Drover’s Stockdog Journal…

001

 

We have been practicing driving…

This evening the rain had stopped. The sun had set…The grass was wet and the sky that dark blue when a front is coming through. The gray clouds were rolling to the east fast. The air was still warm and wet. The smell of freshly fallen leaves and clean air was on the breeze. As we made our way across the dam of the pond. On the right the pond was still and reflecting the autumn leaves that borders the pond. It was a perfect evening. Off in the distance we could hear the sheep bells and Tuff the horse was standing watching us approach the gate.

I sat without being told at the gate and waited as I have been taught  for the gate to be opened and then walk through. Kay opened the gate all the way so the sheep could be gathered and brought through by me.

Kay usually sends me on an “Away” but this evening she said ” Come Bye” But I did not listen . She made me stop and lie . Then sent me “Come Bye” but again I refused to listen. By now the sheep had started to move and climb the hill and I had to wait in a lie. (Not punishment) I waited till I was told to” walk up” and this was the position I had put myself in. (I should have listened!) then I could have Gathered the sheep!  So through the gate I drove the sheep.

Kay told me to lie and I did and she shut the gate. (I think the dam is 900 feet long) and Kay asked me to walk up and I did and then lie when I was to close and pushing. I drove the sheep the full length of the dam and Kay stayed at the gate!

Then at the end of the dam Kay asked me to lie and I waited till she walked up!  At that time I was told to walk up and  then did several inside flanks and drove the sheep through the gate and into the field in front of the house! this was another 300 feet in the shape of an L (Kay was still at the near end of the dam) Had it not been getting so dark Kay could have worked  me from the other side of the pond at that gate!

Kay was real pleased and driving made sense to me!

We then watered the sheep and I was asked to gather and I listened this time to the directions I was given!

Kay and I are a team!

Drover

Drover

***I am real pleased with Drover’s progress! We have been working on driving for a while! Finally we are getting it!” Good job my little buddy! :-)***

1 comment

    • Martha Cristy-Couch on November 7, 2014 at 9:29 am

    Beautiful description Kay All the things about your surroundings that you mention are just the same things I would notice as well. Same as what keeps me out in the countryside here – even though I know that as this age I should be closer to friends and family.

    This morning I found a rather large puppy tooth affair on the kitchen floor. No wonder she is chewing everything you can imagine.

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