Finally into the Big Field with 6 Sheep

I always get very excited as we are driving up the freeway to the sunday herding site.. I look out the window and I see and smell the sheep and I get excited! Then we drive in and I know I'm getting time with my sheep! Today was a big day-I was in the big field, without fencing , for the first time! We got there early so I watched a border collie working-and then it was my time. My mommy took pictures before we started and when she started talking to Terry I started barking-I was so excited to start herding my sheep! SO my mommy told me to sit and she went into the corner to get the sheep-she brought them out and told me to "awee" and I went to the left and bam the sheep scattered! So i chased one! I was quite proud of that but I don't think it's what my mom wanted me to do...so terry's border collie went to retrieve the sheep and brought them back to the field and we started again. Terry had told my mom that we had to really work on our "gather" which means I'm sent around the sheep-as far back as possible so as not to move or spook them-to come around from the back. That's hard for cattle dogs! All I want to do is get right in there on their heels! That's what I'm supposed to do! But mommy is trying to teach me to stay back....well I think I did that today. Considering it was the first time in the big field. I was sent both "awee" and "go by" ( left and right) around the sheep and I did it fairly far back-there were one or two times that I really wanted to get in there!! I think my mommy was very happy! She gave me a big hug and kept saying "good girl!" I had so much fun today! I'm so tired! I'm sleeping now that we're home..well I chased the cats first when I got inside but now I'm sleeping! I think we're going to enter an AHBA Herding Trial on December 8th in Escondido....so we'll be practicing practicing practicing!

It's raining in southern california!

rain rain rain!!! My mommy is excited but I'm not...I don't like stepping into the wet grass! But it's cooler-no sun. And I don't like sun even though I should like it because I'm australian....my mommy calls me her little princess! Does that mean the herding field will be muddy? Yikes! Well I usually get really dirty anyway because I jump in the baby pool to cool off but I wont have to do that today!

Herding in the open field tomorrow!

Tomorrow is a big day for us! My mommy says we'll be herding in the big field! It's in preparation for our Started course....my mommy found out that there is a herding event the first weekend in December in Escondido-maybe we can enter it and attempt a harder course! Hopefully there will be pictures to post tomorrow of me working in the big field!

Mom is back from New Mexico

My mom got back late last nite from some state called New Mexico. She had left on monday and I was in charge of the cats! While she was away one of her cats, Kodak, was diagnosed with diabetes so I tried to be good...but I was so excited when she got home last nite! I gave her all kinds of kisses! and then chased the cats! But the big red suitcase she had taken with her had loads of smells-smelled like dust and sorghum....it seems my mommy was shooting for 4 days in a sorghum field on a movie called "The Burning Plain" on the mexico border...I wish I could have gone with her. She said there were alot of dogs that belonged to crew members- maybe if she goes back in December she can take me...

Practice today...

We had practice today and I think my mommy is very happy with me!! She kept saying good girl and giving me lots of rubs because I was listening to her commands of "back". I think we get to work in the open field next week-which is a big step because usually we're in an enclosed pen where the sheep have limited movement. We are making the big jump from PT to started....I hope my mommy is ready!

PT Day 2 at the Antelope Valley Stockdog Trial

My mommy woke me up at 5am this morning-I was tired because I had qualified for my first leg of PT. Well mommy gave me breakfast and off we went on a drive. We picked up grandpa in North Hollywood and I knew we were going some place FUN! When we got to the Pearblossom Hwy I knew where we were going....I was going to herd sheep again today! The PT class was first up today-so mommy threw the ball to me...I guess she wanted me to be less amped up...but I was so excited to see the sheep. And I went in second! I sat just like mommy said and barked and barked and barked at those sheep as we went thru 4 gates and finished the PT. The judge today was Peggy and she told my mommy not to hold me back as far because I'd get all amped up racing up to the sheep-so my mommy is going to have to work on that! But I received 2 ribbons today! The green ribbon was for a qualified score and the lavender ribbon was for a new title...because that's what I have now... a PT title!

PT Day 1 at the Antelope Valley Stockdog Trial

Today we made the 2 hour trek to Llano, CA
which is out by Palmdale. The PT, which is Pre-Trial Tested is the last run of the day so my mommy was able to watch the more experienced dogs work. Then it was our turn. My number is 213 which basically means we go last out of the group on day 1...so I sat with mommy and waited to get in to the ring with the sheep! When they called 213...I think my mommy was a little nervous but that didn't bother me! I decided today I was really going to listen to mommy unlike last weekends practice! I think my mommy was very happy! I sat when I was told, I stayed back when I was told...and after mommy penned the sheep she called me a good girl and gave me a big hug! I love my mommy!I think I heard judge Judy say that it was the "best run of the day!" And I qualified for the first leg of PT! I received a beautiful green rosette ribbon and had my picture taken with mommy and judge judy! I think we go back again tomorrow!

Please help the thousands of victims of the Southern California Wildfires!

A website exists that is non-profit and can connect you to many different agencies where you can donate money, blankets, volunteer-whatever you feel you can do! Please check it out!

http://networkforgood.blogspot.com/2007/10/southern-california-fires.html

Velcro at the beach in Palos Verdes

This is our local "dog" beach but don't tell anyone! It's a secret! I love it here-I always find at least one tennis ball and mommy throws it to me. I don't like the water-the waves are kinda scary but the water is nice when I get hot! I lie in the wet sand and I also dig holes in the wet sand and lie in the holes-I'm tired now and am sleeping! I like it when my mommy takes me here!

We're going for our PT this weekend...

Well after a horrible practice session this past sunday...we are going to try to qualify for our PT, which is the Pre-Trial tested.....we are the last to run on saturday and the first to run on sunday! The Trial is being held in Llano, California which is off the 14 freeway-as long as the fires haven't affected the area! We'll be taking pictures while we are there-documenting qualifying or not! Wish us luck!

The Fires in Southern California

We live in San Pedro which is the port of Los Angeles. We are quite far away from all of the fires that are in southern california-but the smell of smoke is overwhelming here! If we are smelling it I cant imagine what it's like for the people and their animals in the fire affected areas! We know a few people who have been evacuated-our herding instructor, Terry Parrish, being one of those people. She was evacuated from the Escondido area around the San Diego Wild Animal Park around 2am. Also my mommy's friend, Lorna, who lives in Agua Dulce is safe and fine ! She loves dogs and has many and we were very worried about her! We send our prayers to everyone who has been affected by these horrible wildfires that are consuming everything in it's path! God Bless!

Another dog in the house.....

This weekend my mommy dog-sat a greyhound named Grace. I was not very happy to have another dog in the house! And she stayed the nite saturday nite and slept in the bed with us! So on sunday when mommy and I went herding I decided to be stubborn and jealous and acted up! I didn't listen to mommy and her herding commands! We have a herding trial this weekend-dont think mommy is very happy nor is she looking forward to the trial-could be a disaster!

I met Jackie Chan at Panavision!

While I was with my mommy at Panavision on Thursday October 18, 2007.....I ran into the middle of the entourage that was with Jackie Chan. I think my mommy was a little bit horrified-but I just wanted to meet and greet!

I get to go to work with mommy!

Today I'm heading up to Panavision Woodland Hills to go to work with my mommy! She's prepping a camera package for the tv show CSI. I love going there-lots of people come out and say hello and rub my tummy!

Herding practice Sunday October 14th

Well we went for our half hour practice session today with terri. We're practicing for the PT which we attempt in two weeks. Terri says we have to practice and perfect the flank. Because I'm a cattle dog I want to get in as close as I can but my mommy is trying to ween me of that! I think each time we get better! Next week we don't have practice but my mommy is taking me on our own. Sheep! Yeah!

My first herding Trial-going for my HT

On october 6th and 7th my mommy took me to my very first herding trial. It was held at ActionK9 Sports in Escondido. The saturday tests and trails were held by the Herding Breed Club of San Diego County and sunday was held by the German Shepherd Club of San Diego County. I entered the HT for both days-that's the Herding test, which is the very first test you take it herding trials. I qualified both days which means I'm now titled! I won two ribbons and can now attempt to qualify for my PT, which is the Pre-Trail tested. I've entered another trial which is being held at the end of October in El tejon.....I hope i get two more ribbons! It's fun to herd sheep!

Herding Practice at El Puente

My mommy has been taking me herding every sunday. We're being taught by Terri Parrish http://www.actionk9sports.com/

Every sunday I get to "chase" sheep and my mommy gets to help me herd them. I love it! We're entering our first trial the first weekend in october. I think my mommy is kinda nervous. I'm not because I love my sheep!

Palm Springs July 2007

At the end of July my mommy had outpatient surgery. Afterwards she and her then boyfriend, decided to go to Plam Springs for some R&R and they took me. We stayed at the very pet friendly La Quinta Resort and Spa. My mommy really loved it and wants to go back again...and I think she'll take me since they love dogs!

Truck Dog on "Pathology"

Mommy was able to actually take me to the set while she was working on the movie "Pathology"...I became the truck dog! And I was good! I only barked once when mommy went onto the stage-but when she came back I realized she wasn't leaving me! Lots of people came to the camera truck to visit me and I got to eat yummy food when mommy went to the catering truck! I liked being a truck dog!