Thanksgiving.

I thank God for another day.

Today's Pup Portraits at Sister Grove Park!

Bocelli Update

Here's Bocelli still on the mend from his eye injury. It appears that he'll lose his vision out of his left eye as it hasn't improved much... only the swelling. It's staying in the socket, so at least he'll get to keep it! He's acting himself and not having any issues with the lost vision, so all is good in that sense.

Willabee is there keeping him company like a good brother.

 

Handsome 1st & Q PIII Standard!

Tom Bridge with Fast Clicks Photography captured a moment of time that only shows pure joy from a dog that was kept away from agility way too long. As tears run down my face, my Happy Hands made me proud today and earned a 1st & Q in PIII Standard.

Hands had a beautiful Performance GP run with a missed DW contact. He still received a 1st placing!  No dog Q'd, but he had the fastest time. 

Anyways, I didn't care we missed it, because my boy and I were running together... just for the joy of it. Because you never know when it may be your last.

 

My Cozy Cats!

Keeping it warm tonight.

Handsome Agility re-debut!

Tomorrow is a very exciting day for me... I get to run agility with my boy!   Due to health reasons, I haven't been able to compete in agility since May.  Handsome hasn't competed in agility since his ADCh over two years ago.  It's a thrill to know that I can run again and run again with the boy who started it all.

We are doing the KFA USDAA trial in Frankston.  We are entered only in two events... Performance GP and III Standard.  Gorgie will be running with Elizabeth Evans in Championship in those two events, which are needed for WT tryouts.

It will be good to see my agility friends again.  I'll be the one with the smile on my face while running a Handsome dog... no matter how it goes!
 
The photo below was taken a year ago which completely shows the love I have for my boy named Handsome.

Handsome

At Sister Grove Park.

Today's Pup Portrait at Sister Grove Park!

Heading into the trails of Sister Grove Park!

Handsome's Herding Trial

Well today we are coming home with a 3rd place in Advanced A course sheep.  We did much better today as well as the sheep.  Yesterday it was so windy it made the sheep very light.  Handsome qualified yesterday, but didn't place.

We did debut in Advanced B course sheep on Saturday. which I ended up calling his run... we just weren't ready.  We will next year when we trial next!


Below is a photo of Handsome at Lonesome Bull Ranch in October.

Gorgeous Susan Garrett Seminar

Gorgie is home from the three day Susan Garrett seminar she had a working spot with Elizabeth Evans.  Here's a video they were learning a new move with the command called "la la la" (I think).  It's the move before the tunnel.   Susan Garrett says they were perfect!!!  :-D  {{proud mom here}}

Weekend

This weekend is Handsome's debut in B course sheep. I only entered him in Saturday, as I really don't feel we're ready. At least this will give us an opportunity to see what we need to work on. He's only practice the whole B course once and it wasn't pretty. We'll see what we can do as my only goal is to finish the course with a possible shed. He's entered in Advanced. He's also entered in Advanced A course sheep both days.

Gorgie and Elizabeth Evans will continue their working spot at the Susan Garrett seminar at BF3.

*photo taken at the ranch west of Houston.

Quote

"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far"

-Theodore Roosevelt

Today's Pup Portraits at Sister Grove Park!

 

 

Today's Pup Portraits at Sister Grove Park!

Kyle Smith Herding Clinic

Handsome and I are home from the Kyle Smith Herding Clinic. It was a nice weekend just me and my boy. I can't remember when I've done that! I don't think ever since I got Gorgie!

Handsome worked really nice!  I feel more confident now for this coming weekend's trial.  He will debut in B Course starting in Advanced. 


Photo taken at the Lonesome Bull Ranch in New Ulm.

Gorgeous Sheep Herding

Here's a few photos from last weekends herding trial.

Photo images taken by Pat Corl from Field & Ranch Photography.

Weekend of Herding & Agility!

This weekend is fun filled... too bad I can't be at two places at once. Handsome and I have a working spot at the Kyle Smith Herding Clinic in Van Alstyne and Gorgeous and Elizabeth Evans will be competing at the Happy Hounds Agility Trial

in Prosper. Second weekend for them to compete. They got two practices in since the last trial a couple of weeks ago. The new Team Gorgeous is ready and looking better and better!

Photo was taken from last weekend's trip in New Ulm.

 

 

Leaf Art

I found a leaf on the ground which appeared to have a face.  So, I gave it some legs and created an owl out of it. 

I also added the leaf heart I found while hiking with the pups on Valentine's Day.  Love isn't always in the air... it can be on the ground too. :-D

 

Herding Trial

We ended our weekend with 5th places in both Advanced A & B course sheep with Gorgeous. The shed was more difficult today, but I took my time and got it on the first attempt! So proud of her!

Handsome tried hard on the A course, but lost too many points on the cross drive.

What a fun time I had with my dogs and great friends. On our way back north!

The ribbons that Gorgie brought home.  One day they'll be blue!

Advanced A Course Sheep

High water in the arena made it challenging in the course today.  Gorgie ended up with a 5th place. Loved some of the work she put out. I called Handsome's run.

Good times here in Hempstead... though I wished I brought my muck boots!

Gorgeous Advanced B Course Debut!

So proud of my Gorgeous dog for our first time in Advanced B Course Sheep. We got the shed with no problem.

Just Gorgeous!

Welcome Committee!

Lonesome Bull Ranch livestock

Lonesome Bull Ranch!

We made it!

The way to travel!

We're off to New Ulm Texas west of Houston. We are staying at Lonesome Bull Ranch which is near Hempstead where the herding trial is.

Gorgeous will debut in Advanced B course this weekend. I believe we're ready to do a shed. Next month Handsome will debut. Handsome is entered just in A course this weekend.

Ready for some good times!

ROCKSTAR!

 

My copilot got me through another night, thank you Rockstar Energy Drink! Now I'm off until Monday! I'll be spending my time with two Rockstar Border Collies competing in sheep herding west of Houston!

A Gorgeous Pet Portrait at Sister Grove Park!

 

A Gorgeous Storm Ahead!

We tried to hike some before the storm came through.  I think we got a little over 30 minutes in when we were caught up in it.  Lucky for me that I know all the shortcuts through the park.  

Anyways, the dogs had a blast, so it was worth getting drenched for... plus I got a great photo out of it!

Team Gorgeous Update!

My friend and agility instructor, Elizabeth Evans, is going to try to qualify Gorgie for world team tryouts in April.  This weekend was their first trial together... my first without her! 

Gorgie hasn't ran or trained in agility in almost four months, and three out of the four she had very little activity.  She has gained some weight which I didn't see, but that's an easy fix.  I'm sure her back end won't clip the bars as much when she sheds off a couple of pounds... and when she gets back in "agility" shape.  Hiking and herding are not the same.

EE worked with her five times before this weekend to get her ready.  Definitely not enough to become a great team, but the potential is there once they figure each other out.

Team Gorgeous qualified twice in Steeplechase and once in Jumpers.  Now we can mark off one Jumpers Q out of two needed for WT tryouts.

EE said she was a blast to run and had a great time.  Their next trial together is the first weekend in November at HHAT.  I'm taking Gorgie and Handsome this coming weekend to Houston for a herding trial, so they won't be at DDS.

Also, thanks to those giving Gorgie hugs, kisses and supporting the new Team Gorgeous!  I'll be running Team Handsome next year!  We both will have to dust off our running shoes. :-) 

 Below is a photo EE sent to me of Miss Gorgie at the trial today.

Handsome 2nd place Advanced Course A Sheep!

 

This is Handsome's third weekend to trial in herding.  His last trial was in March and he had a few months off of training during the summer.  It didn't seem to effect him as he pulled a second place in the only class he was entered in.  We are still working on shedding, so once we have that down I'll enter him in B course too.

Sunday we struggled a bit more and ended up with a qualification, but no placing.  Still I was happy with his performance as he put out some nice work.  My mistake by not leaving the handler's post when the sheep were heading to the Hold/Exam pen.  It would have saved a few points as my pressure would have helped the sheep go in the pen a lot smoother.  Still Handsome did a great job doing it himself.  Love my boy!

Best Cat Ever!

Lord Bumble looks so regal.

A Gorgeous Night of Sheep Herding!

Today's Pup Portrait at Hunter's Trail!

 

Revisited this area that I took my dogs a year or two ago.  We did some Geocaching out here.  I believe the area is called Hunter's Trail... government owned property.  Lucky for us there were no hunters, but we saw a lot of shell casings. 

It was a beautiful day out with the temperature in the low 70's.

"You Are What You Eat!"

Not sure if I like this quote.  I think they make me look FAT.

My sunrise this morning from my patio.