Working Sheep Horse?

After working Ryder on the sheep, I untied Guinness and followed him out into the field.  I was hoping to get some pictures of my growing boy.  He went from being adorable like this:

To highlighting his beautiful stride like this:

To playing scatter and chase the sheep like this:

To full on working - er - sheep?  horse like this:

Poor sheep - they had thought the "work" part of the day was over.

Guinness on the other hand meant business.  

I'll have to ask Jason if Guinness needs to move into an isolation pen.  It appears I just may *if the stars align* have a cutting prospect.  At the very least he'll make a handy reined cow horse!

Contentment is...

Diablo Diva

The sun was shining, a wind was gusting, so I did what any sane girl would do.  I loaded up the dogs, headed to the farm to pick up my mom and Tessa to go for a run on the treed paths in the grazing reserve. My mom (who has Macular - and has vision issues) didn't notice Diva sitting on the passenger seat.  Mom opened the door, and began hoisting Tessa in.  Meanwhile, Diva sees opportunity and speeds out.  Cursing under my breath I open my door to begin the process of trying to catch the little bugger who will surely be headed out to help herself to the sheep.

It was at that moment that Diva's comeuppance came around the corner.  My parents have been dog sitting Colby my brothers dog.  Colby has abysmal manners and tried to attack my dogs last time we tried to do a group walk.  (I know the irony of me commenting on another dog's manners...)  Colby pounced.  Squashed Diva flat.  Diva begin to scream as though her tail were on fire.  Scooting she head behind the garbage cans where I attempt to remove the deaf and dumb Colby who is still intensely interested in starting something with her.  With both my mom and I working at it, Colby's collar is snagged and he is dragged off and around the corner.

Free from her jailer, Diva makes a show of bravery and runs towards them.  I call her name.  She stops and thinks.  Patting my leg I call again.  Hesitating, she turns, and runs towards me.  You could see she realized the safety of the truck and myself.  Grabbing her and giving her some pets I open the door and she launches herself into the truck.

I fully understand I shouldn't think this was funny.  My dog was attacked by a much larger dog.  But I have to giggle and wonder if she'll think twice now before making an escape attempt.

(No dogs were harmed in the making of this story.)

And yes, both the dogs and myself thoroughly enjoyed our run today.

Making It Worth While

We had our first sun in a long time today.  I spent the bulk of the day cleaning up my flower beds.  Because I took possession of my place in November, the beds were snowed on before I could do any of the normal fall things.  Here were my two little helpers posing by my pile of dead plants.

Taking a play break.

Watching for anything and everything.

My surprising discovery under all the dead growth.

And blooms!!!  In the beginning of May!!!

My dogs racing in the field.  You can see no green on the trees yet.  Soon.

New Blog

I've started a new blog to chronicle some of my stories from my new adventures away from the farm.  You can find it here: http://andreaspondering.blogspot.ca/

You've Got To Be Kidding Me

My day was fabulous.  It was fabulous until Blaine (Reba's owner) sent me a text asking me if I was at work.  I was, as I am the majority of week days.  At the end of the day I asked him what was going on.  He told me Reba had been run over today.  He rushed her to the vet but she died before he could get her there.  This sucks.  He was pretty upset by the whole situation.  She had gone under a trailer (his brother's ex-girlfriend did the deed which makes it worse), and that was the end of the story.

We text chatted quite a bit and I'm consigned with the task of finding him another dog that's perfect for him.  Not the easiest job in the world...  but one I take on willingly.  I won't let him dog shop without me. (As much as a person would like to be sentimental - he needs a dog to help him do the work.  And finding this dog may take some time.)

How do you replace the irreplaceable?

No Phone

I have embarked on a new adventure.  One of a different kind.  One that I'm contemplating creating a new blog just to chronicle.  You see, I am somewhat (somewhat of an understatement) of a hermit.  I'm pretty happy with my life and tend to putter through life.  Every once in a while I'll stop, think and say "Holy crap!  It's been a while since I've been on a date."  Time is flying past and I thought that I should maybe, just maybe do something about this.  The only problem being my options are limited.  I work with children in a female dominated field.  For my hobbies I enjoy spending time with happily (thank goodness) married men.  (Whose wives I think are amazing...)  I don't go to bars, and even if I did I don't have anyone to go with.  My friends are composed of married peoples - many with children.  So what's a girl to do?

Well, I broke out my handy dandy MacBook and began testing the waters.  Literally.  I have begun swimming in the pool of online dating.  I won't lie.  This is does provide me with feelings of alarm.  It also has provided myself and my friends some serious entertainment.

Case in point.

Years ago, I dated a lovely steer wrestler.  He was a professional cowboy and as such slightly flaky.  We had dated for close to 6 months when suddenly I never heard from him again.  He literally disappeared from my life.  We still lived in the same community but he never called me again.  At this point in time I coined the phrase "The No Phone Call Dump".  This is where rather than say, "Gee, I'm just not that into you anymore"  they cease all forms of communication.  No phone calls, texts or calls returned.

Flash forward to this week.

Last Saturday I had my first "real" meet of a "virtual" meet.  We spent a couple hours chatting, seemed to have some stuff in common.  That night I sent him a text, thanking him.  His response was it would be up to me whether we would continue to get to know each other.  I responded that I'd like that.  And from that point on the dome of silence was lowered.  Seriously?  WTF?  I have no issues with saying, "Thanks, but no thanks."  I really do expect the same courtesy.  A friend had suggested that perhaps I wasn't clear in expressing my interest.  Another text sent.  And the ringing of silence returned.  So me being me, I tossed this one into the garbage.

But I really don't get it.

And this my friends was one of my more tame "normal" experiences with my new adventure.  The saga continues...

I Didn't Need That Anyway

It's all the dogs fault...  There I was rushing around like a chicken with it's head cut off  (Seriously, google that.)  I had just arrived home from class - flush after a big presentation.  I had one bull stick left.  Two dogs.  I did what any sane individual would.  I grabbed my Henkle and began sawing away.  That bull stick was tough and resisted my best efforts.   Persevering I kept sawing away.  And then it happened.

With no warning the bull stick bucked the knife off, slamming it into my unsuspecting finger.  Eyes bulging with horror I stared down.  Rushing into the bathroom I start running the cold water over it.  YeeeOuch!  That smarted so I changed my mind.  I grab some Kleenex and wrap it.  Holding it tightly to try and slow the bleeding.  Until it looked like I was going to redecorate the floor...  Calling my mom I ask if she'd mind swinging by with some bandages and gauze.  With her help I get the finger wrapped tightly.

Should I have gone to the doctor?  Nah.  I'm pretty sure I didn't need stitches...  but it is going to leave a hunk missing.  Poor finger... I really didn't need that part anyway...