February 11, 2009: The Snow has Finally Gone
After a week of snow we can finally see green grass again. The dogs might actually see sheep this week, and not just glimpse them in passing as they join us for our runs around the local countryside.

Meg has been coming with me on most runs and now knows every field where there are sheep. She also knows exactly where on the road a bird fell to its death, likely after a collision with a power line. As we approach this part of the road, she quickens...only to be told to leave it.

We were out running the other day in the snow and as we climbed a steep hill, Meg started walking. That's an indication of just how slow I was running! At least she didn't turn around and look at me as if to say "What's your problem?" What a polite animal she is. Meg seems to be enjoying these runs as it is time alone with me, and not time having to be shared with the rest of the crew.

So yesterday we had all 8 of the younger dogs out together for some exercise. We don't normally mix the ages in case the younger ones get hurt by the 'bigger' dogs but we thought we'd try so they could all get more time outside in the fresh air. They all behaved themselves (sort of!). We took the cameras with us and as I was trying to photographic some dogs, I was mugged. Cian thought he would try to steal my hat.

Steffi thought she'd just stand on my head...

...while Jenna made off with my sunglasses.

We had a devil of a time catching her. Now we can't say this is the first time one of our dogs has whipped off with a pair of glasses. When Meg and her sister, Fleece, were about 6 months old, I bent down to give Fleece a pat on the head and Meg knocked my glasses right off. Not to miss an opportunity, Meg quickly picked the glasses up and both she and Fleece sprinted around the barn having a merry old game of chase with each other...and my glasses. This wasn't tremendously funny until afterwards...mainly because without glasses, I could not see more than about 9 inches in front of me. Anyone ever try catching two over-zealous pups with a prize possession in their mouths without being able to see the little rascals? Jenna is very much like her Auntie Fleece!

Cian and Jenna enjoying some rough and tumble.

Kelvin went off to a sheep sale on the weekend. The right honourable W.O. (Will) Watkins, a popular 83-year-old triallist and sheepman, was selling some of his prized cheviot ewes and ewe lambs. Everyone who knows anything about Will and about Cheviots was there. Kelvin even took his cheque but came home empty handed as we were unable to find anywhere to put any purchases. Perhaps next time. The good news is that Mike bought 6 lively ewe lambs who have now joined our training sheep - thank goodness. They sure have livened up the group. We now have sheep which actually move away from the dog and are completely driveable!

Finally we got the pups back to the vet today for another round of vaccinations. Unfortunately we forgot about the vet appointment and made the mistake of feeding them before their ride in the truck. BIG mistake! They each had a health check and we took the opportunity to weigh them while we were there. Cian is the heaviest. He is like a wee tank only cuter! Jenna was most unimpressed with this little excursion. They all need more time in the car to get used to it.

Well, we are slowly getting our website back up to date after a wee hiatus while we finished the book. As good at multi-tasking as we are, other work commitments and, of course, dog fun took priority. There are pages on the site we still have not finished and loaded but should be up within the next week. Forgive us for any broken links. We know there are a few and we are working to get them fixed. Kelvin re-did the entire photo gallery and we still have photos to add to the 'notable dogs' gallery. We will be adding even more dogs to this gallery over the summer months. Hopefully the new galleries will make it quicker and easier for users. If anyone spots errors, let us know - please! Thank you to those people who have purchased photos from us. Many people have told us how nice it is to be able to get a print quality photo of their pup's sire, dam, or grandparents. We are happy to be able to share these photos.

Next week there might not be a blog...the book is supposed to arrive on the 18th so that means for a few days we'll be busy processing the hundreds of orders we have going out. Our kitchen/living room, as big as it isn't, will have books stacked to the rafters so if we want to eat, we'll have to get books off the floor and to the post office.