Odds and Ends

I have to admit I haven't worked my dogs very much in the last 3-4 months.  It's not that I have been lazy.  It's been because of Kilt's litter and working at the hospital. Plus, Wayne's illness, and my father's passing.  Heck...no wonder I haven't had time to work my dogs.  Just thinking about this last winter makes me tired and weary! The winter weather months to work in the desert are already gone and I bet I didn't get out to the desert some 8-10 times.  I have lazy, fat sheep.

Today finds me in Porterville even though I am writing this on Friday.  I am packing the small trailer getting ready to leave.  I am taking all 3 BC's to a sheep trial.  It is a small, cozy, social type of trial.  The field is small (5 acres).  I put 12 yr. old Jet in the competition on Saturday only.  He can do a 5 acre field as long as it isn't too warm.  Though, I see he drew up a late afternoon run. 

Kilt will be running open both days.  I'm not sure how she will run.  She is out of practice and hormonal.  She is dropping all of her coat.  She normally weighs in at 34 lbs., but I bet she is wavering at about 30 lbs. right now.  In the next couple of months she will blossom, putting on a luxurious shiny coat and a few more pounds.  She looks a bit ragged right now.  And, her listening skills aren't the best.

Yoko is in Pro-Novice.  I will enter her in two more trials in Pro-Novice and then I will move her up to the open classes.  Zamora has a HUGE outrun some 700 yds up hill.  I know Yoko can do it, but I want her to have a little more experience under her paws.  And, Deer Creek uses range ewes.  She had difficulty with the pressure they put on her last year.   She still gets nervous at the sheep trials. She is 4 years old now.  She still hasn't got the "shed" down like I would like to see.  But, she normally is a good listener and tries hard.

Champ is staying home.  It's all I can do not to throw him in the tub for a quick wash and take him with me to spectate.  He just received his 3rd vaccination.  He would be a lot of work with trialing the other 3 dogs.  I'm still toying with the idea, but my sixth sense says to leave him home even though the weather is supposed to be beautiful.

Yesterday I took Trouble to get her teeth deep cleaned.  She has gingivitis.  Most likely hereditary.  Everyone else here has great teeth and gums.  We had a deep cleaning done 9 mos. ago.  They had to pull 3 teeth.  I hate putting her under anesthesia.  She weighs only 10 1/2 lbs.  She did fine, though.  No teeth needed to be pulled.  All is well, except my pocketbook.  $500....OUCH!

The outside of the clinic is not well lit and the parking is crowded.  The curb in the not well lit night is painted green for 30 min. parking only.  I got Champ his vaccination.  As I went back in to pick up Trouble I missed the dark green curb and took a fall.  I landed on my left knee, left wrist and hit my left jaw on the concrete.  You can imagine how I feel today.  Ugh.  But, I got up at 5 am and hosed down and groomed all 3 Border Collies.  The trailer is packed.  I am almost ready to go.

So here's looking forward to a relaxing, fun, competitive weekend! :0)