Monday, April 28, 2008

Herding with our Australian Shepherd in Montemor-oNovo

herding with australian shepherd

On the Last Weekend there was an International Meeting of shepherd dogs in Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal, and we had the chance to go on the 25 of April to try out the initial herding with our Australian Shepherd.

So we pack everything in and there we went for about a 4 hour drive.



herding with australian shepherd
We went through beautiful green fields and could enjoy our Alentejo after a rain season that left full of yellow and purple flours in the meddle of green plains and oak trees.

Herdade do Freixo is a big ecological farm and in the words of my son was full of animals, like pigs, sheep, donkeys and a few horses that gave a characteristically smell.



herding with australian shepherd
After a small debate about the state of herding initiatives and schools in Portugal, a nice couple of Trás-os-Montes (way north of Portugal) that has a hotel and farm, Quinta Equestre da Sardoeira ,by them self were kind to give me and my Australian Shepherd an introduction to herding.

herding with australian shepherd


As expected, Teco who had the chance to try and enjoy before herding, was exited enough to jump over the gate near the sheep and show what is truly brave full heart of an Australian Shepherd. This is my BOY !!!

Angel was interested but thinking, what is intend to do with this ? and she just kept looking at me for a hint and I was like “how can I explain …”

Cookie was also interested but she thought that they were to big … I suppose they are for a 6 month puppy.



In the end, like always I just had the feeling if I had the chance of go to a school I could teach my aussies to herd, since they have the interest and the feeling in the right place.





Other activities:




Monday, April 21, 2008

International Encounter of Shepherd Dogs

To not be missed : International Encounter of Shepherd Dogs

Friday, April 18, 2008

Punchline Australian Shepherd herding with Cows





The Australian Shepherd, has a natural versatile stock dog, is a breed promoted by the Australian Shepherd Club of America. They encourage the beginning dog and handler to start training herding and go further in trials and competitions in order to keep the genetic heritage and balanced versatile dogs.







This is the testimonial and photos gently provided by Kelly Hughes, of Punchline Australian Shepherd, that took one of her boys to a first lesson in working with cows.

Here are a few shots of JR working cows. Since he's just beginning to learn how to drive, most of the session was spent teaching him how to push from behind, but also hold their heads..

Monday, April 14, 2008

Portugal Algarve, Amado Beach with our Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever in Amado Beach, Algarve

After a week of being closed at home I decided to take my children to a different walk.






Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever in Amado Beach, AlgarveBrad, my Golden Retriever, in Amado Beach, Algarve


In an adventure in Western Algarve, I, my son and my Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever went to visit the famous surf beach, Amado Beach.








Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever in Amado Beach, AlgarveMy son runing after the Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd dogs, in Amado Beach, Algarve


Located in the road to Aljezur it is a lovely beach surrounded by amazing rocks, wild sea and green fields.

I can really see why it was chosen by surf schools, tour guide visits and surf teams and competitions.

I leave you with the amazing photos.




Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever in Amado Beach, AlgarveAustralian Shepherd and Golden Retriever in Amado Beach, Algarve



Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever in Amado Beach, Algarve

Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever in Amado Beach, Algarve
Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever in Amado Beach, Algarve
Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever in Amado Beach, Algarve

Other trips and travel:





Monday, April 07, 2008

A careful planning

On this weekend I learned a hard lesson! It is difficult some times just to predict and go, even after all carefully planned and even carefully booked.

I supposed this could use an explanation … so lets explain then …


Even to start planning a dog show, I usually make a mental list :


1) Vaccines


2) Ring training


3) Inscriptions on the most early time to pay the most possible low feed


4) Champôs, hair softeners and conditioners


5) The day off before the dog show to wash, dry and prepare the dogs that go to the dog show


6) Money for the trip


7) Route map to the dog show


8) Ring number and hours to enter


9) Food and water


10) Boxes, blanket, chairs, bowl


11) Brushes, towels, wipes, medical kit


12) Leashes, collars, scissors and biscuits


13) Car cleaning


14) Clothing and presentation


Ok, after all is set up and planned we aught to think, just remain to go …


This weekend I learned a lesson, never say impossible not to go … since life teaches us the lesson in the hardest way.


About two days before my son started to feel abdomen pain with high fever and we went to the hospital emergencies were appendices was diagnostic. He was admitted into the hospital, operated, treated and medicated during three days and now he is at home recovering of this enormous scary event.


And all the carefully months planning’s and money spent on inscriptions were down the drain just has a life lesson teaching us not to be that confident and to be humble with life.