I thought I’d share some videos and photos this week. First, here is Maggie and I practicing driving last week for the season’s first sheepdog trial. I’m standing on the left, out of sight, and have sent Maggie to pick up sheep in a corner of a friend’s field. She does a beautiful “lift” (getting the sheep to move forward), starting them moving without startling them.
She’s responding perfectly to my whistles, and moving them at a perfect pace. However, at second 44 she makes her most common mistake, “overflanking.” I wanted her to stop after a quarter turn, but she continues around to the back side, all the better to bring the sheep back to me. It’s what she (and many other dogs) do when she is confused or nervous. “I’m going to default, which is to bring the sheep back to my human.” So the next part is me working on her going a quarter of a circle rather than a half one. Make sense?
Maggie has amazing “sheep sense,” beautiful open flanks and is such, such a good dog. And, of course, she’s not perfect. She hates sheep that are “heavy” and don’t want to move (the sheep in this video were lovely to work, not usually true at a competition!), she gets panicked if working too far away from me, and she never seems to like working on the field where the first trial is being held. It’s my job to bring out her best and make up for her worst, but then, it’s my job to do the same for me. Ah, if it was only as easy to do as to say! (And thanks Jim for taking the video!)
[FYI, trial update last week: Maggie and I never got lots of points at the trial this weekend, and she lost control of the sheep on the cross drive the first day, but she did a gorgeous cross drive on the second day and I was super proud of her. Most of the errors were mine, but I’m learning, and she did some really beautiful work on Sunday. Good, good girl little Maggie, someday we’ll both be on our game the same day!]
MEANWHILE, here is are our new friend, Melanie. (I have no idea why I named her that.) She has a nest nearby, I think in our Ash tree, and feeds on the Monarda beside the living room window all day long. The flowers are fading now, and I will see her less, and evertually miss her deeply. It’s impossible not to get attached to an individual you see so often every day, who you know is working her feathers off to feed her babies.
I wondered why I never saw the male there, only on the same type of flowers on the other side of the house, until one day he tried to feed and she chased him off like a tiny Gal Godot Wonder Woman. You go little warrior, you go.
She’s out of focus in the last photo, except her tiny little feet, which charm me every time I look at them.
On the other end of the spectrum, here’s the work of an animal I’m less fond of: (Guess which hand got stung.) And that’s a day later, after Benadryl, Advil and lots and lots of ice. But that was the “least” of the stings my foot was much worse. Lordy I hate wasps!
This last photo is what it’s like around here now, with the land around us full of corn, soybeans (foreground) and a hay field recently mowed. Mighty purty.
Here’s to lots of might purty in your life this week too.
HFR says
You go, Maggie! It’s always our fault, isn’t it? I used to have fun in agility when I would come out of the ring at a trial and say “we’ll, that was totally HER fault” and people were horrified. you would have thought I just kicked my dog. I would smile all the way back to my tent.
What is “driving”? Moving the sheep forward? Does she always have an end goal as to where she is taking the sheep or is she just trying to keep them together? Really lovely to watch. And how ever did you learn to use that whistle?!?
Diane Mattson says
Love the Maggie update. And the hummingbird pictures are gorgeous.
On my walk with Bridget the other day, we passed a man with his Border Collie on the other side of the street. Bridget usually just perks her ears and looks at dogs during our walks. The BC was totally minding his own business, but Bridget caught me off guard with a joyful bark and a quickie play bounce. She seemed really hyped. Must be the charm of Border Collies.😉
Wishing you a wonderful rest of your summer.
Jane G says
Really enjoyed watching Maggie work. And yes, the little hummingbird feet – so sweet. Thanks for sharing.
Betsy says
Love the Maggie updates! I’ve had a good pain relief from wasp stings by applying a drop of peppermint essential oil to the painful area. Maybe it will help you, too.
Adrienne K. says
There is nothing like welcoming our hummingbirds when they return to spend some time with us here in Maine. They have plenty natural habitat around us to feel at home in and my five feeders are available to assist them at all times. I always wish them safe passage on that sad day when they leave us for warmer weather.
Debra Jensen says
I feel your pain. I mowed over a yellow jacket nest and got it 5 times on my ankle. My foot too was huge. That night the skunks decided to take care of the problem and dig out the nest – cleaned it out! I will never complain about skunks again but luckily my English Shepherd couldn’t get to them while they were working. He and I are both jumpy right night when a wasp buzzes us as he got it in the foot and tail.
Helen says
I’m a city girl, so know nothing much of farm life or herding, but how I love to watch well trained dogs doing what they love to do. I am entranced with watching and listening to you and Maggie work. Oh, and I name my hummers. They are my favs, second, of course, to working with my therapy dog Goldendoodle Reagan.
BC mom no sheep says
Question asked in earnest: Maggie probably sees herding sheep as a the best job a girl could ever have.
What about the sheep? Do their cortisol levels raise drastically and feel they are running for their lives, or do the sheep consider
Maggie as a traffic cop who rewards them with new fertile grazing pastures?
The lamb that people eat, if they feel such duress from being constantly herded, wouldn’t their meat be possibly tougher or show up in some other way?Bc
I meditated for a few moments looking at your last picture. I tuned in to the infinite colors of green and my breathing opened up to peacefulness. Thank you!
Tails Around the Ranch says
Those hummingbird images are incredible! Try some lavender essential oil on the wasp sting. It can help soothe and work as a natural antihistamine. Good luck.
Cathy Balliu says
Maggie listens really well to your whistles and she is lovely on her sheep. She works pretty far off which may contribute to why she has to cover so much ground to correct their line. Also, is it me or are the first 2 whistles of your flanks similar? I didn’t see her take a wrong flank but maybe she hesitates until she hears the third whistle on the away to take it. And I’m guessing that Skip has to be handled completely differently? At least trials are getting back underway 🙂
Jan says
Beautiful to watch Maggie trying so hard and seeing/hearing the wonderful communication between the two of you. Thank you for sharing that. Our hummingbirds are already preparing to head south – we will miss them and look so forward to seeing them again come Spring. Wasps, ugh! Take good care!
Betsy calkins says
Looks like you missed the great midwestern windstorm! Happy to hear it. Take care. Thanks for staying in touch with us.
Diane Mattson says
Forgot to mention, “ouch” for your stings.
Many years ago, my border terrier cross, Gig, hunted wasps deliberately. He’d curl his lips back, snag them with his teeth, and shake them. Never got stung We adopted him when he was about four, so maybe he’d been stung before! Anyway, I’ll never forget Gig, prowling the yard, attempting to keep the wasp population down.
Alice R. says
What a joy to see Maggie work the sheep and actually hear the whistles. I’d love to watch some trials someday.
I do so love hummingbirds, and your photos are wonderful. We have a pair of robins that just sent their second brood off. It’s been so fun watching them sit guard and dig worms in my garden. They are fierce when it’s needed! Our two took on a Barred Owl with such ferocity that I was stunned. They fussed loudly, dive bombing constantly sending him from tree to tree, and occasionally landing on the same branch right next to him pecking away. I see them so much while they have eggs or babies that I really do miss them when they leave. I do hope someone comes back next year. It felt like I made a new friend while I was stuck home.
Kat McLain says
I’ve always had Border Collies. This video of Maggie performing her magic brings such joy! Thank you!
Melanie Hawkes says
Melanie is an awesome name for a hummingbird, and I hope you named her after me! I love the hot weather, I keep myself busy, lead a single life (no partners to fend off though) and am a little warrior too. Only I have wheels not wings. Think of me when she’s gone, although I’m on the other side of the world in Oz 🙃
Jennie Lewis says
I love the video of Maggie! What is it called when she’s running forward in a sort of low position? My beagle mix does this when he’s on a scent during hikes.
Ayn says
Watching Maggie is amazing. I know nothing of herding but it is always wonderful to watch a dog working with joy. She really does appear to be in tune with you.
The photos of Melanie are incredible.
Certainly hope you are feeling better. I get that reaction and worse with bees but nothing other than the original electric shocking sting from wasps. Who knew you can be allergic to bees but not wasps and vice versa?