Trailing Sheep

Maybe "driving down the road with sheep" would be a better title....cause that is exactly what we did yesterday.  Naughty Nell....gathered the lambs...it took two sends to get her out and around all of them.  I could cleverly 'excuse' that she must have thought she was at a trial...only bringing 6 the first send. But the speed in which she brought them and the lack of recognition to a whistle, voice command or correction left any clever excuse dead on my lips.  I ran up the field and Nell and I had a chat....but quiting was not an option for the day....so Nell got sent again.  Nell must have found her listening ears laying amongst the grass tufts, that and her snappy stop.

Once the lambs were gathered, I jumped in the truck and ran block for the drive.  A truck went ahead....the shepherd drove the flock, me and trusty Red brought up the rear guard.  I kept thinking, life really is a country song...."If you don’t like the way I’m a drivin’ get back on the interstate otherwise sit tight and be nice and quit yer honkin’ at me that way". 

Be to the fact we are not in the State of Jefferson...we had quite a bit of traffic.  One lady had her phone out her window snapping pictures as the sheep folded around her and kept on their merry way. All the people were very courteous and patient and stopped and waited for the flock to get by...I was very glad to be driving a truck and not a dog.

I went back to my place and worked on a few stops with all the girls.  Seems like the big flock work loosens stop....or it might be the handling of the dogs on the big flock.  To finish the day, I watched a few of my favorite handler's runs from the 2011 Finals DVDs I just got in the mail.  And yes, I started my list of training I need to add or polish. 

Welcome 2012......

Seize the Day!