My new Stairmaster

Yeah, I could probably use to lose a few pounds I'm sure, but no, I didn't buy one of those exercise thingies. Crue is the Stairmaster here. He has finally overcome his doubts in himself and gained a lot of confidence and is going up and down the stairs by himself. Not just because we are going somewhere, but just the thrill of the ascent and descent. Its funny when a puppy learns a new skill and it carries over into other aspects of their lives. He is definitely more confident in himself now that he has mastered the stairs. It really is good for me too..he's wearing himself out and is much calmer. I installed the proper safety precautions and fixed the sides so he can't fall off, but his coordination is good enough that I don't think it is a worry anymore anyway. So without further ado...I give you Crue, the STAIRMASTER!

Down

Up

Down

Up

Down

Very pooped pup

The pics of the pack

Still trying to get some good pictures of the dogs. I am no photographer, although I do have an eye for symetry and color as I used to paint and draw a lot. I also don't have a good camera. I would love to get a good one, but alas the money just isn't there. So I will make do with what I have and hope something good comes out occasionally. I've taken quite a few of Crue lately, but he's always on the move except when he's sleeping and he only comes out as a black and white blur. The other dogs are becoming very accepting of him and Mike plays with him all the time. Mike is teaching him how to become a good sheepdog.

Here he is teaching Crue how to shred sheep.

Mike is also teaching Crue how to herd CATahdins

How to spot sheep

Seth is teaching him how to think like sheep. Here Crue is learning to graze

I do hate to break it to Jenny, but I think Crue may be a Basenji instead of a Border Collie.

Reign hasn't taught Crue much, but he's thinking really hard about what bit of wisdom he might pass on.

Meg thinks we didn't need a new puppy. She had quite enough responsibility policing all the other dogs already.

How soon they grow up :(

I was reading the Border Collie message boards this morning and part of the conversation was puppies growing up so fast. Crue has only been with me since Sunday so not quite 4 days yet I can already see the signs of growing up. First day I brought him to the shop he was scared to death of the stairs to the basement. Being the only way to the back door and the area to let the dogs run, I've been having to carry him up and down the steps. Today he got very brave and worked up his courage and gave the stairs going up, a go. He made it up almost halfway before losing nerve and I helped him the rest. He was very proud of himself. The stairs are dicey even for people and they make me nervous so I can only imagine a little puppy facing them. Well I had taken the dogs out back again and when I came in the phone started ringing so I ran upstairs to answer it with all the dogs coming with me. Crue was at the bottom whimpering a bit but I had to get the phone so I figured I'd go back and get him after I answered it. Before I could do that I heard thumping and lo and behold here he came up the stairs all by himself. He was VERY proud of himself this time. Still those stairs make me nervous and I am going to install a few safety features before I allow him to navigate them by himself again.

Working up courage

Hastily shot picture of conquering fear before I went over and grabbed him so he wouldn't fall off the side. (Part of planned safety measures, wall up the side of the steps.)

Conquering hero with his hoarde in his claimed "space" Good boy Crue!

Lots of stuff happening. Been super busy at the shop, which is great because we're making lot of money! Went to the Bluegrass sheepdog trial over the weekend and got to see my good friend Jenny Glen for the first time in many years.

And...I got Crue finally! Jenny and Scott have been traveling the trial circuit and brought Crue with them. He's gotten tons of experience and socialization, and it really shows as he is so well adjusted and just fit right in with all of our other dogs. Just like he's always been here.

Here we are at the trial. A bit wind blown, but very happy.

Crue has already made friends at the shop and yesterday got to play with Puggles. Puggles is a 4 mos old Peke/Poodle cross and she got a lion clip yesterday. Her 2nd lion clip actually. Her owners liked it so much they had me do it again. I have to admit she does make a good lion even if she doesn't look very scary. More like a lion cub.

So Crue has made himself at home and very quickly found his place in the pack. And he loves the elk antlers.

Power Grooming

So, just how many dogs can be groomed at one time?

what a difference a day (a couple weeks?) makes

It seems like just overnight everything greened up and blossomed. Now where I had an open area for the dogs to play I now have a jungle. They don't seem to mind, but when they go into the trees now I can't see them!

Here is a view from the same area over a period of 3 1/2 months.

In the cold of winter

after we cut the tree

today! Spring has sprung!

New New Look

Well I spoke too soon in my last blog. Right after I said I didn't know when the roof would be finished, they came and finished it. At least they finished the roofing part, not the wood frame part. Still it makes it easier to give directions when I can now say...its the white and black building with the red roof.