You all know I am the midst of picking a puppy...4 weeks and still no answer.......how could I ever randomly pick a book winner! And since I am not Pioneer Woman.....who gets a billion folks entering her give-aways.....I have decided....YOU ALL WIN!!!! Well, those of you who put comments on the blog before this announcement.
There are two rules...1) you must read it and report back what you think! and 2) if you love it, pay it forward.
My email address is to the right.....email me your address where you receive mail....and you too will be reading what I am reading for the 100th time!! A little Rocking Dog Book Club! Miss Kenleigh.....I am not sure it will help you with procrastination......read it and let me know :)
Happy 2010.....lets do it!
Seize the day!!!!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Take A Look
While you are sharing your goals with me, I want to share one of mine with you. One of my goals for 2010 is to find some big fields to haul sheep for dog work. Being in the Grass Seed Capital of the world, it should be easy....right?! Visualize with me now.......
This one has promise.......
This one has promise.......
This place is just down the road from Rocking Dog Ranch and is a hay field.....so to speak. It has a few trees.....but I think I could rent it....all I need is the courage to ask!
This field is my FAVORITE!!!! I Google Earthed it....and could get a 1/2 mile outrun!!!!! SWWWWEEEEETTTTT! 
So...here is to achieving this goal....the sooner the better!
The puppies are 4 weeks old today. I am soooo in love. I told Kathy Knox I was keeping them all and she laughed and said...I could NOT call her when they turn 6 months old and are no longer "cute!" Oh well, I continue my quest to picking the one that stays.....in the mean time....here is a picture of the pup I call Jake Junior (JJ)....I wonder if he is going to have a blue eye?
Here is another shot of him...Jake is on the left, then the girl who is trying hard to win my heart, and the other boy, (who is cuter than a bug's ear.....I think bug's ears are very cute!) is on the right.
Once I pick my puppy, I have to find the perfect name. Decisions, decisions, decisions.....
Seize the day!
Friday, January 1, 2010
New Year's Day Give-away
HAVE YOU READ THIS BOOK??????
It was suggested to me by one of my mentors.....it is not really so much about "horses" as it is about life! I think I have read it a billion times.....well at least parts of it! I know of a few USBCHA top open handlers have read it, apply it, and recommend it. So in the spirit of a new year......in celebration of 2010 and all that it holds.....and knowing that our mindset is paramount to achieving our potential....I am going to give this book to one of the Rocking Dog Ranch Blog readers. Just tell me one of your goals for 2010 in the comment section below...and make sure I can get a hold of you........and I will randomly pick a winner Monday!!
Seize the day!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Reflections, Closure, Another New Year
2009 is coming to a close....all my adult life I have spent the week after Christmas getting the next year's calendars ready for New Years Day. Ritualistically looking back over the year passed ...reflecting....evaluating......did I achieve my goals.....did I leave more than I took......what will I work towards in the coming year? I spent last evening reading my blog for the past year. I believe with all my heart, I am right where I am supposed to be!
Snook, after refusing to lift time and again when men were setting at trials, has shown me that she does best in arena trials. She gets a lot of courage from me close at hand....so 2009 had us participating in a few AHBA trials and my annual ASCA trial where Snook went High in Trial! She likes to work the ducks as well as the sheep so it is a win for her! I say it again and again, I owe Snook for all she has taught me and for being my first dog. Had I only known then what I know now....
This brings me to Bella.....I am NOT sure what came over me that second where I bought Bella...and it really did happen in just a blink of the eye......thank GOD I have one very understanding husband. Not only did I bring a new dog into the home, I brought a whole litter of pups! 6 for one! Bella has taught me that I really do enjoy training dogs. I love the whole process of thinking out how to help them learn what I am trying to teach them. The balance of insist versus input.....patience...when to push and when to let the moment sit.
2009 was quiet the year for me and my passion for dog work...yet the other side of my life was CRAZY. Being in the car business....chaos reigned with economic times filled with uncertainty. My dogs, my family and my friends brought perspective.....blessings abundant, thankful for the little joys that get me out of bed each day, my cup is so much more than half full...and for that, I can not express enough gratitude!
Sally and I moved to open just before 2009. I picked some very challenging trials to run in my first year out....with no regret might I add. I learned that "trained" dogs still need training! Experience is the queen of mastery! To be the best trainer and handler I can be, I need to embrace each dog for what they are. That humble pie should be a daily staple in my diet. And not every person on the face of this planet wants to participate in my dreams or journey...."other people's opinions of me and my dogs are NONE of my business." 
Marinating in those revelations has given me the freedom to train my dogs......and enjoy the process presented! Nell ran some nursery and pro novice in 2009.....she gave me some nice "stuff" but we were not able to put it all together for the runs that I visualize! The runs were memorable....but reminding myself that I must embrace each dog for what they are....Nell needs time to mature. Nell and I took some time this year....missing many lessons, clinics and trials because I thought I would be in Missouri getting her bred! Then finally she went to Missouri, which made more time off to have her pups. Again, I think it is right where we need to be!
One highlight from 2009, Vicki Close took this picture of Nell at Sue Wessel's Dirt Blowing Trial. It was done up in a beautiful print.........that can be purchased from Vicki at Handhills Border Collies or from Border Collies In Action .
One highlight from 2009, Vicki Close took this picture of Nell at Sue Wessel's Dirt Blowing Trial. It was done up in a beautiful print.........that can be purchased from Vicki at Handhills Border Collies or from Border Collies In Action . By the way, Nell and I will be working on cleaning up that inside away flank in 2010!
Snook, after refusing to lift time and again when men were setting at trials, has shown me that she does best in arena trials. She gets a lot of courage from me close at hand....so 2009 had us participating in a few AHBA trials and my annual ASCA trial where Snook went High in Trial! She likes to work the ducks as well as the sheep so it is a win for her! I say it again and again, I owe Snook for all she has taught me and for being my first dog. Had I only known then what I know now....
This brings me to Bella.....I am NOT sure what came over me that second where I bought Bella...and it really did happen in just a blink of the eye......thank GOD I have one very understanding husband. Not only did I bring a new dog into the home, I brought a whole litter of pups! 6 for one! Bella has taught me that I really do enjoy training dogs. I love the whole process of thinking out how to help them learn what I am trying to teach them. The balance of insist versus input.....patience...when to push and when to let the moment sit.
2009 was quiet the year for me and my passion for dog work...yet the other side of my life was CRAZY. Being in the car business....chaos reigned with economic times filled with uncertainty. My dogs, my family and my friends brought perspective.....blessings abundant, thankful for the little joys that get me out of bed each day, my cup is so much more than half full...and for that, I can not express enough gratitude!2010....a clean new book.....pages blank waiting for me to fill them with life.....what will they hold? I have taught a few lessons for the past three years....I am looking at those...evaluating if I should continue or pass the baton. The next days will give me time to chew that cud a few times over......sort through some comprehensive goals for the coming year. It is good......
Seize the day.....
Monday, December 28, 2009
Dinner Out
Week three = solid food
I think they liked it!!!!!
Of course, Val won't be outdone by her brother.
These are the other two girls......I continue on my quest of deciding which one would suite me best........
I think they liked it!!!!!Week three = Jail break
This is Jake Junior...crafty little bugger!
Of course, Val won't be outdone by her brother.
These are the other two girls......I continue on my quest of deciding which one would suite me best........Today, I am working on wrapping up 2009......bills and books and receipts....oh my!
Seize the day!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Nell Believes
Last night, I tucked my tiny smooth coat border collie in with her two and a half week old puppies....I looked into those golden eyes....and I saw, "all I want for Christmas is sheep!" Well MERRY CHRISTMAS, Miss Nellie Bellie!
Man I love this dog!
Once their bellies were full....it was play time....they are beginning to get a little ornery.
Man I love this dog! It was a beautiful day in the Willamette Valley...so Bella had a Christmas day go....she is starting to sort those darn inside flanks.
Then we hurried home to feed those never-ending hungry pups.....check out the crafty little pup that feeds off Nell's left side while all the others are busy fighting on her right!From Rocking Dog Ranch.....to all my many friends and training buds......Merry, Merry Christmas! As I count my blessings today.....know I am thankful for you!
Seize the day!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Two weeks old and lookin' good!
What an amazing process.......pups start as tiny little nothings, and in two short weeks they:
Try to stand:
Begin to interact with people:
And start to play:
All Miss Nell can think about is: "When do I get my sheep?!!!"
Open their eyes
All Miss Nell can think about is: "When do I get my sheep?!!!"Sorry Nell, but we have to get ready for Christmas......off to our business celebration with employees...then on to some much needed shopping.
Seize the day!
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