But wait there's more!

Off to Quakertown PA, to Leslie Whitney's place for the clinic and lessons.

Another beautiful town with amazing architecture. Leslie's farm is charming with an old barn and a big welcoming house. She has great sheep, something for every level. We enjoyed working her Scottys.

Her husband Kevin is the master of the barbecue and we were treated to a tasty rib dinner. One of our highlights was meeting Fran Sharon and Nancy Obenier. We have spoken on the phone often, as they have both purchased dogs from Norm. They are a great pair, keeping things light and fun. The clinic went really well, I learn so much watching Norm teach other people. I am starting to predict what he will do with a dog, but he continues to amaze me when he teaches the people. He reads them well, and is careful not to overwhelm them.

Borders on Paradise

On Monday we headed for Turbotville, PA, to Dave Fettermin's trial. We were early, and it was a well-needed break as Norman started feeling really ill. It was kind of a mystery as to what the problem might be. He was feeling very weak and dizzy. Finally a toothache uncovered the cause. His tooth, that was recently worked on, had abscessed. His dentist called in a prescription and in a few days he was on the mend just in time for the trial.

Turbotville is home to many Mennonite and Amish families. It is a sight to see their hard working, fit horses trotting down the road pulling their carriages. Next door to Dave's is a very fancy, stone home with a beautiful barn and 2 fat horses. They would whinny at the trotters as they came speeding by. I wondered, who really had the good life? I couldn't help but ponder how soft and lazy my modern conveniences have made me.........

It was nice to see all our new and old friends arrive at the trial on Thursday and Friday.

It was a good turn out. There were 64 dogs. The field is set up on a hill, with a hard pull to the right. The first round we ended up in the middle of the pack. The second round, Gwen and Gale did much better. Gwen had a nice run going, but she had wild sheep, and when they came out of the pen to head for the shedding ring they bolted to the exhaust, an automatic DQ. Lass is showing her age. Gale had nice sheep. I was able to get around and ended up 5th with an 84. It was Jake and Lucy's 1st trial and we were pleased with them. Jake was steady and wanted to hold a line. Lucy was wild and had a hard time finding the line. It is neat to watch them grow up.

My Pirate, Hanna is little. I think she had the same problem as Lass, who is also low to the ground, I don't think she could hear me. She took the sheep on the cross drive and headed out with them in the exact same spot as Lass. She really didn't seem naughty, just overwhelmed. One thing for sure, she gets wound up at trials. Her little eyes get huge and worried. Hopefully we will work through it.

If you get a chance to meet Dave Fettermin, make the effort. He is a wonderful man and he and his wife Debbie put on a beautiful trial.

We're off to the Blue Grass. We will be there today around 2 p.m.

Catching up
What a busy few weeks we have had. Sorry for the delay in writing. We have met so many terrific people, and have seen so many wonderful things, where do you begin?

Old Chatham ended well. 73 dogs ran in round 2. Warren Mick pulled the older ewes out, leaving just lambs. The handlers and dogs were able to be more precise, giving Norman more to judge. Many retired or were D.Q. the day before. Beverly Lambert laid a beautiful run down and won the second day. I ended up somewhere around 20th. My out work was better than the day before, but I wasn't able to get a shed.

Off to Rob Drummond's house for 2 days of lessons.

Rob and Betsy Drummond are well known for their two businesses. Rob makes the Blaster Whistle (the best whistle on the market) and Betsy owns Bordercollics Anonymous. Their house is in Hillsboro, New Hampshire, and was built in the late 1700s, early 1800s. Rumor has it that our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence, and then went to Rob and Betsy's house and hung out. I can't confirm that, but I can tell you it is old and fabulous. It still has the original door latches. We quickly abandoned the dogs and trailer and moved into their wonderful guest bedroom. It is a rugged land with weathered, wonderful, buildings. This is an image I made of Norm's Gwen. She is in a small building that was used to make "home remedies."

Lessons started for Norm at 8:30 a.m. The weather was red hot, in the 90s. The lessons went great, despite the heat. Betsy had cool drinks and refreshments to keep everyone going.

It was great to see Norm's old Cubb and Casey. Rob now runs them. We also finally met Natalie La'belle. We became fast friends on the phone when we sold her Kate.

Onward to Carol Campion's

Carol has a beautiful farm with the prettiest sheep I think I have seen. She has a big field to work in, with a river that runs in the front and a very old graveyard up on the hill. We could live there quite easily. Lessons began in the afternoon, more great people, nice dogs and fabulous meals. Larry, Carol's husband, is a great cook. We enjoyed a beautiful salmon dinner and easy dog talk.

Health issues started to creep up as Norman's Gwen ended up with an abscess on her teat. Fortunately one of Norman's lessons was a vet, and she was kind enough to write us a

prescription for an antibiotic.
Bev Lambert surprised me with a visit. She was on her way to work dogs with Sue Schoen and they invited me along. Bev gave me a history lesson on the way down to the field. There is so much history here, and she is a brilliant woman with a wealth of information.

It was a nice sized field and I was able to practice my first double lift. I dropped my first set of sheep off and gave Gale a look back. She turned around, and then I gave her a come-bye, and away she went, four hundred yards, picked the second group up, and brought them to my feet, in a perfectly straight line...I fainted.

Meanwhile back at the farm, a new set of lambs were born and Norm has been busy training people and dogs.

The next morning, we worked our own dogs at Carol and Larry's. It was wild, as their sheep are light and unforgiving. It was hard for our young dogs to know where to be. It will take them time to get the knack. Carol ran her Flossie for us and it was a treat, she is a nice little dog.

Old Chatham, New York

I made this image today of Hanna (the pirate). Gale is much too private and preferred not to participate. I wish you all could see this place. It is wonderful: big red barns, a river, beautiful fields, old trees. It's the kind of place that seems honest and pure. I am quite certain that only good things happen here. It looks like a farm in a children's story book.

Norman has been judging the trial, and what a trial it has been. I ran my Gale in the Open. It was a thrill and a privilege to be able to run on this field. It is picturesque, but extremely difficult. The sheep are milking sheep, mostly bottle babies and are used to people handling them, but not dogs. I was way over my head, but managed to get around... kinda. There were 74 dogs. My score was a 41 and I am sitting somewhere around 18th. Lots of dogs have RT as the sheep run back to the set out, around those big wonderful trees I was telling you about. I was proud of my dog, we both learned a lot. Round 2 has started. Tomorrow I am up almost last....

Good Morning/Afternoon, depending on your time zone!

All is well, we are back on the road again. We left the outskirts of Toledo, Ohio, this morning, drove through Pennsylvania, and walked the dogs in New York. It is getting a bit harder to find places to walk 16 dogs. We are looking forward to a big, open, safe field, where we can all get some real exercise. We slept like logs/dogs last night. We are really enjoying the new trailer. It has cut our work in half. The dogs seem to be holding up, traveling is much nicer for them as well. Speaking of dogs, here is the scoop on the dog I lifted off of Norman. I am sure you recognize this little face as none other than the naughty little Pirate Hanna. She is quite the character, and I love working with her. Her whistles are opposite to mine, and I am quite dyslexic. She is a tight running little thing, and that is my specialty, to get a dog running tight and slicing their flanks, and she really doesn't understand my accent, but all that aside, I think we will do well together!

Almost to Buffalo, New York.........

568 more miles to go!

We have officially "Headed East." We have been on the road since Saturday and will arrive tomorrow in Old Chatham, New York. Thursday, Norman will be doing a day of lessons and Friday, judging Warren Micks' trial.

Today we have traveled through 4 states, including Chicago, Illinois. We both agree, we would rather die, than live in the city of Chicago, no offense. We are now VERY familiar with toll booths and are thinking of opening up one ourselves.

You pass by our house to get to the lake, and it seems only reasonable that people should pay to pass. It appears to be a great way to make alot of extra cash.

The trip has really gone well. We did have a seal go out in the pickup, but before we could walk the dogs and eat lunch the Dodge dealer had us back on the road again.

We have tons of catching up to do, so I will be getting it in gear, telling you all the news. Here's a sneak peek.........We have a new dog hauler/travel trailer. I will post a picture for you to see, and I have a new dog, I actually stole her from Norman. I will reveal the goods tomorrow. We're stopping for the night just outside of Toledo, Ohio. See ya tomorrow!

Lead Me On Clinic

This is an Image I did for Kathleen Torkelson, Shoreline Washington, of her little dog Emma.

Kathleen and Emma attended the Lead Me on Clinic with Norman. They were great students and as you can see  great subjects. I love this print so much, I am making it a limited addition, signed print. The title of the print is Early Spring Gather. It will be available soon. If you are interested in it you can email me. 

Lead Me On Clinic

We have returned from the Clinic in Olympia, Washington, hosted by Dave and Ursula, owners of Lead Me On Training and Boarding.

The people, the dogs, and the food were truly outstanding, the weather was not. It rained and snowed, however, we were left unscathed because of Dave's quick thinking. He and Ursula rented a U-haul and equipped it with borrowed propane heaters. Myself and the clinic attendees, for the most part, stayed warm and dry........Norman was not quite that lucky.

The clinic dogs made great strides in 2 days, it was exciting to see the progress. We are looking forward to seeing our new friends, and their dogs on the trial field this summer.

On Monday we drove to Becki Maloney's farm for lessons, and we were able to work our own dogs as well. It was such a treat after such a long winter. Her place is beautiful with wonderful fields to work in, and nice sheep.

I had my camera with me at the clinic, and my official "work" hat on. I am thrilled with the results, and will post a few of my client's images here in the next couple of days, as I finish them......Beautiful dogs, I am pleased to have photographed them and think you will enjoy them as well.

A huge big thank you to Dave and Ursula, our kind and gracious hosts. Cheryl Munson provided the sheep and sound system, we appreciate her generosity, she is a beauty. To all who attended and helped, the clinic was successful because of you. Thanks for a great time!