The drought has continued and Spring Plains has never looked so bad. waters are crucial and a new bore had to be put in. Most dams went dry and our house dam is holding 2m of water. We may have to start carting from the bore to keep the sheep and house going. Much rain has fallen but we have not been lucky. Our fingers are crossed and lets hope Santa will bring us some. December is here and our cruise is just days a way. At this time we thought we shouldn't leave the place but it is a case of we shouldn't stay either, we need this break and we need to forget the worries for a short time. Becky is on her way to care take and she will get the place jazzed up for Christmas, Although showers will be closely watched I think the annual water fight will go ahead and 40+ never cancels our cricket game out. Grandkids are growing up and can hit a fair ball now. Best feeling of all the Christmas family get together, can't beat it.
The dogs are on their well earn rest. Georgie's pups are ready to leave, they have been the most contented gang I have had. Now to look forward to hearing how they go, it is exciting waiting for news and such a thrill when you hear about how your pup grew and ended up a very handy worker. Karma, Ace and Soulja are loving the time off to play ball, they are so athletic. Bonnie and Jack just loved to rest! Faith and Georgie spend their days chasing each other, hard to catch that Faith she flies over the ground. They all are looking great but are looking forward to their dam (pictured above) to fill so swimming is back on.
I have been fortunate to have the pleasure of some visitors during the last couple of months. One was Allison who brought her beautiful group of dogs and we enjoyed a couple of days training. The day were hot but it didn't stop us. I was very impressed with this lady and the way she handles her dogs. Much care is obvious, I also got a visit from Stephen Frazer from Frazier Working Dogs, Again enjoyed meeting and working dogs with this man, another good handler. It is nice to see the future of the Border Collie is looking better with people interested in not just the looks but the structure, the mind, the ability, the whole package is needed for success. I just read an article by a UK man who has competed on the ISDS courses and been a Shepard for 50 years. They have the same problem as us with softer dogs becoming more sought after and bred. He had a very interesting comment to make, he blames the fact the shepherds are gone and the sheep are not handled as much and are much lighter, so I think he is saying it is not our Aussie trials or the ISDS course that ruin dogs it is the fact the sheep are so much lighter and less handled that they suit the softer dog, If we use well handled sheep the dog have to lift them, also more points need to be on the working of the sheep not out of lines so more will be deducted for weakness. It is an interesting theory and I guess many will have a opinion, personally for me a soft or weak dog is not the answer for any purpose.
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The dogs are on their well earn rest. Georgie's pups are ready to leave, they have been the most contented gang I have had. Now to look forward to hearing how they go, it is exciting waiting for news and such a thrill when you hear about how your pup grew and ended up a very handy worker. Karma, Ace and Soulja are loving the time off to play ball, they are so athletic. Bonnie and Jack just loved to rest! Faith and Georgie spend their days chasing each other, hard to catch that Faith she flies over the ground. They all are looking great but are looking forward to their dam (pictured above) to fill so swimming is back on.
I have been fortunate to have the pleasure of some visitors during the last couple of months. One was Allison who brought her beautiful group of dogs and we enjoyed a couple of days training. The day were hot but it didn't stop us. I was very impressed with this lady and the way she handles her dogs. Much care is obvious, I also got a visit from Stephen Frazer from Frazier Working Dogs, Again enjoyed meeting and working dogs with this man, another good handler. It is nice to see the future of the Border Collie is looking better with people interested in not just the looks but the structure, the mind, the ability, the whole package is needed for success. I just read an article by a UK man who has competed on the ISDS courses and been a Shepard for 50 years. They have the same problem as us with softer dogs becoming more sought after and bred. He had a very interesting comment to make, he blames the fact the shepherds are gone and the sheep are not handled as much and are much lighter, so I think he is saying it is not our Aussie trials or the ISDS course that ruin dogs it is the fact the sheep are so much lighter and less handled that they suit the softer dog, If we use well handled sheep the dog have to lift them, also more points need to be on the working of the sheep not out of lines so more will be deducted for weakness. It is an interesting theory and I guess many will have a opinion, personally for me a soft or weak dog is not the answer for any purpose.
I