Sense & Sensibilities of A Young Cow Dog (Part Two)

Life on the Ranch isn't always pretty

Our Lulu B #12 passed away from pneumonia. Under the vet's suggestion we treated her the best we could with antibiotics and lots of lukewarm water. I visited with her around 2 am on her bed of hay and she drank from her pail and willingly took some pats from me and even a bit of a nuzzle. But, in the early morning when the crew and I awoke she had passed away on her bed of hay. The coyotes were already visiting so my neighbour and I roped her and brought her to the bone yard.

It is reciprocal out here when helping one another with losses and celebrating gains. The bone yard is a necessary spot in which the predators can dine on the remains. It is a double-edged sword. My crew wants to protect the carcass, but at the same time the quicker you allow the demise of the remains the better. Dealing with wild life is part of the ecosystem. If we are to try and kill off every predator, I might as well sit in a tent and stay out in the pasture for eternity. I have chosen to allow both the dogs and predators to thrive to keep a balance - and yes, you need predator savvy dogs to help you in this balance.

Young master "Rook" was the most distressed of the crew. He laid on her bed of hay and stayed there for two days watching out for predators until I begged him to come inside the home and allow the coyotes to dine.

BELOW ARE SOME RAMBLING  PICTURES OF OUR LONG AND BITTERSWEET WEEK. And "Baby its cold outside!" But, the desert dogs don't give a rat's ass, but I do, so come inside and take your chill out beside the nice and cozy fire.

Master Rook keeps watch on Lulu's bed of hay

Rook says "boss,  I am staying here and keeping watch" 

Even though I am tired I am staying out here to keep watch

I am still keeping watch

I am still keeping watch but need a bit of rest

The coyotes are a coming - better go!

Ash says  "I see them too, I am coming with you Rook!"

On the look out for predators

Chasing off the predators

keeping watch

keeping watch

Time for some sleep even though he keeps watch and listens for the predators

good boy - catch some much-needed sleep

you too Miss Ash

The duo on alert again

 Rook says "look  how obedient I am sitting at the door, can I please go out and  keep the coyotes off Miss Lulu # 12?" Sorry, buddy, we need them to do their work too.

Rookie poses with my BD card from rancher pal Denise who stopped by to commiserate with our loss

And the cattle are a'grazing, and life goes on

Although I am not fan of allowing dogs on furniture, sometimes I make exceptions:-) Miss Cybelle , the diva of the pack catches up on her sleep as well. She kept my bed nice and warm.

CLICK HERE to View PART ONE

Sense & Sensibilities of A Young Cow Dog (Part One)

One of our Lulu's was in distress over the weekend. I was piling up more wood and watched as the young cow dog in the crew laid down by her side and then gently escorted her back to her herd. It took a young cow dog to alert me, move her, and keep the heifers and bulls off so I could examine her. "Rook" was right  by her side, and all day today watching over her. She has improved a bit, but will probably have a vet out tomorrow if we don't see her recovering. 

I will move you along at a nice and steady pace

I will be  patient enough to allow you a break and watch for predators

I will keep by your side and not let you stray off

OK girl, I will nudge you gently since I know you are under-the-weather

Ok girl  - I have your back - keep moving

Ok Boss, I am working on keeping the rest of the herd away so you can attend to her

Ok Boss she is back with the herd - I am keeping watch for you

I had to add a pic of Rook as a pupster at 10 weeks of age. When he was a pup I called him the "Masked Marvel". Rook was also raised in the long cold bitter Alberta winters, so he is willing to endure the powder  to help with ranch chores. He is posing with his bro "Creed" who lives with Mary ellen in Burnaby, BC. Creed is currently training on sheep for future herding trials with his wonderful owner. 

My "Masked Marvel"

CLICK HERE to View PART TWO

October "Snow Princess"

This is what we woke up to early this morning. Miss Ash was raised as a snow princess and always seems to embrace the powder. Not bad for a desert dog:-) She was the first one wanting to go out and frolic in the snow. She's a true "snow bunny" at heart! And an "easy, breezy Cover Girl" in all seasons. Now, if I can only get her to help bring in the firewood:-)

The snow princess checks out our entrance

Ash loving her early morning snowy stroll down her road

Ash says " Hey Ryan in BC, do you think I can camouflage myself among the hoar frost?"

Hey Boss I think it is time for a bit of  "mouse hunting!"

This is Ash's classic pointer pose when she is on the hunt for mice and moles in the snow

Miss snow nose!

I managed to do a quick track this morning - here's Ash finding the glove

Hey maybe I can take up skiing lessons too! I am, after all a snow bunny at heart!

Ash says " I better get back to my mouse hunting!"

The Lulu B's having a frolic in the powder - lots of great moisture for the herd!

A happy Lulu soaking up the moisture

The Snow Prince "Rook" lapping up the snow flakes. 

And the Snow Queen "Bibs" is always happy to model the latest snow fall fashions on the ranch

She was born to be a diva:-)

To view some past pics of the snow princess, queen and prince CLICK HERE

The "Easy, Breezy Cover Girl" & her "Hype" girl "Bibs"

This post is especially for Andrea and Ryan in British Columbia:-) Some special pics of  Miss Ash AKA "Easy, Breezy Cover Girl" & her "Hype" girl Cybelle AKA "Bibs". The girls say this one's for you!

The Crew gals "Ash" & "Cybelle" share some rambling autumn pics from today on their homestead.

Miss easy , breezy Cover Girl "Ash" always looks shiny and gleaming no matter what she does - even when she decides that a cow pie or two are extra fun . The coat of a Canaan never remains dirty for long. And this gal has only had a bath twice in all of her four years. She even clips her own nails.

The awesome Miss Cybelle AKA "Bibs" looking fabulous  at seven years of age. Of course, she did remind me today that she is a former show and performance girl - earning titles in herding, as well as rally-obedience in both Canadian and American venues, and the first and only Canaan to date to garner group placements in the CKC "working group".  She said she is still open to signing autographs anytime for visitors that stop By the ranch:-)

This is where the crew loves to perch and watch over the land. It gives them a bit of shade underneath as well when they are outside all day on alert for coyotes to keep at bay. However, Miss Ash thinks I should paint it to give it an aesthetic quality. I told her I would add it to "my to do list"

The "Bibs" in repose beside my trusty quad

Miss Ash checks in on the herd - she says " the Lulu B's are taking a load of their hooves, so please be quiet to the expectant mothers "

The "Bibs" looking strong and dignified against the autumn foliage on her ranch

Miss Ash  takes a moment to pose with some of our woodlot for the winter

Bibs after her daily laps on the ranch - She says "a Pariah gal must keep her figure!"

Ash says "look how fast my long-distance recalls are!"

Bibs says "Hey Ash mine are even faster and I even crawled underneath the cattle fencing to Beat you!!!!!!"

Ash says "I need some play time - I must chase a leaf!"

Bibs says " Hey Boss when do we go for a quad ride?You may need to check some fencing."

Ash says "shhhh, the Lulu's are getting their rest so Be quiet!!!!!!!!!!"

My beautiful girls in The Crew

D&J Ha'Aretz Northern Alchemy  "Ash" - The gal who has Beauty and Drive!

CKC Ch Ha'Aretz Gimel Northern Confidence "Cybelle" CKC-HT, CGN, CARO-RN-MCL, AKC-RA, CDCA-HC - Canada's First Canaan female to earn a CKC Championship and only Canadian Canaan Dog to earn multiple CKC Group Placements in the Show Ring!

The lovely & expressive Miss Ash

The Beautiful & talented Miss Bibs

Easy, breezy cover girl Ash says "stay tuned for future posts" 

and the Lulu B's say "stay tuned too for future adventures"

and, of course the  young "boy" in the Crew,  Sufat Sheleg Northern MACCprentice "Rook" also says stay tuned for more adventures with him too:-) He is shaping into a beautiful blend of his dam Ha'Aretz Riddle Rap "Remmie's" playfulness and grace and his sire JK Maccabee Northern Warrior, CKC-HT, CGN, CARO-RN, AKC-RN, CDCA-HCX, ICDCA-VC "Macc's" contemplative, calm and gentle temperament, and strong work ethic.