Blaze's Rehab

So it's been awhile since I mentioned how Blaze was coming along. I'll admit he's slower coming back to condition than I had hoped for. When he's working he runs out of gas pretty quickly and seems to have some trouble covering if the sheep are running too hard. I notice it much more on his bad side (Way to me) where his shoulder was injured, but sometimes he still lags a little on his good side. Getting to the head was something Blaze was never known to slack at. I know I should be more patient because he's still recovering, but I can't help but worry a little about him not regaining that fire that I've always loved so much.

To those who don't know me personally, if he never looked at another sheep in his life, I'd still love him the same. Those that know me already know this. :) His nickname is "Princess" because Blaze is our house dog and often times you'll find him riding in the cab of the truck instead of the dog trailer like all the "dogs". :) He can also be found lounging on the bed in the hotel rooms while the "dogs" are in their crates. A couple weekends ago while attending the Kathy Knox clinic in Bartlesville, Blaze spent his night sleeping on the chair and ottoman looking quite comfortable laying on his back with legs splayed in the air. Should have got a picture of that one!

Blaze will be competing in his first trial since the injury next weekend. In fact, it will be his first trial since last Nov. so we'll see how he gets along. Its a points and time arena trial so hopefully he won't run out of steam quite as quickly as he would in a field trial. We'll have the rest of the summer to get him in tip-top shape for the field trials I hope to enter him in this fall.

Southwest Oklahoma Stockdog Trial Photos

Oaktree BBC Pete

Tess

Catching Up

I sure wish I was better at this blogging stuff. Everytime I get some free time to do it I always find myself reading other folks blogs and just milling around on the web.

Southwest Oklahoma Stockdog Trial
Altus, OK
April 18, 2009
This was the 1st OSDA sheep trial of the year. I ran Tess in the Ranch class and walked away with a score of 68 (the 3rd highest score of the day including Open!) and the win. Tess worked like a pro and never faltered. I was so proud of her. I was walking on clouds. Then Josh came in 2nd with Pete in the Ranch class as well. Pete made a beautiful outrun and worked so smoothly. Way to go guys! Then at the end of the day a Buddy Brace was run. We all put our names into a hat and they were draw out randomly. Guess whose names were the last in the hat? Yep, me and Josh. We carried on and acted disgusted by having to run together, but secretly I was happy to be on Josh's team. (Don't anybody tell him that or I'll never hear the end of it!) LOL We ran the full course, which neither of us has done before, not to mention our dogs hadn't either. It was complete chaos from the beginning. Every command I would give Tess Pete would take, then Josh would correct him and Tess was taking his corrections. Needless to say I think we saw smoke coming from our dogs ears by the end of the run, but believe it or not we completed the course and won! We couldn't believe it. It was so much fun!

Bar L Cattle and Sheep Trial
Lexington, OK
May 9-10 2009

The cattle were run on Saturday and Josh and Pete ran in the Ranch class. Pete was taking all his commands and Josh ran the course so well. The boys walked away with the win! Good job guys.

Sunday was the judged field trial on sheep. I made a leap of faith and decided to move up to Open Ranch. I was a nervous wreck the whole time leading up to the trial. I wasn't sure I had made the right decision. I knew it wasn't impossible, but I didn't feel like we were completely prepared. We only have 5 acres that is divided into 3 pastures so my training area is small to say the least. Tess has a beautiful outrun just not much chance to show it. I headed for the post and was telling Tess to "look" hoping she'd spot the sheep. No such luck, but then she perked up and I thought she saw them so I sent her. She was running out wide and beautiful, but then it became obvious she still couldn't see the sheep. I stopped her when she started drifting in far off the 300-350 yard mark (WAY farther than she'd ever run out before) where the sheep were set out and asked her for a "look back" but she just couldn't see them. So I left the post to help her find them. I only walked maybe 25 yards or so when she spotted them and ran out nicely to bring them in. I was still proud of her for finally finding the sheep, and a little disapointed that I hadn't prepared her better. So, I made it up to her by helping exhaust the rest of the trial. She absolutely loved it and helped save the sheep from being lost into the outer relms of the universe by an over eager dog. So all in all, I was still happy with my girl. She gives me her all everytime.

On an even better note.... Josh and Pete won the Ranch class! Man these guys are smokin this year! Pete is really turning into a great dog and Josh has come so far with his handling abilities. In order to keep Josh from getting the big head, I always tell him Pete is doing so well because I started him! LOL Josh has done a terrific job with him and although it was extremely difficult for me to give him up, I couldn't be happier with what Josh has done with him. Way to go guys! Keep cleaning house!

So the next trial is the Celtic Festival Trial in Stillwater on June 20. I plan to take Tess for the Open Ranch class, and Blaze and Nan in the Ranch class. Josh is on call and won't be able to make it. Good, maybe I'll have a chance! LOL