July in pictures

Wow, can't believe it's just over seven months since our last post and we're well into summer. The year seems to have gone so quickly, with so much going on.

So, the best place to start? Well, I reckon this month with a selection of pictures to cover what's been going on with the 'A Sheepdog Diary' collies.

Californian Poppy - summer has arrived in South Lakeland

A good spell of weather heralded the arrival of hay time ... we had a busy few days!

A hot air balloon taking in the sights over the valley

Summer shows and a chance to catch up with doggy relatives ... here's one of last year's May pups I raised. Eager to get going with his agility career.

Cafe Latte Girl's agility brother, a very good agility boy

One of our older agility relatives, a very handsome and accomplished boy

More agility relatives on the L a Gt Uncle, middle is another of Cafe Latte Girl's litter brothers and lying down is another youngster from last year's summer litter of pups

Oh, look who else we found at agility ... Autumni Puppy Spot at agility for measuring. She's got a little while before she can compete though.

The weather throughout July has been glorious and very hot. Perfect weather for washing. Here's Arctic Fox proudly showing off a small selection of the contents of one of the 'puppy gear' boxes. All washed ready for packing away for the next litter.

All the dogs were bathed and all their collars and leads washed ... all gleaming and bright ... for a short while!

More relatives at yet another show!! Four of the 5 Autumni pups.

New Boy with his son, Badger Boy

The final weekend in July saw an outing to Kirkstone Pass summit to watch the search and rescue dogs train. Here's Cafe Latte Girl and her Jubilee Search girl, after she'd completed a very impressive search sequence.

Jubilee Search Puppy

Handsome Lad's very clever litter sister, a fully graded search and rescue dog

This young man needs no introduction - looks so like his Mum Arctic Fox. Now all grown up and a fully graded search and rescue dog.

The central fells looking glorious in the sunshine

Last year there were three pairs of swallows using the barn where my sheep are kept. This year only one pair returned. However, they've done brilliantly, they've hatched out two lots of chicks, with the first batch helping to rear the second batch. There's now a total of 16 swallows - hope they all make it back next year.

Cafe Latte Girl's Mum - enjoying the sun

After a little work Cafe Latte Girl deserves a good splosh around in the tub ... Badger Boy tries to catch some of the splashes

Christmas morning at Collie Rock ...

... and a first outing of the Magnificent Seven!

My very Magnificent Seven :)

Here they come ... the Badger Set!

Cafe Latte Girl with some early Collie Walkers.

Mum, Cafe Latte Girl, with Badger Boy.

Dad, New Boy, with the Badger Set hot on his tail.

Happy Christmas from all at A Sheepdog Diary!

Autumni Puppy No 1 ...

... our beautiful blue eyed girl:

Remembering Pocket Rocket

A year ago yesterday my world came crashing down around me. That was the day that Pocket Rocket died. 

She was never, ever ‘just’ a dog, she was my dog of a lifetime. Beautiful, kind and gentle, yet strong and powerful, she had an enormous personality, was immensely stylish and hugely talented. She had the ability to look through my eyes and straight into my soul with those amazingly soft golden eyes of hers.

Our friend Gayle has once again put pen to paper. 

So a year has gone and things move on,

As you walk through the gate a little time to contemplate,

A treasured friend she'd want your wounds to mend,

Special memories time can never erase,

as she shares your life's journey as it takes it's next phase,

Because she filled your heart you'll never be apart,

So be filled with happiness as you reminisce,

About Pocket Rocket who'll be forever missed.

Thank you Gayle for remembering our special Golden Girl.

Not long after Pocket Rocket died, I heard these words spoken, they’ve not left me:

"A short life can be a good life, a happy life and a full life."

Pocket Rocket’s life was all of those and my life was made so much the richer for sharing it with her.

Pocket Rocket

sorely missed - always remembered

I know what you're thinking ...

Seven go to Collie Rock

A Bank Holiday Monday and a fabulous start to the day here in South Lakeland. Early morning mist clearing and the early bird flying past ...

Mist clearing down the valley, beyond the mountain ash tree ...

So we head out to Collie Rock. First on it's summit are, as usual, the Highland Hooligans ...

Soon followed by the rest of the gang - The Magnificent Seven on Collie Rock ...

Of course we have to have the 'release' ...

Our holidaying Golden Smoothie taking a break ...

Dow Crag and Coniston Old Man looking splendid ...

First to the next high point is New Boy ...

Where he goes the rest have to follow. Sister, Arctic Fox ...

... Cafe Latte Girl ...

... umm, Handsome Lad ...

... OctoPuppy Golden Smoothie girl ...

... any more? ... Cafe Latte Girl's Mum ...

... and not forgetting, Womble Bum ...

A fabulous outing with a fabulous bunch of models 

and so the day draws to an end.

More Dogs ...

The last of the litter of puppies I've spent the last 5 weeks rearing went to his new home this week.

We were back at agility yesterday, an urgent call to check out a dog, but that's for another blog. Spotted this nice tricolour smoothie ... 2 for 1!

Also found this young man, a rather handsome sable.

This morning we went to Kirkstone Pass to watch the search dogs train. This is our OctoPup Search Boy, now fully Graded and wearing his brand new jacket.

Also training was our JubiPup Trainee Search Girl sporting a rather splendid bikini type training jacket.

One of the graded search dogs heading to her body.

 Not a dog in sight - but a lovely sky at 7pm!

This fluff mountain was removed from Womble Bum after a 2 hour grooming session. She celebrated the end of grooming by throwing herself in a very dirty pond.

One of the water lilies that Womble Bum took great pleasure in inspecting at very close quarters.

Kitty the cat ... an honorary dog.

Wash day ... first the dogs then their collars - lovely Spiffy Dog collars.