You be the sheep, and I'll be the wolf

Culture Clash!

The other night after tracking, everyone had a great romp in the field. Looking through my pictures, these ones stood out. Not the greatest photos but interesting. In the above photo, River is demonstrating how shepherds like to play. They are all about control. Border Collies are all about running! In the above photo, River demonstrates a neck grip, which is an acceptable way for a GSD to stop a running SHEEP in the world of GSD herding (HGH). Ted is happy, because he gets to run full tilt. The neck grip (to be clear) is to grab the wool at a thick spot on top to stop the sheep, not to hurt it in any way (which would not be acceptable, of course).

River was so excited that her one ear, which is usually down, was UP. I guess she figured that she should really get into that wolf role. She looks like a different dog! Most people have no concerns about coming over to pat River because with her coat and floppy ear she looks like a big Golden. Some actually stiffen when I say she is a German Shepherd. When both ears are up like Caden's or Thorn's, people sometimes cross the street rather than pass me on a sidewalk - yet Caden is overly frendly if anything!

Just some ramblings on a nice, cool summmer morning.

Finally a Field! Part 2 with Caden and Jet tracking July 28 Videos

See the post below for details about these tracks...

Caden's track

Caden is settling down compared to earlier this summer. I need to calm him at his turns and encourage him to carry on as he doubles back every time. This might be something to work on at the tracking seminar in 2 weeks...



And here he is playing with his favourite toy afterwards, as I practice platz (down), sit and out!



Jet's track
Please NOTE that I forgot her harness, but didn't want to put it off. I usually don't have her on a collar (for those who have commented!)

Jet has not tracked this year. I deliberatey laid a bit of a challenge to see where we are at, but had faith in Jet as she is one nice little tracker. She was a bit rough here, on the start, pulling a bit to the left and then casting on the corner. I used my Schutzhund articles and you can see her look at me and choose to disregard this piece of rug - until I call her back.



My memory card was full so I only got a portion of the next leg, and her very nice turn. Sadly, I was not able to videotape her nice article indications for more small SCH articles.

Finally a field!

The heatwave broke today, and it rained overnight, so I could hardly wait to get out tracking! Back home I had so many fields to practice tracking in, but here in Alberta I have not really found one, so do all my training in urban settings. I have a SCH tracking friend who has a field though, and he is at the Nationals this week in BC...so, I asked if I could train in "his" field, and it is OK! The field is only 20 minutes from my house. I am so happy to use it! Video is coming next, tonight, photos and description!
What a great night tonight. I took some video and Caden is really coming along. We are going to a SCH tracking seminar in two weeks, so I plan to get some work in ahead of time to be prepared. He had a load of fun playing with his ball later - and I practiced his sit and platz with the ball. I ran Ted on Caden's track afterwards, just to keep Ted interested. Ted's mission is just to find that toy so he can play. Mine is to keep him focused on the track. He seemed to beedle along quite nicely, but his little beedling legs took him right past the first corner. Funny that his weak area in herding (legs go too fast for brain) is the same in tracking!
I laid River a U track as we are mainly working on our starts and tweaking up her veg nose right now. Her start was good - I held the harness and did it like a restrained recall. Her turns were loosey-goosey. She likes non-veg so much more. So for now, she won't get it as much - it is really funny how they lose their veg nose and in River's case, all interest in veg. Tonight she really thought it was more for "marking" and I admit I got a bit frustrated - and she did buckle down near the end. I understood her wish to mark the field, since she had to sit in the car and watch every other dog track first. It should make her keen, but just makes her pissy! Well, literally I guess!
The little star tonight was Jet. I have decided it is time to get her working seriously towards her TDX and her UTD. Other than playing around with some HITT this spring, Jet has not seriously tracked this year. I laid her a TD length track with 3 turns and long legs. I also used my SCH articles for her, and put four down. She was not sure about the first one (rug) but with encouragement indicated. After that she indicated the rest. Her track was aged 1.5 hours - because I wanted to see just where we are at tonight, then develop a plan. Her first turn was a bit wobbly, but the next two were great - her 3rd being dead on. I also loved her pace - steady and sure. I am just super-excited about getting Jet out on the track again.
Jet was a great TD dog - the only one to pass at a test in Fall 2007, on a blustery rainy and windy fall morning. She aced her track, towing me along. I know I will love moving forward with her but was just waiting for the right timing!

River just needs fun, motivational maintenance now. And as you can see, she had a great time runnng around tonight just playing.

So it is Jet's turn to get some real work in on the tracking field. On the way home I let her ride on the front seat and she kept giving me little kisses. If you read the post below, you will know that it is quite an honour to be riding alongside a sweet and happy version of Jet! This could be the start of a beautiful relationship!

Jet's little blanket - Well, isn't that special?

Jet is such an enjoyable and bright little dog to live with. I honestly don't think I have ever had as smart a dog, even though sometimes she gets this "church lady" look on her face. Do you remember that skit on Saturday Night Live with Dana Carvey?

Jet often seems to be judging everyone and determining that she is surrounded by idiots. In the photo above, she is giving me the look. The quote from SNL was "isn't that special?" That was in the days of Dennis Miller, Jon Lovitz (the compulsive liar) and our own Martin Short (Canadian, from Ontario). I guess I am dating myself... the 80s were fun...

Anyhow - you be the judge

Church Lady*...

Jet...
I guess that in addition to 'church lady' (or instead of it!) you would expect me to compare Jet to Snoopy, but in fact, she is more like Linus with her lttle blanket (or dogbed) always at hand. I caught these pictures of her the other day, after she pulled her bed out of her doghouse, and brought it to the backyard so she could chew her bone in style.

Later the same evening, I was working on my computer, and looked down to see that she brought out a different dogbed out of a crate in the bedroom (which is a very convenient piece of furniture by the way, great for piling laundry on!). Here she is at my side on a dogbed she brought over. Heaven forbid Jet should lie on grass, or, the floor! Actually, she did muster up a smile for this photo.

"All-righty then!"

We are having quite a heatwave, so I have been keeping their water tub full of cool clean water. Caden loves to drop his Giggle Ball into it, then pull it out (over and over). As you can see, Jet has quite a bubble of space around her. Caden just hangs out by the pool. He is trying to make his Giggle ball look really interesting. He doesn't need a stupid dog bed or bone!


*Note that the above Church Lady photo is actually a Dana Carvey impersonator named Nick Tarr, from his website nicktarr.com - wow, great impression! Beow is a thumbnail of Dana Carvey in the role.
Well, isn't that special!

And, since I am a piano player (and I did play in a band way back when...around the SNL's golden days), I have to share this link to YouTube, even though it is not the Church Lady - it is Dana Carvey's "Choppin Broccoli" - fanastic! Such a good parady of a self-important rock star. He actually performed this song as his audition to SNL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3Hct1pL3-o&feature=related

See here for information on the heat wave - it has been over 30 C every day!

Heat wave hits regionreddeeradvocate.com - Red Deer,Alberta,CanadaBy Brenda Kossowan - Red Deer Advocate Inflatable boats and rafts are selling by the hundreds as people prepare for what will be one of the hottest weekends ...

Alberta Weather

It is dry, hot, cold, windy, muggy, hailing, raining, snowing and there is a tornado watch on today. I thought we had changable weather in Thunder Bay, but Alberta wins the prize for unpredictable weather and the risk of weather warnings and disasters always on the horizon.

Below is a photo of the sunroof of my car after a TORNADO touched down in Red Deer on July 4. Environment Canada confirmed today that is was indeed a tornado. Thankfully (unlike most Albertans) I had glass insurance to pay for this to be fixed!

See this link for the story - Storm upgraded Red Deer Advocate • Jul-22-2009 Central Alberta likely experienced its first tornado of the summer on July 4 when a thunderstorm roa… more

In Penhold where I live, we had hail - about 20 k south of the tornado. I didn't realize the hail had broken my sunroof, until July 5 when I parked in Calgary to attend the Stampede. My friend suggested I close my window because it looked like rain, and the glass just exploded into the back. Thankfully I was traveling without dogs.
Last Sunday at a herding trial in High River, people who live in this area were saying that the big clouds and muggy weather meant a storm was on its way. I left around 3 PM to drive up to my Schutzhund Club and on the way (80 km from the trial north to the club which is east of the airport) I saw this ominous cloud from Hwy 9 near Langdon.

I drove for about 5 more minutes, and this is what the cloud now looked like...and I thought for sure it was going to turn into a funnel cloud. I took this photo (below) then took off as fast as I could for the north, where the sky was clear. I drove through a horrible rainfall but emerged into clear weather. The cloud did go south to hover over the trial, but in the end, it was just a nasty storm cloud.

On a positive note, rain and humidity are GREAT for tracking!!!

My New Tent!

After spending a week in BC I decided that spending money on hotels is just not worth it when you spend from 6 AM to 10 PM out at a dog event and then with friends. Inspired by my friend Penny, I decided to research tents! I have loved camping all of my life, and I know the dogs would much prefer to sit in a campground than in a hotel room. Today I got my new 'home on the road' - a Marmot Earlylight Tent. The reviews are fantastic, and best of all it has a very big vestibule where I could tuck stuff or even two little Border Collie crates. I have already decided the German Shepherds will have to sleep in the tent, as they will keep me feeling safe - though municipal and provincial campgrounds are usually very family friendly. Check out the set-up video! No, this guy does not come with the tent, sadly!







I am looking so forward to using my tent that I may go to Banff for an overnighter in the next week or two for fun! I also bought myself a little portable stove that I can use to make myself morning coffee or boil some soup. I have been beside myself with excitement since the idea hit me - and am looking forward to going back to my roots, since I camped my whole life with my parents, mostly at Quetico Provincial Park in northwestern Ontario. I also camped for a short time as an adult but that was eventually replaced by other stuff and fell by the wayside. It will be a fun project to collect some new camping gear in a kit, having left most of my stuff behind when I moved.

This will be perfect for all of the herding and tracking events out west. I am really turning into a wild west woman LOL. I've booked my first reservation for Aug 8-9 when I will be in a tracking seminar in Edmonton for the weekend, and will try out the beautiful Rainbow Valley Campgrounds. Much better than driving home and back, even if Edmonton is only 1.5 hours away.

A good day herding for Jet the Border Collie and Zephyr the Smooth Collie

At the CKC / AHBA trials today at Louanne Twa's Phantom Ridge Ranch in High River - Jet was called upon for a very special job. She helped for a good part of the morning pushing reluctant sheep into Louanne's beautiful new sheep sorting chute while Louanne's Isla did all of the sorting and gathering and well, everything else. I worked Jet ON a leash and used the opportunity to work on walk-up, down, here and that'll do. As you can see, the sheep are not impressed by Jet's presence (by which I mean PRESENCE). Jet sometimes just shivered with excitement as she eyed them up. Needless to say, when the gate was lifted, the sheep were saying "Please, let us into that chute!" As I always say, Jet is the biggest dog I have ever had - and it has nothing to do with size!

For more stockhandling pictures, please visit Louanne's blog to see her Kelpie Risk and Jerry Kurbatoff's Kelpie Jedd. OK, when you look, you will see that in one or two photos they are NOT on a leash. Hmmpphhh! Show offs. http://phantomridgebordercollies.blogspot.com/
I donated the trophy for High Scoring Collie (Rough or Smooth) and was very excited when the only collie entered didn't just qualify but got HIT today, from the CKC Stockdog trial! The dog is Zephyr, owned by Marilyn Clayton of BC who did a wonderful job handling him. The judges, Barb Vandeford (WA) and Shelley Fritzke (BC) complimented Zephyr's calm and steady work. Go Collies! I have a special interest in Zephyr because the very last Breedlines column I ever wrote about Collies for Dogs in Canada magazine was called "Choosing Zephyr" and focused on Marilyn's quest for a Smooth Collie from conformation lines, who could "do it all." As Zephyr seems to have over 30 titles, 6 years later, I guess he was the right dog for her!Ted came for fun, but he didn't really find it much fun to watch, and not herd the sheep. Here he is at the end of the day wondering where they all went! As usual, he was Mr. Social, befriending everyone (probably hoping they would be better than me, and take him to sheep).

Memories of Bob Vest, herding clinician, dog trainer and friend

Special note - the tributes pouring in online are a testament to a life well-lived and a man who was very beloved by people all over the world. They are worth reading, to see what a positive influence Bob had. One of the things Bob recently told me was how proud he was to share the stage with Cesar Millan as they were both presented awards. Bob was helping change lives long before Cesar began to help people in similar ways in his work. I am happy Bob got that official recognition, but recognition of your peers and friends is what tells the real story. Please have a look - http://russellfh.com/obituary.aspx?MemberId=60765&MName=Robert%20Eugene%20

Me and Bob, with Ted and Shaman. Bob gave Ted 'Most Promising Started Other Breed' at an ASCA trial. He loved Ted and said 'you treat that dog right and he would die for you.' What a special day - Shaman finished his CKC HI to become the #1 Rough Collie in CKC herding for that year. Later, Bob gave me a bag of Evo dogfood, because Shaman had Cancer and Bob wanted me to give him a grain-free food. He gave it to me in private, not needing any public acknowledgement of a good deed. He was a very kind, good man. I am happy I knew him. (PS I have lost 40 pounds since this photo was taken! Yeah, I guess I have an ego...)

I guess many of you have read on the dog lists about Bob Vest passing away last weekend. His funeral is tomorrow, and I feel a great need to share some memories about him, because I am so sad about this news. I know that I am only one person of many who knew Bob and at that, a very small-time herder. I can’t believe how much I have to write about him! I was away in BC when I learned of his passing, but strangely had been thinking about Bob all week before he passed. He was on my mind constantly while I was entered in a tracking test, and I kept trying to remember his advice about positive thinking, and cherishing my time with my dog. Dogs are just happy to be with us and training can make that time together even more enjoyable.

I first met Bob in the mid-90s. Bob knew all of my dogs since Kate (who he said had a lot of heart) and helped me with all of them. He came to Thunder Bay every year, brought there by Tanya Wheeler of Tucker Creek Aussies. I hate to admit this, but I didn't really appreciate Bob until I got my Border Collies, Jet and Ted, even though he is known for being an Aussie man. I think it is because I had opened up to learning new things, and realized how much he had to share: when the student is ready, the teacher appears!

Every year, many of us would go religiously to Tanya’s and hear the same things from Bob, over and over. Some people even said to Tanya – Bob always tells me the same thing! I know now it is because a lot of people just didn’t improve and aside from saying “when are you going to practice these things?” all he could do was repeat himself in different ways and be encouraging.

When I got Jet and Ted, Bob became a different person. He was not a “Border Collie” person, but he did know and say things I have heard from the Border Collie trainers. Probably because his earliest teacher was Lewis Pence, who is also mentioned in the book Lessons from a Stockdogby Bruce Fogt. And I suppose that the greatest truths in herding have common denominators. I even recall Scott saying something very similar to a story Tanya sent to everyone (one of her memories) - that someone with dedication and faith could bring out the best in their dog and become the best team for it.

Bob had that old-timer wisdom and I believe he is among the first trainers who began to start freely sharing herding methods (BC and Aussie) with other all-breed people. Eventually he spent all his time traveling from clinic to clinic, become beloved by people across Canada and the United States. At one time there were rumours about his crossing his aussies with BCs. Whatever. There will always be rumours about people like Bob who become well-known. The important thing is that he focused on sharing and teaching and that seemed to be the outlet that gave him his rewards, allowing him to live his passion.

He always drove to Tanya’s and had his dogs with him. I just read on the online condolences that his dog Tyler has recently died - imagine that, not having to worry about what will become of your dog when you go. That dog only had eyes for Bob and it was a beautiful worker – and worked like a BC to my mind…the only aussie I have ever seen that really did, and I was blown over by it. Whenever Bob gave a clinic, his dog would find a spot in the shade (untied) where he could keep an eye on Bob. Bob started out with horses, and became interested in dogs.

Apparently Bob used the same names over and over on his dogs, with several Blues, Belle’s and Brownies. I found that funny. He didn’t fuss over his dogs, but I heard they slept on the bed. They seemed to adore him and were always calm and never walked on a leash – they were just glued to his side. He told me once that one of his favourite pastimes was to put a chair in the middle of a field and just ‘doodle’ by which he meant, move the sheep around and ask his dogs to do different and interesting things that simply came to mind while he sat there.

A lot of good things are being said about Bob – all true. He also worked with people with disabilities and illnesses, people in wheelchairs, people with Cancer and so on – because he wanted them to know the joy of herding. Bob would yell at people, and sometimes he would just turned his back on people who were working with their dogs and let them struggle. I learned over time that when he did that, it was because he grew tired of dealing with those who didn’t want to learn or listen, and people with egos. When he yelled at you, it was because he cared. When he got really nice and quiet and polite, it often meant he was pretty much through with you. He had the same gift I see in Scott Glen in that he remembered everyone, and remembered their names, and he always made people feel good about themselves and their dogs - a real gift. Both Scott and Bob have the same ability to convey their ideas so that you understand.

I scribed for Bob for two years in a row at Tanya’s and he just wanted to share, share, share; talking non-stop about what he saw and thought about runs. With beginners, he got over-excited and even though he was judging, he would jump up - sometimes his chair would even fall over -and he would start to yell tips to get them through their run. He had just reached this point where he did what he wanted, and he wanted people to do well.

Bob loved Jet and Ted. I think one of the reasons I have a soft spot for him now is because of how tickled Bob was that I was passionate enough to move ahead with my dogs and try to learn more. He did know Mac, Jet’s grandsire, in Georgia. He was friend with Ken Arrendale and knew Mac as a puppy and helped get him started. I was so shocked! But as much as he liked Jet, Bob adored Ted. I think he would have happily put Ted in his truck. He said "you treat that dog right and he would die for you." He was very impressed that Scott matched me up with Ted, and even asked for Scott's information to share with people. He felt Ted was the kind of Border Collie you used to see, but didn't see so much anymore and commented on how much Ted suits me.

Jet flanking around Stephie and her Aussie, getting used to a set-up dog at the top of the outrun, at one of Bob's clinic in Thunder Bay. Bob knew Jet's grandsire and his owner - Ken Arrendale and Mac, and was so thrilled to have her at his clinic.

He loved that we could go into bigger areas to work with Jet and Ted. I suffered from one or two cold shoulders because of my getting BCs and remember one person acting pretty childish about it in her behaviour - literally picking up her chair to move if I sat nearby. Bob didn't miss these things. He took me aside one morning in the hallway at Tanya’s house, and said “Donna, always remember that jealous eyes can’t hurt you. You have a vision and stick with it.”

He gave Ted “Most Promising Started Other Breed” at an ASCA trial he judged in 2007. The next day, Shaman my Rough Collie finished his Herding Intermediate title on ducks. Shaman was sick with Cancer and couldn’t herd sheep. I had very little experience with ducks and Shaman had less. During my run, the ducks only had to go through the centre chute and be re-penned and I had Shaman in the wrong spot and he was bringing the ducks to me across the mouth of the chute, when I wanted them to turn right and head for home. When this hit me, I panicked for a minute. Then, a miracle happened.

I still remember this like time stood still – out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bob looking up at the sun to see where it was in the sky. Maybe he was just bored, but I like to think it was a hint. I remembered that in his clinics, he talks about ducks being afraid of shadows because they are prey to hawks, and how this can be used to move them. I followed Bob’s lead and saw that if I stepped ahead, my shadow would fall on the ducks. I stepped ahead, and the ducks all stopped where they were and ran into the chute. I called Shaman to come bye, and bless his heart he did, and the ducks flew through the chute to their pen. I have never told anyone this, but it was one of those magical moments when every second counted. Shaman qualified for his last leg. And if you can believe it, that made him the #1 Rough Collie for herding in Canada for 2007!

Going for Shaman's qualifying ribbon. Bob, smiling and happy for us, like he was for everyone.

Shaman had been a very nice dog in his day and had better trials including a HIT (after my lessons with Scott in 2005). Bob had known Shaman since I brought him out as a puppy so it was a fitting end to Shaman’s career. The rest of the untold story is that Bob called me over to his truck later, and gave me a bag of Evo from the trailer. He wanted me to have some grain-free food to give to Shaman, and said it would be ‘between us.’ He had no need for public thanks or ego stroking. I really appreciated that about him.

Bob recommended a book to me many years ago to help me with my trial nerves. He helped a bit with the writing, as he knew the author and her father. It is about competing with Cutting Horses and called Cutting, One Run at a Time, by Barbara Schulte. Bob didn’t think there are any herding dog books that were comparable, as the book is about how to focus and use positive visualization, and how to learn from your mistakes and always improve your game. In Cutting Horse competition, I guess they are a team member with a horse and have only a few minutes to do the job. I got the book and I love it. I’ve used it for tracking too.

A girl named Stephie (pictured above) was traveling with Bob for the last few years every summer. She is from Switzerland and wanted to learn his methods so she could share them in Europe. I heard she was also writing down his ideas and memories and the plan was that she would ghost – write a book by Bob. I really hope she still writes something as he was an original, full of passion and a nice man.

What is really weird to me, is that the week before Bob died, I could not stop thinking about him. I was out tracking with my friend Dan and used a Bob Vest story to describe something to him about pressure. Bob would say that when you plug one hole in a bucket, another hole will pop open and if you don’t train right, you will lose all the water in the bucket. I was curious what other interpretations of this story were, so I wrote to the herding lists and got a huge number of responses from the American list. I am not sure if it was because it is July and I am used to seeing him every July, or why he came to mind. Someone was going to go to his clinic last weekend and ask him in person what he meant by that analogy. I asked her to tell Bob hello from Donna in Canada. She emailed me privately to tell me that he had died – it looked like a heart attack. I was surprised - and not surprised, but certainly very sad. Bob was very proud of his new dedication to healthy living and eating after some health scares, and it was something else he shared with people who would listen.

I keep shaking my head that because of my question to the list, everyone was suddenly talking about Bob’s ideas right before he died, and it was all so positive. I hope he read a few of those, or heard about them. They would have made him laugh, probably, but also would have let him know just how much everyone appreciated him over so many years.

We don't always do a good job of telling people what they mean to us when we still have them around. When I read his obituary (below) it barely seems to give enough acknowledgement to Bob’s passion and talent with dogs AND people, but I guess he did have ‘another life.' Many condolences to Bob's family and thanks to them for sharing him with us - we have all lost someone very special.

Big hug after Shaman qualified for his CKC Herding Intermediate title under Bob, on ducks. Shaman had Cancer and was unable to keep up with sheep. We pulled it off.

Last year I gave him a hug and a card and thanked him for being part of my herding journey and he said “It changes your life, doesn’t it?” I am grateful that I had that last chat and hug before I moved to Alberta. It was a hard time in my life and Bob was so supportive and encouraging about my move too – telling me how strong I would be, and that he was proud of me. He was very interested in my new boy Caden, from German Shepherd herding lines, and I know I will always wish Bob could see the things I do with my dogs in the future...maybe he can.

I had a feeling I would not see him again, as he never comes out west. He gave me his address and asked me to let him know how I was making out. Since I have not done anything noteworthy on the herding front since moving, I am sad to say I never wrote to him.

I have posted a picture of me in July 2007 with Bob and me, Ted and Shaman. (By the way, I have lost 40 pounds since then!) They say that we all create our own ‘families’ of people who come into our lives, and it is sort of hitting me that Bob felt like family. I know he was very close to Tanya, and I am very grateful to her for bringing him to Thunder Bay every year. I know this is a hard loss for her and my other friends in Thunder Bay as well and we are probably all having memories. I thought this blog would be my chance to talk about Bob, possibly for the last time.

He was such a force of nature, it is hard to believe we would lose him. Happy Trails Bob. We will miss you, but are honoured to have shared some time with you during this part of the journey.

Donna

Here is his obituary: if you want to see tributes to a man whose life was well-lived, please click on the link to Bob's obituary and read the emails coming in from all over the world.

Robert Eugene “Bob” Vest, 71, of Coggon, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, July 11, 2009. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 17, 2009, at Stewart Memorial United Methodist Church, 212 E 4th St, Vinton with Pastor Lanette Sue Van officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 16, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home, 1212 First Ave, Vinton and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Following services, his body will be cremated.

Bob was born November 19, 1937, in Vinton, the only son of Robin and Alberta Aten Vest. He graduated from Washington High School in Vinton. Bob worked various jobs throughout his life, such as for the City of Cedar Rapids and Benton County. He also did tuckpointing and worked for D.C. Taylor. Some of his jobs were also his hobbies. He worked as a horse trainer and participated in shows; he also worked as a farrier shoeing horses. He took special interest in helping lame horses. He traveled the world as a dog clinician and was a gifted dog trainer.

Bob is survived by two daughters: Elaina (Dennis) Kriegel of Coggon and Carolyn Trinkle of Cedar Rapids; four sisters: Dona Vest, Bernice Wilson and Carol (Dick) Wood, all of Vinton, and Cathie (Jim) Struck of Marion; eight grandchildren: Nathan (Nicole) and Sarah Trinkle, Tyler Trinkle-Pender, Dawn (Mark) McCormick, Brandon Kriegel, Jesseca Zaruba, Shannon and Dusty Kriegel; and four great-grandchildren: Emily and Brenna Trinkle, Eva Zaruba and Braydon Kriegel. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister: Emma Thomsen; two brothers-in-law: Wallace Wilson and Ralph Thomsen; and one nephew, Robert Allen Thomsen. Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Bob and his family.

Online condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.


http://russellfh.com/obituary.aspx?MemberId=60765&MName=Robert%20Eugene%20"Bob"%20Vest

My Tracking Line

Well, I am packed and ready to go to BC where I am entered in a UTDX test with River. At some point this evening, I realized I was missing MY TRACKING LINE. I was out training on Tuesday night in the pouring rain, and I suddenly pictured my line, lying on the parking lot. It is a beautiful orange line made of mountain climbing rope. Surely it was gone, I thought! I pictured it being used to tie down someone's ATV on a trailer, or some such thing.

I did what any tracker would do - had a fit, cried, and fantasized about canceling all of my plans.

Then I called my Schutzhund tracking friend Dan, because he trains in the same location a lot. I asked him to keep an eye out for my line. Dan and his wife Susan actually drove there, found my line and brought to my house! I was so thrilled! Hugs all around.


The trip is back ON. And look how beautifully wound up my rope is! I took a picture, because it will never look like this again. A good omen, now!
This is Dan and Ali after completing a successful track at the Prairie Regionals, where Dan placed 2nd overall. After he is done, he coils that line right up. I think he winces when he sees me fiddling with my line! If I am going to do SCH I need to learn to coil mine up, too.

Thanks Dan and Susan!

Jenny Glen and Lad at the World Stockdog Championship Trial, Calgary Stampede 2009

I attended this trial on Sunday July 5 and watched 80 handlers from across Canada and the US compete. Each handler had 4 minutes to do a gather, put 3 sheep in a figure 8 around two barrels, then come around the handler, drive up through a side chute, and finish by penning the sheep. The sheep were tough, and tended to face off the dogs and do a lot of stomping. It was a tough trial but in this run Jenny and Lad make it look easy. They had the second fastest time of the day of 2:27 minutes. Randy Dye of Bowden Alberta won the day with 2:18 with his dog (I think it was Sweep). Albertans did fantastic at this trial with many making the final cut. The overall winner (as I heard last night over the phone) was Pam Boring of British Columbia. Congratulations to everyone! You can read more about Lad under Trial Dogs at http://www.altapetestockdogs.com/

I wish I had brought my real video camera, this was filmed with my little Panasonic Lumix.

What do dog trainers do on Canada Day?

Well at the Calgary German Shepherd Schutzhund Club, they trained! I love dog people who are this passionate. We all brought some goodies and enjoyed like-minded company.

This is Brian and Ali. Ali was the #1 Bouvier in the World two years ago, competing in Germany. He has an amazing list of accomplishments, and just won the Prairie Regional Championships. I wonder if training under a double rainbow has any secret mythical powers?
There's Ali's last Out at the Prairie Regionals. I just happened to be in the right spot at the right time to get this photo. The Calgary Club did well, with first and second place and between several members won the Club trophy for total points too. I am new to SCH so can't add to much to that - however I am appreciating the great training tips from such seasoned competitors.

The sky was the scene stealer that day, as the weather could not make its mind up. I love the Alberta sky. Club members worked around on July 1 on the grounds. Below is the entrance to the club, decorated with some haybales for the Stampede Week. Boy, all of Calgary gets onboard with the Calgary Stampede. Check out the beautiful sky!

And here is my car TWOLVES. I tried really hard to get a picture of Ted. Ted is such a mild-tempered dog, but that afternoon he sat in my front seat and got really into the Schutzhund spirit. During the training, he started to bark quite seriously in the front seat. Every time I went towards the car he would grin at me and smile and pin his ears back. I finally had to hide and take this from a distance - the REAL Ted, coming out of his shell! Nose pointed in the air as he barks.

Sucky Ted pretending he is just mildly watching from the window...

Ted and Jet sleeping on the way home. Caden and River are in crates behind my seat. Jet claimed the seat, so Ted crawled in-between. Watching SCH can make a dog tired!

For more sky shots, please visit my photo blog (http://spiritdancephotoblog.blogspot.com/ )

Introducing Alberta Tracking

Introducing - Alberta Tracking
http://albertatracking.wordpress.com



I have started up a separate blog that will focus on Alberta Tracking - the link is http://albertatracking.wordpress.com/. The photo on the blog header was taken at a field east of Calgary. Love the big sky!

This is the welcome message, to give you an idea of the blog focus:

This blog is created to act as a gathering place for information related to tracking in Alberta. Please visit regularly to find out about training opportunities, clinics and seminars, upcoming tests, rules and regulations and test results. Links will also direct you to some great tracking chat groups where you can carry on conversations and ask questions. Find people who are like-minded souls and want to share and train together! I hope that here in Alberta we will soon see more tests, including urban tests! With the enthusiasm and commitment of the trackers in Alberta, we should all be very optimistic about what the future holds for tracking in Wild Rose Country. This blog will also provide resources for tracking-related activities in neighbouring Provinces and States.