It's Open Farm day at Irena Farm on June 21! Well, it's open everyday, but this is the day we have our big meetup. Mostly it's Border Collie people, but everyone is welcome!

We'll have a potluck lunch, followed by a walk to the pond, and then when it cools off some, we'll have a mini-herding-clinic with, er, someone - haven't quite got that part nailed down yet.

If you are interested in coming, an RSVP will ensure there's enough paper products for everyone. Plus, anyone who would like to try their dog(s) on sheep, need to let me know ahead of time so we'll know how many sheep to set aside and how long we'll need.

Sheep time is open to any breed, and it will be $35. For those experienced at working their own dogs, it's $10 per dog, no need to sign up ahead.

The farm is located in Semora, NC, about 20 miles southeast of Danville, 90 miles south of Richmond, VA, and about 50 miles north of Durham, NC. Mapquest 54 Scott Rd.

Me me me! Rosie and Sammy really want to come!

I lived in Chapel Hill NC for a year when I was a kid - my Dad took a sabatical there. It was sooo beautiful there-- perfect weather, friendly people.I'd move there in a heart beat if I could.

OOOOOH!!!! I'm SO going to be there!!!!

I don't think Ella will be joining me though, even though I'd love to see what she'd do with sheep, since dogs+people+unfamiliar large animals=too much for neurotic Ella. I totally want to watch all the dogs and sheepies do their stuff though!

Sounds like fun. Too bad I live way too far away. I would love to get a chance to work the boys in a totally new place.
Plus to meet the gang!

Have fun!

I would totally be there if I lived anywhere reasonable. Sounds like a fun day!

Sure do wish you guys would come on! What, too far?

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone this year (although we've all done FAR better and keeping up with each other lately in general).

I'll be there (FWIW). That alone increases the number of dog attendees exponentially, lol.

J.

I wish you weren't so far away!

Havana says "Sorry Momma, but screw you, I'm there." We'll be in Pennsylvania the week before, so I'd better have DH keep a close eye on her when they're hiking the Appalachian Trail. Be just like her to "forget" what she's doing and head south!

Waaah! I wanna come! One of these days I'm actually going do it, too. My financial situation isn't going to permit it this year, with flyball tourneys, agility trials and herding lessons, but thanks for the invite, Becca.

Wow, how fun!! Enjoy the day, I'm sure it will be fantastic!

Geepers, IF I were visiting my brother in Williamsburg, it sounds like an easy jump down to you! Something for me to put on my agenda for another time.
I know you'll have a great time and we expect photos!

You are welcome anytime! Don't be a stranger!

I talked to Sandy earlier this AM - and she'd like to come too, if that's OK - Brittanies in tow.

Yay! I haven't seen Sandy in ages (and the last time really was trial by fire what with the lambing difficulties that day). What fun!

J.

Missed this, sorry - Sandy and Brittneys are of course welcome! Oh yeah, NOW we're cooking with gas. Not that the rest of you all are boring or anything, but wow, where Sandy is, guaranteed craziness!

I think there's a few people from dog..com coming too. I was starting to think maybe it would just be us chickens, but people are starting to emerge from the woodwork now. Not that us chickens wouldn't also be fun - but you know - well

I'll just shut up now . . .

. . . .or maybe write in my blog . . .

Dang. I wish you didn't live like, 3000 miles away. I'd love to go, but um, since I haven't figured out teleportation yet, here I stay.

If I win the lotto I'll be there, fo' sho!

Take lots o' pics!

Paige

Yeah, it's a wonder she even still wants to see all of us. Well, at least you and me, after that.



Yessirree bob, we're going to have a blast. Oh, and her DH is probably coming with - I need to let Nancy know so that her Chuck can be assured he won't be the only dude. Might be a good lure for mine, too.

And I think my boy will also be coming--he's been inticed by the promise of fishing in the pond. And that there will be other guys there, and perhaps some non-dog-talk. Bring your dude too!!!

I'm thinking about bringing miss Ella. thinking. Either she'll have a total blast, or be totally freaked out and ulgy-facing at everything. Odds are about 70/30 with how she's been handling stuff lately...she was totally unfazed by one neighbors crazy barking chi, and another neighbors friendly but very loud barking golden running into our yard at us....these are big steps!

Alissa,
If it helps any with your decisionmaking, most border collies are pretty good about minding their own business. I'd love to meet Ella!

J.

Alright, Ella is officially coming to the party!!!!

Her main problems are when dogs are super 'in her face'. She has a personal space bubble. She's totally harmless, though the 'evil face' and 'evil chihuahua bark' can through people off. Then she hides behind mommy if they don't listen. Occasionally she gets herself smacked-down, and she always then becomes buddies with the dog that told her to STFU.

She's nuts. But I love her.

I just have to decide food items to bring--I realized my chocolate toffee trifle might not travel well, unless I used cool whip instead of real whipped cream. Cool whip kind of creeps me out.

ETA: are there contingency plans for rain? Boy is very concerned about the chance of rain on saturday.

The weather has a habit of going around us here, so we should be fine. There's cover we can get under for quick showers, and the house is open to people and dogs alike if it persists. The temps look perfect!

Sounds great!!!! I have no problem with a little rain anyways.

boy seems to think he might melt

we've got to go get some gear for his fishing poles tonight. I think he'll enjoy doing some fishing his dad brought us the THREE 'spares of the spare' fishing poles. yep. my FIL's spares have backup spares.

Wow, it sounds like such fun! Jealous here! I assume masses of photos will be uploaded for us wallflowers?

I am going to try to remember my camera. Of course I'm one to take it along and then forget to pull it out and actually use it, but I'll try!

Alissa,
Yay! I'm glad Ella's coming.

J.

Boy is a photo-taking fiend. He bought (for 'us' supposedly) a nikon digital SLR, and about every other week, he goes out and just takes random pictures all around our yard/house. Like 100 pictures of our shrubbery, grass, trees, leaves, compost pile, veggie garden. on a regular basis.

I can hopefully get him interested in taking lots of pics saturday--and it'll keep him from getting bored and antsy. I fugure there should be plenty of good subject material. Way better than the shrubs around our house

Oh man, I wish I could go...this is not that far away from me! Doug and I will be in Nashville for a gig!

Can I take a rain check? I would love to come visit your gorgeous place!

Of course - just drop me a line to let us know when you can make it. Maybe we can arrange a mini-get together at the same time. There's a friend coming down from Alaska in September whom I'm hoping to lure up here when she visits (hint, hint, Julie), and then in November it looks like we'll be having a herding trainer for a clinic. But you don't have to wait until any formal event - it's just fun to get more people together IRL!

ETA: Alissa, at least we have a compost pile with corn growing out of it (betcha don't have one of those!), bushes trimmed by sheep, and piles of sheep wool (I'm sre you don't have any of those!). Not to mention all the dogs doing interesting things, the shearing, the shearing of my little Chinese crested that is scheduled, the ducks, and all the scenery of course.

we have a compost pile, and we're growing some corn. but no corn growing out of the compost pile. will have to make that a goal for next year. .

We're thinking of leaving here 10ish, which should get us there 11:30ish. Is that a good time?

That's fine!

We're gonna have FUN!! Woo-HOO! BF says he's coming. It was, of course, said with a sigh of resignation, but still.

I'm meeting Sandy at my house, planning to leave approx 10:30. So we'll see you around 11:45-12ish.

YAY! Good work, girl!

Oh you should go. Can you bring a soft crate for Ella if she gets overwhelmed. If I know border collies and herding dogs, they understand the bat face very well and respect it.

I only have a hard plastic crate, but it's coming with us!

Ella wouls be SO happy if, for once in her life, a dog understood the evil face and gave her some space. I don't think it's ever given another dog pause--poor, misunderstood doggy!

Laura--glad to hear the BF is coming!!! It'll be good if they have enough other guys around to not feel totally overwhelmed!

We should take Ella and Zhi to some quiet corner together to introduce them. Zhi has a wonderful way with insecure dogs. Sometimes it's hard to see what she's doing but then suddenly she and the dog that is having a hard time, will start playing like crazy. Many times, after Zhi is done with the dog, she'll guide the dog through playing with the rest of the gang - they all take their cues from her at that point.

I've learned a lot from her about handling dogs with dog-on-dog issues. The main thing she does, that is very interesting, is she discovers quickly what a dog likes about interacting with other dogs. She'll give that to the other dog (some like flirting, some like submission, some like to worship at the feet of another dog). Then if the other dog acts inappropriately, she will shut off the faucet, and make the other dog beg for more. Then she calls the shots.

She spent a couple weeks when she was a puppy in a home where several BCs, two snotty shelties, and two Dutch Shepherds ran loose together all the time. One of the Dutch Shepherds killed one of the BCs before Zhi got there (and still was allowed to run loose), and later killed one of the shelties. I figure poor Zhi learned her fantastic social appeasement skills as a matter of survival!

Becca, I'm totally sold on introducing Ella and Zhi in a quiet corner. Ella *loves* to be flirted with, and she's quite the little flirt herself when she finds the right dog (she has a thing for fluffy dogs).

Once she makes friends, she is a crazy wild runner/leaper/wrestler. She's awesome when she gets over herself. She could really use some doggy play--boy and I have to run around the yard playing chase with her to tire her out--it's exhausting!

I hear ya. It's like when one of the boys is off doing something and I'm left having to entertain the other for the day. Wow, that's tiring. I am always glad when brother is back, or when I can call on the reinforcements, a neighborhood friend, to assist.

Just by way of warning, speaking of the boys - the house is a bit of a disaster. The boys have been wonderful helpers but there's so much that has to be done and it takes twice as long for them to feed, water, clean, wash dishes, fold laundry. I am cleaning up the bathrooms nicely but that's all I can promise! The areas we'll be playing in will all be very pleasant, though, so that's what counts. Just close your eyes when you use the facilities, please!

Hey Becca,
You know...PICTURES are a REQUIREMENT of this function.

Alright, I waaaaay failed with being organized enough to bake something to bring...and had to use my time for other things.

So I am bringing hummus with parmesan crisps, and a key lime pie. Thank you Costco!

I just have to try and keep Boy from stealing a slice of the key lime pie prior to the event.

So...pictures of the day??

I don't know about anyone else but I am POOPED - I'll upload what I've got tomorrow. I got some of people just walking around, dogs, and a trip down to the pond (one of three today).

It was great to see everyone and meet some new faces this time - awesome! Ben came up and got an aspirin as he was starting to get a bit stiff. But it was a happy tired!

I was so glad to meet Alissa finally and the famous Boy, and the kids and my big kid, were glad he brought his gear for fishing. I think now Patrick will be more encouraged to go down there this year. I'm actually hoping to get them a little boat. Okay, for me too. But you all are welcome up anytime.

As usual, it's always fun to play with sheep, not to mention visit - I hope everyone got accomplished what they wanted to, with all the sheep dashing here and there. They are not exactly team players, but that does add a nice challenging level [Cue the chorus line] *If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere . . .*

I hope someone got some good pics and vids of the sheep and duck working.

cool!!!

Ooooo...I can't wait to see pictures! I'm so jealous you all got to hang out at Becca's farm!

I am looking forward to seeing pictures too!

I had an awesome time!!! Ella and Boy had fun too. It was great to finally get to meet some ODOers and dogs in real life!

I hope Ben's feeling ok today, he did some very intense 2 hours of stick fetching in the pond, courtesy of Boy. He and Lynn also did a great job of teaching Ella that dogs can, in fact, swim using their back legs too.

As soon as Boy uploads the pics, I'll post what we have.

What fun! Can't wait to see pics!