Friday, May 16, 2014

dog show...

No.. this isn't some new breed of dog!!! it is a Canadian goose, who seems to have moved in for a while here on the farm. Sometimes, I see two... but mostly just this one, so I don't know if there might be a pair, and one is off nesting some place. I do understand that they can be a bother, but here, we have plenty of room and all are welcomed. 
Not sure what "he" is hunting for or finding, but he seems to be finding whatever it is!!! And I so enjoy watching......
Now, this is a dog show!!! and sadly, I haven't been to one in years. Today, I volunteered as a ring steward, because it has been so long, and I wanted to see "what was going on in the dog show world". With any luck, Livy and I will be "in" the ring next year......
Our assignment was with the obedience rings. Being a steward is great way to get ring side "seats" and have a chance to watch the dogs close up and personal. I have to say there seems to be way less dogs competing in obedience these days. I know there can be lulls... people retiring old dogs, training puppies for the ring again... and perhaps dog showing isn't as popular as it used to be. 
(nice lab doing the scent articles)....... I can remember going to shows where there could be as many as 35 dogs in one class.... today, there weren't even a total of 35 dogs within all the classes combined. 
(corgi retrieving over the high jump) . There also weren't many that qualified... some dogs did seem "ready" and just messed up on a few things, but a number of dogs I watched, I just didn't get the feeling that they were really ready to be showing. Perhaps people rushed them a bit, because this was a local show and we don't have too many that are this close to home. But either way, it was fun to be "out there" again. 
I also had the chance to watch the confirmation rings (especially the cockers)... and there were all kinds of dogs there... big to little. I would have taken more photos, but I was suppose to be "working".  It was nice too to meet up with old friends, many didn't know that I have Livy, so they were excited to hear that I will be back...... (I'm excited too...)
Livy, Livy.... she continues to become as fun as I thought she would. She has attitude and is always up to try something new. But the one thing that amazes me the most... it doesn't bother her one bit to be "messy" or "wet". My other dogs, if there is the slightest sign of "rain"... they will hardly pop their heads out the door... but not Livy, she loves to be "out" and the wetter and dirtier she can get--- the better....
I have to wonder if it might not come from her lab buddies. First she had Debbie to play with and keep her entertained... and now she has Danny. They are such good friends, and they play together for hours!!!! Right now he is the same size as she is, but that's not going to stay that way for much longer....
"OH.... what's on the other side of the fence??"
We waiting on the arrival of our second bee hive.... they have been delayed a bit due to the wet weather we have been having. But, I'm already for them. This hive looks so little and cute, and I can't wait to have it out beside the other one. 
I feel like we are working in between the rain drops. We have truly had weather where one day it's beautiful (like this one) and then it's rain the next. Everything is so nice and green, but I groan when it's another wet day. We took advantage of this day to get the spot for the other hive done. 
Ed cleared some branches of the near by trees, got the base made and leveled a spot for it.  I guess now, we can say we have an "official" bee yard!!!!!
Since we were playing with the bees, we decided to check out the hive and see what the girls are up to. I know that some keepers can do this "alone", but I find that an extra pair of hands is the best, so Ed and I go into the hive together. 
I'm just so happy that we got them threw the winter. They seem to be doing quite well....
The honey stores are low, but they are finding plenty to eat. There are lots of new bees coming (those are the combs that are capped over) and if you look closely you can see pockets of pollen.. (those bright yellow things in the combs)....


and this is another frame, pretty much the same thing... pollen pockets, brood, and even some "grubs"....
But things are in bloom, so the girls are busy, busy and honey season is just around the corner....