BevLive: those little details . . .

The things I leave until the last minute and then have to rush to get done before I leave on one of these trips always surprise me. I sold all my wool sheep last year and didn't have a shearer in this year. As a result, I never got the extra hair off my guard dog, Lucy. It was okay last year but this has been a really wet year and the hair on her back and tail felted up to the point I worried about hot spots. I wanted to get the hair shorn off in time for it to grow back for winter. Which meant it needed to be done before I left for a month. So I spent about an hour last night following Lucy around with a leash and a pair of scissors. I got the worst of the hair off her, but she sure is a sight.

About three weeks ago some member of my pack bit Mirk on his front leg at the knee. He was on antibiotics and it seemed all better. Wouldn't you know this morning it’s a bit swollen again and he's pretty sore on it. Today's the last chance I have to work my dogs before I leave, but no work for Mirk.

Huck and Bill got a quick run through their paces, a gather and a little driving. I worked Hemp as well, as I'm taking them both up to Denise Leonard's farm after work tonight and Hemp needs to be worked on a pretty regular basis if he is to stop at all.

I entered Huck and Hemp in the duck trial at Soldier Hollow. Can't really remember now why I though this sounded like a good idea, but the deed is done. The only ducks they have ever seen were migrating south, so I figured I would take them to Denise's and make sure they both knew to work the ducks and didn't spend their runs looking for sheep. So Hemp and Huck got their pre-travel baths and are now sitting in my office at work.

I put Mirk back on antibiotics and soaked his leg for ten minutes this morning. He is restricted to quiet walking until our departure. He will have today and three days on the road to recover. Keep your fingers crossed. Mine sure are.