Irony

Yesterday, Reba and I made the trek down to Calgary. My dearest friend lives there, and I'm blessed that she's the host-est with the most-est. Reba had an appointment with a specialist and I was getting some visiting in beforehand. I had had my vet look into finding me someone to do an eye exam on Reba after her DNA results. She referred me to C.A.R.E Centre. Once there Reba received her eye exam. We were looking for CEA/CH. I needed to know for my own peace of mind just how Affected she was.

Butterflies in my stomach, I patiently waited while the tests were done. And then the vet looked me in the eye and said, "Her eyes are normal." Say what???? Blinking, I looked at him confused, and pointed to the copy of the DNA test. So now I have a nice certificate saying my dog is Affected, and I have another one saying my dog is Normal. Just a bit confusing. He basically said that there are all kinds of variations and while my dog may have the DNA profile she clinically does not have the disease. The results will have no affect on her ability to see and work. And I should feel free to breed her if she has merit. (This one I didn't even ask to know.) Good to know. He did say because of the DNA results to make informed decisions around the breeding aspect (ie. breed Normal). He said a bunch of other things that made me go, "Hunh, really?? Who knew!" that I won't get into because I don't want to create a firestorm. It was a great learning experience for me.

I have to say that was the best and most worthwhile vet bill I've ever paid. Peace of mind - priceless!

Wordless Wednesday

Soft

Soft is normally a good thing, right? I've rode many horses that are "soft". Meaning, they are responsive to the aids. As a general rule I like soft. I like animals that look to me and respond to my subtle cue. I am for the most part a quiet, soft person myself. I'm good a reading people's body language and sensitive to those non-verbal cues. Likewise, I'm normally very good at picking up animal language cues. (I don't always like what they're telling me but I sure can recognize them.)

Today, I specifically went to Ken's to work Reba on the drive. (For the non-herders out there - a drive is where the dog moves the sheep away from the handler.) Deep in my heart, I knew I was messing up somehow. I just couldn't figure out how to surpass the plateau or standoff we had found ourselves on. With Ken's eyes, we worked on our sticky problem. The biggest problem is the Reba seems to be lacking some confidence and glues herself to my leg on the drive. Which for us is odd, because she's normally quite self-assured on stock. She's been a very natural little dog when working - until this. Because she's such a willing and obedient soul she was sticking by me. Imagine the dog - human conversation...

"Well, yes dog, I do want you to stay by me and not help yourself to the stock. But now, I also want you to walk away from me and move the stock away while I stay back here.

But, your tone of voice is getting strong mom, I'm not sure what you mean. Why do you keep calling my name? Don't you want me to circle the sheep? Oooh, you're tense. So I'm going to freeze right here and not move a muscle. That way I won't make a mistake. Uh oh, you're walking towards me. Do you want me to bring the sheep to you? Apparently not, since you're calling my name again. But I was just by you and you didn't want that. I'm so confused."

Poor dog. I figured out (with help) some things that I'm doing that are causing problems. Ken's sheep are also lighter than mine which helps, and she was chugging onto them like nobody's business which was sooooo nice.

My training goals are to keep a gentle, relaxed posture complimented by a quiet, relaxed tone. My biggest problem is I can be strident and can project. I rarely yell, but I can push my voice out of my tummy and really move it, especially when I'm excited. To not nit-pick on getting things perfect, especially when they confuse her. Things l normally would expect of her, such as staying by my side when we're heading out to the stock. Now, I'm going to relax and let her get ahead of me. To focus on what I'm asking her and to make sure I'm not inadvertently applying pressure that counters what I want. I also need to stay FOCUSED, so my timing doesn't get bunged up!

My biggest problem with this dog is that she's soft and responsive. She desperately wants to do the right thing and is sensitive to any negative pressure. Which will be positive down the road but is testing me right now because it magnifies any of my mistakes. But I can do it. Failure is not an option.

Heh, and I wanted a soft dog...

Looking Forward

It's the time of year that always brings reflection. Of the past, and dreams of the future. It's also a somewhat strange time of year for me. My "new" year begins in September. January has never really been a time of changes - mostly because I'm under contract and can't make major changes until the summer. This year I've decided to try something new.

I've decided that I'm going to start a gratitude journal. It's incredibly easy to get caught up in the day to day, and I want to have something to look back upon next December. Something positive. Something that will hopefully make me smile.

This week also starts my "Get Fit Action Plan". I like starting projects when I'm on holidays because I have more time to get things done. As part of my Get Fit plan I'll be keeping a food journal. Partly to help track what I eat, but mostly because I need to get a handle on what I can and cannot eat (for medical reasons - I know about all the delicious stuff I'm not supposed to eat). This way I can make good meal plans.

And as the last week of holidays I'm trying to squeeze everything in. My week at this point involves a puppy play date (today), a trip to Drayton Valley to work Reba (Tuesday), an appointment at the bank (Wednesday), a trip to a specialist in Calgary (Wednesday & Thursday), farrier (Friday). Somewhere in there I also need to fit in a vet appointment for Roxy to get her teeth done. As well, I want to finish working on my website - which has been on the back burner, and I need to get school work done. I also need to make a trip to town and do some errands I've been putting off because I didn't want to deal with the crowds and traffic. That'll probably happen Wednesday morning before I go to the bank. I also want to get the two pups out to the dog park. Luke I think'll be okay. But Diva acted like the sky was falling - in full panic, freak out mode - when I tried to get her to play with my brother's Wire Hair Pointer. Not good...

I also had a wicked brilliant idea yesterday. This time of year is hard to work dogs because of the deep snow. I've been working in a cramped corral which is not ideal. My older brother owns a skidoo or sled as they're known around here. I'm trying to coerce him into coming out and packing down the snow in my small field. With the snow packed down I'd have more space to work my dog! Brilliant isn't it? Now, if I can only get him to fall in with my plans...

Greetings

We shall find

peace.

We shall hear

angels.

We shall see the

sky

Sparkling with

diamonds!

(Chekhov)

May joy, love, and peace fill your homes.

May you and those you love be safe.

My most sincere wishes of a joyful holiday

season for all.

(Andrea)

Christmas Kitchen Time

I love to bake. To prepare for Christmas I've been spending a fair amount of time at my kitchen counter. And for those who also enjoy kitchen time, I thought I'd share some of my favorite recipes. Or at least some I've been working on the last few days.

I made about 12 dozen perogies. Mostly for my enjoyment - these won't hit the Christmas table tomorrow.

Perogy (Varenyky)

Dough:

3 cups flour

5 oz (about 3/4 cup) sour cream (the high fat kind)

4 tbsp butter

1 egg

Put flour in large bowl. Fold in sour cream and softened butter. Mix until even flakes. Whisk or blend in egg in measuring cup. Add enough water to reach 3/4 cup. Fold water mixture into dough. You may need to add more water or flour depending on consistency. Shape dough into a ball. Let rest for about 5-10 minutes. Roll out until fairly thin. Use glass or biscuit cutter to make dough rounds. Don't be afraid to manipulate or stretch dough. If it breaks open - just make it thicker. Fill with stuffing of your choice and pinch ends together. You may need to rub some water along edges if it's too dry to stick.

Filling:

Simple really - put what you want and season to your taste. If making a potato blend filling boil around 3-4 potatoes, let cool and add your cheese/mix/seasoning. Many people add dill (which I hate so don't). I generally make potato and cheddar cheese, as well as cottage cheese. When making cottage cheese use the dry curd type.

Freeze on cookie sheets and transfer into bags.

Recipe originally from www.allthingsukrainian.com.

Dinner Buns

Love, love making bread. This is an old recipe from neighbors of my now deceased grandparents. Delicious!!

1 pkg yeast (traditional)

1/4 cup warm water

1 tsp sugar

Mix together and let sit for 10 minutes or until doubled. (10 min. is your max. time.)

In large bowl mix:

2 eggs

2 cups scalded milk (let this cool - can be warm but not hot unless you want to cook eggs.)

1/2 cup melted butter (don't use margarine)

Mix until well blended.

Next add yeast mixture. Gently mix.

In separate bowl:

Add together and mix with a fork.

3 cups of flour

1/2 cups sugar (less 1 teaspoon)

1 1/2 tsp salt

Add to liquid ingredients.

Carefully blending add the remaining 3 cups of flour to the mixture. Depending on the humidity levels you may need more or less flour. Your goal is to develop a smooth dough. You will need to use your hands at this time. Knead until a smooth, elastic round dough. This stage should take no longer than 10 minutes. Rub lard (or butter) around bowl and over dough. Cover with damp tea towel, and let rise for 1 1/2 - 2 hours in a warm place. Oven under 200F or near oven if it's being used.

Punch down. (Literally just punch it.)

Form into buns. Pinch ends together and set with ends down on pan. You can grease your pan (if not no-stick) or use parchment paper. Cover with damp tea towel. Put in warm place and let rise until almost double. (Around an hour.)

Brush tops with melted butter. Bake at 425F for 10 minutes.

You'll know they're finished if you tap the top and it sounds hollow.

One of my absolutely favorite cookbooks is "Something Warm from the Oven" by Eileen Goudge. I also use a lot of recipes from this book. (With my adaptations of course!)

Happy baking!

And Then There Were Two

Somedays I blink in astonishment. I started with seven *seven!!* pups. Now there are two left. Yesterday, a couple took Ryder home. And I'm happy to say it's the perfect Ryder home. It's an experienced dog handler who wanted a higher energy dog. He wanted a dog that could keep up with the horse when out in the field doing work. He wanted a dog that would also be his companion, living in the house when not doing ranch work. Perfect! It made me even happier that he wanted to see Reba work - only people who know what they're doing ask this. He liked mom, and he liked the baby.

Now I just have Luke and Diva. And Diva's mine. Luke, I would be willing to sell only to his perfect home. Otherwise he stays with me. He would need a home with a family. One who will continue to play with him, as well as give him the opportunity to work. Both pups are registered and starting basic obedience classes on January 3rd. I can't wait to see how they develop.