Amanda: a beautiful thing

Monty was the star this morning.  We went to a field in which we had not back-and-forthed for months.It is a hilly place so that the sheep are out of sight for part of the outrun.Dogs develop confidence in such situations.They have to trust that the sheep will be there, as promised by their hand, even if they do go out of sight.

Monty has been a tight outrunner.While I confess this is undesirable, I also know his breed wellenough to believe that  that he would widen himself out with no particular help from me, as he grew up.Why make a federal case out of something that would resolve itself?He is one and a half.Today his tightness annoyed me, and I asked him to get out.The request confused him, but what did not confuse him was not allowing him to have his sheep when he went wrong.We worked things out with redirects once, I put him up and ran the other dogs.Giving him a break.I sent him again a half hour later, and he went out beautifully.I think this is the beginning of a proper outrunner.A young dog, opening a new door for himself is a beautiful thing.

The other dogs ran like tops, Ethel a little slow.Sandra is taking her jogging today and for a bike ride.She has a new personal trainer.Every dog needs one.

My travelling companion is having second thoughts.She has never seen Canada before.What can she be thinking of?That is a drive of a lifetime.I hope I don't have to do it too many more in my lifetime.