Let the games begin!

Hope and I are off to our first trial of the season. We're heading down to the Carlton Creek trial just east of Airdrie. After a long winter hanging out with the dogs THINKING about trialing, it will be great to finally get to hang out with everyone and actually DO some trialing.

I've packed the camera and hope to have great tales to tell when I get back. Wish us luck!

Interior design

Lots of people throw an afghan over the back of their couch.


We apparantly prefer to drape an Australian Shepherd over ours.

Our new little "home away from home"

Last year I originally planned to go to ONE trial. Instead I went to MANY.

This year Travis would like to spend the occasional weekend with me, so the solution was obvious.

Sorry about the muddy truck - that's just the kind of weather it's been lately.

Better them than me.

We have a pond just to the east of our property which, while not ours, is much loved by and cared for by us.

I love to look at the pond, and to listen to the frogs. The frogs which haven't woken up yet, because the pond is still fairly frozen.

The dogs love to play in the pond.

The still mostly frozen pond.

You know, technically they are, once again...walking on water.

I love this sweet picture. It's Kate trying to push Bruce under while Hope looks on approvingly. Sibling love.

All the pale green stuff? That's ice under the water. Just the thought of setting foot in that water is enough to give me goose bumps, but honestly, THEY like it! Odd creatures, dogs.

Classic Bruce post swim. Gotta love the one crazy eye.

Bruce continues (it would probably go on for days if I let him). Notice that while the Border Collies are soaking wet themselves, neither of them seem to like getting sprayed by a shaking dog... I share their sentiment.

Happy...wet...housedogs.

I was so excited today...

that I forgot to bring my camera along. The fields are pretty much dried up around here so I took the trailer, the sheep, and Hope out to Don's pasture for the first time this spring.

Note to self - bring camera next time.

Hanging on and letting go

Some of us (that would be me) are thrilled that the snow is almost gone.


And some of us (that would be Bruce) are hanging on to it for dear life.


Hope had to get in on it too.

Kate, being a youngster doesn't understand what all the fuss is about.

Oh, and one more thing. Remember this?


Think of Bruce as a very furry chunk of rose bush velcro. Ripping rose sticks out of him has been a daily issue lately, what with all the spring racing around the bush after grouse, etc.. This week I got tired of de sticking him and then de thorning myself. So... I gave him a wee haircut.

Meet Mr. Babboonbutt....

Dog tired

Travis is away this week AND the weather is fantastic. The snow is essentially GONE. What's a single girl to do?

Walk and work dogs of course! The dogs and I have loved it, but this is what things look like this morning...

Hope - the king of conserving energy

Kate - who's too young to admit defeat, but doesn't seem to be able to lift her head off the mat.

Bruce - who just looks so darned comfy!


Lisa - who seems awfully comfy on the couch in her PJ's...

Finally!

Kate found out that our sheep are for more than just looking at.




Hope and I have spent the last two afternoons using the sheep to break down the snow to speed up the melting process. The dogs and I all agree that it was well worth the effort!

My dogs walk on water

Technically snow IS water

Sort of...

Alas,

Travis

does not...

Husband see.

Husband do.

And in typical "the pack always sticks together" fashion...

Sorry for your luck...uh... we gotta go!

If you can't beat em...join em

It's April.

The snow is still over the top of my boots. My boots are knee high.

When life gives you lemons - make lemonade!

My lemonade? A trip over to Karen's of course!

If the snow is my lemon then this must be the sugar!

I LOVE lemonade...

Today I graduated to 5 dogs - count em 5. We also went out longer and on a much more technical trail. We "found" deer and a moose. I felt like I graduated out of Kindergarten and I loved it.

Check out the sign. I know that Karen and Mark have put these up - but there's something about being in the middle of nowhere with a team of dogs and then seeing a sign (just like a city park). Yep, this is definitely a dogsled trail.

Thanks again guys!

Of course I'm loving this - which means the snow will probably melt in short order. I figure it's a win win situation for me. If the snow sticks around...well you know where I'll be. If the snow actually melts...well you know where I'll be.