Ash attends to her Grass-fed beef

When fencing goes down it is always good to have a reliable stockdog on hand.

This month we continue to have repairs from the storms. Fencing, fencing, and more fencing is part of the daily ritual to ensure safety of livestock. The electric portions are a constant checkup. Ash was more than happy to help me out this morn to keep the stock from straying off to on an "off beef zone" that would have let them out on our neighbour's quarters and mingle with a lot of shedding that would of taken hours and hours to sort. There was a lot of high grass and great for the cattle but fencing was a problem that needed to be retrofitted and electrified.Thanks Ash!  She prevented them from crossing over to three escape zones. Fall weather is starting to appear as I take note of some of the tree lines. Beautiful, but also signifying that winter can be here in a heartbeat - always sooner than we think. If only I could get the crew to fetch and collect the kindling in advance that I am storing for the woodstove for the winter - but apparently, that is not in their contract:.

And speaking of free-range grass fed cattle -I thought I would share some links that some rancher friends sent me that foster all the enjoyment , expense, and journey that they endear, from raising to humane slaughter.

LINKS worth watching
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YpC6hQt0b8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=tXy9uCJ_ssc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMqYYXswono&feature=player_embedded

Ash says " I hope you enjoy the links too"

My "easy breezy cover girl Ash" always looks regal and dignified even after a storm and doing ranch chores

Ash and Rook hanging out with their grass-fed beef  -  I love how some of the Lulu B. Bovines are getting used to stopping and striking a pose when they see my camera:-) 

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.

"The Wizard of Oz" lyrics by E.Y. Harburg

After each storm, we have been graced with many rainbows over our land this August. 

The herd grazing beneath the pot of gold

Our backyard scenery

Young Master Rook "under the "bow" of colour, driving the herd  away from the salt block that I need to move to another spot.

Cybelle - The Maid of the Mist

Sometimes mother nature just gives you what you need even when you forget to look right at her in your backyard. She is there in the moment, even when you are distant and miles away in other thoughts of the day or weeks ahead. She was there this week in the mist that engulfed our quarters. Cybelle turned seven this week and embraced her as she emerged from the surreal mist across the land that blanketed us from all corners of the compass which reached as far as our land could stretch to the the cow-calf pairs on my neighbour's quarters. 

I was mesmerized at the landscape that was laid out like a blanket at my door stop. 

HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY CKC CH Ha'Aretz Gimel Northern Confidence "Cybelle" CKC-HT, CGN, CARO-RN-MCL, AKC RA, CDCA-HC
Sire: AKC CH Ha'Aretz Pei Mishacam "Mish"
Dam: AKC CH Ha'Aretz TZ Starlite "Starli"
Breeder: Bryna Comsky

Canada's First Canaan female to earn a CKC Championship and the first and only Canadian Canaan Dog to earn multiple CKC Group Placements in the Show Ring! Cybelle is also the first Canaan Dog female in Canada to earn performance titles in herding and rally-obedience. Her work ethic has always been present, and with years of training, she continues to shine as an awesome gal performing stockdog duties on free-range cattle on her ranch in Raven.

Spirited, Confident, & Driven

Some Random Pics of Miss Cybelle "Bibs" over the years shining in all her glory from show to working companion

Cybelle (top left) handled beautifully by Ward Bailey winning the first ever CKC Group placement in Canada for a Canaan Dog; (top right), the lovely Miss Cybelle; (bottom left), Cybelle as a pup practising her stand for show; (bottom right), Cybelle working the cattle 

Miss Cybelle assisting Maccabee in the corral when we needed to move the cattle

Cybelle and her puppy boy "Tungsten" back in Ontario

The Fabulous Miss Cybelle 

"Your'e Still the one Miss Bibs in a all you do!

To view pics of Miss Cybelle throughout the years CLICK HERE

August Ranch Ramblings With "The Crew"

Teamwork at its finest!

August has been an incredibly busy month with many challenges. I am grateful for the crew who continue to shine with their ranch chores..

Some random pics of  "The Crew" at work and at play on the range.

Rook and his crew member "Ash" are called upon to do some ranch chores - this team is all about business when needed.

Ash and Rook keep the herd in line while I fix some fencing after a storm

Rook on duty

Rook keeps a bossy girl in line

One of the bulls - Master Bull-Joulais

"Rook" and the bulls have their challenges. This young "Rookie" who will turn two in November continues to hone in on his ability to manage and respect "the big boys".

Rook and Bull-Joulais having a conference

Bull-Joulais always enjoys giving Rook a bit of attitude

Rook, like his sire Maccabee is a natural at handling the "big guns" in the herd when they are being attitudinal.

I love seeing the boys hanging out in the pasture

Rook making the rounds

Rook stands by my quad to make sure the cow's minerals (in the bucket) are protected. The cattle wanted to inspect the bucket while I was fixing the fence. Rook was happy to keep them at bay until I was finished my repairs.

Miss Ash stands on guard while Rook returns to border control.

Master Rook loves doing border control 

The "Rookster" continues to watch over the herd until I am finished my work - thanks buddy!

I came across this pic of Rookie from last fall. I love how he is now filling out and growing into his fur:-) He has great movement which is lovely to watch when he is performing his ranch chores.

Growing up into a fine and handsome stockdog. To see some pics of "Rook" growing up on the ranch CLICK HERE

A pretty pic of Miss Cybelle who turns seven this month

Rook enjoying a bit of R & R after a busy day

Miss Ash's summertime smile

Cybelle's summertime grin

Snack time! This is how the crew maintains their pearly white teeth.

Memory Lane - A few pics from the past of "Rook's" stockdog savvy  sire "Macc" tending over the herd, driving them to their rotational grazing zones, and mustering up the steam when having to manage attitude. It is heartwarming to know that this trait has passed on to his son.