Cyclone Finn meets sheep

Sounds like the makings for a horror movie. When actually it turned out anything but!

As I had a long weekend, I took the dogs up to Norfolk on monday to test out Finn's herding instinct . I was a little nervous of how she would respond, but I neednt have worried. In my oh so humble opinion - and Im fairly sure that of the trainers - she was brilliant for her first time out. She showed a strong desire to work, was responsive to handling, was kind on the sheep, and I had to drag her away even when she was well & truly exhausted. Next time out will probably be a huge disaster, but Im looking forward to working with what she showed she has.

I'm so loving training this girl. She's so quick to pick up on new things, and now that she's starting to get some concept of self control - and not trying to bounce off peoples heads when they're watching tv!! - she is a delight to have around.

And what more could I ask for but that Tooheys adores her! Who ever thought we'd see the day?

Introducing Finn

After the long countdown, yesterday the day had finally come for me to head to the airport and collect our new (not so) little girl. After what must have been a very strenuous trip across the ocean she bounced straight out of the customs area as if nothing had happened and she'd known me all her life. And other than a few grumbles at Tooheys when she gets overexcited she has settled straight in.

Fun and Games

Back from a nice weekend doing doggy stuff and loving the sun the moments it graced us with its presence.

Since I was heading up that way anyway, on saturday I dropped in at delinquent dogz to give Tooheys the chance at a few agility runs outside of training. It was lovely to catch up with people I hadnt seen for quite some time, and the boy was good for me. We had 2 disastrous agility runs - refusing to do cloth tunnels and seesaws away from training is becoming somewhat of a habit.. But he redeemed himself by going on to have 2 nice (clear. yes clear!!) jumping rounds, coming away with a 2nd place.

Sunday and it was onto the ACD open show. I hadnt been overly looking forward to it but actually had quite a nice day. Tooheys got his few minutes glory of - begrudgingly - running around the breed ring. And then some more minutes - again begrudgingly..- being asked to do obedience. I'll admit to being a little shocked on discovering he had shown enough 'obedience' to win both the pre-beginners and beginners classes. Not big classes, but none the less a nice suprise!

So today Tooheys got to celebrate by having various procedures (what a lovely mother I am...) to try and piece together the various strange signs hes been showing. Its still a little of a mystery but hopefully draining a large amount of bloody fluid from the roof of his mouth (!!!) and removing a damaged tooth will go a long way to making him feel better. At least in the long run. Since he's sure not a happy boy now.