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- #981
SageHill
Herd Master
Thank you!!
SageHill Ranch Journal
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- #982
SageHill
Herd Master
You all know that I take a lot of pics. 
-- so yesterday I was so busy trying to get a good pic (with the stupid phone) and I sort of wasn't paying attention to the hooligans. And, well being the hooligans they are, they did a lamb race take off back toward the barn. Mama ewes all standing nicely on the ranch road going the right direction. Sigh. Only one resort - send the dogs. Obi -- no problem he has the finesse to handle zooming lambs. Zo, not the highest in the finesse department - but he does try hard, just doesn't have the experience. Of course this all has to happen with them going down hill and around a bend (or maybe more) and that is totally out of sight. And over a dry creek that has a lot of cover. TRUST the dog(s). I wait it out - seemed like an eternity, but of course wasn't. Minute? Two? More?? And...... the hooligans return and as they return I see Zo actually make a decision on where to be and how to get there - the right decision and the right way to get where he needed to be (read -- not through the lambs). I think Obi showed him some hooligan handling skills!
So -- this is what I managed to get a pic of once the lambs were back..... mama ewes thinking of going back and my two great boys Obi and Zo saying "We will return to your normally scheduled move to graze".
-- so yesterday I was so busy trying to get a good pic (with the stupid phone) and I sort of wasn't paying attention to the hooligans. And, well being the hooligans they are, they did a lamb race take off back toward the barn. Mama ewes all standing nicely on the ranch road going the right direction. Sigh. Only one resort - send the dogs. Obi -- no problem he has the finesse to handle zooming lambs. Zo, not the highest in the finesse department - but he does try hard, just doesn't have the experience. Of course this all has to happen with them going down hill and around a bend (or maybe more) and that is totally out of sight. And over a dry creek that has a lot of cover. TRUST the dog(s). I wait it out - seemed like an eternity, but of course wasn't. Minute? Two? More?? And...... the hooligans return and as they return I see Zo actually make a decision on where to be and how to get there - the right decision and the right way to get where he needed to be (read -- not through the lambs). I think Obi showed him some hooligan handling skills!So -- this is what I managed to get a pic of once the lambs were back..... mama ewes thinking of going back and my two great boys Obi and Zo saying "We will return to your normally scheduled move to graze".
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- #983
SageHill
Herd Master
Out grazing again with the boys. The hooligan lambs are settling down - yay. Of course they are still lambs. The dust is back after the rain from a couple weeks ago (was it 1/4 inch or 1/2?), sigh - but I can see fresh new green coming up. Of course the brown stuff is still there with it's little stick-tights and thorny stems. Both Obi and Zo are working through it all like champs, but on the groom afterward (leg check, foot check, paw check and toe check - and yes they know those words) the under side of some paws are red. I hit 'em with Bactine (my go to in almost all cases) and they're pretty much good to go the next day.
So today, I made them stay while the sheep grazed. It was actually tough to do, they "fought" me on it. Yeah, they'd stay but would slowly start to move. Back and forth we went. Have I ever said Trust the dog ? Yeah. Dog knows best.
While the sheep moseyed and ate I took only a few pics. I told myself NO PICS this time. But could I stop myself?? I did - pretty much. I think I only took about 5.
With phone back in pocket, dogs behind me (on that blasted "Stay"), the sheep in front of me, I spied a pair of ears.
Now, all along I told myself I should position myself up high - but did I? Noooooo. Those ears did not belong to my dogs or any sheep. Those were coyote ears. Once again - I'm low, it's high - sheesh - I tell dogs to "stay" (which they already were - and probably saying 'I told you so'. Grab my persuasion and it takes off. I would've liked to add a sting to it's retreat. So - dogs were right once again. If they'd been where they wanted to be, the coyote wouldn't have come up.
Then going through the pics when I got back - and ..... here's just how close it got - little did I know I was getting this pic at the time.
You can see the wiley one behind the brush almost dead center on the ridge.
Yeah - we were very lucky.
Here it is zoomed in (hard to see if you are looking on a phone)
![IMG_2023-c].jpg](https://www.backyardherds.com/attachments/img_2023-c-jpg.113330/ "IMG_2023-c].jpg")
Smart dogs - thank God for them.
The dust is back after the rain from a couple weeks ago (was it 1/4 inch or 1/2?), sigh - but I can see fresh new green coming up. Of course the brown stuff is still there with it's little stick-tights and thorny stems. Both Obi and Zo are working through it all like champs, but on the groom afterward (leg check, foot check, paw check and toe check - and yes they know those words) the under side of some paws are red. I hit 'em with Bactine (my go to in almost all cases) and they're pretty much good to go the next day.So today, I made them stay while the sheep grazed. It was actually tough to do, they "fought" me on it. Yeah, they'd stay but would slowly start to move. Back and forth we went. Have I ever said Trust the dog ? Yeah. Dog knows best.
While the sheep moseyed and ate I took only a few pics. I told myself NO PICS this time. But could I stop myself?? I did - pretty much. I think I only took about 5.
With phone back in pocket, dogs behind me (on that blasted "Stay"), the sheep in front of me, I spied a pair of ears.
Now, all along I told myself I should position myself up high - but did I? Noooooo. Those ears did not belong to my dogs or any sheep. Those were coyote ears. Once again - I'm low, it's high - sheesh - I tell dogs to "stay" (which they already were - and probably saying 'I told you so'. Grab my persuasion and it takes off. I would've liked to add a sting to it's retreat. So - dogs were right once again. If they'd been where they wanted to be, the coyote wouldn't have come up.
Then going through the pics when I got back - and ..... here's just how close it got - little did I know I was getting this pic at the time.
You can see the wiley one behind the brush almost dead center on the ridge.
Yeah - we were very lucky.
Here it is zoomed in (hard to see if you are looking on a phone)
Smart dogs - thank God for them.
Last edited:
Baymule
Herd Master
Coyotes here would never present a clear shot like that! That’s a bold critter. Yep, listen to the dogs!
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- #985
SageHill
Herd Master
January 1, 2025 HAPPY NEW YEAR!
OMG How can it be a month since I've updated?!! Two weeks of coughing cold crud, holidays, regular stuff.
Weather here has been out of the ordinary. Very. Much too warm, lucky when we're in the 40s and high low 60s (normal) mostly getting 50s with highs in 70s or even low 80s. Not good.
The 1/4 inch of rain we had a few months ago was great, things started to green, pastures and ranch started to come alive. BUT no rain since and warmer temps - add together and that little bit of green is almost all crunchy brown. I can see that it looks like we are going to loose quite a few oaks and many avocados. Sugar sumac is also taking a hit. While the sheep can still eat the brown crunchies, and do, it make grazing tough on the dogs as all that brown has stick tights, burrs and mostly are like little spikes and sabers sticking out of the ground. Very tough on paws. Obi is doing fine with very few paw "injuries", Zo on the other hand may get the nickname Tender Foot. The insides of his paws more often than not are pink when we are done, with occasional cuts/punctures. Of course sometimes his youthful enthusiasm gets the better of those tootsies.
Working with both Obi and Zo together is now the way things are (unless one of them is on injured reserve). Watching the two of them work together is like watching a pair of choreographed dancers. As always, I am in awe of my dogs. Today's graze featured one coyote, and later a good morning woof woo woo woof from Murphy the Anatolian next to us.
Sitting with 10 lambs since Nov 1-ish. Three are slated for freezers (ours just one of the freezers), A few nice ewe lambs will be staying - color, body, and what they are out of being parts of the "who to keep" equation. Some from early 2024 will be leaving and possibly some of the older ewes. The evolution of having sheep continues!
On the puppy front - Sage, the girl I kept is amazing. Four months old in 2 days, two new front teeth in. She's doing unbelievably well in detection. Blows my mind. She's going to be fabulous on sheep as well. Confident not crazy which is what I look for in a puppy.
And - Sage the cutie patootie.... (the green is artificial grass).
OMG How can it be a month since I've updated?!! Two weeks of coughing cold crud, holidays, regular stuff.
Weather here has been out of the ordinary. Very. Much too warm, lucky when we're in the 40s and high low 60s (normal) mostly getting 50s with highs in 70s or even low 80s. Not good.
The 1/4 inch of rain we had a few months ago was great, things started to green, pastures and ranch started to come alive. BUT no rain since and warmer temps - add together and that little bit of green is almost all crunchy brown. I can see that it looks like we are going to loose quite a few oaks and many avocados. Sugar sumac is also taking a hit. While the sheep can still eat the brown crunchies, and do, it make grazing tough on the dogs as all that brown has stick tights, burrs and mostly are like little spikes and sabers sticking out of the ground. Very tough on paws. Obi is doing fine with very few paw "injuries", Zo on the other hand may get the nickname Tender Foot. The insides of his paws more often than not are pink when we are done, with occasional cuts/punctures. Of course sometimes his youthful enthusiasm gets the better of those tootsies.
Working with both Obi and Zo together is now the way things are (unless one of them is on injured reserve). Watching the two of them work together is like watching a pair of choreographed dancers. As always, I am in awe of my dogs. Today's graze featured one coyote, and later a good morning woof woo woo woof from Murphy the Anatolian next to us.
Sitting with 10 lambs since Nov 1-ish. Three are slated for freezers (ours just one of the freezers), A few nice ewe lambs will be staying - color, body, and what they are out of being parts of the "who to keep" equation. Some from early 2024 will be leaving and possibly some of the older ewes. The evolution of having sheep continues!
On the puppy front - Sage, the girl I kept is amazing. Four months old in 2 days, two new front teeth in. She's doing unbelievably well in detection. Blows my mind. She's going to be fabulous on sheep as well. Confident not crazy which is what I look for in a puppy.
And - Sage the cutie patootie.... (the green is artificial grass).
Mini Horses
Herd Master
Booties for Obi & Zo??
Sage is a stunner!
Sage is a stunner!
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- #987
SageHill
Herd Master
Great suggestion.
I've used booties - I actually make them out of old blue jeans because the ones you buy don't last even 10 minutes - they rip through/wear through the bottom.
I've thought of using the booties, while they can "fly off" and get lost the part that concerns me is the unevenness and rocky ground we work on. Individual toes won't be able to move as independently inside even a cloth bootie. If my ground was more "predictable" I'd probably have given them a try.
I think they will just have to toughen up. Obi has been working for years so his feet are more than likely toughened up. Zo is only on his second year working. Hopefully his will toughen up. We haven't grazed as much as normal because of the brownness and more because of the warmth - watching out for rattlesnakes.
I've used booties - I actually make them out of old blue jeans because the ones you buy don't last even 10 minutes - they rip through/wear through the bottom.
I've thought of using the booties, while they can "fly off" and get lost the part that concerns me is the unevenness and rocky ground we work on. Individual toes won't be able to move as independently inside even a cloth bootie. If my ground was more "predictable" I'd probably have given them a try.
I think they will just have to toughen up. Obi has been working for years so his feet are more than likely toughened up. Zo is only on his second year working. Hopefully his will toughen up. We haven't grazed as much as normal because of the brownness and more because of the warmth - watching out for rattlesnakes.
Mini Horses
Herd Master
I can see those issues! Don't mushers use something for their dogs to help toughen the pads? Maybe it just for cold protection -- no sled dogs here 
I know they get THE BEST care, just feeling tender footed when you describe the sticks -- and being a barefoot lover.
Several horse products out there for sore soles but, won't work for a dog. I'm thinking something like liquid bandage for dog feet. Really! Just a thin layer of toughness help. Sigh....
I know they get THE BEST care, just feeling tender footed when you describe the sticks -- and being a barefoot lover.
Several horse products out there for sore soles but, won't work for a dog. I'm thinking something like liquid bandage for dog feet. Really! Just a thin layer of toughness help. Sigh....- Thread starter
- #989
SageHill
Herd Master
I'll look into that. I have a friend who gets her dogs from a musher up in AK she may know. So far all I can find softens and protects against ice/snow hot pavement, etc.I can see those issues! Don't mushers use something for their dogs to help toughen the pads? Maybe it just for cold protection -- no sled dogs here
I know they get THE BEST care, just feeling tender footed when you describe the sticks -- and being a barefoot lover.
Baymule
Herd Master
I was thinking booties too. Maybe toe booties? Like toe socks for us. 
