Lost Language
A language that was spoken for the last 65,000 years was lost with the death of Boa Senior. She was the last one to speak the language of a tribe from India.

The black and white pottery technique of the Anasazi people is likewise gone. It was a precise skill and technique that was practiced for a millennium.

The keepers of the border collie breed seem to understand how one must fight to keep the instinct and working ability of these great dogs intact.
And so I ask, what about the skill and the knowledge of these great dog handlers? How many are really left that can fluently "speak the language?"
At the Lacamas trial last weekend, there was really only one man that could fluently speak the language. I try to understand, knowing I only comprehend the simplest parts of this amazing skill. I am frustrated that I am running out of time and scared for all of us, because I fear that the intricate details could be lost.
Maybe it is the photographer in me that feels panicked that this knowledge and wisdom is not being preserved and duplicated to the extent that it deserves. The horse industy has left us in the dust in the learning and knowledge sharing department. Despite all those damn cars, people are still pretty handy with a horse!
I am sure there will be those that disagree and say there is plenty of knowledge out there and that it is being preserved. To those, I refer you to the Lacamas score boards. Yes, some among us kind-of speak the great language, some know a few words, but only one really knew the language fluently on that day.
So, what does the future hold, and what will happen to the knowledge that we do have now, and the ability to do this fantastic dance with these dogs? I ask, did one child, or even a teenager run a dog at the Lacamas trial, despite there being a novice class? I personally don't know a young handler competing. Time is ticking, I feel panicked, not only for me to learn, but for all of us, and for a skill that I fear will fade away as quietly as a language.
When knowledge is gone it is gone! Anyone out there wish they could ask Johnny Wilson a couple of things?........

Something New!
I promised you some new cool stuff. This image was taken at Big Willow. It is of Ken Johnson's Drift. Ken's Wife Sandy asked me to create something nice for Ken for a gift.
This was one of the images I made for him.

The Winners
Congratulations to Dave Claypool and Glen, the winner of the Calgary Stampede. Wendy Schmaltz put on a fabulous show and was the reserve Champion.
Grant Musgrove, a really great guy, won the trailer.
Technology is amazing. We watched it all from our living room!

The Calgary Stampede

The Stampede is on, and the dogs are running! You can watch the live action. Click on the link below. Give it time to load! The Finals are tonight at 7 Alberta time.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/calgary-stampede

Good Luck everyone!

Off Line

I am borrowing a computer to blog to you all. I will be off-line for 2 days while I rework my internet services. I will be up again on the 7th of July.

For the next couple of days, if you need us, phone rather than e-mailing.

I have some new exciting images for you all, and I will post them soon.

We will also be offering a couple of new dogs for sale, including a son of Joe. If you're looking for a new dog and want to get the information now rather than later, feel free to phone Norman. In the meantime, check out my new web site www.vickieclose.com, it has a new and improved shopping cart. Hint, hint!

Shopping for art and greeting cards is now a snap.

See you soon................

Other Breeds

We do get people, for lessons and clinics, with other breeds besides border collies.

Occasionally they are concerned that Norman may not have the knowledge to train their "upright" breed or that he may be prejudiced toward something other than a border collie.

Rest assured, it's certainly not true!

This brings me to my new greeting card, "That'll Do Pig". Call today to order yours!

P.S. I raise my right hand and swear....That really is Norman, working a pig, on sheep. I did not add the pig. No, the pig is not for sale!

Delta Bluez
Other than this cute image of Norman's Blaze with Don Helsley's guard dog, I am going to leave the blogging to Diane Pagel. She was at The Dirt Blower and did some nice pictures of Norman and Gwen. She was kind enough to post them on her blog. Here is the link to her site.
http://deltabluez.blogspot.com/2010/06/norm-close-and-gwen-first-day-of-open.html
Just a quick note...Congratulations to Ellen Skillings. She won the overall Open award at the Dirt Blowing Trial. Gerri Byrne won the overall Pronovice award, and I am happy to report that Norman's young dog, Blaze, was second in the Pronovice overall.