us.  
4. Horses:  Guinness needs to get started.  Based on how sassy he is in the field I'm predicting that he won't be the easiest guy to get going under saddle.  Let's hope I'm wrong.  I don't know what I'll do with Bugsy yet.  If I don't "click" with her in the summer I'll re-home her.  I've already put some thought into who I'd give her to.
5. Family and Friends:  I'll admit I'm something of a hermit.  I don't really feel the need to socialize all that much and I'm quite awkward in social settings.  That being said I'm going to make an effort this year to stay connected with friends and to spend more time with family.  Not just my parents "family" but my brothers and their children as well.  This year I maybe saw my  brothers 3-4 times.  Their children basically don't know me.  I need to make more of an effort to connect with them and to spend time with them.  I need to make an effort to call friends and to do things with them.  
6. University:  I will finish my research by June and write my capstone paper in July and August.  I am desperate to be done with this!  This working full time and going to school part time is very stressful.
7. Religion:  I feel the need to reconnect.  I plan to start going to church again.  I was raised in a very religious home, but have lost touch with my faith while remaining very spiritual.

I will work on these things this year.