Look Who’s Back

Hard to believe it’s been a year since I last posted on this blog. Bet you thought it was never going to happen again. It’s been a busy year, that’s for sure. I don’t think anyone wants to read through a complete recap of my 2013, so I won’t bore you with that. Plus, I’m not sure I’d remember everything. It had its highs and lows, as they all do. The best high was finally realizing my lifelong dream of becoming a published author — which just goes to show, it’s never too late. I think that made my mom’s day as well. If you want to know about that, you can visit my author blog My Random Muse or stop by my Facebook Page . The lowest low was losing Shaine at the end of October. Something I still ache over.

What does 2014 hold? Who the heck knows? I have another book coming out (hopefully by the end of February) and more in the works. Quinn is two legs away from his WTCH. You want to talk journeys! This one has been epic. A source of roller coaster emotions all on its own, including more than one melt-down. Thank the stars for my Sistas, who talked me off the ledge more than once. But I think I’m past that now. I hope I am. Last fall I had an epiphany of sorts. It may be a day late and a dollar short, only time will tell, but my trialing attitude is vastly different now than it was even 6 months ago. For a while it was all about the hunt. I forgot to enjoy myself and my dog. Forgot we were a team. The blue ribbon moments weren’t enough. I wanted the brass ring, and would settle for nothing less. Quinn thumbed his nose at me for a time, which only exacerbated the problem. I really don’t blame him one bit. Neither of us were having fun. A lesser dog would have told me to go pound sand years ago.

My motto. I’m ashamed to say, I didn’t exemplify it at times.

I hope not to regress in that regard this year.

So, quick catch-up on the other dogs: Grady is going to get to try his paw at being pen dog. Shaine had been doing that, and getting to be a pro at it. Grady’s paw may be four times larger than Shaine’s was, but that boy is going to have to step up his game in order to match her. He’s not the bravest soul, bless his heart. Challenges makes him wither. But I’ve been using him and Quinn together to do chores. That, I have to tell you, is a blast. Working my Zephyr boys in tandum? It makes my day. I found out completely by accident how well they work together. The cool thing is that when Grady gets challenged, Quinn will quietly step up behind him, and the sheep will move off. As far as Grade knows, he made that happen. It’s been a boost to his confidence that will hopefully pay off.

Jig (who is two already!!) went to the ASCA Nationals last year. A long week for a young dog. Still, she managed to finish the year with a Started sheep title, and one Started duck leg. I really need to step up her training, though, if we hope to compete in Open this year. Even with all the road miles on her, she is a pain to travel with. Riding upsets her world like nothing else can. She doesn’t get sick, she just goes batshit crazy. Yeah. It’s an issue. The latest attempt is a seatbelt harness. I’ll let you know how that works out.

Rowan is enjoying life as Queen Couch Potato.

Murphy is enjoying life as Blissfully Happy and Totally Unaware Deaf Old Man.

I didn’t breed any ewes this year, so no cute lamb pictures in the upcoming months.

Steve Shope will be coming back in June for his yearly visit and clinic. That’s always something I look forward to. Lots of laughs and learning. Deb Conroy will be doing her clinic here in September. Also a blast. And I’ll likely be heading to TX for the ASCA Nationals in the fall.

There, how’s that for a quick catch-up? I don’t plan on waiting another year to post again. I’m not sure how frequently I’ll stop by, but for those who care, I’ll be around more than I was in 2013!