Three Terri(y)s

The sun has riz; the sun has set, and we’re still here in Texas, yet.  Well, the sun riz and set on us a couple of times, but the afternoon of Wednesday, July 19, found us finally out of Texas.  We spent Tuesday and Wednesday mornings working dogs with Tommy and letting Dutch court Mo.  Then, worked our way north across the Panhandle and into New Mexico.  Our welcome was a violent thunderstorm, with some small hail, that had most of us pulled over on the side of the road, hazard lights flashing, because it was raining so hard we couldn’t see the road, or each other.  It didn’t last long, though, and the sun was shining by the time we reached Raton.  

We parked for the night at the KOA Journey in Raton, and on Thursday we drove north to spend a few days with friends Terri and Brian Nicolau on their lovely place near Peyton, Colorado (a few miles east of Denver).  Also spending the summer with Terri and Brian is another friend, Terri Carver, whom I have known for several years from my time working and trialing border collies.  Here are several shots from our time at Terri and Brian's place, appropriately named Kyon Ranch.  (Kyon is the ancient Greek term for "dog.")  The sunset views were amazing!

Terri N's chickens ke[t up a running commentary

This is the view from our RV across Terri's trial field.  Unfortunately, the hay balers hadn't yet arrived so the grass was too high for us to  work there, but in a few weeks....

The weather in Colorado was beautiful.  The first couple of days the temperature didn’t get out of the 70s.  Then we had 80s with bright sunshine, but evenings have been lovely, cool, and with even a passing thunderstorm or two.

Terri, Terri and I took turns working our dogs on Terry N’s woolies.  Some of them are Cheviots or Cheviot crosses and there are some Hampshires and Hampshire crosses as well.   I think the black-face ones below are Hampshires, and the one with the grey face is a Hamp cross.

It was great to exchange ideas on working our dogs. Terri and Terri are veteran handlers, with years of experience raising and trialing dogs.  I’m so grateful for their input and support.  Here are a few pics of them working their dogs.

Terri C and Carly (I think) working

Terri N sorting sheep for our morning work

Saturday and Sunday brought another special treat for me.  I had the opportunity to spend a couple of afternoons working with Terry Murray, who lives just around the corner from Terri and Brian.  This Terry (There must be something special in the name, since all three of these women are well-known and highly-regarded in the herding community.)  has placed among the finalists in almost all of the nationally-recognized US sheepdog trials, and has a wealth of knowledge about border collies, sheep, and all things dog-trial related.  Her observations and advice about training, handling and trialing Dutch, Bo and Cody, will be invaluable as I move forward.  Here are some pics of our working sessions. 

Terry bringing in a group of sheep

Terry setting sheep for us on her big field (yes, it's a looong way down there)

Terry working Terri N's Curly

And if that wasn’t enough, I was able to get acquainted with a couple of Dutch’s canine relatives.  Pickle P., Terry’s Nursery dog, is a daughter of Dutch and Jill and Tommy Hefner’s Nan.

Dutch's daughter, Terry's Pickle P, moving sheep

Jill, one of Terry’s Open dogs, is a granddaughter of Dutch’s sire, Serge van der Zweep’s Gary.  

Dutch and Jill; can you tell which is which?

It was a great week, and I look forward to stopping back by on our way home.  Thanks so much, Terri and Brian!  Moree photos to come when I have better internet!