Lessons from the Fields and the Woods

I was sick with a cold most of the week. I developed a sore throat last Saturday night, then a full blown cold with a fever on Sunday. I decided to get myself together on Monday morning and take Murphy to our herding lesson. My head was foggy, energy level low.
We started out in the small round pen with 4 sheep. Flanking and balancing went OK, with only a wisp of music in the air. Then we moved on to a new skill. When a dog flanks, he should turn his head away from the stock before his body follows. Teaching Murphy this skill involved me standing between the stock and my dog, pointing the stock stick at his face and repeating "Out".
Murphy just lied there, staring at me as if to say "What are you talking about?"
As he continued to lie there, my commands became louder. The dog's not deaf, Rachel.

By the following Saturday, I felt well enough to go for a run. Murph and I jumped in the car and tootled out to Thetis Lake for a 30minute base run. It was quiet at the lake. After about 10 minutes Murphy and I fell into a beautiful synchronous rhythm and my mind began to wander. When Murphy and I run together, we are always connected. He follows his nose, is taken off the path by sounds in the woods and is constantly exploring his wondrous surroundings. But he is always aware of where I am and what I am doing. I might stop to retie my shoe and Murph will come bombing back from whatever adventure he was on because he no longer hears the thump-thump of the steps.
And then it occurred to me. I need to find this peace and implicit trust when we step out into the small pen or big field to herd sheep. Murphy WANTS to do the right thing, to work WITH me. He just doesn't know how, and I don't know how to communicate certain manoevers to him. I do know that being harsh, loud or aggressive will take me further away from communicating what I want. It may take a little longer to find our common ground, but we will be a more successful team in the long run.

Herding

Murphy and I had a solid lesson this morning. Herding sheep is a vast and complex endeavour. There are so many changing variables that cannot be controlled with a singular approach. I see herding as a dance with my dog. The music is the sheep. They are the ones who determine the rhythm and style. We decide what the movement is going to look like. Is today going to be a slow waltz, a classical ballet or a samba?
Today started more like a samba, or maybe a tarantella. The movement never stopped. Away!, Come by!, Lie Down, Away!, Lie Down!, Come by, WSHT!, WSHT!, Go get them Muprh! And then the music slowed to a Tango. Away, Lie down, walk on, lie down WSHT! lie down, come, lie down walk on, lie down, walk on, right there, lie down... and then we were waltzing. For but a moment.
That'll do Murph. Good boy!

Wag More Walking

This is the name of my business. I will specialize in adventure hiking and (if your dog is fit enough) running. I will start with Tuesdays and Thursdays, with a maximum of 4 dogs per hike. It will be door to door service. When you return home from work, your pup will greet you with a wag and a smile and plop back into bed. A tired dog is a happy dog!

Back to Work

I was back to work today after 4 days off. This did 2 things.
1. Made me really tired.
2. Solidified my intentions to follow whatever makes me happy. Working in a restaurant is not it. It has now become a means to an end. And when I start thinking in these terms, the end is nigh.

So this is what makes me happy...

Mike.
Dogs.
Running.

I plan to combine 2 of the 3 into a business. It will be a great success. How could it not?

Welcome!

Welcome to Me! to the new age of technology!
I am finally foraying into the world of blogging. I always kinda thought this was an egotistical venture. Who really wants to read what I have to say anyway? But I found myself checking my husband's Blog repeatedly over the course of only one day and I thought to myself - why not? Maybe there is just one person (maybe it is my husband!) who wants to see what is going on in my life.
I also thought the timing might be right as I am starting out on a new adventure. I am starting my own business with something I love to do. Maybe there is someone out there who I can inspire to do the same, or can help me along the way.
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.
I can guarantee you won't be disappointed.