This week

Have been to see the pup we will be getting in October. Now really looking forward to bring her home. Every one looks for something differnt in a working border coillie some people like big broad headed pups, Others like an all black roof of the mouth, Some people like the pup that is the last one to come out when you go to see them as this is supposted to be the more dormant one, Other people like the pup that appears to pick you and comes straight up to you tail wagging. But really there is no real science to picking out a pup. It is only ever as good as the handler it is working with. But with border coillies all you ever do if correct their faults and encourage the behaviour you want. But if you get a pup from a good working strain then the odds of getting a good pup are much more likely.

   

That said the best dog Dad ever had was called Queenie and see was from a news papper advert. It turned out the lady had been on holiday in Cumbria on a fram where there was a litter of pups. And had brought them all to sell back home in Newmarket. The lady had sold Queenie to a man who had tied her up and starved her and ill treated her. The man returned Queenie to the lady saying it was no good. Dad went to the lady’s house and having seen this bedraggled little pup with sunken eyes felt sorry for it and bought it for the princley sum of £5. You should never buy a pup because you feel sorry for it. He took her home and following the vet’s advice fed her on hard boiled eggs and gave her vitamines and love and care. She got her sparkle back and grew bigger. One day Dad was out side with the now much bigger Queenie who had never worked cattle before. When he saw his cattle go tareing past him up the lane towards the centre of Sawston. He said to Qeenie ‘get up’ and with that the dog shot off up the lane and disappeared through the hedge. Dad was just thinking that the dog and the cattle were gone when, all the cattle came to an abrupt holt. Queenie had stopped a herd of stampeding cattle. Some thing that is not easy for a person to do yet alone a pup. And brought them all back without another word from Dad. Dad and Queenie when on to move lots of cattle and pigs together. Dad could just point out a beast to be loaded and Queenie would load it by her self. If Dad was too long deciding which one to load Queenie would nip him as she got excited. (Its not uncommon to be nipped by your own border coillie when working with it).That was his once in a life time dog.

Our present border coille Gwen is a close second to Queenie. Here is hoping that our new pup who is from the same mum as Gwen will turn out just as good.

 

 

 

 

What  lovely weather we have been having this week. On Sunday we were able to watch the Red Arrows perform as they lined up for their display over Duxford aerodrome. While sat outside in the sun shine with a cup of tea in hand.

     

This week Claire has been taking advantage of the exceptionally good weather by catching up on those jobs that have to be done. Such as hurdle painting not the most exciting of jobs but will mean that ever thing will be ready for the teeny tiny patter of little lamb feet in January.

Claire is very good at geting grey oxide paint every where. But dad suggested that claire use pig oil. Yes pig oil which is a lquid parrafin base to remove the paint. To claire’s surprise it worked. Some times not all of dads suggestions are silly.

The new ram is here and has already matted 6 of claire’s ewes. Some of the ewes seem to be more keen on him than others. But he has settled in well. Mum has give him the name of Big Daddy. As she thought he needed a name.

    

Two more of our very pregant cows have calved. With out any help from us which is always the best way. as it means less stress on the cow and calf. Just anothter 10 more to go this year.

 

On Sunday we will be going to see our new pup. We are all very excited including Gwen ( our border coillie) as she has been much more playful than normal. Just goes to show that dogs can pick up on much more than we give them credit for.

 

 

 

 

September

This month things are going to be busy down here on the farm.

Claire has got a new ram coming on Sunday.
So should be lambing the end of January next year. All being well. (If a ram mates with a ewe on Bonfire night then you should get lambs on April fool’s day) Poll Dorsets sheep which Claire has can lamb a fort night earlier than this due to their breeding.

We also have a new border coille puppy coming in October.
To help Gwen out with our increasing number of cattle.
It can take as long as 3 years for border coille dogs to be fully trained and working well with cattle and sheep. It takes a strong coille to handle cattle as they can be very stubborn to move espicially cows with calves. Unlike sheep where the dogs presence and bark are enough to move them.

Also have a new boar coming to so we should have more piglets next year.
Have not told Polo,Spearmint,After Eight and Fruit Pastille yet.( these are the names of our sows) Ps it takes 3 months 3 weeks and 3 days for a sow to farrow.

There is one cow dad is keeping a close eye on as could calve any day now.
(They are pregnant for 9 months.)
He has said that one is close before and they have kept us waiting for a month!
But like all babies they come when they are ready.