Neighbors - can't live with em, can't live without them...blah!

Today my lovely neighbors to the northwest called me when I was in the middle of the job. Of course I saw their name come up on the call display, and thought to myself "what now?" so I didn't answer. Instead I thought it would be best to just check the messages and see if its anything important. Yes, she left me a message and this is what it was:

"ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" - in a moany painful sounding tone. I rolled my eyes and thought WTF!!! Better call her back, maybe at her age she could be having a heart attack, God only knows. So when I returned the call there was no "Hi Kelly how are you?" Just a simple rude "they're back over here.... ahhhhhh...... So I responded: "what? horses or sheep? "Its the sheep they are back .... they've crossed on to our pasture and they were heading this waybut now they've turned back and are on your pasture" So I calmly say: "so they are on OUR north pasture?" She says "yes, but they're close to ours..

Ok, first off - OH MY GOD!!!! Seriously? Having a nervous breakdown because my sheep are in my pasture but close to crossing over? They are ONLY sheep!!! Not the end of the world or anywhere close to it. AND on top of it all, this is coming from people who back in the 80's ranched this exact same place with over 800 head of cattle! So do they mean to say that not once did they have cattle get out? Honestly, I would be embarrassed to cause hell over something so ridiculous. Seniors have nothing better to do then look out their windows and watch for things to go wrong...it drives me crazy!

I have a friend in Alberta who is a cowgirl and stock dog person who too has sheep for training the dogs. She told me about a time when her sheep got out and went over to the church and grazed in their yard. The minister phoned and complained so she figured she'd fix this the first time so they'd never complain again (everyone knows that #1-sheep like to die & #2 sheep are always getting out!). She chased some cows over there too, a bunch of dogs and a truck and put on her own little rodeo on their lawn...lol.! The more & more I think about it, I may just have to do the same thing! Guessing there would be no more phone calls after that, a few sheep wouldn't hurt anything after all :D Ugh...bastards!

I thought of photo school today....

So today at the vet clinic....the memories all came back! I prepared large batches of developer & fix! Yes! AND, not only that...but I developed x-rays in the dark room! Ha ha....good times! Was very strange to inhale those fumes again....a small part of me would have to say that I almost missed them.

An interesting day indeed...I also helped out in my first surgery....holy crap is there alot to know...overwhelming, but I loved it. Tommorow, back in there again...with my notebook! A full morning of neuters and spays...yeeehawwww! For starting a new job, I have to say I felt more comfortable than any other new job that I've started...that must say something!

Animal health rocks!

The latest!

Well, I haven't posted anything "photo" related these days. Not that I don't want to but just seems like I have many things on the go lately. As anyone who knows me is well aware, photography is not the "only" thing going on in my life, nor would I want it to be that way. I'm a firm believer in not putting all of ones eggs into one basket! I've been there done that! There was a time in my life when all I did was eat - sleep - breathe horses. From sun up to sun down, I was either feeding, training or cleaning up after horses. It was great for a while, but people can easily suffer from burn out, if you just focus on one thing. It wasn't the horses that caused the burn out for me...it was the people I had to deal with in the horse industry. Although, horse people are generally my #1 companions, along with my dog friends...things can change with differences of opinion and when money exchanges hands. Making a living can bring on a whole new range of frustrations when something no longer becomes a hobby but your only means of survival.

So, I learned that I no longer wanted to focus on one thing. I felt the only way to stay fresh in everything I did was to keep variety in my life, and not to become dependant on one way to pay the bills. Now, I guess in some respect, I've kinda become the jack of all trades and next week the list will be expanding. Along with photography, pet grooming, boarding, farming...horses & dogs as my hobby....I will also start working as a vet assistant part time! Yep, a job I've always wanted to do! I will be starting next week at the clinic! I'm really looking forward to the job...been working out of the clinic as a groomer now since fall time, but now I'll be doing more around there. Yippeeee! Did I mention that I love blood, guts, and virtually anything animal health related? So here I go again....another adventure....and more training!

Other than that for news, I had another photo shoot. I absolutely love to photograph seniors. The elderly and the young are my preferences...and I think seniors have a wonderful beauty about them! Not only that, but many people forget to take the time to photograph family members in their later years. We always document the special occasions; weddings, engagements and kids as they grow...but what about taking the time for our parents and grandparents. Sometimes by the time we think of it it's too late.

Anway, here are some photos I took of a couple of lovely ladies! Aren't they beautiful? I think so!

Gotta Love It!

If you're a fan of Australian Shepherds, you'll likely have heard of Jay Sisler & his performances back in the day. If you're not a fan of Aussies, then you likely will be after you watch these acts. What an amazing trainer, I can't imagine how much time went into these dogs. AND, I must say....the monkeys barrel racing on Aussie dogs...totally crack me up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejioz8N9h3U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzD1DvhLtRg&feature=related

OMG...This video is so awesome!!!!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/extreme-sheep-art-video_n_176341.html

mmmmm....puppy breath!

"Mario" - red merle male

"Luigi" - red merle male
*above 2 tentatively reserved.

"Spot" - red merle male
*reserved.


"Johnny Test" - red tri male



"Pokemon" - red tri male

"Spongebob Squarepants" - red tri male

*one of the above red males reserved, 2 are available.

"Princess Peach" - red merle female

*reserved.

"Chloe" - red tri female

"Daisy" - red bi female

*Both of the above red females are reserved.

*My son helped me with the crazy names :))

Ah yes, nothing like the smell of puppy breath! Unless you've ever raised a litter you would probably think that sounds nuts!

Here are the Kasey x Coco babes at 4 days old! Starting to look like lil Aussie dawgs now!!

Aussie Pups Are Here!

Puppies arrived last night....9 in total. Sire: Mount Joy's Kasey Dam: Cherico's Treasure Of Mountjoy STDs. Reg'd Australian Shepherds, all working bred litter, carrying the lines of Hangin Tree & Las Rocosa.

1st pics of the "bobbleheads" are up on: www.mjfarmsstockdogs.blogspot.com