It’s been a week. Two shockingly unexpected deaths in the family, one human, one canine. Jim and I are fine, but I’m taking a break this week and just focusing on photographs.
First, and best, Skip is completely recovered from his surgery and able to work. As is often the case, I used Maggie to bring the sheep up a steep hill full of downed wood and brush, and into the high pasture that we call “The Moors.” It’s extra tricky work, and I didn’t want to ask Skip to do it on his first time out. Here she is moving them into position for Skip. It was nice light, I thought, and was glad I had the iPhone in my pocket to capture it.
Skip watched Maggie bringing the sheep from the woods into the pasture. He is remarkably patient, and will even run to the spot on the fence where the leash is attached and stay there by himself, unleashed, while Maggie works. I didn’t risk it this time though, and leashed him up. No point in pushing the envelope first time out in two weeks.
I didn’t take any shots of Skip working because I needed to give him my full attention. He did well, only one moment of his major fault (over flanking on one side). We got that taken care of easily and he was one happy camper to be able to do what he was born to do again.
The sheep no doubt enjoyed their two-week long vacation. The flock continues to look like they’re out of a Gary Larson cartoon, unsure of where to go or what to do. But, thanks to you dear readers, meet newly-named Janet Ewellin, on the left in the photo below. (LisaW came up with Janet, due to their older age and attention to numbers. Kat added “Ewellin,” which made it pretty much perfect. Thanks also to Amy for suggesting Charity; I love that name, but couldn’t resist a good pun.) That’s Beyonce at the very back; I’m not sure who is in the middle, hard to tell.
Close by were Pink, in the back in the photo below, and Spot in the front. You can pretty much figure out who Spot is, although she’s rarely in a position to see her one black spot. But she’s readily identifiable by her extra tight, curly wool. Some of the other all-white ones are harder to identify but I’m working on it. I love studying their faces to learn who is who. (By the way, Pink is Pink because she came as a cull from friend Donna, who had marked her with bright pink dye on her butt. Pink she was, and Pink she stays. She’s easy to identify because she has speckled lips, a large yellow tag in her ear, a saggy belly, and an especially wooly coat.
The flowers in the house continue to bring me joy, including, surprisingly, the flowers after they’ve bloomed and are beginning to decay. Apparently I’m not alone, the Dutch painters especially loved “momentos mori,” or mementos of mortality, as a reminder of the ephemeral nature of life. If it’s good enough for Van Gogh and a raft of other painters, it’s good enough for me. And highly relevant to us all right now.
You never know when you’re going to find joy and beauty. Here are some photos of frost on the garage windows. Our dirty, messy garage still had something to treasure when I looked for it.
I promised last week I’d say more about a cross-stitch pillow I’m working on. Here it is, massively larger than I expected and swamping the chair it’s designed to sit in. (Note to self: Check on the dimensions before falling in love with a pattern.) You can see all I’ve done is about half of the turquoise background. I’m loving doing it and my arthritic thumb is furious about it so I only do a little at a time.
I did needlework every day in my twenties. Here’s my favorite piece, a sampler that hangs in our guest room (aka “the storage room” now), on wall paper that came with the house, that I would never buy and absolutely adore.
Last, but of course, never least, here’s Skip the first time he was allowed to play with Maggie, about to break out into a full-on hip slam/leap/bow, all done simultaneously with joy and power radiating from every pore.
Actually, the last word should go to the cats, who are miffed that they have been left out. The snow is deep enough that they’d rather not go out of the garage much, thank you, and they’d like you to know that it’s not their fault for heaven’s sake that the lighting is so bad in the garage. They hereby demand lots of photos next week, and ask you to hold Trisha to it. And Maggie would like you to know that she’s doing great with the quiet dremel on her back paws. She is very proud of herself. Please do not ask her about her front paws. That’s different.)
What’s up in your life? Tell us something silly, or quirky, or joyful, and we’ll all appreciate it.
Deborah Graber says
Sorry to hear about the deaths in the family, but also so relieved to hear everyone in your immediate family is doing well. Love the frost pictures! reminds me of the old farm house I grew up in which had single pane glass and I loved looking at the frost patterns.
Sharon says
Beautiful photos. Your cross-stitch sampler is breathtaking. I’ve done some counted cross-stitch but nothing that elaborate.
My enjoyment has been watching shows on Animal Planet about zoos around the US. I especially love watching a variety of different wild animals learn basic behaviors via operant conditioning. Huge gorillas presenting their chests for EKGs. Rhinos standing for pregnancy ultrasounds. Even crocodiles learning to line up by colored cones at feeding time rather than crowding each other. Amazing what we can communicate to them
muttzrule says
So sorry for the losses in your family. My heart stopped for a moment reading the first paragraph until I scrolled through and saw that Jim and the animals are ok.
I did needlework every day in my twenties too! It kept me sane and gave me something pleasant and purposeful to do when family acted like they lost their minds. The sampler is beautiful.
Let’s see, silly, quirky or joyful? Missy the border springer floofer qualifies as all three. She has always liked to “talk,” starting with her pitiful puppy voice when she wants something, then moving on to her Chewbacca voice if I don’t imnediately attend to the princess. She recently added a new voice. When I come home from work she sings like a husky! Sometimes she adds a dance as well. I wonder if she’s saying she’s tired of being on her own since Duncan passed away and would I adopt a little brother to keep her company already?
Antonis says
Take care Patricia, life sucks some times. I know that only time can heal part of what you feel now…
Something erm quirky now. Well i have a small mixed-breed dog called Grace a couple of years now and we are into agility (unfortunately because of Covid we have only run in some friendly competitions so far) and i am already thinking of getting another dog, since i can. Grace is a very active little thing and we also do long hikes as much as we can along with our 3-4 times per week agility training. I always wanted a GSD for as long as i remember my self, but my trainer said that i am meant to be a BC handler because of their eeeerm everything. So he let me have two of his BCs (he has like 9 dogs!!!) for a week (not simultanously).
First BC was like a bigger image of my doggo both in appearance and in temperament. Very easy going, calm and had an on-off switch. When at home she usually slept and when we were at training or hiking she was very active and happy. So i thought “well that’s it i am going to get a BC after all!”.
But then, i got the second one…and oh dear…She is always ON! You can’t as much as smirk in the house and she will come running at you to see if you want to do something or pet her at the very least. It’s like i am being a hostage in my own appartment š š I do everything as silently as possible, i don’t dare pet her if it isn’t in a very calm way otherwise she thinks we are playing and turns all the way on again! She has no knowledge of personal space too, she brings her face nearly touching mine and stands still like a statue there waiting! I just laughed as i typed this and she got up next to me and her tail is hitting the bookself so hard! Not to mention that she might not actually know that there is another smaller dog in the apt a whole week later! She has passed over her multiple times now! š She really made me think again on getting a BC, even if i lead a rather active life i wouldn’t be able to stand this kind of energy 24/7. I took her to two back-to-back very long mountain hikes this last weekend and she still wasn’t totally exchausted as i expected afterwards, even though she sprints everywhere back and forth!! I know that she was raised rather differently than the other BC he had which was an angel, but it makes me wonder how much of a difference would my training do to a puppy BC if it had such predisposition as this one! Mind you i loved them both as i do all kinds of dogs (and animals in general), it’s just a preference of they way of living that makes me want a calm one (and who wouldn’t eh?). I know of course there are ways to teach a dog to be more calm and i suppose she would be lead by example if she was living with us longer than this but still…
Also another thing i noted was that the 1st BC had clearly an owner, as she was depressed for at least a day or two when i got her (got much better after that since she realized we are doing all that fun things), second one didn’t even look back it was like she didn’t care at all that she was elsewhere and away from her owner! So many differences in character from the same breed i was astonished!!
I don’t know if you have ever written a post specifically about BCs and who should have one in your experience so far, but i would love to read your take, especially regarding the quirks of the breed.
Sending some virtual hugs from far away Athens, Greece and please keep on posting cause i love to mind-travel to your farm life and ofc to read your take on all things animal!
Sarah Patzer says
My mom died suddenly and unexpectedly two weeks ago. I donāt know what I would do without my GSD to comfort me. Itās amazing how perceptive this breed is and how they can tune into the emotions of their people.
Robin says
Just beautiful! I came in from clearing snow from our Northeast blizzard for a sit by the wood stove and a read, and this was delightful to find in my inbox.
You might consider getting a stand for your cross stitch so you don’t have to hold it, maybe saving your thumb a bit of strain? I’m trying to justify getting one myself, despite being a serial craft dabbler with unfinished projects of every variety. It might wind up being the kind that you tuck under a leg to support it, since it seems less cumbersome. I hear good things about the floor stands though.
MinnesotaMary says
So sorry to hear about the human and canine deaths in your family. I hope you and Jim are able to find your way through the grief.
Quirky Cruiser does a land shark every morning for me because he knows I love it. He sleeps in my bed, and as soon as I get up, he jumps to the floor and rubs his head against the side of the bed so only his nose and snout show above the rim of the bed. He looks like a little shark, but on land (Duh dum, duh dum!).
Wendy Katz says
I’m so sorry for your losses.
Something quirky and joyful: Googling “giant pandas play in the snow” today will produce links to a heart warming video from the National Zoo.
Greg Veeh says
Until one has loved an animal, a part of oneās soul remains unawakened. āAnatole France, Nobel Laureate, 1921
Alex W says
Iām so sorry to hear of your losses! Love and virtual hugs.
Something silly quirky and joyful…my dog Fennel and I have wrestle-playtime on the couch at the end of the evening most nights. Sometimes I need a little convincing to get into it, and I am very responsive to cute. Fennel figured out that I am most likely to immediately play with him when he sticks his face between his front legs (like reaching for his back legs, not a play bow), sticks his booty all the way up in the air, and makes play noises. Well, he got enthusiastic enough to accidentally do a somersault, which resulted in much laughter and attention from me and my husband. So now, every night of his own accord, Fennel jumps up onto the couch, does a somersault and then lies on his back with his tongue hanging out expecting wrestle playtime.
Tails Around the Ranch says
So sorry about the losses…may the joy of watching Skip work and the faces of your adorable sheep provide a measure of comfort. As always, such lovely, lovely images.
LisaW says
I’m so sorry for your losses. (My heart stopped, too, for a moment.)
That sampler and the wallpaper shall never be separated. I love how they work together. Your needlework is impressive. Someday in the far future, someone will take them to Antiques Roadshow, and they will research the artist, and as a famous dog trainer, author, professor, animal behaviorist, ethnologist, community builder, baker of scones, sheepherder, and more, it will be worth a very handsome sum.
Here are some photos of Adirondack High Peaks that rim our horizon at the edge of the orchard. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/r6ny0b8akpoojc4/AADiOO071kdD79TF4qOPTtbCa?dl=0
We are surrounded by conservation land and a working, organic apple orchard, and if you walk out to the ridge between the nurseries, this is what you can see. The house we just bought and renovated also came with gobsmackingly stunning hidden views waiting to be revealed when the brush, dead trees, and vines were removed. It has shored up my sanity as much as anything can these days. A pair of resident Northern Harriers help, too.
Rebecca Rice says
Hi!
I am sorry to hear about the deaths in your family.
Also, reading about your sore thumb made me think that you might enjoy needlepoint. It reminds me a lot of cross-stitch, but instead of sewing on fabric, you are basically creating the fabric by sewing. Which means that the holes are larger, and thus take less effort to get the needle through. Just a thought!
Carolyn Turner says
I’m so sorry for your losses.
I love the photos, and I love, love, love the sampler.
Marianne Solvin says
Thank you for adding me. I have two rescued yorkies, but love all animals and breeds. I have been enjoying your books and the pictures of your pets, glad you are sharing. Sorry to hear of your loss.
Lara says
Patricia, I am so very sorry for your loss. It is so hard, the hardest thing of all, to lose to death. Thank you for your continued posts – I hope this community can offer you some comfort; your life is so important to so many of us.
On my end, I am boarding a puppy that is not (yet) house trained. Going outside is so exciting that the piddle won’t come, but when we com inside and it is warm and relaxing – aaah, well there it is. But at least he is learning all his commands pretty well and has stopped “nipping” hard enough to break skin. Life with dogs.
Blessings on you, Jim, Maggie and Skip.
MaryLynne B. says
Your current pillow project makes me think you like owls. I do too and have loved them since I was a child. I think when you actually put a pillow insert in the finished project, it won’t look quite so big as some of it will be taken up by the depth of the insert. Your sampler is quite beautiful.
Take care of yourself and Jim and lean into your animals for support during your grief. They are very perceptive about human emotions and will help you through.
Mary says
Very sorry to hear of your losses.
But I do have some good news, at least from my perspective.
I took my 12.5 y.o. Cardi in for a much needed teeth cleaning. The day before her appointment, she had flopped on her back for a belly rub and I complied. I then found a lump or cyst in the fold of her hanging skin (you know, everything starts to droop at a certain age) that I had not noticed before. Well, I’ll have the vet check tomorrow. Turns out it was a mast cell tumor. He removed 3 layers of skin and made a huge incision for biopsy. I read up on mast cell tumors and hoped that I had found this soon enough so it had not spread. Results today: the tumor was in the subcutaneous skin and had never spread, chance of returning, 2%. Lots of staples to be removed and we gave up on the crate and just keep her under control in the house. First hour home after surgery and she figured out how to get her surgical shirt off and I didn’t want her to do gymnastics in her crate. So this is my happy news, a relief especially for an older dog.
Debby Gray says
Trisha I’m sorry for the deaths in your family. Lots of thoughts of comfort headed to you and Jim.
I love your needlework!
Jann Becker says
I’m so sorry for your losses; having many people in the same boat right now doesn’t do a bit of good, I’m afraid.
Your sampler reminded me of my grandmother’s, hanging in the hallway. The border is blue 3/4 of the way around, when she ran out of blue thread and finished it in pink! It gives it a certain charm that it wouldn’t have if it were perfect.
Tracy says
Stay strong my friend. Such a heartbreaking moment but I know you can do it.
Heather says
I’m sorry for your losses. It seems there’s always something. Sigh.
But for a funny, quirky, maybe joyful thing- ever since I found her beside the road at 6 weeks old my Minerva has lifted her leg at me like a male dog peeing. It’s always when I’m getting ready to go outside and she just stands close and up goes the leg! Not every time and it’s easier to put my shoes on than when we’re playing London Bridge (that’s smooshing under my legs), so it’s just another silly thing that’s mysterious in it’s origins.
Anne says
I got some much needed inspiration and outside eyes perspective by taking my younger dog to work sheep at another trainer’s farm. My main chore dog is 12! now and I need this pup to be ready to step into her shoes. So now I’m inspired to work my dog again a few minutes every day, well, maybe 10-20 minutes. And this small amount of snow on the ground makes it possible. Tomorrow it may be too deep, who knows.
Anne Bethea says
I love the wallpaper and sampler too. So sorry for your double loss.
Trisha says
Anne, enjoy the small snow cover! We are about to get another 3-6, and the snow is probably a foot deep already. I worked Skip and Maggie a few days ago–quite the workout, especially for Skip with thicker legs, bigger paws and a heavier body. Light, foxy, little Maggie just sailed right through it! But is quite the slog for me to get up the hill and then run around in the snow with the speed I need!
Alice R. says
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know it is more difficult now when we cannot gather to mourn and comfort each other. I’m down for the count after major knee surgery, and in the most painful period right now so I have no uplifting stories, but I’m so glad you chose that. I look forward to reading them!
Trisha says
Good luck recovering Alice, knee surgery is no small thing!
Trisha says
Silly is great, Heather. Have you put the leg lift on cue? (as in: What do you think of ….?)
Trisha says
Jann: I love this story! Out of blue? Who cares? We’ve got pink! Such a great metaphor for life when we made do with what we had.
Trisha says
Thanks so much Debby. (It was Jim’s uncle who died, lived in Madison where his aunt is still. Broke my heart not to be able to hug her.)
Trisha says
Mary, congratulations on such good news!
Trisha says
MaryLynne: You nailed it. I adore owls, getting more and more into them. And thanks for the note about the size change once it’s made into a pillow. I’m very nervous about that part!
Patrick says
Hi i have a high drive working line border collie how can i train him on sheep with positive only training when all he does is want to kill the sheep. i can’t see how this can be done with out corrections once his prey drive kicks in. regards patrick
Diane Dixon-Johnson says
Hi again, I read your Education of Will – fantastic book and lessons. Can you tell me your opinion, do’s/don’ts of neutering? I have a 2 year old Border Collie, nursery class this year. He’s gentle to be around, has some quirks, strong in the field, I don’t plan on breeding (I enjoy looking into other lines). Thanks, I hope to hear you lecture one day!
Trisha says
Patrick, with the “high drive” BC who only wants to kill sheep. Oh dear. So much to say here, so little time. But I’ll keep it short. First, if your dog truly wants to kill sheep, I strongly advise not using him to work livestock. In all my years, I think I’ve seen one or two dogs (and one wasn’t a BC) who were that dangerous around sheep. Second, I don’t know who told you that sheepdogs can be trained without any corrections ever, but please consider working with another trainer. Although I’d love nothing better than to use 100% positive reinforcement when training a sheepdog, it’s simply impossible, because chasing and biting are far too reinforcing for a dog to just ignore it and think it will go away. Third, the trainers that I admire and learn from use few corrections, and those in the most humane way possible. Usually those corrections are a simple word like “Hey” or “You!” Good trainers follow what’s called LIMA or “Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive” methods, using the least force possible to change a dog’s behavior. What I’ve found is that the better a trainer is at understanding dogs and sheep, the fewer corrections they need, because they set up the dog to win while protecting the sheep. I hope you can find a trainer near you who uses those principles. Best of luck to you and your dog.
Bichon says
I’m sorry for the deaths. And I’m happy for Skip. The photos are beautiful. Happy day and greetings.
Patrick John cannon says
Thanks Trisha for your reply the trainer i am using tied a plastic bag to a stick and when my dog tried to bite the sheep he banged the stick down in front of the dog and the dog did not like the noise of the bag and after a few times my dog stopped biting the sheep. The reason i was asking your opinion was someone told me you train your dogs using positive reinforcement only and after seeing what my dog was doing i thought the only way is to use some sort of correction. i have trained my dog to do quite a lot of different tricks and obedience using reward based training and i am blown away by it. I train my dog outside at least twice a day and continually in doors, he is a real high drive dog and even though i have taught him loads of tricks i can not get him to lay down on cue when outside he will indoors and i reinforce this laying down with a ball and have done this tens of thousands of times it is so frustrating as he can bring the sheep to me but because he won’t stop and stay on command i can’t drive the sheep as he is going past where i want him to stop, putting the sheep in the wrong direction.
Maria says
The world is constantly changing, so is nature. It brings miracles in our lives.