While we wait for the next herd
of cattle for the spring my youngster "Rook" keeps me busy - he
is still new to many things and lately the "magpies" that visit his land are a big curiosity. Rook is not happy about that and
wants to escort them off anytime they are present. I snapped a few early
morning pics from my office window when the magpies appeared to peck on
some of the crews outdoor bones that I need to pick up! I think they
are beautiful birds who also help with tidying up around the farm!
One little magpie perching on a bone from my office window before I let the hounds out:-) I love their long tails!
Trying to capture just one pic of the magpies in flight before Rook sends them off!
The last magpie takes off to the sky with Rook racing back to say "hey did you see what I did !"
Master Rook with his smiley face:-)
Rook at ll months doing a nice walk up on cattle last year - he know's the difference between magpies and beef - I think:-)
"Rook" with his crew member "Ash" - on the lookout for more magpies
Just had to include a fav pic of Ash with Rook as a "pupster" from last winter when she was training him on "how to be a "crew member" :-)
"Rook" says to learn more about magpies Click this link:
"Cybelle" says all is well on the ranch and can't wait to work cows instead of birds:-)
"Ash" says enough with the pics of Rook get more of me:-)
And as Rook deals with the magpies, we leave you with his first video exposure to the woolies last fall - Rook is a busy boy who has a lot of instinct and drive.
FIVE-YEAR -OLD FEMALE PUREBRED CANAAN DOG LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME
We are currently helping a friend to place an adult Canaan Dog female With "A New Forever Home".
MidSummer Mackenzie “Kenzie” is a healthy five year old cream-coloured female with red accents on ears and body. She is a beautiful and vibrant girl who is looking for A New Forever Home. Some recent inquires were wondering if she would make a good farm girl- she was not raised in that environment with that exposure or training - so I would "say" no". I think this gal is looking for a great companion home who might also be interested in "spicing" it up a bit with some training like "tracking" - since she does have a "Worker Bee" mentality!" Kenzie would probaby "shine" the most in a home that thought she was the "it" girl. Her best fit would be as a single dog, or a home with a male dog, her size or larger.
Question: What's a "Desert breed from Israel" to do in their kingdom during our long winter months in Alberta?
Answer: Adapt and play in the powder, and protect their land, of course, as they wait for the next herd of cattle to work and protect come spring. Just a few favourite pics over the years of our winter months with "The Crew" in Raven, AB as we look forward to the spring!
This is what a Canaan Dog looks like when he is in full howl mode alerting us to a predator on the land - "Macc" was the best at this job!
And off "Macc" goes to escort the pesky trio of coyotes off his kingdom
Playtime between the girls "Cybelle" & "Ash"
This is how "Ash" keeps her teeth clean - yum raw meaty bones!
A winter frolic with Ash and Rook
My snow bunny "Ash" working on her "snow tan"
"Rook" and "Ash" - " I think our Canaan senses detect a winter barbeque?"
"Ash" getting in her early morning laps!
Crew members "Rook" & "Ash" - winter watchdog duty
Just a pretty pic of winter time Ash"
Master "Rook" growing up into a handsome boy
Miss "Cybelle" watching over her kingdom
Miss Regal on her land - "Ash"
Youngster "Rook" is shaping up to be a great watchdog like his sire "Macc"
My "Rook" as a pup at eight weeks adapting to our long winters - he decided he should practise his "sits" on a windy day!
One of my fav pup pics of "Rook" as an eight-week old pup getting his "balance on " when dealing with our long winters on the farm - "you go boy!"
"Rook" out on deck for early "dogma" classes in the winter morning
'Cybelle" always on guard
A Desert dog always finds a way to adapt in the snow months - that' what Cybelle seems to say-)
"Ash" & "Rook" keeping watch from both directions:-)
One Question I always get asked is - How susceptible is a Canaan Dog to Canadian winter?
ANSWER: Canaan Dogs adapt very well to different climates. Interestingly, the winter seems to be a very enjoyable season for our Canaan Crew ( as you can see from the pics:-). They look forward to a good snowy hike, a romp in the snow, winter tracking sessions, and will always be ready and willing to keep the coyotes off their land. However, being a desert animal, Canaans cannot tolerate being out all day in extreme cold temps like huskies. That being said, our Canaan Dogs have adapted very well to our very long and cold winters in Alberta. They will not stay out all day in minus 52 Celsius temps, but they will go out for an hour or so for short hikes with breaks inside and then out again in a few hours - especially if there is a predator on their territory.
We are looking toward Spring whenever that may happen!
A short Video Clip of "Ash" tracking for treats in the Snow
A short video clip of Macc keeping alert for coyotes with pups in the background:-)
“Through the mirror of my mind
Time after time
I see reflections of you and me”
Diana Ross - Reflections lyrics
Me & my "Macc"
"Here's Looking At you Kid! - Macc always took the time to stop and smile for the camera:-)
Ok I won’t print the rest of the song lyrics because they
don’t apply. But lately, as spring approaches I think of the many memories that
yes, seem to be reflected in my mind. Although, with the huge dumping of snow
today I feel like I should get out the Christmas decorations again. Our
tracking class had to be cancelled today due to the weather, and no herding until
next Sunday.
Tomorrow marks the birthday of my soulmate who passed in
2009 . A friend of mine said don’t focus on the birthdays, but celebrate your
soulmate whenever you feel like it. I feel like I already do this since
the adventures with our Canaan Crew and
our dream out west continues and helps remind me of our direction together. I
have lost the Three Best Men in my life in too short a time. My soulmate "Larry", my beautiful father "Patrick" last May, and my dear heart Canaan boy “Maccabee”’ in Nov.There have been many rough patches, as we all have, but as my mother says " What doesn't kill you makes you stronger":-)
Today, I will take the time to reflect, and tomorrow I will do something fun to celebrate my three best guys - maybe a snow shoe hike with the Canaan Crew, since we have lots of powder in the pasture!
Larry with crew members "Macc" & "Cybelle"
Just a sweet and quiet moment with Larry and our awesome crew gal "Cybelle". Larry just Loved her working spirit and zestfulness toward life!
Larry loved Ash who was our third crew member. He did not get to spend a lot of time with her before he passed - but got to introduce her to her first "driving lessons", and watched her shine as a young dog working cattle. Larry would be so proud of "her work ethic" in stockdog work and tracking!
My Boys! Larry and Macc - they were an amazing team in all they did!
I will miss his "smiley" face
"Reflections" from A Journal I started in October 2011:
"Weeks
after you had left us, your boy Maccabeefound your missing left shoe in the
pasture where the accident took place. I placed it in the hall closest with the
dented one that I brought home from the hospital. That night, as I fed the
fire, the hall closest seemed to crackle. I watched as Macc sniffed and scratched intently at the door. My first thought was that he must be detecting those damn field mice who I had caught storing birdseed in my gum boots on occasion. I opened the door to allow Macc to investigate. It was both a beautiful and heart wrenching spectacle as he dug and lifted out your shoes one by one. He placed them silently down beside him; chin resting gently over the tips to cover up the grass stains that you left behind.I always marveled at your big strong feet and regret that I never took the time to sketch them.”
I will miss his awesome work on stock
"Call of the Wild" - Our Maccabee
Macc escorting the coyotes off his land - he especially loved this job:-)
And some Pics of Macc's boy "Rook " in keeping with my day of "reflection" - I am glad I kept "Rook" back as I was wanting to keep a son of Macc from a litter. Rook seems to be following
in the paw prints of his sire as a great boy with lots of working potential -
As I always say "many miles before we sleep", as we continue onward
with the adventures ahead with me and the crew!
Macc's son "Rook" out this morning on our new dumping of snow - he and my Ash seem to be my "pointer Canaans" -when they sense a rodent beneath the snow they "point" first then go in for the kill:-) Who needs cats when I have Canaans:-)
Youngster Rook working his first cow at ll months - his daddy Macc would be proud:-)
Just had to include this puppy pic of Macc's handsome son "Rook"
“Dogs are often what we make them: They may have their own traits and personalities, but in the end, they are "Mirrors" of our own lives – living, breathing testaments to our strengths and frustrations, our families and our pasts. They have a remarkable gift for entering our lives at particulair times and weaving themselves in. It is one of their most endearing traits, a key part of their impressive adaptability."– Jon Katz (Author)
My Cybelle on her homestead - the ultimate watchdog, and stockdog on cattle
"Cybelle" is my second Canaan Dog who became apart of my crew back in 2005. Shelaunched a lot of adventuresfor us from "show" to "working" and continues to be a solid and "effervescent" girl in anything she does. Lately, I feel I have been so involved in my younger crew members with their training and I think Cybelle has, in her way, reminded me to say " Hey what about all the great things I do for you!" And, she is right! She is a great "cow" girl and protector of her land when it comes to predators!
A few pics from the past with her great work on the chores with the cattle. She is getting ready for this year's herd and I will be depending on her since she knows what to do when managing free-range cattle. Cybelle is following along in the
path of a great working dog that we loved - our Maccabee. But this page is about her since she will be monitoring it:-)
Cybelle driving the herd
picking up a stray calf to bring back to the herd
gate work - nice!
Driving mode to the next graze zone
Keeping them in line at the gate - Cybelle is such a big help!
rounding the herd up to drive them to the next graze
Cybelle works a bossy girl
Cybelle always on alert and looking after her kingdom as she always does:-)
I had to include a few "baby photos" of Miss Cybelle who we refer to as the "Bibs" . Her "Bibs" nickname evolved from a friend who called her "Cyb-a -bibbly" because she was such a "bubbly girl and still is!
A Baby Photo of the fabulous Miss Cybelle who was super-confident even at 10 wks old:-)
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