Week 2 of updates and I'm keeping up

Didn't do a whole lot in the way of dogs last week, considering it gets dark at 5:30 I can't get much in other than a quick walk. I did make it out to Rural Hill for the trial last Saturday.   Had a great time and met some new people.  I wish I had a dog that was ready to run but maybe next year :)

I got to go out to a friends and work sheep on Sunday.  Its the first time my dogs have worked in over 2 months because I am rebuilding my sheep flock.  They were both great!  Jen was driving quite well and not looking back at me so much.  And Dutch was looking nice as well, his outruns still need work but they are getting better.  I finally got to work the dog I have on trial, Hep, she was very nice to work and was taking my rendition of her whistles!

I'm still on my quest to be nice.  Its trying at times.  Especially when people who are supposed to be your friends stab you knowingly in the back.  It just reiterates to me why I don't have many close friends.  Maybe that's what I need to learn, how to be acquaintances with someone without being their friend or truly letting them in my life.  Whatever it is I'm trying to push forward with this lesson!

A new leaf?

Since we aren't doing TMT until after Christmas I thought I would try to keep up with updating my blog on Thursdays anyway.  Its week one so we will see how I do :)

There are some changes at the farm.  This spring/summer my 2 first dogs went over the bridge to be free of pain and suffering.  Emma passed when her bone cancer got too bad to bear and Oliver passed unexpectedly from hermangiosarcoma.  It was a sad time with both of them going but I will say I know they are no longer in pain and will be waiting at the bridge for me when it is my time.

So I was down to 4 dogs of my own Jen, Dutch, Duke and Spottie.  Spottie will be 14 on Monday and recently had a stroke type event so I'm not sure how much longer she will be with us either.  She is enjoying her newfound freedom in the house, at least in her old age she is somewhat trustworthy!  There are a few dogs at my house on trial.  We will see how they work out in the end but for now I have a trio of tri's.

I'm trying something new with myself.  I typically shy away from people, I don't like people, don't like people in my business and would prefer to be alone.  But for 1 month I am going to try to be outgoing and meet new people.  It is going to be a BIG stretch for me but I figure anything that doesn't kill us makes us stronger.  If I don't die from this maybe I will be a stronger person when it is all over?

Oh and I need to update on my survivor sheep.  Buddy is doing well, his wounds have healed and he is his typical goofy self again.  Dot still has a ear that sort of hangs, she can move it but its just a big "different" now.  She also appears to be pregnant.  That means that my st. croix ram that died in the attack may be able to live on through her lambs, lets hope she's pregnant and not just super over weight! And poor Friendly is still chugging along.  The wounds behind his ears have almost healed and hopefully the very slow healing wounds inside his mouth will continue to heal as well.  I will try to update with some pics in the near future!

TMT a day late and probably a dollar short :)

Yes, Yes I know I'm late this week...whats new???


But here we go anyway!

1. What are you thankful for this week?

I'm thankful I have a job that sometimes pays the bills, I'm thankful that i'm done dealing with the lady with horrid Rottweilers that she doesn't keep contained.  And most of of i'm thankful for the strength I find within myself, especially on the days where I feel like everything is falling down on top of me!  Oh yeah and Tucker and the dogs because they don't get mad when I take it all out on them ;)

2. How do you deal with a squeaker/shrieker/noisy dog?

Ummm they leave?  Seriously I can hear dogs if they roll over in crates, I can't take shrieking.  I have one now that does some talking and we are working on correcting that EVERY SINGLE TIME.  But she doesn't do it much inside.  Its like nails on a chalkboard to me...

3. Barbara wants to know: what would you say is ONE skill or attribute needed to be successful?

I have to agree with Laura on this one.  I think anyone who is determined to do something is going to make it happen.  I think they also have to have the strength within themselves to overcome the obstacles that get in there way as well.  Ok so that's 2 shoot me..... 

4. Pippin wants to know: what are your favorite games?Games?  I mean I regularly attend baseball games but that can be attributed to the fact that my son plays baseball.  And I don't mean just baseball in the spring...the only time we dont' play baseball is in the dead of winter.  I may complain about baseball but I really do love it.  I mean I dated baseball players in college.  I have withdrawals when we dont' have baseball and have no idea what to do with my extra time for weeks after it ends. 

But that wasn't the question.  I don't think I play any games...Well...nah I'll just hush

5. What are some of your strategies for dealing with winter?

I hate cold!  I dont deal well with winter.  It makes me cold and tired just thinking about it.  I like LOOKING at snow but really don't want to go out in in.  I do love to snowski but I like it in the spring when the snow is slushy and its warm enough for a light jacket :)

I have a VERY old house that does heat well, so basically we freeze all winter and live under blankets.  My dogs are all hot natured so they love it.  I however do not and make them snuggle up with me at night.  I'm looking at a woodstove this weekend to add to the house.  Then that can fuel my OCD to be in a state of panic about burning the house down daily!