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

Mid-Autumn Ramblings with The Cattle & The Crew

Though you're not exactly blue,
Yet you don't feel like you do
In the winter, or the long hot summer days.
For your feelin's and the weather
Seem to sort of go together,

And you're quiet in the dreamy autumn haze.
When the last big steer is goaded
Down the chute,and safely loaded;
And the summer crew has ceased to hit the ball; 

When a fellow starts to draggin'
To the home ranch with the wagon --
When they've finished shipping cattle in the fall.
- Bruce Kiskaddon

Some random rambling pics from our morning chores with the Lulu's who are looking healthy, happy, hefty and prego!

Young Rookie pondering the universe in the dreamy autumn haze

Rook & the ladies

Rook prepares for his morning chores

Moo'ving Miss Lulu B. Bovine #17 away from my truck 

The Rookie works calmly and confidently on keeping the Lulu's off my truck and away from the mineral trough so I can unload their vitamins

One of the gals inspecting my morning coffee

Keeping the boss's Coffee safe

Taking turns for their vitamins - Are the ladies looking like they have baby beef buns in the oven or what?

A young Miss chunky monkey!

Master Rook and Pendelton having their morning meet and great session

Bull-Jolais strikes a pose

A great young cattle dog in the making - Thanks again buddy for helping me out

"What Makes A Good Cow Dog" (Part Two) - My Young Rookie

What would have made for a very long day was cut short when Rook was on his game for me yet again. Over the weekend, the herd had found a means of escape through the fence line which bars them from taking a tour down our long gravel road.

The road is very narrow and branches out in three directions. I raced to open the entrance to the gate as I watched in horror at the herd who decided to go out for a site-seeing venture. With me on my quad and Rook beside me, I got behind the herd in hopes of bypassing them and cutting them off before they took to the crossroads or worse yet, the main highway. There was no room for me to pass the bovine brigade, and the herd started to gallop faster toward the crossroads.  I was praying that my young Rookie would be able to take charge and run along the ditch, cut them off and drive the herd back home.

I gave him his command to move up and hopefully position himself in the ditch to the left side of the herd. Like a race horse, he gained the speed to out-run the bovine brigade and head them off  at the crossroads. Without hesitation, he moved into position to turn and drive them along the road that would lead them back to safety. My panic was starting to subside as I asked him to walk-up and maintain a steady pace with me following behind him. Along the way, the two bulls decided to stop and have a frolic in the ditch. Rook was quick to stay on them and determined to keep them moving with the heifers. Our next challenge was to ensure that the herd turned to the right at the entrance to the ranch. If we were unsuccessful, then the herd would continue to go straight to the very end of our no exit road. As the herd headed closer to our open gate, Rook managed to move up on the left side of the ditch to block and turn them toward our entrance. As he drove them through, I asked him to "look back" to pick up one miscreant who decided to hang back and snack on the grass in the ditch on the right side of the road.  Rook was quick to turn and drive her toward and through the entrance way. Holy cow! Thanks again Buddy!

I was able to snap a few photos from my SLR that was hanging from the post beside the gate. I was lucky my camera was still functioning since I had forgotten to bring it in the previous night.

Rook as a wee pupster with his favourite toy - a cow

Rook bringing home the Lulu who decided to languish at the ditch across from our entrance

Rook keeping an eye while I close the gate

Rook stays with the herd

This is what one of the Lulu B's had to say about her eventful day 

Lulu B number 17 decided to chuckle 

Rook stays with the herd  up at the yard while I go inspect the fencing

The bovine brigade has a rest after  their rendezvous

After addressing my fencing issue, Rook along with Crew member Ash  work to move the herd from our entrance to one of their grazing zones

The team successfully returns the herd to the  grazing zones

CLICK HERE to View Part One 

CLICK HERE to View Rook's Sire "Macc" And Crew Member Ash Performing Stock Chores in The Past

"What Makes A Good Cow Dog" (Part One) - My Young Rookie

Today My young Rookie had to stay out in the pasture from 10 am to 6pm holding off the herd while I put in  fencing for another new zone . I had to bar off an imaginary gate with rope that was curious and tempting for the herd and they were hard to keep off by myself  without a dog willing to keep them at bay. At first, I trusted my rope , which was not a good idea. They were fast and furious to squeeze through until Rook bailed me out and brought back the herd. It was a long day. I had to trek back and forth from our working area and the "Rookster" stayed maintaining a great border control yards away from where I had to work. I was also getting hungry and had to trust that he would stay in that zone while I left him and the herd - He now comfortably lays down watching over the herd ( something I did not teach him) and is quick to rise when he feels the need to restrain the herd when his "boss" is working. Thanks Buddy! 

Some random pics of the day. 

CLICK HERE to View Part Two

Yong Master Rook on a long day of duty

Rook doing border control - he had to do this for hours when the herd was continually wanting to  squeeze through the ropes

Rook remaining on duty

Rook remaining on duty

Rook staying on duty

"The young Rookie" content to watch over the herd until I am finished my job

My Rookie

Happy boy watching over the herd

watching over the herd as the sun sets while I try and finish my job 

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:-) 

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.