Day 17: Second Day at Soldier Hollow

My mom is Vice-President of the Park City Newcomer's Club and she has made the Soldier Hollow trial an event for the club today. She recruited me to give a 30 minute talk about the trial and sheep herding in general. I don't really plan anything. I've only been herding about 2 years. But I sure have read a lot on the subject - both fact and fiction. I try to include all the interesting and fun things I've learned- the history, the great stories about border collies and, finally, how difficult and time-consuming the training is. It goes well. I'm happy because I have opened up the excitement and beauty of this sport to several new people. They love watching the dogs work!

Winnie's duck herding goes better today. It's frustrating on the ducks. I have just learned to slow things down with Winnie. But ducks are so fast (these especially) that I can't slow her down or the ducks are gone- especially with no fencing. Two of the women working with us are trainers and they give me some pointers. The advice is to let Winnie work a bit more. Let her chose which direction to take the ducks off the fence, and then just be glad she can do it. Save my battles for the bigger issues -- like stopping or going wide. I'm also reminded to "watch the stock" versus watching my dog. (No matter how many times we hear that, I guess us new handlers don't ever do that enough.)

Anyhow, we move the ducks a bit better today. Winnie is wider on her flanks and I am happy.
In between herding duck demos, we watch the trial. Below is a picture of Red Oliver- an octogenarian handler that has qualified for Soldier Hollow since the trial's inception. He is one of the few handlers that was able to pen their sheep today.

At Soldier Hollow, they also have a "splash dogs" competition. Dogs dive into the water (usually after a toy) and the winners are the dogs that jump furthest. (See pic)
When we walk around the trial (it's kinda gotta country fair going on at the same time), everyone wants to pet Winnie. I notice that she is not being her usual friendly self. Driving back to my mom's, it hits me that it is perhaps too hard on Winnie to meet the challenge of herding ducks in this situation and be an ever-lovable sheltie at the same time. Poor thing. I vow to not invite everyone to pet her tomorrow.

Day 16: Soldier Hollow Heber City Utah

Today is the big day. The Soldier Hollow Classic- a premier sheepdog invitational trial in the hills of Utah. Winnie has been invited to participate in the duck herding demonstration. It is our second year doing this. It's not necessarily because hse has great skills, but that everybody loves to see a sheltie. ;) I personally love to come and participate and rub elbows with the best handlers in the nation.


Well, it turns out to be a very hard day for Winnie. First, we find out there was a miscommunication with the set-up crew and three sides of the duck arena are unfenced!! Well, ducks are terribly difficult to herd and for a young dog like Winnie, without a fence, is a disaster waiting to happen. The woman in charge has a frank conversation with me about whether Winnie should even be allowed to participate. This is a demo at an international trial - we can't have ducks escaping and getting lost or injured. I know I have a stop on Winnie and I promise to call her off if things start getting out of control.
Ducks are so difficult that there aren't many dogs that have volunteered. We have an Open Class border Collie, two talented Kelpies and two WTCH Australian Sheepdogs. These are very advanced dogs- then there's poor Winnie. But, for better or for worse, we are game.
Our runs are very short because Winnie loses he ducks back to the pen (because there is no fence and our skills are lacking). I'm pretty frustrated. But, from my sports background, I know to focus on the positive. I tell myself she is good because she didn't bite any ducks (Winnie has been known to work ducks with feathers in her mouth) and she did stay off of the ducks pretty well. The low growling "hey" command I learned from Larry was working.
Back for our second demo, my fellow handlers tell me how much Winnie has improved from last year. That makes me feel better.
Then, things start to go bad. After the demo runs, one of the kelpies nips Winnie on the nose. It is just a small thing but, like humans, noses bleed profusely and Winnie and I are quickly covered with blood and she is yelping and pretty shaken up. After holding her and cleaning her up, I put her in her crate to relax. It is a collapsible crate. The wind has come up and it blows the crate- with Winnie in it - tumbling over and over. Her water spills and she is soaked as well as shaken up.
Winnie can't get in the car to go home fast enough. (Even though I call her out and make her wait for permission, like she knows she's supposed to). Driving back to my mom's place, Winnie gets stung by a bee in her mouth. She jumps on my lap when I'm driving and almost jumps out the window. I get to my mom's and Winnie hides in a corner, is shaking and her eyes are closing. I'm afraid she is having an allergic reaction and going into respiratory distress (i.e her throat will swell and she can't breathe). Luckily we find an after-hours vet close by who will see her. I don't know the area well. I've got my mom and her fiance on the phone giving me directions and I keep getting lost. Finally, I find it and the vet gives her some pain medicine and an antihistamine. I don't think she'll die now. But even after she is home, Winnie is still shaking for almost 45 minutes and wants to lie the couch touching me (Usually, Winnie likes more space). The vet tells me Winnie can work ducks tomorrow. We are both exhausted and traumatized. Of course, I let Winnie sleep with me that night.

Day 15: Wyoming to Utah

I get up early because I have an appointment at the car dealership in Salt Lake City as 10 a.m. I was overdue for maintenance before the trip- and I'm WAY OVERDUE now (3,000 miles later).

I'm driving I-80 into town with the morning work traffic. There's this flashing "amber alert" type sign on the interstate - it reads "19 dead on I-80!" OMG! What a terrible accident..and I'm going right into it! I put on the brakes trying to get my mind around it. Then I realize, they must mean 19 dead on
I-80 like in a year all year or something. Well, it sure scared me and got my attention.

While my car is serviced, the dealership drives me to the mall- Nordstorms! I don't buy anything there but lunch. When I get my car back, I drive to my mother's house in Park City.
It's as good as being home! I have a nice bubble bath, a glass of wine and my first home cooked meal in over two weeks! It feels so good to be at my mama's house. I enjoy just talking to my mom and being close to her...really I guess I missed genuine human company on my trip.

Tomorrow is Soldier Hollow. Winnie is doing a duck demo at the Soldier Hollow International Invitational Border Collie Trial. I'm nervous. I just want her to be decent. She doesn't have to be great - I know she's invited mainly because she's a cute sheltie. But I want to show we have made progress (we did this last year) and I don't want her to eat any ducks! I make Winnie sleep in a separate bed tonight..she doesn't seem to mind. We are working on our discipline in every aspect of our day-to-day lives- going up stairs, waiting to go outdoors, waiting to eat, getting in the car - I'm trying to make my dominance clear so it will carry over to herding. But I'm just happy to be here and I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

Day 14: Nebraska to Wyoming

We are off across more farmland! You cannot help but feel positive about our nation, and even our world, when you spend 2 weeks driving through endless green farmland and ranches. You feel we are living in harmony with the earth, there is plenty of food for everyone and we will all survive. Life seems simple and basic.
Living in Southern California, you more have a sense of dread and doom. With its cookie-cutter strip malls and tract homes, there is a sense we are out of sync with the natural world and the only way to survive is to have lots of money. In the mid-West, you feel all you need is hard work and the proverbial 40 acres and a plow. I heard on the radio that a lot of farmers are on food stamps. Still, you think that the philosophical and physical rewards of living close to the land would make it better to be a poor farmer than an unemployed apartment renter in Los Angeles County. But maybe that's just romanticism.

Reestablishing my roots as a southern California consumer, I stop at Cabela's headquarters in Sidney, Nebraska. It is a huge and very nice complex. (see pic)<
They have a large grassy area for dogs to run and even kennels you can use for your dogs when you shop (a lot of Cabela fans are are hunters with hunting dogs). Winnie and I play fetch on the grass for a while and we share a McDonald's chicken salad. Because the kennels don't have locks (and I'm sure someone would love to steal my sweet Winn), I put Winnie's "therapy dog in training" vest on and we walk on in. It is an amazing place-almost like a museum of natural history with its displays of elk and deer in natural dioramas and the fish aquarium. I need some new boots and take advantage of the fact that here I can try them on before buying them (I've bought boots from Cabela's before and had to ship them back when they didn't fit). All the folks are very nice. Winnie does her tricks and is on her best behavior so it makes it easy to make friends. The store even has a little restaurant where you can get buffalo burgers and I think even elk or venison. Too bad I had my McDonald's salad already.

Back on the road and we make Wyoming. A lot more cattle ranches than farms. I stop in Laramie, Wyo and visit the Territorial Prison State Historic Site (see pics). <
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Butch Cassidy was in prison here for cattle rustling. I read that he was later pardoned by the governor with the promise that he would never return to Wyoming. As you perhaps recall, Butch Casssidy went on to even more fierce exploits and crimes and he likely returned to Wyoming as well. But such is the stuff movies are made of. It is late afternoon and a warm wind blows. I see the grass move in waves like the "sea of grass" Walk Whitman invoked for the title of his homage to America.<


I stay the night in Rock Springs, Wyo. The wind has given me an allergic fit. The hotel sells 5 kinds of pain reliever in the gift shop but nothing for allergies. I'm so tired, that after a bath, I sleep soundly anyhow.

Day 13: Kansas City to Nebraska

Today I set out to Larry Painter's place about 45 minutes south of Kansas City. It's a journey of more farms and more unpaved roads. Larry has a nice 80 acre farm and his star herding Australian Cattle Dogs greet us when we pull up. (See pics- sorry I didn't get photos of Larry himself).


I like Larry right away- he doesn't make any comments about how Winnie is so little or so cute. He gets right to business and we start working. Of course, on the first outrun, Winnie runs straight up the middle (a very bad thing for all my non-herding friends). Larry states we don't allow that. I explain what I have been working on with Tammy- trying to get her to slow down, think and rate the stock. Whenever Winnie gets too close or is too fast, Larry has me say "hey" and gradually build up pressure with my voice and the crook and my body until she stops and looks at me. Of course, Winnie must be "pressured" to the back of the barn before she stops and submits. But, with Larry's encouragement, we keep this up until Winnie starts to stop and look at me sooner and sooner. When she does, I turn away and release the pressure - her signal that this is what I want. After a bit (okay, maybe a long bit), Winnie is giving me square flanks (versus running at the stock) and is starting to slow down and "rate" the stock while she moves them toward me. Larry teaches me to not start out with a blood-curdling "hey", but rather to make it softer at first and only build up intensity if she doesn't stop and listen. Larry takes Winnie by the leash and demonstrates: he says a low-toned, soft "hey" (kinda like a growl) and Winnie immediately sits, ears back and looks plaintively at him. That's the power I want with my dog (still gonna look into making an "Alpha Bitch" t-shirt). Write me if you want one :)
Larry is very generous with his time and advice. I am so thankful to have an opportunity to take the next step in the training I started with Tammy and see the "picture" of how Winnie is supposed to rate stock. Larry tells me to practice the "hey" command with Winnie in the next couple days and hopefully that will help us when we get to Soldier Hollow this weekend. Larry says Winnie is a "nice dog" a few times. I have a feeling that's a high compliment from him. I think it says a lot about his skill as a trainer if he can apply the same techniques to cattle dogs and shelties. I thank him for seeing me last minute and get on the road for Nebraska.

Note to everyone:beware, your GPS can freeze!! You know how your computer freezes sometimes? While your GPS can do the same thing. On my way to Nebraska, my GPS kept saying 20 something miles to the turnoff. I kept looking- it was still a ways, so I was sightseeing and listening to the radio. Then, I start to think it maybe said 29 miles the last time I looked...sure enough, it had "froze" and I was on a 30 mile detour into Iowa!! (Turns out it looks just like Nebraska anyhow.)

Okay, back on track for Nebraska. So far in this trip, I haven't pulled off for much, but I saw a sign for a Pendleton Outlet store in Nebraska City, so I went.
Nebraska City is a lot like most of the towns I've seen on this trip. Interesting, historical buildings lining a "main street", but the buildings are almost all abandoned and/or rundown. (See pic)

Not many thriving old towns around these parts. After buying a classic Indian Blanket coat for me and a wool shirt for hubby, Winnie and I walk a bit around town. A bar and an antique shop are open...nothing like the Starbucks on every corner in CA towns (I was thinking a Starbucks would be nice).

Winnie and I drive to Kearney, NE to stay the night. Many of the trails West converged in Kearney( e.g. Mormon Trail, the California Trail, the Oregon Trail, the 49'ers Trail, the Pony Express and the Overland State Coach). There pioneers followed the Platte River to the West (it assured water and they wouldn't get lost). Kearney has an Archway Monument Bridge that spans I-80 with a three-story museum inside. (See pic)
I debate seeing it, but decided I didn't have time. Winnie is tired from working with Larry earlier in the day, so we crash. This is my first time in Nebraska (I keep hearing Bruce Springsteen songs in my head when I drive).

Day 12: St. Louis to Kansas City,Mo

I get a late start today. For the first time since the entire road trip I sleep in ('til 9:30). I get some work done on my computer. I am thinking about calling Roscoe's owner to see if they will sell him to me. I don't feel pressed to do so, because he is clearly not miserable where with the Mennonite family (they have about 3kids). A friend that breeds shelties writes to me to say Roscoe's coat just looks like it needs a good brushing (versus a disease) and his teeth situation occurs in shelties, "even in the best of lines." I also am concerned about thrusting him into our life- I haven't asked anyone in my family. I am also concerned about the effect on Winnie. We already have two other large rescue dogs (a Newfoundland and a pit bull mix). Bottom line: I don't feel compelled to try to get Roscoe. And I also feel I'm being a little presumptuous in assuming I am "rescuing" him. So I decide to just hold on to the number and call them to say "if ever" they want to give Roscoe a retirement home, we will take him.

I am also feeling anxious and impatient about Winnie and herding. I want to get better! I want to work on her rating! I know she can do it and it is just practice she needs. I remember Tammy said her favorite clinician, Larry Painter, is in Mo. So...I get on the Internet and find out he's just south of Kansas City I leave a message asking if he can give me a herding lesson this afternoon or tomorrow.

I get on the road around noon. I decide to stay in Kansas City, just in case I hear from Larry Painter. Okay, honestly, I decide I want a nice hotel. If I'm in podunk nowhere, I don't mind staying in a podunk hotel. But if I'm in the big city, I want a nice hotel. I'm a room service kinda girl. And I love the historic hotels in the center of town. So, pulled over at a rest area, I google on my blackberry "best historic hotel in Kansas City." The best "hit" seems to be "The Raphael." This is from the website:"Originally constructed in 1927 as the Villa Serena Apartments, the Spanish Renaissance Revival-style building was transformed into the elegant Raphael Hotel in 1975 following a renovation that faithfully preserved historic features while providing for the comforts of contemporary travelers." See pic.<
I arrive around 6:00 p.m. I am very happy - there is something about the graciousness, service and amenities of a nice hotel that helps you relax. I acknowledge I'm spoiled from years of business travel paid for by my former law firm. The hotel overlooks Country Club Plaza - a very nice outdoor shopping area in Kansas City. I get Winnie and we go out strolling, there is a nice bridge and park over the Missouri River(?) and lots of friendly people visiting the shops and restaurants in the Plaza, which goes on for about 3 blocks in each direction. (see pic of Plaza driving into Raphael Hotel). <
It feels good to walk.

We come back and it is room service time! I know KC is famous for beef. I'm not a big steak person, but I believe in experiencing the attributes of the places you travel. With advice of the nice young man who answers the phone, I order a petite fillet, salad and a glass of red wine. Wow- I have never had steak like his. It was succulent and you hardly even needed to chew it. I've had halibut in Alaska....how halibut is in Alaska versus the lower 48 is how steak in KC is compared to other places. I like it so much, I don't even give Winnie a piece!
I take a hot bubble bath, using the big robes they provide and read a book in bed. Oh, I watch Mad Men on HBO. I don't have TV at home so this is the first time I'd seen the show. It was good- funny and scary at the same time. I'm old enough to at least have residual aversion to the suppression and falsity of that time that the series portrays. I think of my poor mother- married and raising a family at that time. Finally, at about 10:30 at night, I get an email from Larry Painter's wife. She says to call in the morning, that he can probably fit me in for a lesson tomorrow!!! Hooray!

Day 11: Second Day Herding Clinic With Tammy

Today is our second day of the clinic. We are all pretty tired apparently, because we all show up 2-5 minutes late. I think the clinics are tiring because we are learning so much. Herding requires you to learn with your mind, learn how to change and manipulate your body and also to control your attitude and demeanor. Plus, it requires you to be "humble" - this gets harder as you get older, but they say the ability and willingness to learn new things also keeps you young.

We have a great supportive group- we cheer each other and the dogs when there are break throughs. There are women who learn to be assertive and dogs who learn it's okay to have fun and chase sheep. We have a few shelties that are not sure it is okay to be interested in sheep. We are all their "cheerleaders" and we have some happy shelties and owners at the end of the clinic. There is one lady who works in the local sheltie rescue. She has a rescue dog that has never had a herding lesson and that dog shines!! It is keen and you can see it thinking and learning faster than any dog there! Tammy says she has never seen a rescue sheltie that did not work sheep.

A few of us move to the bigger arena today. It is a bit frustrating because Winnie and I fall back into some of our old problems. But we get some good outruns. It's just the fetch we have trouble with. These are picture of the sequence. She does a pretty good outrun, I turn away to relieve pressure. She comes around Tammy nice at the top of the outrun. But then you can see she charges the sheep and they run past me.



It is apparant she hasn't leaned to "rate" the stock because I have always been micro-managing her with down, up, down, up. I put her in a down and then she charges the stock because she knows I will just put her in a down again. It will take time to go back to basics and give her time to learn to read and rate the stock. It's a good thing she's only 2 1/2 years old. I tell myself we still have time.
When the clinic is almost over, Tammy lets me "work" her sheltie, Flutter. Flutter is her 9-year old female bi-black herding champion and mother of Cloud. She is little like Winnie and, according to Tammy, started out willful and pushy (like Winnie). It is a joy to work with her!! I can be so relaxed and trusting as she does her job with just a simple command. I try to remember this "feeling" as the picture I am striving for with Winnie.

Some of the ladies brought some beer and, after the clinic, we sit around on the grass, drinking beer and talking all things dog. Two puppies run around and play- Winnie barks at them when they get too far away from the group.

There's a neat lady who came all the way from Canada with her talented Sheltie. We go out to dinner with Tammy before calling it a day. We all agree it was one of the best clinics ever- both in the great people that attended and in all we learned.