Tree Frogs, Baby Spiders & Sheep Dog Trials
Those things go together, right? Well, they did this weekend. Lucky me to discover this Gray Tree Frog hiding out in the day lilies. They are small, can take on the color of the substrate they're on, and are only noticed if you are looking closely. Every time I find one in the garden it's like finding a jewel buried in the sand. I am assuming that not everyone will be as thrilled as I was to find a nest of baby spiders on a bud of my lipstick plants. But I was. I first thought it was a tent caterpillar nest, whose machete-like mouths can strip a plant of leaves in a day. I went to clear it off and when I touched the web the babies streamed out of the egg case. Three days later Read More
Does Your Dog Come When Called? Every Time?
When Willie starting working sheep as a youngster, he didn't want to quit. This is a high quality problem with a young sheepdog, but it's still a problem. At some point you just have to end the session. It's a common problem too--I've seen scores of adolescent Border Collies zoom around and around the flock while the owner attempts to call them back and snap on a leash before the dog over heats. Or the sun sets. This isn't a challenge restricted to sheepdog owners. Who doesn't need a dog to stop what it's doing and come when called? When I asked blog readers what they'd like to talk about, this was one of the topics that came up regularly. I think that's great, given my belief that all Read More
Maggie 1, Willie Whoops
We're just back from a great, small trial in Minnesota at the home of Janis and Dan Reuter. A heartfelt thanks to them for all the work it takes to put on a trial, especially at a farm only five months old. Not to mention the stamina of Robin Reasoner for setting out all day long, and for judge Lori Perry for her supportive and wise presence. I wasn't very optimistic about how Maggie would do, because she had a meltdown while working sheep at a friend's farm just 2 days before. She didn't respond to my words or whistles, or if she did she went the wrong way. She abdicated whenever the sheep put pressure on her and let them run the show. I ended up putting her back in her crate in the car, Read More