Happy Birthday to Sufat Sheleg Northern MACCprentice"ROOK"

Happy Birthday to Sufat Sheleg Northern MACCprentice"ROOK" - my Rookie/Apprentice in the making

The youngest member of the Crew will turn two year's old this Monday. Rook was whelped on November 12, 2010. I wanted to wish him a Happy BD now since I won't be able to blog on Monday. I had planned to keep back a male from the Macc X Remmie Fall 2010 litter and "Rook" was the boy for me. He is following along in his sire's pawprints as a future "apprentice" to my lines as a breeding and working dog. He has a gentle temperament like his sire "Macc" & dam "Remmie" , and has already begun his full-time Job as a stockdog on cattle - he is showing great promise as a working boy like his daddy "Macc".

Rook said it was ok to share some of his favourite baby photos:-)

Snuggle bugs - "Rook" and his bro "Creed"  at  four weeks of age

Rook and his bro hanging out with Frosty and Santa

Pupster Rook selecting a wonderful Australian red wine for a dinner party with friends - He gave this one "the paw's up"

 A Young Snow Prince 

Early morning laps on his ranch in Raven, Alberta

The brothers practising their outdoor sits

The young "Masked Marvel" selects his Christmas Tree

ENJOYING a nice raw bone

 Miss Ash keeping watch over the youngest Crew member

Ash and bro Creed having a game of hide and Seek with the Rookie

I have always loved this pic - Rook's bro Creed having a bit of a chuckle with himself:-)

Pupster Rook getting some snuggles from My friend Catherine's grandchild Ameras

The youngster practising his strut:-)

Training at sheep herding lessons

Driving his first cow

Hanging with his sweetheart Ash

A great young cow dog in the works!

Handsome and talented  at the age of two - Rook says "many miles before we sleep:-)"

His "eyes"  said it all as a wee Rookie in the making:-) I am so glad to have this young buckaroo as a member of the Crew! 

Rook's sire Maccabee would have been proud to see that his son has inherited his stock suaveness. Here is a video compilation of Rook's sire Macc who was known as "The Cow Whisperer" out on the range, with Crew Member Ash who is also a fine stockdog on cattle.  CLICK HERE TO VIEW


Ok, since some of you have sent Rook some private BD wishes and requested more puppy pics, here they are:-) 

Rook and Creed with their wonderful dam "Remmie"

An interesting pose:-) 

My niece Audrey and nephew Tom hanging with the boys

sleepy pups

Rook loved this tunnel:-)

Brotherly Love

Rook shows off his early 'stand"

Rook and his bro Creed when they were born

Growing up to be a great cattle dog

Rook with one of the bulls - he has taken care of two bulls successfully, and will look after four bulls over the winter. Bulls can be very unpredictable so having a dog like Rook helps me out! 

This post is also dedicated to Rook's sire "Macc" AKA "The Cow Whisperer" whom without him I would not have had my young  savvy stockdog Rook.

Rookie" Mr Frolic as a pup

For More Pics of Rook growing up on his Ranch CLICK HERE

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