Sheepdog News

I've recently become more and more addicted to Facebook, and much to my surprise (since I'm used to being in the forefront of sheepdog technology), lots of other sheepdoggers have put down stakes before me–the place is loaded with Open handlers, and plenty of amusing conversation.  If you haven't checked it out, I think you should: accounts are free (if you don't count selling your soul to advertisers), and it's a great way to waste time as we all wait for Spring to spring.

Walt Jagger died this morning at the age of 85, after suffering a stroke at Sheepyhollow, his farm in Hop Bottom, PA, sometime yesterday.   Walt is fondly remembered by the many beginning handlers whom he has helped over the years; he always had a kind word for novices discouraged after a bad run, just as he always had a kind pat for his dogs coming off of the trial field.   Walt may be best known for his annual Pennsylvania State Championship Stock Dog Trial, held at Sheepyhollow since 1982: over the years, it has remained one of the largest and best-known trials in the East.  All of us will miss Walt very much and offer our condolences to his family.