Jest Another Day in Pear-A-Dice - Higgins Rat Ranch Conservation Farm in Alberta

[drumstick diva]

Thank you after loads of pictures and loads more of words, I feel content, for the moment. I faltered for a second when you mentioned that slushie, white stuff word. TOO early. I can't believe you have to gear up for the 'you know' AW it was just yesterday that you put that icky stuff away. I can't believe you have such bumper crops with so short a season. Must be Tara magic.

 

[scottcaddy]

Thanks Tara!
Scott

 

[CanuckBock]

Heel low:

Gardens here DD have about 90 days to do what they gotta. Choose early and hardy plantings and we do OK at it. Corn tassled but not sure we'll get any cobs. I use to start them in peat pots inside to get a jump, then under cloches and I would get cobs to eat...here and on the Coast (Nor Van Isle).

Sep 9 2015 - the bookends

Photos from today...

First the inspection of the tillings...meets up with dog approvals.

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Inspection of the mowing by Rick of the Point...

All the grass is now one length...​

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Some comic relief...

How much is that doggy I see in the refection of the greenhouse glass...??

Don't Lacy jest seem so taken by her own image!​

Not sure how clear this one will come out, so post one of the scene to set it...then a close up of the "face" (see, not jest Lacy is a goofus...)

And now fer the close up...

"Nummy...the only way a girl can be guaranteed to get enough fiber in her diet, eh! By eating oat straw."​

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Sep 10 2015

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Watchin' the ruminants graze in the Ram Pasture...

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Amazing...Emmy can leap this high...

Overturned stock tank in the new orchard that will be a sunken water plant pond in future​

Lookit that attitude...even giving Lacy the "nay nay" from on top the tank! What a brat dog!

OK...riddle fer the pupper fans...which one of the two girls would do this.

I am doing duck chores, from the time it took me to go inside ONE pen and out, putting just feed in a pan, which one of the ladies (I use the term ladies loosely here!), one of the ladies stuck their head inside this one gallon plastic chick waterer and CONED themselves? Well, which gal would be doing that?

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One clue, it was exactly their four month "birth"day that day...

Doggone & Chicken UP!

Tara Lee Higgins
Higgins Rat Ranch Conservation Farm, Alberta, Canada

 

[scottcaddy]

Both would, I don't know who did it first.
Scott

 

[perchie.girl]

the more I see her the more I like Lacy... She would be the perfect color for here... nice stout legs and feet.

To be honest I have only had bad experiences with other peoples cattle dogs. Its nice to view them as they should be...

deb

 

[drumstick diva]

I would say Emmy but, no! I think she would get Lacey to do it so if it turned out badly, she could laugh at her.

 

[drumstick diva]

Incidentally how did Emmy get up on the stock tank? Did she climb, pole vault, or beam herself up? She seems to have some scary powers.

 

[CanuckBock]

Heel low:

Emmest simply saw a source of water she could walk about slurping up so she leaped up on the upside down stock water tank. <<BROING!!!>>

Lacy has not attempted it yet, but she was not that thirsty at the time, less motivation.


So who had the unquenchable curiosity to stick their entire head into a vision compromising chick watering container? Same dog that shredded her crate pad.

That would be Lacy. Interesting to note, the moment the "seeing" stopped, Lacy just sat down. I came out and thought, "Lucky!" Sometimes dogs freak right out and run about frantic, Lacy just set her butt down where it happened and waited for me to rescue her. I laughed when I saw it and popped it off. I am truly hoping she has answered her question as to what was inside it (water residues!). Lacy banged her paw the first week here...you could hear the "thump" so I knew it hurt. She never cried out, she just lifted her paw and three legged hopped over for hugs. "Mom, I've hurt my paw, please hug me and make it better." And so I did.

Tyrants at the tuggy timber - Sep 2, 2015​

Deb, I doubt anyone would ever appreciate any Cattle Dogs that run about at large. They need to be contained and kept under lock and key unless out in ACD proofed areas where they can do what comes natural; like shred things, bite, bounce, leap, dig, splash, run, bark, burn off what seems like an unending supply of energy (puppy playground has been a blessing indeed). Even these two would instantly be holy terrors if allowed to be out and about into whatever they fancied. I have heard stories about people containing them in bathrooms only to open the door and find the very walls have been munched and crunched up. They are a very lovely breed; when amused, when fed, pottied, and working at becoming tired and therefore contented. Mantra, "tired Cattle Dogs are GOOD Cattle Dogs." Dream come true versus worst nightmares.

Having intelligence, bodies capable of achieving their every whim, and temperaments hinged upon great stubbornness...all mean they could make horrific neighbours if not kept in check.

Sept 2, 2015​

Rick and I have been Cattle Dog trained by the five previous members of our pack. I could say this puppy round is easier than any other before, but I think having a thick skin and just shaking your head (plastering a grimace on yer face helps..."Oh goody!") when they do what comes natural and just not getting emotional about it, has certainly saved us lots of grief. Knowing the containment setup required (Emmy has no top and no brass snaps on her kennel doors and yet Lacy has to have a top always down and two brass snaps to back up keeping the door closed), what toys are Cattle Dog approved, how to feed, how much exercise is required, and everything you DO teach them as pups is in there someplace that surfaces when you least expect it.

"Hi, my name is Emmy and I'm wired on my fourth cup of coffee..." <<blink blink>>

I tend to laugh and shrug..."OK gals, what have you in store for us next that we get side swiped over?"

Time fer me to put the crew away fer their morning nappies so I can go do the morning bus run.

Tis FLYday...YAH!

Doggone & Chicken UP!

Tara Lee Higgins
Higgins Rat Ranch Conservation Farm, Alberta, Canada

 

[scottcaddy]

Having intelligence, bodies capable of achieving their every whim, and temperaments hinged upon great stubbornness...all mean they could make horrific neighbours if not kept in check.

That sounds like some dogs I have seen at other peoples places and, were not kept in check at all.
Scott

 

[CanuckBock]

Having intelligence, bodies capable of achieving their every whim, and temperaments hinged upon great stubbornness...all mean they could make horrific neighbours if not kept in check.

That sounds like some dogs I have seen at other peoples places and, were not kept in check at all.
Scott

Agreed. There are all sorts that have dogs that they should not have. Too much dog, not enough devotion and educated owners I guess, eh!

Australian Cattle Dogs are meant for real dog persons...ones that want to spend most all their time with the dogs and have the constant challenge of seeing that the dogs are behaving acceptably. I figure cave persons would have found it grand to have a dog or two like this by their side for getting by. Nowadays, where canines (excluding service dogs) are not welcome everywhere humans go, not so much.

Kaleski drew up the first Standard for the ACD breed in 1897...he also wrote the now famous Barkers and Biters book on the ACDs.

In 1813, the Australian pioneers were settling vast areas of suitable grazing land for cattle. The European working dogs they had brought with them worked just fine in the Sydney metropolitan area where stock was brought short distances to market. But for the colonization of the interior, the European dogs could not stand up to the climate, terrain, great distances and general working conditions. Stock let loose on the large cattle stations were not accustom to people or dogs. They were not at all controllable and a new breed of dog was needed to muster these wild cattle on the unfenced grazing land and in rugged bushland.

The Australians desired a silent, forceful working dog that could withstand temperature extremes, tirelessly travel great distances and herd livestock on the open range or in close confines. The resulting Australian Cattle Dog met these requirements and proved to be indispensable, both as a loyal family companion and an intelligent working stock dog. Mr. Robert Kaleski wrote the first standard for the breed in 1897.

Tara Lee Higgins - March 7, 1999
Historian - Australian Cattle Dog Club of Canada

With cattle getting very tame now (one may walk amongst them...use to be only persons on horseback could get near them) and outfits not being entire unfenced sections of bush land...the need for the rough and ready stock dogs has dwindled. A real ACD is a huge liability to get sued when they BITE the company, eh! Many have cattle that come when the tractor fires up. No need to cut out cows when you have cattle handling systems designed for one person to operate.

The ACD is a breed that is dying like the Old West has. Rick and I like the old Western values and ways and by keeping the old style dogs going on, it is a bit of the conservation of a life that no longer really exists. I mean, back in the 70's people began playing they were cowboys...rhinestones and all get up's!

The ACDogs and us ARE dying breeds. I quite frankly cannot remember the last time I saw an ACD as of late. About ten years now since I have really seen many--the usual are those Border Collie types...to me that is way too soft a dog but people seem to like them and have 'em. I have seen crosses of Borders with what might have been ACDs...but they too are WAY too soft tempered to suit moi. They are the kinds that usually cower and run back for home/barn if you raise your voice or the business at hand gets rough and rowdy like.

ACDs are the kind of dog that meets a fist with a savage bite back...that take a kick by a bull and dive right back in to teach that beast a lesson about NOT biting hurting the dog! I am talking about the dogs that ripped the butt outta yer jeans for daring to come too near to their property.

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Tara Lee Higgins - April 9, 2000
Historian - Australian Cattle Dog Club of Canada:

Sep 11 at the tire jump ​

Lacy is cutting in her adult canines...ouch eh. So she gets fridge cold carrots to chew upon to sooth her gums and alot more tolerance should she act up a bit more than usual. Hee hee...man alive, I would not like to be toothing it out with adult canines coming in!

I checked Emmy's mouth, she's still got all her baby needle teeth when it comes to the canines. See photo above of her partially open mouth.


- R.A.S. Annual of New South Wales, 1911 in regards to ACDs:

The majority were beautifully marked blue or red speckled dogs, exactly like a small, thick-set Dingo, boiling over with work, and as sensible as Christians.​

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Dogs are fidgeting...so off this trio goes... to BITE THE DAY, eh!

Doggone & Chicken UP!

Tara Lee Higgins
Higgins Rat Ranch Conservation Farm, Alberta, Canada

Edit - Bulls don't BITE but Cow Dogs sure do...