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Chapter Three
I woke up this morning with a renewed outlook. I saw on
my calendar that the was two more herding classes still
to go. My number 3 daughter and one of my granddaughters
ask to go and watch, so I was glad for this day.
In Class we practiced our basics, but unlike the last to
classes Dixie was really trying hard to do good. She was
much better than she been in this whole round of
classes. Maybe after all this time off she was worried
we were going to stop coming and wanted to show me she
could learn to do this and she did. She did her down
good and followed the sheep along the fence line at a
45' angel, both clockwise and counter clockwise with out
two many time wanting to rush in and chase them. She
work good on my right hand side which has been a
problem, I guess because she think after all this time
you heel on the left, which is where she keep trying or
wanting to be. She just did great today. So I just
had to pick up the form for the next round of herding
classes, round III of school to fill out, she made me
pride to day, but then she dose a lot.
This week it's Thanksgiving but there will be herding
classes on Saturday so it will be a busy week. Last week
end we couldn't make it to the the 4 Corners Herding
Association meeting and I think Dixie knew, O well this
week end we be with the sheep. With a lot of people
coming and going for Thanksgiving it well be a good time
for Dixie to try and use her good manners.
Just now as I'm writing this Dixie has been just being
normal running around, and my Wife walk out here and ask
me if Dixie had eaten yet. Then as Dixie took one step
toward me and she fill over and keep trying to get up
but couldn't get her balance. It was like a siege or
stroke, and scared me but good. The only time I ever had
a dog act like this it die by the time it got to me. It
was off to the Vet's like a EMSA run, we are talking
about my best friend you know.
She past all her test and was found to be in good shape
and I was told not to worry, I don't know how you do
that. I was told to write it now and watch her that it
might not happen again or it could be a year from now or
when I get home. They felt she was going to be fine and
it was just a happening. I was told to go on with her as
normal, Sheepherding or what ever and that if it came
back and back more often them we might want to start
some type of medication program.
Thanksgiving went great, the whole day came and went as
did many people and with all but two Dixie behaved
herself like the lady she is. With the two she just bark
twice at them as they came in but did not go over to
them. I know she knew everyone, but some she just see
once every 2 or 3 month or more and in the past acted
poorly with them and all the activity that go on with a
holiday gathering.
This week was the last day
of Herding classes for this go round. Dixie did very
good again this week and is settling down a lot more
although she still wants from time to time to run in on
the sheep. For the most part we practiced our walk ups
and outs along with trailing behind along the fence
line. We also try walk with the sheep and having Dixie
walk along behind, but she not in that much control of
her self yet, this is when she keep running in. It dose
feel like we are getting there slowly but surly. Now we
need to get the money together so we can start round 3
of classes which start in January. I not looking forward
to the cool weather that will go with it. But I don't
want to wait to long to get back in the pen for Dixie. I
guess I will get her a good Christmas present and have a
good month off. I will try to take time to do some
walking downs and downs on recall with other thing I
think of to keep her and me working as a team in the
mean time.
Christmas was a good time
and Dixie was on her best behavior yet. I had a good one
to, as away my 5 children gave me to much stuff, they
say my wife and I did for them for the last 46 year and
now it their turn to give to us. I have to say it was
fun watching Dixie at her Herding Instinct Test on the
47" wide screen HD TV my son gave us.
Can't say I found a way
for Dixie and me to work as a team yet although we have
together done a lot of Naps on the Bed, Naps on the Couch
or her sleeping under the computer chair and me in the
chair. This is not what I had in mind. But this week it
back to the yard and walk and drop and in's and out's.
Next week it back to Herding Class.
It felt
good get back in the pen, Dixie acted glad to see the
sheep again. To let her get clamed down from too much
time off we worked on the Basics the first time in the
pen. The second time we moved the sheep along the fence
line and once she acted like she was relaxed we tried
having her down stay on one side of the pen while I
walked over to the other with the sheep, but she just
couldn't wait and would rush in on the sheep before I
could get 10 ft away from her. She has done it before
and waited for me to call her but today day she just
didn't have self control, to much time off I guess. This
is what we will need to practice on. The bad news is the
weather guys and gals are calling for it to be 26
degrees for the next class.
The weather got a lot
worse than they thought, in the teens and 2 inches of
solid ice. There was no classes this week and I was
glad. It has stayed below freezing all week so there is
no improvement in the driving conditions or being out
side. There are still a lot of towns with out electric
and some with out water.
The sun is out but the
tempature are still below freezing and they are calling
for 4 to 8 inches of snow on top of the all this ice for
the week end, I guessing there will be no classes again.
Oklahoma, what can I say week before last in the 60 now
19 with ice and snow.
One good week and we
didn't get to go to classes and now it Snow and Cold
again. 5 degrees and classes are call off again, this
means we only been in the pen once from last
thanksgiving till today Feb3 (My Birthday). Maybe next
week spring will be starting to show, but I bet not.
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