You know you're a real Albertan when...

You get yourself a buckle!

Apparently I need a belt?

It has been a great summer of trialling. The boys and I have been to trials 4 out of the past 6 weeks. Travis has mentioned that I'm a shift worker 4 days on (trial)/ 3 days off (home).

So here's the recap for the summer:

Last Chance: I entered Novice only as it was my first trial. Hope won the Novice class.

Buffalo: I entered the boys in Novice and Intermediate. Both dogs placed or won individual runs and Tell was the overall Intermediate winner.

EID: We moved up to Intermediate and Pro Novice. I was very happy with the way the dogs ran, and learned a few more things about handling. The boys finished up in the middle of the pack. Tell won the Nursery class two out of the three days and qualified for next year's USBCHA finals.

Alberta Finals: Tell won the Novice Finals.

ASDA Field Finals winners
Corey Perry (intermediate), George Stambulic (Pro Novice), Me (Novice), Milt Scott (Open 3rd), Ian Zoerb (Open 1st & 4th), Joanne Zoerb (Open 2nd), Louanne Twa (Nursery), and Judge Shawn Wells.

Enough bragging, but to say that I exceeding my expectations this summer would be a huge understatement. A huge thanks to Louanne Twa, Scott and Jenny Glen, and everyone else at the trials this summer for being so helpful - it takes a village to raise a handler. ;-)

This coming weekend Louanne and I heading down to Sturgis, South Dakota to watch the USBCHA finals. I'm really looking forward to watching some of North America's top handlers run their dogs.

Tell takes them around the post.

Finally, a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Scott Glen and Pleat for winning the Soldier Hollow Classic! Pleat is the only dog to win all four of the big US trials - USBCHA Finals, Meeker, The Blue Grass, and Soldier Hollow.

Latest Visitor

Three blogs in one day - don't get too used to it but I guess when it rains it pours. Besides, it's so hot outside that any excuse to stay inside is a good one.

Last night while I was making dinner I happened to look out the kitchen window and saw this.


My first thought was - Cool! My next thought was - Where the heck is she going to go? She didn't seem to be entirely comfortable with her situation and an unhappy moose is not a great thing.

She headed out to the front yard...

There were sheep to the left and sheep to the front. All of them surrounded by electranet. Moose + Elecranet didn't sound like a good thing. The sheep to the left got all huffy and rushed their fence and scared the heck out of the moose, who galloped straight at the other nets, which she cleared easily. Then she realized she was in a pen with some more sheep and took off over the other side. When she stopped in the pasture the other sheep rushed their fence and the moose decided to leave altogether.
Some people have livestock gardian dogs to protect their sheep. Apparently we have guardian sheep to protect us from large wildlife...

More pics from Buffalo

I happened to have my camera in my hands for a change on Saturday night while the light was at its best so I caught these very serious trialling photos.

Louanne get's serious with the dogs.


Super models Jenny and Louanne make love to the camera. No animals were harmed in the making of this photo although Isla and Skid probably need therapy.

Then I handed the camera over to Kipp and he took these shots.

Another great weekend. Next weekend we're off to the EID trial.

A loo for Sue

As soon as we pulled up to the trial site this weekend I knew what my blog would be about. Sue Main keeps a "Loo Watch". http://mainbordercollies.com/Loo_Watch.html The Buffalo Trial definitely has a Loo worth reporting.

The Buffalo outhouse provides plenty of privacy as there are no neighbours for miles. There also are no trees or bushes within a day's walk, so if you are a woman it really is your only option. My first impression - wow. This outhouse smelled of fresh paint and looked pristine. By Sunday of course it smelled of, well, not fresh paint.

This loo is apparently a "couples" loo as there are two holes. I suppose it could also be men's on one side and woman's on the other side? Note that there is plenty of toilet paper as well as that the paint on the inside is a nice shade of light sand. No lids on the seats, but at least then you don't have to worry about what's hiding under them.

Outside the loo - hand sanitizer - definitely a woman's touch!

Inside the door - Fine Art

I give this loo 8/10 for fresh paint and artistic impression!

On the road again

Tell, Hope and I are heading to another trial this weekend and I'm packing up today. We'll be heading out this afternoon, staying at Penny's place and then driving the rest of the way tomorrow.

Bruce seems to be catching on. He's been trying to show me why I should take him.

See I can bring you FAR more important things than sheep...

I can even find and bring you those things with my eyes closed...

PUHLEASE...

Mateo and Antonio on the other hand...they seem to be OK with it all.

Don't slam the door on your way out...(might actually wake me up or something)

Are you STILL here?

Cat nap

How DOES my garden grow!