Scootering at Karen's

Karen invited the boys and I over to her place yesterday for some scootering and fresh wild blueberries. I like to think I headed over because of the scootering...

This is where I've got it over Karen. Aussies and Border Collies just sit there waiting patiently until you tell them to go. Of course, they only go a fraction of the speed of her dogs and not NEARLY as far - but they sure do look good waiting!

Scootering with my guys is all very civilized.

So, Karen swapped Biscuit and Hope out for a couple of her dogs. The other scooterer in the picture is Karen's niece Corrine. Corrine is already an awesome dog person. She plans to run in the junior Iditarod when she's old enough. With her hard work attitude and great way with dogs I imagine she'll do it, and do it very well.

Scootering with Karen's dogs is much faster, but you eat a LOT of dirt. Those speckles on my face are not freckles!

Sorry, no pictures of the blueberries. Of course maybe Karen could invite me over again for scootering (and blueberries!) and I could take pictures of them. Maybe she could just invite me over for blueberries. Blueberries picked by someone else....yummmm.

Last Chance Trial

It's Thursday and I think I'm finally recovered from my first field trial. Tell, Hope and I headed south to Scott and Jenny Glen's. They did a fantastic job hosting the trial and deserve a huge thanks for all of the work they put into it. Let's keep our fingers crossed that they do it again next year.
I had the opportunity to clerk for Sue Main. It was the best seat in the house and I learned tons.
Saturday I managed a first with Hope and and third with Tell - not bad for our first trip to the post. Sunday...well Saturday sure was a great day! ;-)
Sorry no pictures as once again I was way too busy and forgot all about taking any. You can check out pictures and results at altapete.com

A dog's life...

A cat's life...

More quality pictures of the new dog

Hope is settling in really well and I'm having a blast working with him. As you can see, he's a very serious sheepdog...

Be afraid...be very afraid!

The greatest outdooor show on earth

This past weekend I went down to the Calgary Stampede to watch the stock dog competition. Louanne and I camped. This is what we camped beside.

Canada Malting

Gee, a distillery - sounds perfect for a party right? It seems that making malt involves a lot of trains as well as something that sounds like a very LARGE jet engine - 24 hours per day. Definitely enough to drive a girl to drink...

This year Louanne entered Isla. I tried to be supportive by reminding her not to think about the thousands of people watching, or the fact that she would be competing against seasoned professionals. My pep talks obviously helped because Louanne and Isla posted the fastest chute time of the first trial.

On the way to the chute.

Unfortunately Louanne ran into some trouble at the pen and Isla gripped out, but it was one heck of a run.

Of course there were other things going on at the Stampede. Mostly I was too busy having fun to take pictures but I did happen to have my camera when we popped in to watch the six hitch horse competition

A whole lot of horse power.

After seeing these rigs as well as the trailers used to haul everything, I would say that Travis has gotten off VERY easy with my choice of hobbies.

Randy Dye, pretty much the guy responsible for me getting into the whole border collie thing in the first place, posted the fastest time with his dog Dale on the first day. He also made it to the finals with his dog Sweep.

Dale on the JumboTron.

Unfortunately I can't remember who posted the fastest time on the second day. Congratulations go to Dale Montgomery and his dog Tex for winning the finals. This is Dale's fifth win.

Dale receiving his $10,000 check

Maybe next year I'll get up the nerve to go back as a competitor instead of as a spectator...