Once again, sheepdogs imitate life and I learn the lesson that, sometimes, life doesn't manifest exactly as the dream....but it's still great.
I got a call from the sheep boss last week asking for some help with a flock of sheep over on the coast. See, the shepherd had a baby and that baby has him wrapped around her little finger leaving the sheep boss desperate for company....well, okay, truth be told desperate for some dog work. When he called to ask about the gather....I envisioned a slope of green grass allowing for a big huge outrun from my Gypster. Or maybe a flat big field, sheep scattered, grazing pastorally as if just waiting for their cab ride home; either scenario giving Gyp some much needed work and experience. "Sure, how about Sunday!"
We got to the field after winding our way across the coastal mountain range that protects our valley from winter storms, the fall rain I have been praying for starting the day off cool. The sheep boss informed me the sheep were right over that hill there, and my job was to gather while he and his sidekick started making the catch pen. "How far back does the field go?", I naively inquired. "Oh about a half mile or so, you'll see 'em"....could I hear a smirk in his voice? So Gyp and I broke up over the hill...meeting a small flock of ewes on the road Just as the thought tickled my brain that it was my lucky day.....the wise and crafty ewes high tailed it, as far as a docked tail can be high, running in the other direction; me, hoping they were headed back to the mother flock. The field lay before me, a tributary off the ocean to my left and marsh grass taller than my waist covering it entirely, broken up only by blackberry bush hills and sheep paths. Not a ewe in sight but heck, it was raining and cool...a good day to get my 10,00 steps in. Gyp and I picked a sheep trail that would lead us up and around.....and as we tromped I felt like I was hunting with my Gramps as a young girl....spooking out that which we hunted....although this day it was sheep and I took the leadership Gramps role while Gyp was my wing girl.
I died to a lot of thoughts that day....honest nests, ground yellow jackets, bears, as we settled upon a newly laid pile of berry scat by the body of a dead ewe. Bears must be opportunistic as well as hunters.....me, hoping the bear was full because Gyp and I were not interested in being an appetizer and meal on this fine, cool Sunday gather. And so it was that we walked the entire meadow and drove the flock of ewes and the seven new born lambs that were on the ground that day to the catch pen.
On the way home, Gyp and I stopped for a well deserved skinny caramel latte, I knew we had done well. It might not have been what I dreamed of, but it was a job that needed done and so we did it. As I scruffed her ear, I was thankful for this little dog that was not running open just yet. She can work without me worried about any trial in our near future.
And so indeed, sheepdogging imitates life......days where it is not the dreamed of living turn into something special; memories created from the magic of getting it done.
Seize the Day!
Monday, September 16, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
Living Plans
Four weeks.....28 days.....672 hours......40,320 minutes......then I hit the road. No more making plans, it is time to start living them!
Bella's physical therapy appointments have the Ortho vet telling me to "start working her". For the past week I've been jogging her with the four wheeler and taking long walks with her. Afterwards, I stretch her out and give her a massage and let her ride up front as "truck dog" and I wonder if she will ever really be 100% because she likes the special treatment so much. Back on sheep, Bella is full over herself with push, tight and stop-less intensity; so we shed. Shedding seems to bring sense to all the clean up for Bella and it works me out too. It's good to have her back! I'm looking forward to my next appointment with the Ortho vet to see how my week of work have played out on Bella's body.
Nell is really fun right now. We are working on her listening and me being accurate; no guessing for either of us! We are shedding too but I'm doing bigger, longer work as well.
Then there is me; right about now the dogs ask for the key board as they have some things they would like to share. I tell them to start their own darn blog but I listen. Nell would say, "keep to the whistle program. They are getting better but loose clarity with fatigue" So I work on my whistles, work on my physical stamina and health, work on my head and mental toughness. Then I break out MapQuest and start planning my journey to and from The Finals. Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia there.......home might include a quick stop in Indiana and then I fantasize about making a southern tour. There are friends in Georgia, Texas, and Nevada I'd like to spend time with. All the while, I visualize Bella coming into heat and sorting through my list of potential husbands, some of which could be visited on the way home, which expands the list!
All the while, life goes on. My ranchette and livestock need attention, the barn needs cleaned, more hay to haul, and dogs to train. I'm thankful for the rhythm of my ranch; consistent mixed with a tang of unpredictable....such a metaphor to life.
Time to live my plan....there are sheep to be shed....and whistles to be practiced......
Seize the Day!
Bella's physical therapy appointments have the Ortho vet telling me to "start working her". For the past week I've been jogging her with the four wheeler and taking long walks with her. Afterwards, I stretch her out and give her a massage and let her ride up front as "truck dog" and I wonder if she will ever really be 100% because she likes the special treatment so much. Back on sheep, Bella is full over herself with push, tight and stop-less intensity; so we shed. Shedding seems to bring sense to all the clean up for Bella and it works me out too. It's good to have her back! I'm looking forward to my next appointment with the Ortho vet to see how my week of work have played out on Bella's body.
Nell is really fun right now. We are working on her listening and me being accurate; no guessing for either of us! We are shedding too but I'm doing bigger, longer work as well.
Then there is me; right about now the dogs ask for the key board as they have some things they would like to share. I tell them to start their own darn blog but I listen. Nell would say, "keep to the whistle program. They are getting better but loose clarity with fatigue" So I work on my whistles, work on my physical stamina and health, work on my head and mental toughness. Then I break out MapQuest and start planning my journey to and from The Finals. Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia there.......home might include a quick stop in Indiana and then I fantasize about making a southern tour. There are friends in Georgia, Texas, and Nevada I'd like to spend time with. All the while, I visualize Bella coming into heat and sorting through my list of potential husbands, some of which could be visited on the way home, which expands the list!
All the while, life goes on. My ranchette and livestock need attention, the barn needs cleaned, more hay to haul, and dogs to train. I'm thankful for the rhythm of my ranch; consistent mixed with a tang of unpredictable....such a metaphor to life.
Time to live my plan....there are sheep to be shed....and whistles to be practiced......
Seize the Day!
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Monday, September 2, 2013
Cinderella Story.....
Once upon a time, there was a PAC 12 college football team by the name of Oregon State University that was scheduled to play an FCS division football team by the name of Eastern Washington. Though OSU tried to get out of the contract, EWU held them to the commitment and Vegas predicted a three touchdown gap in score at the end of the game with OSU stomping EWU.
Oh wait....this ain't no fairy tale....this really happened! And so I take a break from all things sheepdog and mental management and take this blog into my life of the mom of a college playing football son.
Year after year, we've been OSU fans, going to many football games and wearing Orange and Black. Living in the Willamette Valley, our friends are either OSU fans or they are U of O fans and that rivalry is enough to keep life fun filled with lighthearted bantering all year long. This year, as we attended the game at Reeser Stadium, home to the OSU Beavers, we were clad in Black and Red with Eastern Washington Eagles wear....our friend still invited us to tailgate and all were wishing Jake well....but you could tell they were sort of feeling part sorry and part proud to kick our butts around the field.
The game began, we were seated at the far end of the end zone in the visitor's seats; not our usual seats by any means. It was a hot day and we could hardly see the other end of the field....but we were Eagles and that meant something! Every time we scored, I took a picture......I took lots of pictures!!
That was the final score......OSU 46 Eastern Washington 49. I could hardly breath for the last 18 seconds of the game as OSU pressed down the field into what they hoped was field goal range. It was so close to going into over time. What a great day......I was so proud of the Eastern boys, each of them giving all to make their team strong.
This is one of the reasons I love sports. I love that fact that anything can happen. Each team was well prepared, both went out and played well, neither gave up or quit. On this day, the underdog (take that Vegas) won. Somehow living a story like this gives me great hope. Train with focus, do the work, put in the time with passion, compete and never give up........
Seize the Day!!!
Oh wait....this ain't no fairy tale....this really happened! And so I take a break from all things sheepdog and mental management and take this blog into my life of the mom of a college playing football son.
Year after year, we've been OSU fans, going to many football games and wearing Orange and Black. Living in the Willamette Valley, our friends are either OSU fans or they are U of O fans and that rivalry is enough to keep life fun filled with lighthearted bantering all year long. This year, as we attended the game at Reeser Stadium, home to the OSU Beavers, we were clad in Black and Red with Eastern Washington Eagles wear....our friend still invited us to tailgate and all were wishing Jake well....but you could tell they were sort of feeling part sorry and part proud to kick our butts around the field.
I love getting to the game early and watching my boy warm up. I had one of those "mom moments"....watching my son realize a dream. All those football games and dreaming of playing on the field at Reeser Stadium, and here he is, #82
The game began, we were seated at the far end of the end zone in the visitor's seats; not our usual seats by any means. It was a hot day and we could hardly see the other end of the field....but we were Eagles and that meant something! Every time we scored, I took a picture......I took lots of pictures!!
That was the final score......OSU 46 Eastern Washington 49. I could hardly breath for the last 18 seconds of the game as OSU pressed down the field into what they hoped was field goal range. It was so close to going into over time. What a great day......I was so proud of the Eastern boys, each of them giving all to make their team strong.
This is one of the reasons I love sports. I love that fact that anything can happen. Each team was well prepared, both went out and played well, neither gave up or quit. On this day, the underdog (take that Vegas) won. Somehow living a story like this gives me great hope. Train with focus, do the work, put in the time with passion, compete and never give up........
Seize the Day!!!
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Six Weeks
In six short weeks, I'll be back on the road again...this time pushing past Kentucky, further east...all the way to Virginia. As I sit here and put words to my feelings, this is what I see.....all the way across America. There are days where I can not believe I am driving...and days where I am very excited for the adventures that are sure to fill trip.
Bella and Nell are all signed up for the 2013 finals. Gosh, pinching myself, I write again, Bella and Nell are all signed up and in on the first cut for the 2013 finals.
Me, well I have six weeks to continue to get ready. Bella has a soft tissue injury that I am working on rehabbing. It is good to practice the art of letting go. Where I might be drilling and adding in a bit of more drill......stops and open flanks and look backs, oh my.......Bella and I are taking time off from sheep. Nell and I work a bit...me on reading sheep....her on listening; however, no drilling. Just sticking to relationship and knowing the finals are not an end destination but just a scenic stop on the road to where I'm headed.
Then there is me, I have six weeks to get me ready. I'm continue my whistle work and I'm looking at my brain and thoughts: Mental Management and Toughness. I love listening to sport psychologist and their take on what keeps the athletes from reaching their full potential. How to really access the most from my brain is a challenge for sure.
So the count down begins......and I'm right back to working on me. Funny how dogs bring perspective to life......all about me becoming if I'm up to the challenge.
Seize the Day!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Reflections.....
Don’t just count your years, make your years count.
~ Ernest Meyers
~ Ernest Meyers
What matters most in life is often viewed as peripheral to the things that we usually focus on. Passion takes a backseat to production, wellness to working, and balance to busyness. The old adage that "life is not a dress rehearsal" is so true, and yet we act to the contrary by putting off what is truly important or indulging in things that are not. On your birthday, stop focusing on your age and start meditation on your life at this exact moment. How can you make it better? During the next year, reshuffle your priorities. Spend more time with family and friends, take care of your body and health by eating well and exercising regularly, and offer to help others in need. Discover what matters most to you, and make your daily life into a true reflection of those ideas, beliefs, and attitudes.
From SparkPeople
Time to seize the year....one day at a time!
Thursday, August 22, 2013
I Was Talking With A Friend of Mine......
Okay, okay I got me a little Tom Petty on the brain today. Lambing season was Tom Petty too...the waiting is the hardest part. If life is a country song.....then Tom must be some southern rock country!
I've spent the summer with a few new friends. Many an evening was spent with Buck Brannaman, Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrance, and his brother Bill. Ideas were shared and, though based on horses and training, they crossed over the species barrier allowing me to find much application to dogs; more specifically my dogs. When I took a bigger step back and really looked at the ideas shared, not so surprisingly they transcended four legged species to include all of life. The emphasis was on relationship: digging deep and listening to the animal's feedback while presenting opportunity to learn at that animals pace of readiness. Tom Dorrance simply said, "people are like that too."
"The best thing I try to do for myself is to try and listen to the horse. I don't mean let him take over. I listen to how he's operating" What he's understanding or what he doesn't understand; what's bothering him and what isn't bother him. I try to feel what the horse is feeling and operate from where the horse is." ~ Tom Dorrance
When taking a break from these training writers, I filled in time with Deepak Chopra, James Loehr, Barabra Schulte......people who invested in my mind and how I think. "You attract what you are", Deepak told me. Brene Brown shared about shame resilience and ordinary courage, while Katherine Center shared what she might tell her "buck tooth self at eight", if she could go back in time; "See yourself with kinder eyes." I step back from my new friends a changed woman, and I ponder what I would tell myself taking the first steps into the world of the working sheepdog back what will be nine years ago this Sunday. I know the date because that is exactly what I did on my 40th birthday.....I took my first step into the world of the working sheepdog with my frightened, broken mirror of a Snook dog...and it changed my life forever.
I'd tell myself: *Sheepdogs are a journey and if I listens with all my senses the dog and sheep will tell the entire story. * Trying to make things happen by force will lead to no sheds and timing out at the pen or maybe even too wide of an outrun. * Avoiding the hard topics can leave tension that rears its ugly head later in uncontrollable circumstances. * Who I am is not defined by winning nor by beating anybody. * The quality of my run is not determined by my scores or placement. * Beauty and improvement can be had in a retire, a dq, and a score, but I have to look. * Beauty and improvement with my dogs might not be seen by other people and that's okay. * I'm not a good person if I win nor a bad person if I loose. * Win or loose, few people will remember who won Heppner the first round in 2013 nor will they remember who gripped out 5 of 7 runs on the way to the Bluegrass and back in the same year. * Relationship; deep understanding and working together is what I long for with each of my dogs. * Other people are on a journey of their own and it is none of my business. * When I make other people's journeys my business, my judgment is who I really am.* Instead of passing judgment, I might want to see if I can figure out why a run is going wrong or right. * Mistakes happen, I can work to minimize them but they will happen. * "See myself with kinder eyes" but don't expect others to do the same. * Negativity and criticism is like an infection...the tiniest of seeds can grow into an oak tree over time, especially if fed and watered regularly. * Good and true friends are to be cherished, gather them up and be thankful. * Sheepdog trials are not life...they are just a small part of my life. * Nobody can make me feel any certain way. * Whether somebody agrees with what I do or not, I do not have to accept shame or change to fit in. * When I go to a trial, put down the best run I can for the day...there is greatness in that. * It's good to work at getting better. * I can't expect my dogs to function at their peak all year long, nor it is fair to expect myself to function at peak all year long. * The better I get, the better my true friends get. * The dogs that are put into my life are going to teach me something if I am up to learning....be up to the challenge! * Seize every day with my dogs as their lives are short and time flies by; there is no stopping that.
I really believe this; deep in my heart I believe this. When challenged, I might have to ruminate over and over but I come back to my roots of belief. Bella and Nell are qualified and signed up to go back to Virginia for the 2013 finals. My Bella is struggling with a soft tissue injury. I am working on finding a good and functional rehab plan to see if I can get her all healed up and ready to go. I also have some work to do in myself with my mental management, toughness training and self discipline. My recent trials showed me some work I need to sort out. "Avoiding the hard topics can leave tension", I remind myself. These dogs and my journey with them, as I've said a few times over, really it is about me finding the beauty and improvement in myself. So with great thankfulness to my dogs and kindness to myself, I soldier on...........I am!
Seize the Day!!!!
I've spent the summer with a few new friends. Many an evening was spent with Buck Brannaman, Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrance, and his brother Bill. Ideas were shared and, though based on horses and training, they crossed over the species barrier allowing me to find much application to dogs; more specifically my dogs. When I took a bigger step back and really looked at the ideas shared, not so surprisingly they transcended four legged species to include all of life. The emphasis was on relationship: digging deep and listening to the animal's feedback while presenting opportunity to learn at that animals pace of readiness. Tom Dorrance simply said, "people are like that too."
"The best thing I try to do for myself is to try and listen to the horse. I don't mean let him take over. I listen to how he's operating" What he's understanding or what he doesn't understand; what's bothering him and what isn't bother him. I try to feel what the horse is feeling and operate from where the horse is." ~ Tom Dorrance
When taking a break from these training writers, I filled in time with Deepak Chopra, James Loehr, Barabra Schulte......people who invested in my mind and how I think. "You attract what you are", Deepak told me. Brene Brown shared about shame resilience and ordinary courage, while Katherine Center shared what she might tell her "buck tooth self at eight", if she could go back in time; "See yourself with kinder eyes." I step back from my new friends a changed woman, and I ponder what I would tell myself taking the first steps into the world of the working sheepdog back what will be nine years ago this Sunday. I know the date because that is exactly what I did on my 40th birthday.....I took my first step into the world of the working sheepdog with my frightened, broken mirror of a Snook dog...and it changed my life forever.
I'd tell myself: *Sheepdogs are a journey and if I listens with all my senses the dog and sheep will tell the entire story. * Trying to make things happen by force will lead to no sheds and timing out at the pen or maybe even too wide of an outrun. * Avoiding the hard topics can leave tension that rears its ugly head later in uncontrollable circumstances. * Who I am is not defined by winning nor by beating anybody. * The quality of my run is not determined by my scores or placement. * Beauty and improvement can be had in a retire, a dq, and a score, but I have to look. * Beauty and improvement with my dogs might not be seen by other people and that's okay. * I'm not a good person if I win nor a bad person if I loose. * Win or loose, few people will remember who won Heppner the first round in 2013 nor will they remember who gripped out 5 of 7 runs on the way to the Bluegrass and back in the same year. * Relationship; deep understanding and working together is what I long for with each of my dogs. * Other people are on a journey of their own and it is none of my business. * When I make other people's journeys my business, my judgment is who I really am.* Instead of passing judgment, I might want to see if I can figure out why a run is going wrong or right. * Mistakes happen, I can work to minimize them but they will happen. * "See myself with kinder eyes" but don't expect others to do the same. * Negativity and criticism is like an infection...the tiniest of seeds can grow into an oak tree over time, especially if fed and watered regularly. * Good and true friends are to be cherished, gather them up and be thankful. * Sheepdog trials are not life...they are just a small part of my life. * Nobody can make me feel any certain way. * Whether somebody agrees with what I do or not, I do not have to accept shame or change to fit in. * When I go to a trial, put down the best run I can for the day...there is greatness in that. * It's good to work at getting better. * I can't expect my dogs to function at their peak all year long, nor it is fair to expect myself to function at peak all year long. * The better I get, the better my true friends get. * The dogs that are put into my life are going to teach me something if I am up to learning....be up to the challenge! * Seize every day with my dogs as their lives are short and time flies by; there is no stopping that.
I really believe this; deep in my heart I believe this. When challenged, I might have to ruminate over and over but I come back to my roots of belief. Bella and Nell are qualified and signed up to go back to Virginia for the 2013 finals. My Bella is struggling with a soft tissue injury. I am working on finding a good and functional rehab plan to see if I can get her all healed up and ready to go. I also have some work to do in myself with my mental management, toughness training and self discipline. My recent trials showed me some work I need to sort out. "Avoiding the hard topics can leave tension", I remind myself. These dogs and my journey with them, as I've said a few times over, really it is about me finding the beauty and improvement in myself. So with great thankfulness to my dogs and kindness to myself, I soldier on...........I am!
Seize the Day!!!!
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