TODAY ON THE FARM

I took a bunch of pictures this afternoon on the dog's daily romp outside the dog yard.  Until the new cows arrive and/or crop planting begins they get at least one good long romp a day.  Once those activities start it'll be only the dog yard and supervised walks to the mailbox and back.  The plan is to put up fence in the other huge area, maybe in 2 sections to give the house yard a rest from the romping dog feet.  So enjoy the dogs on this beautiful sunny warm March day--I certainly did!

Jam

Spice's fluffy behind as she snoops in the lower yard

See the open area under the building?  Yea, so did the dogs...

Harold--wondering if he should even try.

Spice--she didn't think twice about going under there.

Declan on the wrong side of the fence--as usual! 

Declan with Trace in the background.

Like mother, like son...Reid's fluffy behind trotting out to the field

Harold finds something really really good smelling.

Old Maddy dog--she still manages to keep up with the youngsters.  She is amazing.

Baby Reid--not so much a baby anymore.

This is darn hard to see, but it's all the TRI dogs.  Declan, Trace and Charlie. 

Spice out in the field.  She loves to play farm dog.

Harold--also loves the farm dog thing.

My sweet Harold-monster. 

Trace on the hunt, or something like that.

Hey Guys!  Over here!

Yes, Trace is also on the wrong side of the fence.

Reid and Declan--the first to discover today's poopapalooza prize.

Oh Lord!  Reid!  You are supposed to be a show dog.  I think we should take him in the ring just like this.

Word travels fast in the pack--look everybody--petrified, muddy, semi-frozen cow poo!

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A trio of sable roughs.  Spice, Reid, Harold.  Proof that I have lost my mind.

Declan and Maddy.

Way to go dudes!  Corrupt baby Charlie--yea he got a taste of the poo too!

This is part of the yard I want to fence this spring.  Yes, there is agility equipment in the yard already--jumps and a short tunnel.  Once the snow leaves and the sun comes out that means spring, right?

Another section of the area I want to fence.

Trace leads the chase game with Spice and Declan following.

Trace and Reid enjoying a run.

Charlie--not his best side.

Trace and Reid.

Declan and Reid in the yard--imagine that!

Trace--he has matured into an even more gorgeous dog.  But he's happy to play farm dog now.

Harold

Harold--despite his lack of coat, he is an exceptionally pretty dog.  And no, that is his true color--it is NOT mud and dirt.  Although, it could be--I believe he carries about 5lbs of dirt in his coat at all times.  Spa treatment??

Declan and Reid playing.

Hard to see because of the shadows, this is Spice out by the barn.

I love this dog--Spice is so pretty. 

Jam-bringing up the rear.  All the other dogs had returned to the yard. 

ONE OF THESE THINGS IS NOT LIKE THE OTHER...

 

 

 

 

It's sort of a collie, just not a real Collie.  Yep, it's a Border Collie puppy!  His name is Charlie and he comes from John Wentz of Big Yellow Boots Stock Dogs in WI.  Hey, at least all my dogs are herding breeds, well okay Maddy is a terrier mix, but I was told she has sheltie in there somewhere. ::-)  Here are some more pics of the little guy. 

Jam says:  Uh..this is MY spot.  

Oh well...he brought me a bone to chew on and he'll keep me warm.  I guess he can stay.

EMERGING FROM HIBERNATION

All right, so I wasn't really hibernating.  Although there were a few times I was completely stranded out here due to the amount of snow.  In spite of the long winter the dogs and I have made it to a few shows since the first of 2011.  In January and February we attended the shows in Des Moines.  Declan earned another point and a BOV.  Reid had his show ring debut and was promptly put back to grow into his legs.  He'll be out again at the Collie Nationals.  The kids have had some nice class placements and at Collie Club of MN, Declan was BOS to BOV both shows.   I love those rosettes!  Yes, I am a ribbon slut.  :-)
Here are some pictures of the kids, Spice and Declan at the CCMN in February.  Spice and Declan are both shown by their very best friend (i.e. the wonderful guy with the chicken!), John  Jola.  My thanks to Amy Ross for taking these great pictures!

Declan (Oak Knolls Riverton) - textbook Collie movement

Declan and John - a winning team!

Declan - Where Is My Treat??

Spice (Int. Ch. Oak Knolls Pumpkin Spice, RN, TT)

Spice - head shot. 

Spice on the move with John.  Again--classic movement.