And the winner is......

Charlie and I went to obedience class for 6 weeks and Charlie learned a lot and this is what he got for his efforts. A certificate and a blue ribbon, what a good boy he is! Would like to take him to more advanced classes and am thinking about it. He catches on fast and is eager to please.
He is also becoming quite the farm dog. So far, red fox 0, Charlie 1... blue jay 0, Charlie 1...opossum 0, Charlie 1...mole 0, Charlie 1. I hate that he killed the red fox but I wanted him to take care of the critters around the place and he is doing his job.

Yes, I know I haven't been on here again. Since last time I wrote on here, I have had surgery on a torn meniscus, September 30, the surgery was December 10th. Had the first two injections of Euflexxia or Hyaluronic acid starting two weeks ago. I have the third one next Tuesday, it is starting to help somewhat but will know more a couple of weeks after the last shot. Is it painful to get the shots? Not really, bit of a sting at first and some pressure in my knee as the fluid goes in but not bad at all.
I have only gotten to ride Gilly twice since I tore the knee up, back in October and once a couple of weeks ago. It's been a long painful 6 months, so much so that I haven't done much of anything, pain can do crazy things to you. Glad it's almost over or I hope it is. The orthopedic doctor said if this doesn't work a knee replacement is next. A lot of arthritis in my left knee from old traumas as a kid.

Christmas Charlie

 These next pictures are of Charlie's first snow. He LOVES snow and had a ball playing in it. If I made snowballs and through them up in the air he would jump really high and catch them! He is spring loaded for sure!

Charlie's dad, Blue Heeler, Diesel 

Charlie's mom Gracie, Australian Shepherd and dad Diesel. 

Of course Gilly has to be in here too, in the snow waiting for supper.

Charlie pup is growing!

I swear I think he is growing while he sleeps! Look at those long legs, he is already bigger than Gonzo and Petey. Into everything too and picks on the other dogs. Lucy doesn't tolerate it much and she will put him in his place really quick when she has had enough of his silliness!

Looks like he has found something interesting in the grass. He loves to chew sticks and anything else he can find, carries rocks around the yard too. He has discovered the creek and you can't keep him out of it.

Charlie saying hello to Pokey. Pokey is probably thinking he has another dog to train to stay out of his field. Right now Charlie is afraid of donkey and won't go in the field if he is close by.

These pictures were taken a few weeks ago and he has grown more since then and his ears are both standing up. At least they do from time to time, they aren't sure how they want to be. Up and pointed like the Blue Heeler or flopped at the tips like the Australian Shepherd.

He is probably thinking of what he can get into next. He has a very active mind and is very smart and also has a stubborn streak that is typical of the Australian Cattle Dog. We went round and round trying to get him to learn the down command. He wanted to fight with me, I didn't give up and now he is pretty good at it. I have a lot of work ahead of me with this one, any advise on training this kind of dog would be appreciated!

New Puppy

Lucy, we have had her for many years, she came from a shelter. She has lost most of her hearing and has arthritis now but still loves to go with me when I ride. Such a good girl.

She has been a good guard for the farm and has kept many critters out of the garden and the barn. But since she has gotten older she has let the critter population build up to where we decided to get a new dog to help out with critter control.

This is Charlie.....he is 11 weeks old his mamma is an Australian Shepherd, blue meryl; his dad is a Blue Heeler. I didn't see the dad but the mom I did see, nice dog too.

 Charlie sitting in the yard the first day on the farm. He is taking it all in.

 Here he is watching Lucy who was keeping her distance. What the heck it this thing, a pesky baby! ugh!

 Laverne telling the new boy how things are on the farm. I might be little but I will bite your butt if you step out of line youngster! And she does too, jumps on him with teeth flashing!

 Charlie is a happy little boy but he is growing fast! I don't know how big he will get, the mom is about the height of Lucy but not as heavy.

 Charlie looking so innocent, he was eating a cookie. He's a smart little guy and learns very quickly. He knows where the cookie jar is and when he comes in from going out to pottie, he goes to the jar and puts one paw on it. If you don't get his cookie fast enough, he will rattle the jar with that paw.

 Watching the dogs. He never misses anything, he has learned a lot just by watching the other dogs and me too. He is one smart pup!

Buster has turned into a grumpy fur ball, he really gets after Charlie if he comes too close. These little dogs are feisty, Charlie just jumps out of their way, then comes back for more.   

Belly shots, his is tri colored and his belly looks like it belongs to another dog! Right now his fur is as soft as velvet and very thick. Wonder what kind of hair coat he will have as an adult? Love that little tail too!

 Charlie's first horse ride. I was at a fun show at a farm and he was watching with me but Adrianna wanted him to be on the horse with her. He didn't seem to mind at all. He hasn't made friends with Gilly and Pokey yet, they are still pretty scary to him but he will come around. He didn't mind this because Bailey the horse didn't try to smell him.

Love this picture, Charlie getting hugs on horseback! Check out the saddle pad, I helped the girls at summer horse camp with a craft day. I put the white corner on the pads and they glued on rhinestones on for bling. They put their names or horses names on the other side. We had fun.

Charlie sitting watching me and check out the circle by his right foot, a four leaf clover! Lucky dog!

We had gone to McDonalds before going home, I had some iced coffee and he got a water and dog cookie!!! Taking a nap on the way home.....he was one tired pup!
Jane

Another ride in the Cover All arena

 Back the first part of June Gilly and I went to take a lesson at Sheri's and rode in the Cover All arena. I love this arena, so nice inside and Sheri has the nicest footing in there...very springy and not a lot of dust at all.
What kind of lessons am I taking, just basic riding skills. I never had riding lessons of any kind when younger and I feel that I really need help in some areas....probably all areas! ha
The above picture I did some photo manipulation on it. I think it looks pretty neat.

 Gilly tacked up and ready to ride. He is such a good boy, posing for the camera, already worked on the long line and ready to go.

Putting on Gilly's bitless bridle, really good shot of him, me I'm not so sure. I think Kim, who was taking pictures, must have said something to me. I was probably saying, what?

 Love this picture of Gilly, he was really in a nice frame here and looking good. He is such a nice mover but he takes a lot of work to ride this trot, it's big and lofty.

 Trot, Gilly trot! Effortless for him, hard for me...by the end of a lesson I am wore out, he hardly breaks a sweat!

 Cantering feet, shots taken from a video.

 A little blurred but still I love seeing his feet off the ground, he has such pretty feet.

Sheri was riding Gilly here, moving along softly.
I am looking forward to going back for more lessons, it's been hot here, the horse flies are terrible so I will wait for cooler weather. I seem to have become a fair weather rider as I have gotten older....when I was a kid I didn't care what the weather or bugs were like, I rode no matter what! Not now, body also says what I can and can't do.
Even if I don't ride I can still hang out at the barn and love on my two boys, Pokey really loves that, he is a snuggle bug more so than Gilly.
Jane