Laureate Shelties Blog
A bit of this, a bit of that...with a lot of free spirits.
November 1st and finally some sun! We were delighted to see Petra (Tresta Shelties) again and had a great dinner and sleepover. This morning we put on our boots and headed to the back fields.
Just starting out and they've already been in the ditch...
The gang
Stormy and Valerie
Mayer getting some love...
Stormy loves getting out for a run and gets very silly with us...leaping and grinning.
Stormy still being silly
The old girls stay close
Petra with Cocoa, Bridgit and Juno
Gabi my shadow, made it the entire way around.
We were lucky to get our neighbour, Ernie to come and hay the field just behind the dog yard. Yesterday he twirled the cuttings into rows. I don't know what the technical term is for that.
Morning dew
Then this afternoon he came back with his baler to roll up the hay. It is great to get this off the field. Unfortunately, the majority of our fields were too far gone and full of goldenrod and other weeds that animals won't eat. Another neighbour, Dan is helping us out by cutting it down. Next year we'll see if we can get the fields plowed and planted.
Pete doing some trimming.
We're finding all kinds of things left behind by the former owner. Tires, rolls of wire...you name it. Dan got his tractor stuck while cutting too close to the drainage ditch. That is when he noticed the wire. There is never any lack of work to do when you live in the country!
This morning we made another trip to the Carp Farmers Market. Mayer is doing really well. He loves everyone and so far hasn't shown any fear. Barbie is another story; she doesn't care for children, large dogs, small dogs and basically anyone that wants to touch her. It is very discouraging, but we'll keep working at it. My Mom showed up, and Barbie was happy to see her and her friends that she'd met before; so at least that was positive.
Gorgeous red peppers. We bought some veggies for dinner tonight.
I love sunflowers; I must remember to grow some next year.
I went two days to the show in Cornwall with young Emma (Laureate Embelish) as well as Barbie and the Paris pups along for the ride.
After 18 years of driving a minivan, we sold our Odyssey last week and this was the first show in our new car. Pete helped me pack, and it couldn't have worked out better. Two 200 size crates fit in perfectly in the back on top of the x-pen. The grooming table was behind them, and then the Poodle crate fits in sideways with my tack box, extra supplies, clothes etc. beside that. There was room for luggage on top of the crates if need be. Since this is about the maximum I ever bring to a show, the new car should work out perfectly. I'm very happy.
The show grounds at Farran Park are very lovely I'm not sure how long the Cornwall show has been held there, but the last time we exhibited at that show it was at the Civic Centre which was always memorable as it was downwind from the Dupont plant (and the sulphur smell). I found a great spot with shade close to the rings. Emma took reserve WB the first day and 2 points on Monday. Monday evening we were treated with a visit from Brenda Campbell (Anamchara Shelties). We had a very nice visit. We walked puppies in town for socializing. went to a movie (Julie and Julia...loved it) and then last evening and this morning took the dogs out back in the fields for a run.
Mayer able to keep up with the rest
We have recently had the back fields mowed, so the dogs had lots more area to run. The downside was the drainage ditch between the fields was easier to access and right away they made a dash for the water (and mud).
Barbie and her new sidekick Mayer
Our "show dog"...miss Emma
Not sure if it is possible for them to have a better time, or to be dirtier...
The girls were back at "the parlour" getting ready for our overseas guests who arrive on Tuesday.
Barbie even got her body scissored and spent a fair amount of time on the table.
A run was a welcome relief...
Along with a bonus hug...it was a great reward.
Now I just hope both girls can stay clean until Rui and family arrive!
On the weekend I went to the Peterborough shows to bring Barbie to see her breeder, Allison Foley (TG Poodles, Shelties and Beagles). I entered Stormy as well, as I was going to be there and picked up five points (bonus). But the main purpose of the trip was to bring Barbie so Allison could see how she was coming along, and to also get some tips about grooming. I learned a lot and Barbie got her hair styled. You can see more candid shots of her on our Poodle blog. Wednesday is bath day, so she got fussed up for the photo shoot.
A little drizzle plus a hole in the dog yard = YIKES! Bath time again!!!
Emma knows the best places to get dirty! She once again made a
bee-line to the ditch...the same spot she took Barbie on their first walk together.
*****************************************************************
Addendum
So this was the cause of all the mess! Someone had an escape plan! It took me all of ten minutes to fill it up...baths for two poodles; that took a little longer!
I love the smiles on the girls!
Beautiful clean Barbie...worth the effort, but I hope she waits a bit before getting her comfortable colour again!
Barbie wanting to be set free!
Cute but annoying chipmunk, who is making tunnels in our septic field!
Worker bee
A Robin made a nest outside our front window, so I am able to take pictures through the glass.
Babies waiting...
LuAnne's great-great granddaughter "Emma".
Sticking her tongue out at her bigger cousin "Eva". Emma is small, but feisty!
Being small has its disadvantages...like almost being hit by a runaway Poodle!
So she's decided she's not going to take any guff from Poodles...watch were you are walking you big white piece of fluff!
I'm serious! Get out of my space!!!
Posts
