The following deals with mature subject matter. Viewer discretion is advised.

We put Gordon in with girls today. While there aren't many sheep on the property right now, putting Gordon in with the girls involved seperating him from the wethers, seperating the ewe lambs from the ewes and putting everyone in their new "homes" for the next few months without mixing the wrong crowd up. I was planning to use Hope, because it's just habit. Travis talked me into using Kate, and what a good idea that was. She did a great job and I was really pleased with her - sorry Hope, maybe next time. I didn't take any pictures of her when we were sorting because we were busy sorting, but I did get some shots when we were done and she was putting Patch and Sue (the ewe lambs) and Buy Low, Extra and Save On (foods) the wethers away.

Good job Kate!

As for Gordon and the girls? They were very happy to meet each other...

Hey babe...

How YOU doin...?

Cue Barry White music.

Let's get it on...

Don't strain yourself Antonio

with all that... breathing.

in...out...in...out...in...out

One last kick at the can

Maybe.

As much as I hate to admit it, it seems that winter is upon us. Which means that pretty soon the snow will be too deep out in our pasture to work dogs. Both Kate and Hope are working really well right now so it's hard to think about quitting for a few months. Yesterday was gorgeous so we went out to just goof around and I took a few pictures of the two of them so that I've got something to look at in February when I'm completely depressed about not working dogs.

Kate has really come along this summer. She's well on her way to being ready for Nursery next spring.





As for Hope (and Kate as well), we've been playing around with new skills for me. I'm working on finger whistles. So far the upside with finger whistles in cold weather is that I don't have to worry about my whistle sticking to my lips. The downside is cold fingers I guess, as it's hard to whistle with gloves on. Hope is catching on although the first day was a real riot as it seemed that he thought it must be someone else whistling in a different field - definitely not Lisa and definitely not something he needed to pay attention to!

Hello old friends

Not you Kate and Bruce - we spend PLENTY of time together. I mean YOU snowshoes. It's been months since I've spent any real time with you and it's great to be back together again!

November tradition

Here it is. My annual "We live north of the 54th parallel and I'm SHOCKED that it snowed in November!" Picture. As if it's some great surprise that it would snow at this time of year in a place that has snow on the ground for a good six months of the year.

But I can't help myself. It's tradition to talk about how late/early the snow is or warm/cold November is.

Still...when we went to bed last night there was no snow at all. When we woke up this morning there was a good six inches on the ground. Definitely worth talking about eh? I thought I'd throw in the "eh" just to add a little more Canadiana. Now I guess I'll go fry up some back bacon and then go out and build an igloo or something. I'm sure my neighbour is already hooking up her dogsled...

Just doing my patriotic duty.

Necessity is the mother of invention

Bruce NEEDED a pillow...

and Buster was sort of available.

The hills are alive!

with the sound of gunfire....

It's hunting season and today was especially "noisy" so Bruce got to take one for the team

and wear a set of festive jingle bells while we were running the dogs in the woods. No one got shot so I guess they were effective!

My grandma...

What big teeth you have!

Brucie's Brags

Generally all the brags here are "Hope did this" or "Stock Dog Trial that". For once Bruce gets to hog the limelight. He'd like everyone to know that he's not just another pretty face and that he's capable of more than just watching Space TV on the couch while eating Cheezies with Travis.

Bruce finished his level 1, 2 and 3 APDT Rally Obedience Titles this past weekend. He did it with style and won a bunch of ribbons and loot in the process. Here he is pictured with his loot and favourite rosette.

Good Boy Brucie!