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| "Young Herder" Ash- mixed media - gouache and layers of ink. My first love back as a student at the Ontario College of Art was gouache. I am now experimenting with using inks as a foreground medium with gouache in the background. I like this technique since I can play with the dualism of transparency and opacity in the same framework. And I love working in layers. |
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| Oil on canvas "My Muse" Maccabee |
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| The Bibs doing what she does best "working the bossy bessy in the herd" |
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| Cybelle driving the herd to the next graze - she loves to be in the driver's seat |
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| Texas hold'um - holding at the gate is a big task and one that is greatly appreciated by a rancher who can rely on a confident working dog |
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| Brace work with my girls - Cybelle to the right working with a young Ash on the left. Cybelle was a great help in teaching Ash a lot about working with free-range cattle |
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| The "Bibs" keeping an eye on the herd |
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| A good cow dog is always "head on" when needed |
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| Bib's getting ready for her drive |
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| The Bibs out with a young Ash teaching her the ropes |
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| My beautiful and talented member of the Crew, seven -yr old "Miss Bibs" |
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| She is also a secret book worm at heart - but, in a heartbeat will always be ready and alert to take on coyotes and provide loyalty as a member of my pack. She loves attention but has always wanted a working "win-win" - meaning if the work I do works for you then we have "a win-win". For me - that works! She may be the smallest of my crew in size, but she is the wisest and most-accomplished. She has many miles before she sleeps and continues to amaze me. |
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| and when we needed to move some very stubborn bulls "the Bibs"was there. We had to move these guys and the Bibs said 'ok" let me take charge! |
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| and when a dog can get in this close to move some very stubborn and unpredictable bulls and not get kicked ( these two are new to our ranch and older than our other two boys) you know you have a great cow dog! She's the best! |
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| My Bibs! I know I have shown this pic on a recent blog - but I love this pic - she is "athletic, strong, confident" and always up for a challenge, and a very sweet girl who is always willing to be there to protect and take care of her land and stock - could not ask for a better Canaan on a ranch! |
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| Bibs with the youngest crew member two-year old "Rook" who is also a great cattle dog in the making - Bibs said in a private interview - I taught him all the tricks of the trade:-) |
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| And without Bibs helping with training my "Ash" she could not be called upon to help with some shedding duties. Here I needed her to shed off some certain cows. Ash was a great help thanks to earlier training from Cybelle and Maccabee. Because of the training, I knew what I needed to ask of this other great cow dog in the Crew. And if you look closely, you can spot young Rook - look for some feet:-) - I put him to test on this ranch chore with Ash - he was a bit too speedy at first but worked it out with Ash's assistance. |
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| The "Bibs" athletic, energetic and intelligent - a great ball of talent for those who can keep up with her:-) |
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| Where it all began:-) A very young pup Cybelle at herding lessons back in Utopia, Ontario. |
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| As a former show girl, "The Bibs" is always willing to stop and strike her championship conformation pose:-) |
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| A young Bibs gives career advice to Jessie a friend's daughter back in Ontario who is starting her career as a Junior dog handler - Bibs says be strong and confident, work hard, and always follow your dreams:-) Bibs added "Hey Just look at me!" |
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| The girls say " bring on the world - we are ready for all the challenges that come our way:-) |
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| Miss Bibs was showcased in the Champion magazine in Canada. Cybelle says "here is my early show career "which she never regrets and was glad to represent the breed. In Canada, the breed is in the working group - the biggest group and tough to earn a placement. She went on to earn three group placements in her show career. But, she says" what I love best is working!" And we do too! |
