Don't Sweat The "White Stuff"

We had plans today but woke up to a huge dumping of powder that blocked our crossroad entrance to the highway.  As I started to make tracks with my truck in hopes of getting us out I got stuck - spent the day digging myself out and enjoying the rest hiking with the crew.  "The Crew" always reminds me to take the time to "smile" and not sweat the "white stuff":-)

The "Crew"  before and after we got dug out from our neighbour - thanks Dean! Boy do these Desert Dogs know how to deal with our long winters in AB!

Miss Ash says "do you need help juggling your camera in your snow shoes while we walk through the drifts"

Some activities for Ash  while we were snowbound - "Ash" decided she would  keep up with her practise on article indication for tracking:-) 

Youngster "Rook" watches as our neighbour "sculpts" out a pathway to his home with the tractor 

Master "Rook" says "I can see my land out there some where!"

"Rook" crashing through the powder

"Ash" wants to practise more on her article indication for her next tracking class-) 

I am sure "Ash" is picturing what she might look like in the desert with dunes instead of snow:-)

Miss "Ash" takes time out for her "snow bath"

Miss "Ash" - This is what a "Headless"  Canaan Dog looks like:-) 

"Ash" - this is my snow face

"Ash" - probably tracking for mice - but where the heck is the rest of her tail in this pic! Perhaps she was going for the stumpy CD look:-) 

Ash says  "ok , I will try and make a path for us!

This is what a young Canaan Dog does after a long day playing out in the powder - curls up like a cat and catches some "ZZZs"

Ash is still determined to create a pathway for us 

Rook wants to go out for another romp and searches for treasures in the snowmounds

Miss Cybelle says "let's enjoy the day and go for a run!"

Miss Cybelle's Happy face:)

Cybelle says "More snow ahead!"

Cybelle having a frolic down by one of our forests while I try and trek along with my snowshoes

"Cybelle" - "Let's check down further  and see if we can dig ourselves out!

"Cybelle" - Guess we are snowed in since there is a big drift at the crossroads - no problem let's just go for another romp!

"Ash" The Hovercraft! Had to add this pic from a few months ago since I still am amazed at how high off the ground she can hover!

As Time "Marches" On!

I still have lots to do to prepare for the new herd of cattle for the spring –  a bit more fencing needs to be pounded in place to create another rotational graze zone before the cows come home! 

On Christmas Day 2011, I stopped by in Crossfield to meet my new 30 black angus heifers! The cattle are staying at my friend's ranch for the Winter and making their way to my farm in the Spring. It will be an extra busy year for my Canaan Crew this year. They will be looking after my 30 gals plus my neighbour's herd of 50 on his quarters. The crew is very excited and looking forward to more stockdog chores come this spring.

My friend captured a few pics of me meeting my girls - they all look great and healthy and I can't wait to see them free-ranging on my quarter in Raven!

And my "Canaan Crew" can't wait either:-) A Few pics from last year of my stockdog Crew

'Macc" gone but never forgotten - he was so good on the stock!

Miss 'Ash" working a bossy girl  who needed to get in line- a good cow dog is not afraid of going to the head of the cow - Ash is super-confident in that job:-)

Miss "Cybelle" AKA "The "Bibs" loves to drive the girls to their rotational grazing zones

Miss "Ash" is always respectful when mom and baby are grazing

Young 'Rook" being respectful when the herd is at the watering hole