NvShadowBCs-Noggin' Doggin'

Carbondale, Colorado 2014      So for months I watched the points on the USBCHA website with apprehension.  I nearly didn't even enter because I thought we were a little low.  However, traditionally when finals are in the West the cut off tends to be lower.  Watching started to be similar to NASCARs chase for the race.  Feist and I were definitely on the bubble.  I never dreamed we would actually get in.  We had not been in open for a year yet.  I had planned on taking minimal time off work at the end of the season to watch the big hats at Soldier Hollow and then fly out to Carbondale to watch the end of the National Finals.  I had on my list a bit of homework to log on how different handlers responded to certain situations.  I like to scout.      Then, I received the call from Texas acknowledging that Feist and I were in.  Emotionally it was a great whirlwind of excitement and fear bundled in...

On the road Palm Cottage       So the journey continued.  We had no real expectations but to try to learn from our mistakes and to gain experience by just keeping at it.  Miles.     We trekked to Palm Cottage SDT.  Laura Vishoot and Steve's gorgeous slice of paradise.  Big field with tricky central gate on outrun.  Great sheep. Fun time with wonderful friends.     I don't remember particular scores.  But our first run landed modest numbers.  Our second run was a scorcher, however in my excitement I mishandled at the last moment and we ended up with letters.  We learned.  It was a blast. Lacamas Valley SDT     I have admired the Lacamas Valley SDT put on by Lynn and Allison Johnston, on their family dairy with the help of a small army of volunteers, for several years.  Last year I participated with several PN dogs.  I had a hankering to jump...

The next step      Our goal for Dry Lake SDT 2014 was to come home with more numbers than letters and continue to work on our teamwork.       I think the highlight of Dry Lake was the 750 yard outrun progressively downhill with several swales where you would lose sight of your dog and sheep.  It was very difficult to see your dog on outrun.  And tricky to try to identify if it was your dog or set out dog by the sheep.       Feist's outrun seemed like an eternity.  A more experienced handler said you could send your dog, and then go have lunch.  I lost sight of her to the right about a third of the way out.  But periodically would see little puffs of dusts along the way.  She did beautifully coming up behind them.  She really took her time on the lift.  Enough time that I started to doubt if that little black dot was really her or not....  TRUST YOUR...

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...