Archive for January, 2007

Puppy population explosion!

She’s done it. Connie’s had her first litter.

They arrived in a flurry of high drama overnight. We had to rush our other Kelpie, Gippy to the vet and seeing as Connie had seemed to stall on her whelping, the vet suggested I bring her in too for an ultrasound. Read more…

Out of action

 

John came in from moving a mob in the bush yesterday with a very sick looking Gippy.

She was tucked up and could barely move.

We took her straight to Manty, my friend the vet. She ruled out ticks then snake bite but still Gip’s heart was racing and she had a high fever.

Here she is in hospital. We’ll find out today how she is, but it’s a worry.

She’s our main, most experienced worker and my good mate. Here’s hoping she’ll come good.

The pups are on their way!

 
Here’s Connie as I tucked her into bed last night with her belly full of pups.
 
Two hours later, she is nesting, getting ready to whelp! The pups are on their way. I checked her several time through the night and sat with her for a time.

She curled up next to me, seeking reassurance. I sat with her for a time as I know what first time motherhood is like! Bloody painful and scary!

Today we are just watching and waiting for contractions to start — and phoning Mat and Margie Johnson for advice and my friend Manty the vet! I’m not ususally this nervous with litters — but Connie is such a special girl, my heart’s all a-flutter.

Watch this space for a puppy-update soon!

Getting out and about at Blue Hill

It’s important to expose your young dog to as many different situations as possible.

That’s why we jumped at the chance to go ‘play dogs’ at our friends place, Blue Hill Working Kelpies at Mt Seymour.

After a big feed, James and Katrina took us out to their training set-up to give Rousie a burl round the sheep.

They had particularly ‘sticky’ sheep which was a change from our ‘runny’ hoggets.

For Rousie, there was also different smells, noises and dogs. It’s all a great way of ensuring your dog will work with you no matter what the situation.

If Rousie is to perform at the Casterton Auction where it’s noisy, busy and full-on, we need to get him out and about.

We like to make our training social for both us and the dogs. It’s a chance to have a catch-up and a motivator to get training!

Here’s Katrina giving her young dog, Harry a run at backing.

Incidentally James and Katrina’s 12 year old Kelpie, Kate, won Tasmanian Dog of the Year. Well done the Blue Hill!

Dog’s day out

It was all action yesterday at Parattah for the CopRice Champion of Champions Series.

John and I took the kids for a look at the Tasmanian Working Sheepdogs.

I heard it said yesterday that three sheep trialling is like dressage in horses.

It requires precision and finesse. Watching the dogs manouver the sheep around the obstacles was a sight to behold.

We saw our Max’s full brother in action. We could recognise the similarities in their work.

Lee Jamieson, who sold us Max suggested we have a go at the sport. With a dog like Max (who actually won the novice with Lee last year), we could have some fun.

Here’s a couple of Tassie’s well known dog men and their famous dogs, Paul Jones with Belle and Malcolm Taylor with Floss and Charlie.

On the paddock is Lionel Farrell with Scottie.

The Rouseabout

Here’s the cover blurb of my next novel The Rouseabout — due out soon in April/May

Kate Webster, a loveable larrikin, likes to play hard now and worry about the consequences later.

At 19, unhinged by the death of her mother, she takes on a dare at one of Australia’s wildest rural social events – a Bachelors & Spinsters ball.

Drunk, wearing a red dress and work boots, she sets off to win a dare to ‘scalp’ gorgeous farm boy Nick McDonnell. It’s a dare that will change her life forever …

After the ball, instead of starting a new life at agricultural college away from her grieving father and pressures of the family farm, Kate discovers she is pregnant.

Now, years on, with toddler Nell by her side, it’s time for Kate to return home to face the music, and the father of her child.

Set on the beautiful island of Tasmania, where Rachael Treasure farms and once kicked up her own heels at B&S balls, The Rouseabout is a funny and moving story about motherhood, Bundy rum binges, life and lambing.

The Stockman

The idea for The Stockmen began in 2002 when John and I went to the Casterton Kelpie Auction.

We were celebrating and commiserating the sale of our eight-month old Kelpie pup, Taxi, with festival organiser Ian O’Connell.

We had made $2,000 for the pup, but selling him had left me sad … what better thing to do than drown my sorrows with friends. It was after midnight and we were still ‘talking dogs’ and drinking red wine when Ian showed me a poem by Casterton’s local poet Peter Dowsley. Read more…

Back in the Bovine Business

We’re back in the bovine business! After selling out of cattle four years ago to buy into dad’s sheep farm, we’re now cattle barons again!

All seven head of them! The older gal’s preg tested and in calf. Here they are getting off the truck — a momentous occasion.
Read more…

Tassie Devils down and out

Last night we witnessed the most pitiful sight. Just on dusk, an emaciated Tasmanian Devil limped right past our house.

Her spine was curved over, stomach caved in, back leg dragging and fur so mottled with mange, she looked almost white on her haunches.

When we first moved into our house four and a half years ago there was a family of healthy, happy devils living in our creek gully.
Read more…

Getting dogs and horses used to each other

A question came in recently about how to get dogs and horses working together. To be honest it’s something I’ve never thought about — we just do it!

I didn’t even think to document Rousie’s introduction to horses as it’s ingrained in what we do. I guess to break it down, we ensure we have quiet horses to start with; this is Jess, she’s my very quiet (and chunky) horse that will cart a crook 40 kilo wether and me on her back and not flinch.
Read more…