Day One Larry Painter Sheep Camp…(but what would “IT” be?)

The morning air was just plain cold! But the excitement level was off the chart! It was finally here! WE were all here! The day had begun! Hot coffee made the house smell wonderful and the wood stove heat was inviting to all.

All my preparations  what would they tell ? Had I missed or forgotten something ?!

I had 21 Katahdin sheep for 9 English Shepherds, 2 Cattle Dogs, 1 Aussie, 2 Kelpies, and 1 Border Collie to work for  five days!  Twelve Clinic Participants from all over… Florida, Tennessee, Massachusetts, North Carolina  and of course our clinician Larry Painter from Missouri!

Each person had a very unique back ground. Some had never tried their hand at herding, others were well started, and some had been doing herding for a while and good at it.

We had an hour with Larry at the house in the Living Room,  everyone comfortable and listening to Larry talk about herding and asking their questions. I took notes and left early to take the sheep down and get ready.(I keep my sheep in the barn at night and the only fencing I have is my sheep pen areas).

As I walked across the wet winter grass, I could see Grandpa’s barns in the distance and the old wise mountains, home to my family for so long. It was a special moment to me. I could feel the presence of my ancestors like they were on the banisters looking down and cheering me on!

The sky was  light and the sun not up over Dutchman’s mountain yet. It was the last time I thought of such that first day!

But as I walked down my dog Drover bringing the sheep to me… I also wondered what I would learn these coming days. Five years ago a vision of being happy” IF” I could with my dog do ” exactly ” what I was doing at this moment! I now knew there was so much more… and that my dog was capable of much more…But what would “it” be?

The day started well and most folk worked in the 50 foot round pen. I was able to keep the sheep changed and fresh and (able to keep up!) …Drover and I settled into a routine. Soon our turn came and we worked on our triangles and out run lift and fetch…

Lunch! Good Food! Not enough time to visit… and back to the pens!

We had several Auditors on Sunday and many folk were here to meet the breed of English Shepherds. What a great way for people to learn more about the breed and see them on the farm! We had folk from South Carolina, Virginia, and North Carolina! Some of the folk were here to learn more about herding too! We had a great day and the weather was good!

By Sunday evening it was clear to me the lights provided by Roger and Tosha Hunt were going to be needed and used!  They were the reason we were able to do 5 days of work in 4!

THANK YOU TOSHA AND ROGER! MY GOOD FRIENDS! What on earth would I do without you?! You are the BEST!

I had a special helper on Sunday and Monday! Ashlyn Hunt! She helped me in the sheep pens and was our ‘Official Artist” She did a drawing for all of us and signed and numbered it! I will share it soon as I can scan and down load it!

Enjoy some of the Photos from Sunday!