This track was designed as a motivational one for Trust. It was in a nice setting, not too busy, and I only intended to age it a bit over 2 hr. As well, after some recent conversations with friends, about painted lines and curbs in parking lots, and a few things I've noticed previously, I wanted to totally avoid any paint and see what happened. Of course, "something always happens", and in this case, I was glad it was Trust I was working.....
I have my track outlined in red, some of her little excursions away off the track in yellow, and wind or other 'notes' of interest in blue or burgundy.
We were about 1/3 along the first leg, the grass had just been cut on all the veg. surfaces, so that was not expected, but not a problem. Lady that she is, Trust decided to pee (shes's a marker) beside this box thing to the right of the track that she 'just had' to check out.
Nearing corner on first leg, she ignored these two 'things' as she passed and took the corner nicely.
On the second leg, Trust is just beginning to sit to indicate the wood article. As she does, her head lifts and she sees someone way ahead. I had previously noticed this man wandering around, figured he had a dog with him, off-leash. Sure enough, shortly after this picture, the dog popped up out of the ditch. I told Trust to wait, walked up and stayed beside her, waiting for the man to put his dog on the leash. He finally did, and began to walk to the right. This was at a hotel, and I figured he was a guest. All was well..........hmmmm.........so I told Trust to start working again, which she did, just fine. We had gone a short distance when she and I notice the dog running at her from the right. I swear she lifted all 4 legs off the ground and flipped sideways in the air and barked, landing on all four - at the same time I was yelling "Giiit" as the man was calling the dogs' name. It paused, then instantly came on. Trust hadn't moved. I yelled again, so did the man. I had moved up to her and was ready for the dog. Luckily, whew! the dog decided to turn back. I paused, told her what a good girl she was, allowed my heart to return to where it should be, the man never said a word. Lucky for him, in a way, I did not feel like being very tactful or gracious! And on we go, like nothing happened. Trust is such a good girl.
Here we have passed the end where I first spotted the dog/man, no doubt having walked and peed all over this area. On the previous picture, right of the man, there is a mound with growthy things and we've just passed this area. Trust went up to smell the tree, which I told her sternly to "leave it", she did, as this has been an issue with us. When she's tracking, she has no need to smell where another dog marked - not a good girl, this time! But she came back, moved on to corner which now was right beside the red car. She smelled along, and around behind it and then out onto gravel then pavement.
So, here I laid the track on the right side of this island on gravel, she's tracking along the left side on pavement. She IS working the scent. Then I cross the next grass island, and out onto the pavement.
You just wonder sometimes what the heck is going on in this urban work. Trust is tracking, but is not on the track I laid at this point but joins up with it a little further ahead. It's just fascinating watching these dogs work.
And here she is almost dead on when she begins to turn (the MOT turn) on the pavement. Note wind in blue arrows (when I laid it).
The scent would have collected along the edge of the grass by the fence. She moved the whole way up here to the corner and then came back to the pavement. We are nearing the man entrance, people and cars going through here and turning. I stayed totally away from the parking lines and just couldn't resist crossing this little tricky busy spot, which was also under an overhang.
I left the pavement, up onto the cement walk and left this article (sock) at the edge of a bush. This spot was actually open to the other side as well. This was in front of the main entrance doors where cars drove through. She did really well in this area, I was very pleased with her.
We crossed the driveway, and up onto a veg hill, making a turn near the top. She did this area perfectly, and then we moved down behind a few pine trees toward another driveway.
She's moving very deliberately now and no doubt, knows we're getting "close".
And I just love this picture! As you see, she was tracking about 2' to the left of the track I laid.
I totally walked on the little break in the curb and over it, on purpose. She was clearly drawn to it, paused to smell there, and then up and over she went
And there it is...a small piece of light brown leather tucked between two rocks (circled). This was a good track. Although originally designed as a fun/motivational track for her, we ran into the freshly cut grass, and the dog incident, but it was obvious she was enjoying this track and did very well with it. When she found the sock as well, you could almost see her glee as she zeroed in on it. These dogs are just amazing how they work in urban settings. And of course, Trust is the most amazing of all.......she says without bias, ha.ha.ha.
Early this morning, just as the SNOW began to fall, a lovely male rosebreasted grosbeak appeared under one of the bird feeders. We haven't seen one for a year, so hope there will be a nest nearby. He was alone, and able to eat as much as he wanted, before the HEAVY SNOW arrived, and then a huge number of various birds came to the feeders as well.
Yes, it is MAY the 8th !!! The bluejays were fighting for the food..
...and the evening grosbeaks were also fighting for it. There was plenty for all, we ended up going out four times today with food, in various places. Feel very sorry for the birds that have come back, especially the ones that depend on bugs like our phoebes.
We had about 6" of snow, and high winds. The snow was so heavy, many of our small bushes are bent over to the ground, the perennials that have been growing are buried. I hope we don't lose them. These are huge trees (above) and you can see how the branches are weighted down.
Of course, Blast had a great time, he adores the snow. Look at that tail! Bad boy was after some poor thing trying to hide under the tree. I called him off to continue on our walk so he didn't find it. Something is wrong with this picture, though....it's MAY THE 8TH !!!!
