Maybe you remember that in April we sent our Border Collie, Carly, back to Georgia with breeder/trainer Brian Cash for three months of herding training. Boy, was that a tough thing to do since she’d become such a big happy part of our farm life! But we bought her as a pup to give her a good upbringing and then have her trained so she could help us with the sheep, so we had to let her go.  Here’s Carly and me with Brian back in April. (The other merle dog is Neal, Carly’s dad.)

Fast forward to July, and it was time to go to Georgia to get Carly. I was afraid she wouldn’t remember me, but she was so excited to see us! Brian put her out with some of his sheep and we were impressed by all she had learned and excited to work with her, too. We had three lessons with her and with some of the other dogs, and now we know just how much more training WE need. I’ve been looking for someone close by to help me with that training, but no luck so far. If anyone knows of any trainers (herding dogs) please let me know.

Before we left Georgia, Brian told us about a dog he had that he was looking for a home for….a good, well-trained dog that just didn’t have what it takes to advance to herding trials. He thought our farm would be perfect…she would be a companion and yet would still be able to work the sheep with us, with really no expectation of anything other than just being our farm dog. We slept on it overnight and then, the next day, we asked to meet her and ultimately decided to adopt her into our family. We are so grateful to have Blaire (thank you, Brian!) in our lives and on our farm! She is the sweetest girl, and a fast learner. You can see her with Carly on my farm golf cart below:

Blaire’s first lesson was learning to “load up” on the golf cart and stay there until I call for her to get down. It only took a few days before I could take both of the dogs into the sheep pastures with me on the golf cart, and they would both stay put while I fed everyone and cleaned and refilled water tanks. If one of them “forgets” and gets down, they will load back up and stay when I tell them to….even if it’s from across the pasture! Smart girls!

Carly loves to play, and grew up chasing and wrestling with our lab, Brody. (Below)

Blaire doesn’t seem to know how to play with Carly, and she’ll come hide her face under my arm when Carly tries to get her to play. I hope that changes with time, and I’m sure it will. In the meantime, I don’t mind cuddling with her until she figures out how to have fun with our little dog pack.

Come see Blaire, Carly, and Brody on Sunday afternoons from 1:00-5:00 (you can see them in the kennels, and also Rosie & Daphne and Claire & Avery, and a multitude of chickens and the breeding rams) when you come to stock up on honey, fresh eggs, and Pennsylvania Dutch style home baked cookies, cakes, and bread. Enjoy the end of summer with a visit to Fox Trot Farm.

EIEIO
Debbie