Hurricane Deck

Day 2, Sunday As I have detailed before here ,I go hunting and hiking quite a bit by myself. I am always prepared for just about any emergency and I take great pride in that – plus a year or so back I splurged and bought a SPOT Tracker for emergencies, and I also buy search and rescue insurance. My best line of preparation when going at it alone is that I always let someone know when I am going, exactly where I am going, what I plan on doing, and when I plan on returning. So one would think that on my many treks from which I have safely returned, that my husband would think me capable of somewhat being able to care of myself, right? WRONG. On School Section Mountain, the husband and I decided to split up. He would take one side of the mountain, and I would traverse the other. Little did I know that he was trying to keep me in his sight; for what reason, I have no idea. I was merrily going along my way, looking into groups of pine trees and groves of aspens, stopping to listen,

A beautiful but chilly Saturday morning found us high on a hilltop scanning several valleys below before sunrise. Unfortunately, even from our high vantage point there were no elk to be seen once the morning was light enough to illuminate animal that was perhaps lingering over the grass. We took out the maps and quietly formulated a plan to drive further west to a patch of promising timber. Our first sign that something was amiss was a backpack left by an outcropping of rocks. We were supposed to be the only hunters on this particular section of a ranch, and it looked like we weren’t. It wasn’t hard to spot the trespassers since they had decided to stay out of the tress and instead traverse a meadow. I caught up with them and asked them their business, their names, and then asked them to leave. I had a difficult time believing, that with a backpack full of maps and a GPS unit, that they had no idea they were on private property. My husband, father in law and I decided to split u

While I am busy putting together a post about dog paws, I will entertain you with a story that I wrote in March of this year regarding my experience in the Best In Show ring. Enjoy! I was inspired by the laughing of my sister Rochelle to write down this memory of my Best in Show ring experience at the last dog show I was at. No, we didn't win, but a grin from one of you might be worth the headache I was experiencing!! Sniper and I happily got a group one - woohoo! I was VERY excited to take him into the ring and maybe snag one of those Best In Show ribbons. However, things took a turn for the worst when I got sandwiched in between a woman with a Shiba Inu who had no idea how to bait or even work with her dog, and a very large woman in a flowing skirt who had a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (or however you spell it - small, fuzzy dog whose eyeballs look like they are going to come out of its head). Shiba Inu woman was showing a dog that could really care less where it was. Howeve

It feels like I haven't taken the dogs out hunting in forever. All of my free time (and most of my money too) has been taken up by the project that is the basement. I am attempting to turn the basement into a decent dog space - on one side there is an epoxied floor and will be this shower wall type plastic wall covering on the bottom 4' of the walls. On the other side of the basement will be my ginormous freezer (and I am hoping to add a second), a fridge for dog stuff, shelving for storage, a washer and dryer for dog blankets, a utility sink for washing dogs in and a couch and a television - and carpeted floors. The whole place will be a retreat for me and the dogs. My husband has his shop - so I need a place of my own! Last weekend was a dog show, and I am proud that Heidi Hoser the Three Toed Wonder earned her Grand Champion title. Rodear earned 2 legs toward her Grand Champion title, and she needs 3 more. Sniper took 3 out of 4 best of breed wins, which will put him b

I, in my infinate inability to keep my mouth shut, offered someone training advice on a public forum for their resource guarding Rat Terrier. I told them that when he does the growling bit, calmly walk over, pick him up by the scruff of the neck, and put him in his kennel for a few hours. In my own experience with Ratties, this works pretty well because the dog learns that if you attempt to guard something, you will be corrected and then removed from your treasure and the rest of the pack. I didn't think that this was in any way controversial. Oh, how wrong I was! I found out that I might as well have told her to punt the dog like a football across the room, because that is what "scruffing" is to the "All Positive" fanatics. Of course, their suggestions would lead to reinforcement of the behavior or out and out terror. There were two camps - the first camp said to "redirect the dog's behavior by offering it a treat to give up it's treasure

I am a great peruser (is that a word?) of Rat Terrier websites, more specifically other breeders' websites. On many websites I see the words "hunt[ing] ability" and "prey drive" used over and over, and I wonder what exactly those words mean to those breeders. I found a good definition here, that "prey drive [is the] the canine’s inherited need to engage in the type behaviors that would lead to the capture of food if they were in the wild." In my experience, a prey driven dog means "if it is small and fuzzy and moves fairly quickly the dog will try to kill whatever it is." A highly prey driven dog will attempt to kill without regard to life or limb or it's owner screaming at it to get the hell out of the road. Those kinds of dogs rarely make good family pets mostly due to their owner's inability to maintain good control over the dog. Supposedly, one can redirect a highly driven prey dog into a highly driven performance dog in one venu

Yesterday's visit with Tim Brown made me start thinking about terrier puppies, or more specifically, what may be wrong with terrier people. I am a little ahead of myself, so let me explain. Tim was impressed with Jada because of her bad, sassy little self. During our visit, she was all over the place - attacking and getting beat up by our 20lb orange cat (she would always go back for more), trying to steal chewies away from much bigger dogs, attacking our pant legs, running through the house with toys, and when he would pick her up, she would relax into his hands and look him straight in the eye - before she decided that she had enough and would wiggle and bite his hands and fuss until he let her down. Tim said that her attitude was what he looked for in pups. I was reminded of something that I read a long time ago about terrier puppies - that if you wanted something that would run right straight down a dark hole in the ground in hopes of finding something that would fight it to

It is rare that I get to talk dogs with people who are interested, especially people who are interested in Rat Terriers. It is even more rare that I get to talk with folks about hunting with their dogs. And even more rare, and a precious experience, when I get to talk with people about hunting with their Rat Terriers. I received that rare gift today when Tim Brown stopped by on his way to his brother's house in Cody, Wyoming. It was too short of a visit! I do hope that I get forgiven for my being a little rattled when he first came, I wasn't expecting him until tomorrow; we all know how some folks can be when their house isn't in good shape - that was me. Tim soon put me at ease when we sat to talk for a few hours about my current dogs and dogs that he has had. Tim was instrumental in preserving the line of hunting terrier dogs from Milton Decker. If you click on his name above, you will read more about them and their Rat Terrier heritage. Most all "Decker Ter

After some exploring in Box Elder Canyon, I came across a hunter management area just west of it. Upon further investigation, I discovered that Duncan Ranch was owned by the State of Wyoming and that it was open for rabbit hunting. Today I went online and got my permission slip. The land looks promising for rabbits - lots of sagebrush surrounding alfalfa and hay pastures; the last time I drove by there there were no hunters in sight. My interest in hunting rabbits with the Rat Dogs is mostly recreational. I can't consider myself a serious rabbit hunter as I really know nothing about how a dog should hunt for rabbits. All I know is that my dogs flush them and give me voice that they are hot on something. I wait until I see the rabbit and shoot, and they bring it back. Tracker can sometimes hog the rabbit, but usually he brings it back to me knowing that I will gut it for him and the rest of the pack immediately. Evidently there is no better eating than a pile of hot rabbit

Otherwise known as the Great Horned Howl, a Bubo virginianus and its juvenile is in the area where I live. It has been a few months since I have heard its adult call. Last night I heard a shrieking and then the hoo-hoo-hoooo of the adult. I knew it was an owl, but I did not know what kind until today when I was able to research it a bit. If you go to the link, make sure to listen to the nocturnal shriek of the owlet - and imagine that sounding like it is coming from your front porch! It was very odd to hear an owl, and then to find out that it was a Great Horned Owl was even more odd. They usually hide in trees during the day - something that we do not have much of in Jackalope country. It is either in the cottonwoods to the south or it is roosting in an easterly neighbor's mature oaks. The latter would surprise me since those neighbors have chickens; I just can't imagine them suffering an owl to live. I found out that GHOs have no problems killing porcupines, skunks, o

Friday morning Erin of Avalanche Acres and I went fox hunting. She took along Ana Banana, and I had Sniper for go to ground and Tracker for our "lurcher" in case they bolted anything from a den. We parked the car, got everyone out, got the two ground dogs collared and then headed into the field. The dogs checked out several dens, but it was obvious by their state that no one was home and hadn't been for a while. It really was no matter - I was having a wonderful time chatting with Erin and learning more about earthwork, walking in the cool Wyoming morning air, and watching the dogs hunt. I was certain that we would know if they found something - Ana was experienced, and Tracker and Sniper had gotten a taste for fox a few days prior. We came across a small pond with about 20' of mud for a shoreline, and metal culvert that acted as an overflow pipe. I asked the dogs to check the spot, and they did - Ana first, then Tracker and then Sniper. All three gave it a qu

Tracker and Sniper took down a young fox last night. I let the dogs out around dusk and they immediately went nuts over something. I went to look and saw 3 foxes - probably a mother and her older kits. I would have let them go unmolested but foxes were responsible for killing my crazy neighbor lady's chickens. I threw Tracker and Sniper over the fence and they both took off. Pity the slower kit - he didn't get too far before he had his last moment with the dynamic duo. I ran back into the house to get my camera but by the time I found it Tracker had already taken off to bury it. Anything that he doesn't want to eat, he buries - he gets that from his mother. After a few futile attempts to chase him down to get close enough to snap a shot, I gave up. He would just grab his treasure and take off again, thinking that I wanted to take it from him. So, here's a picture of Tracker burying a groundhog instead: As far as burying things go, he isn't very good at it. He digs a

We took a trip to Converse County Park, which is really just Box Elder Canyon and the surrounding land, to do a little squirrel hunting. We made our way down the canyon, the dogs merrily traveling along while I was weighted down with my .22 rifle, our water, snacks, first aid kit, knife, bag for carcasses, the .40 in case we ran into a mountain lion, cell phone, GPS, etc. Being a lone hiker with lots of dogs I figure that it is better to be prepared for anything rather than being sorry. (My husband asked me if I was going squirrel hunting or marching on Russia!!!) Going down into the canyon was amazingly enough harder than coming back out! I had never explored the canyon before, and I was slightly disappointed that there were no squirrels to be found. The Rat Dogs, however, had a fantastic time digging up voles and ground squirrels! The babies of the group, Rooster and Baylo, were so excited when the dogs found a whole nest of voles but they didn't really know what they were excit

I've been meaning to write about my experiences at the JRTCA trial over Labor Day weekend. I spent two days catching dogs at the races and then ring stewarding in conformation. I also got to do the barn hunt with my Rat Terriers as an exhibition only type of a thing, and do some stakes racing on Friday night. It's taken me a while to process it all, but here's my stab at it: First off JRT folks are no crazier than other dog folks, they are just wired a little differently. For instance, they make no qualms about partying, for which I love them. And the alcohol at the raffle for JRT rescue had me at hello! While most dog folk are an opinionated lot and tend to congregate in small groups to gossip, JRT have no problems telling you, and everyone else in ear shot, exactly what they think, even if you didn't ask for it. They are also mostly deaf. I don't know if they were that way before they got their JRTs or after, but none of them seemed to mind crazed barking do

Okay, not really. While going to work the song "Souvenirs" by John Prine and Steve Goodman - it just killed me and I cried all the way to work - poor Lola Bean, Memories, they can't be boughten. They can't be won at carnivals for free. Well it took me years to get those souvenirs, And I don't know how they slipped away from me. Yeah, I know - I am a total sap. *sigh* In other news, the kettlebell is kicking my arse. LOVE it! Lots of sore spots on my body including my lats! Gotta love that! This weekend I am going to take the dogs (well, except for Rodear since she's still having her *special* time) on a couple of hikes in the mountains. It would be nice to get a long walk in and maybe some pictures. My office is moving to a bigger and better and brand new building - I am excited, but the downside is no doggies allowed. Everyone has been bummed about that, so maybe in a few months I can sneak the goggies in for an hour or so a day. I think that's

The AKC show was tons of fun - who knew that definate ring times could afford you the opportunity to socialize with non-dog show folk later in the day - OR - even earlier in the day?? All the vendors - fantastic! LOVE to see all the doggie stuff even though I kept my monies in my pockets. Sniper won on day one, and his half brother Sin won on day two. It really was hard, hard, hard to not cry every time I saw the rally ring (conveniently located in the open grooming building). I know I should give myself time to grieve over my Lola princess... and I think I am. Tomorrow will be a week and the pain is still very acute. Our last picture together, celebrating our success: (You can click on the picture to go to her album) We got two first places and one second place in the quest for our title - not bad, I think! Okay, and two NQs because she decided to not work for me. The hardest is at night when I am counting out treats for the dogs and I have to remember only 6, because 7 is

I seriously cannot get my mind off the 5 million things that I have going on in my life that are not remotely work related. My baby Rodear finally went into heat at 11 months old - maybe she'll wait another 11 months! I have a friend whose female dogs all went into heat at the same time and we're considering doing a trade; I will take her male if she'll take my girl - it would just be so much easier for everyone! I found a fantastic deal on an RV that would be a fixer-upper - fingers crossed that my offer will go through! Lola needs another cortizone shot for her allergies, and I need to get that done on Saturday morning. I finally figured out what pictures I want to enter into the State Fair, so I need to get those printed out and framed and to the fair on Saturday or Sunday morning. And OMG does my car need a bath inside and out! I think those are the biggest things on my mind... for now anyway!

So Devan and I will have the only Misc. breeds at the AKC show and Lola is in Rally and GUESS WHAT I will probably have a stupid ring conflict between conformation and Rally. Once I finish with one I get to run my fat ass over to the other. Ah well - it certainly won't hurt me but it won't make me a happy camper. At the very least we are indoors so there is a bright spot, and also I won't miss much of the judge's seminar - I am praying that they take a lunch break when we are showing! I really hope that the Rally folks will let Lola go first - I wonder how much I will have to beg....

I entered my first AKC show yesterday. I just entered Sniper in conformation and Lola in Rally Obedience. I am also hoping that the "lady" that is in charge of the breed seminars will let me pay to attend them - she's not really happy that myself and a friend are UKC people. And AKC folk say that we unfairly label them as snobs? This from the SAME group who had an absolute cow when AKC, in an obvious money grab, allowed mixed breeds (they call them "All American") dogs compete in companion events. *eye roll* UKC has been doing this for years by registering them as AMBORs, or American Mixed Breed Obedience Registry dogs. It did nothing to hurt the purebred fancy, and many of us really enjoy seeing the "mutts" compete. Anyhow! We shall see how it goes. I would love to have the opportunity to teach folks about the breed.

This weekend: Housesitting for a friend Next weekend: Terrier racing practice Weekend after that:

This. This makes me crazy. I am so tired of reading about the childhood obesity epidemic that it makes my eyes cross. We're making our schools feed our children healthier lunches - but what do they come home to eat? What did they eat before they got to school? If commercials and other people's shopping carts are anything to judge by, we send our children off to school filled with the refined sugar that comes from most cereals and convenince "breakfast" foods such as Pop-Tarts and Toaster Strudels. Don't have time to fix your children breakfast? Fill 'em up with sugar! And when they get home, be a good mother and give them sugar filled fruit juices and fat-laden pizza rolls - be a 'cool' mama, mama! Meanwhile, our playgrounds sit empty because of the incorrectly perceived threat of pedophiles and kidnappers lurking on every street corner when the reality is that your dear uncle is more likely to molest your child and your ex-spouse is more likely

It has been three whole months since I have written a post! I have many things that I think about writing, but never get around to doing it. The landman gig is still going strong, and I still love it. The dogs are doing well. Sniper is in the top ten, Lola Ann has her Rally 1 (UKC) title, Heidi Hoser the Three Toed Wonder is one champion class win away from being a Grand Champion, Rooster is well, Rooster and he's become an adolescent ass (so much so that my friend Kari nicknamed him "The Cock"), and Rodear is as fun as ever to take for a spin around the ring. Tracker and I have been working on Rally stuff and I have been socializing Baylo like crazy because he's going to my sister in Texas in a few months. Whew! Busy! AND - one more month and a few more days until rabbit and squirrel season! I need to get out the .22 and sight it in; I don't use shot because me and the dogs eat the game we kill and I HATE spitting out pellets when I am trying to enjoy chi

I originally thought that this blog would just be about my dogs, but not today. It's about me and a world of hurt. It's a missive that no one will see, mostly because thankfully, no one follows this blog. I'm fat. According to those precious BMI charts, I've always been fat, even as a lean high school and college athlete.

It's the my third Friday as a Landman. I love the hell out of my job. I love calling people and offering them money to bury pipes or build a well pad on their property. I love the energy industry. And I love that most of the time, I have no flippin' clue what the heck I am doing, but a good line of BS will get me through most anything. I love that in a few weeks, I get to go and buy mineral leases from the state and the feds. I am freaking out just a tad, but not so bad that I am not excited about it. I have a huge office with huge maps all over my walls. I have a few maps of Wyoming, some maps of Louisiana, and one of east Texas. They all detail something different - state holdings, federal holdings, wells, leases, areas of interest, and geological features that are like Greek to me. Anyway, I should be getting back to it! I will leave you with a picture that is my wallpaper - it makes me grin every time I see it - it is Sniper who is going into that pipe after a rab

It's a commonly yelled phrase in my house, along with "get OUT of the cat box," "paws off the table," and "Oh GOD! Who STINKS?!?" Right now, it's the last phrase. I have no idea who stinks and why, but good jeebus it's nasty. I think everyone might need a good dose of Flagyl and Gas-X just for good measure. It's especially bad since the culprit is one of six dogs that are currently smushed together in a pile underneath my desk and the smell comes right up into my nostrils. I am taking a break from searching for employment. I was fired two weeks ago, and spent the first week giving the house a major spring cleaning, and the second is now being spent trying to find gainful employment that will cover my student loans. And of course, I was released right as cottontail season ended here in Wyoming. I only had one very muddy week day to take the dogs out to work some rabbit warrens before we were only able to hunt jack rabbits. I'm n