Okay, NOT exactly that...but very close! Nancy took me out to Bill C's place and I felt like I had stumbled into yet another room at Heaven. Bill had a whole pen full of steers....and sorted them off in small groups for the dogs to work. Knowing that I had "limited" experience working cows.....Bill gave me a brief demo.
Next, I got Bella out.....I wondered if Bella had ever seen or worked cows....having spent the first 8 months of her life on a huge cow ranch in the Dakotas and coming from strong cow working lines on her mama's side. At first, she was a bit tentative......and I over cheered with a lot of atta girls and leg pats. 
We got things going along and she just sort of settled into a baby cow dog......
Bill called out a "task" for me........so Bella and I went to work to accomplish the task....and we lost the steers into the draw. But miracles of miracles.....I kept my mouth shut.....(REALLY I did!)....and Miss Bella turned into a mean, lean, biting, I'll teach you a thing or two, big girl cow dog! 
I just positioned myself in the direction I wanted her to bring the steers out of the open holding corral.......and Bella did the rest. It was pretty darn amazing! Once we got the steers going.....Bill's words echoed in my mind....."the steers will need a place to go and will need the release to feel they can go there (my interpretation of Bill's words). Bella and I drove them down a fence line...at quite a quick little pace....and I called her off. Bella the cowdog.....that has a nice ring to it! 
A huge THANK YOU to Nancy and Bill......
and for goodness sakes....get out of the way for your dog!
Okay...I hear ya loud and clear! Get out of the dogs way! 
Cheryl brought Mr. Dodger for me to kiss on, love up. and admire. Gyp still loves him.....as do I! He is so handsome with his ice blue eye. I think he still remembers me......
I just picked the first zucchinis tonight.......the first of many as there are two plants. 
The tomatoes are filling their supports.......
The grapevines were cut back aggressively this spring......
I contemplated buying a hook-rug kit but the price for the kit alone...no yarn included....made me realize it might turn into one of those unfinished projects in my closet collecting things to do when the kids leave home. So I walked away.
Every year, I save up my money and add to my sheep handling equipment. This year, I ordered three special made panels to complete the bow gate I bought at the finals last fall. My sheep panels at home are just a tad too small....and I want to use the pen the bow gate and panels make for the Regionals.....great excuse to buy more equipment from Shaul's! 
My friends from Kenleigh Acres Farm had their Jacobs in the show ring..... this blond chick kept flirting with this handsome dude ...and I kept yelling "get a room!". 
The Jacob sheep classes were very full this year...with stiff competition! Kenleigh Acres Farm did fabulous with Champion ewe and Reserve Champion ewe!
The following day, the flock took Gracie down into the orchard pasture where they spent the day grazing and lazing about. Gracie seems to be settling in nicely......accepting her new sheepy friends and yet still coming up to get her daily grain! 
Welcome, Gracie. It is so nice to have a llama back at Rocking Dog Ranch!
Last month, Bella went to Dianne 
Just a tiny amount of corrective support and she was giving me nice, soft, 
The next leg of the journey starts.......putting it all together for a good relationship. At 2 1/2 I am very proud of this young girl. She is blossoming into such a nice sheepdog. Thank you, Dianne Deal for helping us become a better team! 
13 nursery runs......not too bad of a set out assignment.....Right! 3 1/2 hours later.......I was one beat pup......learned a ton and Sally had a good lesson on these sheep.....but it was a near impossibly difficult task. There were three of us.....two top open handlers and their dogs plus me and Sally. The sheep were.....well ,twitchy! And certainly made mincemeat out of a few nursery dogs!
I pulled Nell from pro novice. She is close to being in standing heat....plus we have been working on our "relationship" and I was not sure these sheep would do anything for improvement on that journey at this point. I do believe I made a good decision. I did stick around and exhausted a few runs on the hill field with Sally.....and what a blessing that was. Sally was amazing.....even running out to pull the sheep off the set-out trailer and bring them down the field at a nice pace. A very good friend pointed out how really nice Sally can be when we work together with trust and I am not nervous and over-handling....note to good friend: I love you....and I heard you! Now how to keep that in my heart as I walk to the post on my next run. 
