Richer Than Gold - Happy Mother's Day Weekend!

My "easy, breezy cover girl "Ash" hopes all the mommies have a great Mother's Day this weekend!

Richer than Gold

You may have tangible wealth untold; Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be -- I had a mother who read to me. ...Strickland Gillilan

Happy Mother’s Day Weekend to my beautiful mom, Sheila Marie in Ontario, who always read to me from the time I could remember. She inspired my passion for writing and art, so I thought the above quote was very apropos. My one-and -only dear heart daughter, Dominique Michelle also grew up with the love of books and art bestowed upon her from an early age. I can’t wait to see the both of you in June!

Happy Mother’s Day Weekend also to all my friends who are moms, and my two “Crew Gals”, Miss Cybelle "Bibs" ( first-time mom in 2008) and Miss Asherah "Ash" (first-time mom in 2010) .

I have so many books that I could open a library – it is hard to part with any of them. Miss Cybelle enjoys a quiet moment with a few of my favourite books. Below, she is contemplating which one will be suitable for her Mother's Day weekend.

Cybelle decides she will spend the Mother's Day weekend indulging in some quiet time as a bookworm

Cybelle takes a moment to consider her choice

Cybelle's "pick" is "Four Paws Five Directions" by Cheryl Schwartz. An oldie but a goodie. It is an excellent reference book for anyone interested in learning more about holistic approaches to animal care - from acupressure, diet, and herbal therapy for our four-legged companions. 

Cybelle decides to book mark the section on Massage Techniques" .....hmmm....I am guessing she is hoping for "spa" treatment this weekend:-)

Some "Mommy Pics" from my Crew gals: 

"Cybelle" with her two boys in 2008

"Ash" with her three girls and one boy in 2010

I am "Richer Than Gold" to be blessed with my lovely and talented daughter Miss Dominique Michelle

The Crew says - Obtenez votre vert sur les bébés!

Obtenez votre vert sur ​​les bébés! Get Your Green on Babies!

My Quebec friends said to pass this on to my chiens when I told them the pasture was looking greener! - "Obtenir votre vert sur bébés! - Get your Green On Babies!"  My country Canaan Chiens who seem to be well-versed in several languages from english, to hebrew, to doglish, were out getting their green on!

Recently, the rain goddess has been gifting us with H2O. She has been filling up the sloughs on the pasture for more watering holes and "sprouting up more of the green stuff" for our much anticipated herd of heifers that will be coming home to free-range in a few weeks. 

It was a perfect day to "Get Our Green On!" This morning I was up early with my ranching neighbour to pound some more posts to extend another rotational graze zone for my herd - yes, the ground is finally thawed! After my lunch break I snapped a few of Ash "Getting Her Green On!" 

 Things are definitely looking greener! And Miss Ash was willing to strike a pose for the occasion.

Ash says "look, I am "getting my green on with my lovely sit with green things sprouting up in the yard and in the pasture!"

Ash says "the yard, pasture, and forests look even greener from when we tracked last

Ash watches some more posts being pounded in for her new herd of cattle.

I asked Master Rook to stay up at the house when I had to go back to the pasture - he was out trying to help us earlier with the post pounder, but he wanted to help too much! Ash is behind him making sure he stays. 

I asked Ash to stay after we had finished our work. She wanted to follow my neighbour out to the entrance. But, I am working on "solid stops" for anytime I say - good girl Ash. 

After a nice solid stay, I asked Ash if she wanted to polish the old tractor - she declined:-) But she did say "Hey, look how green the entrance looks!" 

And at the end of a long day Ash wanted to play for a bit - Canaan dogs don''t really play like other dogs do - so, when when they do initiate play it is kinda cool! 

Ash's play sessions always end short and she is back to watching over her land - no telly for her tonight....Oh, wait I don't have TV:-) She is an awesome working dog and I look forward to her continuing her ranch dog chores this year on the cattle. 

Ash has some down time "on the green" growing in her yard - she is happy to see the "The Crew's igloo" no longer buried in the snow.

The Art of "Dogma" With Master Rook & The Crew

We had heard on the news that snow was in the forecast this weekend. One of my tracking comrades in Stettler, AB got hit with the powder last night, but out in Raven we awoke to a beautiful day of sunshine and frogs "a " croaking in the sloughs on the pasture. 


Young Jedi Master Rook and the girls began their day with some early morning "dogma" exercises. Each of the Crew members likes to do things differently when it comes to morning meditation to prepare for the day. Since their herd of heifers are not on the range yet for them to manage, they continue to take advantage of a bit of R & R and self-awareness techniques to strengthen their mind and body. 

 Rook concentrates on his "Dogma" stretches - he is showing nice form and discipline for quite a young Jedi! Below are his "three stages" for mastering the art of Dogma.

Rook demonstrates the first pose - I think he said that a beginner can attempt this one:-) 

The second pose - Rook says "this one is a bit more advanced because it demands a deeper stretch and loads of concentration!"

The third pose - Rook says "this stance is purely a mental one and although it looks very simple, apparently it is the hardest to master". He added "that this pose should never be attempted by the beginner since it calls for a deeper consciousness and overall awareness of self." He further added "if attempted too early on, a dog can be frozen in this state for days, even weeks!"

After his Dogma Session, Rook says "-I am revitalized and ready to cease the day!" Rook has also mastered the "Joker Grin", which his sire Macc had down pat!"

Ash's "Dogma" routine emphasized contemplation and self-awareness over a cup of Java. I think I like her routine the best:-) I also think she was deeply pondering why I had moved the work bench away from its original spot - A Canaan always knows when something has been moved!

I told Ash I had moved the work bench closer to the cattle fencing so she and her  crew members could have a  better perch for when the cows come - I believe she found it satisfactory after her dogma session.

Cybelle's "Dogma" session was one of great reflection. She continues to be the hardest one to catch in slow motion, so I took full advantage of capturing her in her "repose" state of dogma.

This morning, we had some religious solicitors who dropped off a copy of the "watchtower" for Cybelle. She was polite and courteous as usual. But, as open-minded as this gal is, she could not wait for them to leave so she could turn the magazine into dust - yep, another clean up for me! However, in hindsight, I suppose she was just trying to be environmentally conscience and help with the recycling.

After "The Crew" finished their Dogma Sessions, they went about their business

Young Jedi Rook discovered more of my clean-up of his bones. He told me that this pose was also apart of his "dogma routine" and  required a great deal of focus.

Guess who is the klutz in the family! I told Rook that maybe he has not "truly mastered his dogma stances!"

Rook tries to look like nothing has happened to MY last cup pf Java! Apparently, this is another meditative position in the fine art of dogma, or so I am told by the crew:-) 

Ash returns from her "spa dip" in the sloughs with the frogs and engages in a game of tug with the young Jedi

Ash says "Ha!, I win again - you still have much to learn young Jedi!"

Rook says "Hey Ash, I found another prize- and look I am even de-stuffing it for you!

Miss Ash is obviously unimpressed - she told Rook she was practising "dogma 101" - "the Canaan conserving energy for later fuel" pose

Rook says "I guess I will just go off in the sun and have some "me" time

After a bit of R & R, Ash is ready to return to her spa and challenge the young Jedi to a game of "first one to the slough to catch a frog wins!"

Ash is ready to test the young Jedi's reflexes with a surprise game of  hide and seek!

Just a pretty pic of my gal Cybelle - yes, she also approved of me moving the work bench closer as a perch for when the crew has to watch over the cows. She also found another toy that was lost out in the field and brought it home. She is a multi-tasker! 

Rook discovered a bit of green grass while sniffing for bugs. He said this "dogma" exercise helps stimulate the nostrils and prepares the mind for spring time hunting activities. 

A pic from Memory Lane - It seems Master Rook began his "dogma" exercises early on when he was only five weeks old

"Rook" and his brother "Creed" performing the "dogma" exercise "Dogs doing rendition of Swan Lake"

“Working” Canaans Just Wanna Have Fun Too!

After the big Tracking event last weekend, "The Crew" has been enjoying some downtime on their land. Today was the first day in a long while that their kingdom has absolutely no snow! They enjoyed a day just being dogs - running to their heart's content, playing tag, and of course, always stopping to be on alert for predators on their land. Their new herd of free-ranging cattle will be arriving soon so now is the time for them to just have some fun before their ranch chores begin again.

Here are some pics I snapped on my lunch break of my awesome crew “Hey!“Working” Canaans just wanna have fun too!” 

Mr Happypants - "Rook" enjoying a day on the field

Miss Ash "calm and poised" before some serious tag time with Master Rook

Miss Cybelle "Bibs"- who will turn seven this year is the fastest Canaan I know! It is always hard to get her in slow motion:-) Who would of believed that this gal could "stand still" in a show ring:-) As a former show girl who garnered the very first group placements in Canada for her breed in the working group - she still moves with agility and grace, and is packed full of attitude - how I love her zest for life in everything she does - she is also my awesome cattle dog! 

Ash gets ready to surprise Master Rook!

Tag time with the dynamic duo - Rook and Ash - it is hard to get pics of these guys at top speed! 

Ash says " look, I am trying out my "bear" stance! 

Rook finds my hat that I left out this morning when I was picking up some pylons from the tracking event - thanks Rook!  I suppose a tracking career is also in the future for him! 

Ash finds some missing treats leftover from the weekend.

Rook takes in the beautiful spring day! 

Rook protects my hat while keeping watch over his land

The "egg-spertise" of the Canaan Crew

A "Raw" Easter Egg Hunt for "The Crew" - Looks like Peter Cottontail made a visit to Raven!

Easter weekend continues to be a special time in my family life and it always brings back very fond memories - and, of course, a hunt for Easter eggs was always apart of the occasion. Ash and Rook were excited to track down an early Easter egg trail that Peter Cottontail left just for them. Rook  decided he also needed some extra protein and cracked open and ate a few along the way. The Easter bunny is one smart guy - he obviously knew to deliver only "raw eggs" for "the crew" who followed the trail with great "egg-spertise".

Rook enjoying his first Easter egg hunt 

Rook and Ash hot on the trail for fresh raw Easter eggs. Ash wanted to "roll" this particular egg for a bit

Rook discovers more eggs!

Ash inspects the quality before continuing on the trail

Rook decides he needs to add a bit of protein along the way

And my dearheart Macc ( in spirit)  tends to the flock with an old Easter classic in the background

Hippity Hoppity Easter is on its way!
Meanwhile, out in Vancouver, British Columbia "Sara", a Macc daughter who looks just like her daddy - tracks an Easter egg hunt of her own. I guess Peter Cottontail was good to all the Canaan Dogs this year. The lovely Miss Sara is owned by David, Debbie and Skyla, and training hard in Search and Rescue! Sara is a full-sister to my Rook. 

Miss Sara in BC enjoying her Easter egg hunt - thanks to David for the photos!

"Sara" having a great Easter weekend on the trails with David

David and his daughter Skyla "tracking" over the Easter weekend with Miss Sara - she is such a good working gal! Her daddy Macc would be proud!