NvShadowBCs-Noggin' Doggin'

March      Sometimes it feels like de' javu.  Simply that I have walked this pathway before.  I haven't, but sometimes there is that reoccurring theme.      March Madness is the peak of the years long toil of love, sweat, and tears in basketball that leads you to playoff season.  It is about peaking at the right time.  It is about tedious preparation.  It is about putting in the physical and mental training.  It is about making the mistakes, and rectifying the technique.  March Madness and basketball bracketology is about the big dance, and it truly is anyones game.  It is about making good quick decisions. It is about expecting the unexpected.  I love that about basketball.  Most people see a silly game of tossing a ball through a hoop.  I see a ballet and an orchestra.      Our March Madness this year consisted of "cutting our teeth" in open at Sonoma, Zamora, and Rio Vis...

http://youtu.be/O-pO61orqH4 Many years ago my first visit  to Zamora with  Lily Bill testing Lily on sheep and  declaring her "quite eager" Zamora range ewes  possibly last year Zamora sheep after a good  rain  several years  ago Michael Slaven giving us a tour  of the rest of the farm  Loading our starter flock from the Slaven Family Michael at Dixon  Bill Slaven memorial RESDA SDT The Slaven Family and  friends at awards ceremony Peggy Slaven-Wines and Sandra Massie  reviewing important events Wonderful bagpipe memorial at the Zamora Hills SDT in honor of the spirit of Bill Slaven Professor  of UC Davis  Veterinary School Remembering a strong honest quiet  shepherd and  resolving what the truly important things are in life Watching the c...

Gratefulness       Just had a wonderful weekend at home.  Spent the time with my Mom, Sandra, and the pack working here at the home place.  The weather was perfect.  Mom was in a really good place.  And I think we all have made it through winter, or whatever Nevada's version of winter was this year.        Sometimes I find that I get so busy with work and life that I don't take time to breath.  I can barely move today from the raking, digging, chainsawing, trimming, and planting we did in the last two days.  That is my version of breathing.    Here comes the sun!            We worked the dogs too!!!  Nothing out of the ordinary.  Just good work here on the ranch getting a little tuned for the trial season ahead.         Ben at Sonoma last year.  Ben is now my right hand man utility dog.  He helps out w...

March Madness 2014      First of all, it is hard to believe that it is already March ... again.  The days ARE getting longer.  The weather, albeit a mild winter, with the moisture, the bulbs are coming up and the pastures are greening. We are lambing late on purpose, but the cows are calving nicely.  We've logged some wonderful hikes, cross country ski and snow shoe adventures to clear the minds and exercise the dogs.      Dogging has been good.  Mostly taking advantage of quality time at home.  Working on getting acquainted with my new partner Feist.  Eternally working on my whistle.  Tone.  Volume. Timing.        I have focused heavily on my handling skills.  I have homework to practice... at home from my friends who are much better at this than I am.  I aspire to be a handler.   I do not aspire to be trainer of others...ever.  But I se...

         No new years resolution so far.  Just keep on keeping on.  I did, however, turn over a new leaf.  I am still way understaffed on the professional side, so I am limited in my training time.  When I get time, it is quality based.      I have enjoyed the journey with my young dogs immensely.  Each one teaching me a lesson and helping me to become a better partner.  Each dog having great strengths and certain weaknesses.  Each dog totally cool unto who they are.  With this realization, along with me spending time walking in circles, I realized that it is time for a new training chapter.  I wasn't truly seeking out a new art form.  But I remember from a novice/novice clinic a few years ago hearing  ' the trick is knowing when the window is open and when the window is closed'.  A great opportunity fell upon my front porch, and it was a no brainer to open that door a...

The dogs off sheep      Navigating a nice balance.  Just the same with the dogs.  All work and no play......    Here are some instances of sheepdogs, just breathing and being dogs.  Not leaning the instincts away from their calling.  Not satiating the hunger for sheep by finding an alternative outlet, but rather finding a happy balance.  Happy dogs. Thanksgiving day spent exploring the Pony Express Trail Cold Springs Station   Lake Tahoe swim after long trial weekend                                                            Ready to go to (my) work at the crack of dawn.  Always leading the way. Ranch stuff and workouts Family time After trial visit to Pacific Local mountain hikes an...