Driving

This week was all about driving, as Rodeo continues to struggle with this.

It seemed for awhile that he understood driving, in that he would push the sheep in a more or less straight line. But he was always hesitant, stopping and looking back at me for encouragement. In the past couple of months that got worse, to the point that he would actually run back towards me.

Last week I made a conscious effort to become more firm with him, including correcting him sternly when he made a move to come to me. Then I would encourage him with a forceful ‘get up’ command.

That would get him going again, the sheep always ended up drifting off a straight line, often to the right.

RIP Lilah

Lilah putting Rodeo in his place

Our household had some sad news this week. Our venerable cat, 20-year old Lilah, passed away. She died in the comfort of home, on our bed, where she has spent many a night. 

She was a tortoise shell pound cat that I adopted her just after I graduated from college, in 1990, in Indianapolis, Indiana, when I was working for a pharmaceutical company. She traveled with me to graduate school at Indiana University in 1992, then to New York City in 1995, then El Paso and Bellingham, Washington, both in 1996. In 2001 she traveled with me to Washington, DC, and then back to Bellingham in 2005. 

She spent most of her time indoors, but would venture outside when I let her, but always came back inside in an hour or so. In 2001, our long-haired tabby cat Scottie joined the household. She took about six months to accept him, but never got much past that. 

Lilah was the dominant force in our household, demanding attention when she wanted it and generally acting haughty when she didn't. When Rodeo came to live with us, she made it very clear that he was not to mess with her, so any herding he wanted to do would have to focus on Scottie. 

Despite her domineering ways, she was also a very sweet cat who provide much comfort during some difficult times. We'll miss her. 

Rodeo's uncertain ancestry

This weekend I went to the Island Crossing trial at Joe and Heather Haynes' place in Arlington. I only made it down Sunday afternoon for a couple of hours, but I managed to see runs by Diane Pagel, Ruedi Birenheide, and several others.

Due to cold weather and rain, there weren't many handlers watching the runs, but I chatted with a few. Rodeo came with me and spent most of the time staring intently at the runs.

Ron Green asked me where he was from, and I told him I didn't know because we got him from a rancher, who in turn got him from the Everett Humane Society. Ron suggested he might be out of Basin Border Collies in Oregon, because he looks a lot like some of their dogs. I was intrigued because Rodeo is quite unique looking: his deep red color is distinctive as are his light blue eyes.

I emailed the breeder and she emailed back right away, saying that she only sold one puppy with light blue eyes, and it didn't have a split face like Rodeo. She is also in touch with everyone she's sold puppies to and accept puppies back that don't work out, so it's unlikely that one of hers would end up in the shelter.

Oh, well. It would be fun to know where he's from, but it's not particularly important. She did say that she's in touch with other breeders who specialize in red border collies, and offered to assist if we come up with any leads.

Communications Breakdown

Sheepherding looks so simple. Under the guidance of a good dog/handler team, sheep move smoothly from one place to another, seemingly without fuss. The dog looks so natural as it runs in a graceful arc and then coaxes the sheep to the handler. It looks so confident walking into them and driving them down the field, so in control when it backs them into a pen.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that you could pick this up quickly. Perhaps I can even be forgiven for thinking it, not so long ago.

Lost Border Collie

This tri-colored female border collie has been at the Salt Lake County Animal Services since September 5. She has a 2005 Cattle dog finals collar. If anyone recognizes her or knows her owner, please help her out.

You can call Salt Lake County Animal Services at 801-559-1100, ID # A345878

EDIT: good news. The community of border collie handlers mobilized and the original breeder has been found, and the owner will be contacted. .

Shedding and Penning, and Fun

Rodeo seems to have regained his verve, and I think I may be regaining some of mine, too.

On Tuesday, we did some outrun work, and Rodeo took off like a shot each from the outset, bounding along and giving every indication that he was having a great time. There was no need to jazz him up or get him excited.

Brian continues to insist that I need to be more firm with him, and a couple of times I was: He was so intent on the sheep that he didn’t come to me when I called. I got fed up with it and walked over to him, grabbed him by the collar, and literally dragged him to where I had been standing.

a Rocky Week

We went to the Rocky Ewe trial in Yelm, Washington, this past weekend, and let’s just say we had a disappointing performance. The trial was put on by Judy Norris, on a beautiful property not far from downtown Yelm. It’s primarily an equine facility, with lovely, manicured pastures.

The field was relatively small, with a tree line on the left and a patchwork of trees, open space, and buildings on the right. Spectators were also set up on this side. That made for a prime escape route for the sheep, and the exhaust pen had been placed well behind the spectators, so the sheep wanted to go that direction anyway.