Yesterday Gerry, Elvis (her Cardigan Corgi) , Drover 27 Katahdin Sheep and I did a “walk about” …
The day was as beautiful a Spring day as one could hope for!
The sun was shinning brightly, big puffy white clouds billowed about, and it was a bit cool and windy…but perfect…
The air was fresh and clean. The birds singing their Spring time favorites. The water gently lapped against the bank. And the smell of the earth , grass, and water was indescribable.
What is a “Walk About”? It is anytime I take grown dogs, or puppies…with or without stock on a walk around the farm…Sometimes we go other places…like to Jackson Creek or to the top of the mountain…Or even out to the end of the driveway…
Yesterday I needed to know how much Elvis had actually learned and how much he was doing what we asked of him because we were in a small space and he felt the pressure to do as told …;-) I knew the sheep would be tempting/ distracting among other things, and he would have to show me what he actually knew and was willing to do because he was asked no matter what.
Elvis passed with flying colors!
We started by sending Drover to fetch the sheep to the field behind the dam. (Elvis was on leash) and then we allowed Elvis off leash and we tended the sheep on the graze. (what that means is Drover kept the sheep where I wanted them in the field so they could eat nice fresh tender green grass).
We went from hill to hill across the farm. Then up through the woods to an old woods road to the top of the mountain where the sheep grazed contentedly …While Gerry and I enjoyed the warm sunshine and the breath taking views.
Then back down the mountain a different path to the old road bed. This is where it was interesting. Drover was doing his job and Elvis decided he would finish it for Drover so OFF like a bullet ! Elvis sped and down the hill…to the spill way with the sheep to where we had crossed earlier…I found my voice and told Elvis “Down Stay” and he did! and he had all the sheep with him and Drover was just catching up! Seems Mr. Elvis waited and stole Drover’s flock! What dogs!
It was a good day filled with good fun, beauty, peace, love and good fellowship!
What a wonderful day to be alive and able to enjoy life
it to its fullest!
Living in the moment!
Kay, Drover and the Maple Grove Farm Crew!
Elvis and Gerry!
