10-April-2025

I had a ‘spring update’ from Jullian who took Venti from the summer 2023 Clwyd Bob x Nel litter. Not all pups by the redoubtable Clywd Bob and the TFB Nel turn out to working dogs. Venti had a different kind of life ahead of him.

Venti continues to bring so much joy to my life just by being his wonderful self. He lives a spoiled and fulfilling life in Boston. 

He recently completed a dock diving class and loved it!! We are currently trying agility. It has been very fun trying out different activities with him. We are in no hurry to compete- Venti has already proven himself to be a skilled athlete, but he needs a bit more time to grow into himself. 

We ran into a Welsh gentleman today who crossed the street to say hello to Venti, and said he reminded him of the Border Collies he sees back home. He was delighted when I mentioned that Venti takes sheep herding classes. 

Most working collies would not thrive in an urban environment. Jullian makes it work for Venti. Kudos to Jullian! A very happy match!!

“Did you see that? He brought 75 countries to the negotiating table? You are seeing the ‘Art of the Deal’ in action.” He’s the world’s best negotiator, we are told by the MAGAt faithful –‘the best negotiator EVER!’ Of course ‘national security’ prevents him revealing who the alleged 75 countries are …because they don’t really exist. What is more likely to exist is insider trading. Welcome to tyranny, kleptocracy, authoritarianism, savage ineptitude …they all fit.

“Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.”
— John Adams

The Trump ‘Do Loop’

With no terminal condition, the bafoonery just repeats itself over and over again

Tending to democracy is like tending to a house or car or to life relationships. We can let it slide for a while, but only for a bit. If we don’t maintain it, it breaks down …sometimes beyond repair.

Our democratic rights, individual freedoms, global standing and vaunted institutions are not abstractions. Losing them will have real consequences.

Three dogs and I attended 3 “Hands Off” events on a rainy Saturday here in Vermont.

The first event was right here in Strafford, on the lawn of the S. Strafford UCC. Committed and good people from town.

The second event was a raucous event of over 1500 people (according to the regional newspaper) in White River Junction, Vermont, so large that it spilled across the bridge over the Connecticut River into New Hampshire, which is where we took our place. No photos of that event. I was too busy managing the dogs with all the horns and drums and traffic. I don’t know how many more than 1500 people were there. Such spirit, commitment (in nasty weather) and kindness! People took turns holding the leash for a dog so I could manage.

Then on to Hanover, NH, home to Dartmouth College with the now veteran dogs: Max, Jazz and Kim. They were impeccably behaved and charmed everyone, happily taking pats and affection and general adoration. Only about 300 people in Hanover in front of the college …where were all the college students?? Not student-led stuff like the 1960’s, I’m afraid, except that the crowd consisted of old boomers like me who protested back during Vietnam.

Reporters covering the protests nationwide said protesters were “middle aged or older”. I would add that in that in the case of Vermont (the 4th oldest state), they were much older.

Nice to be out in solidarity with the those making a statement of resistance to the attempted seizure or our government. I would like to see actions like this grow in numbers and frequency. People power is what will end the seizure of our government.

4-April-2025

I am proud to have spent days and days knocking doors for this candidate in 2016. She really did ‘tell it like it is’ …even if people were not ready to hear it.

“You know, to just be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trump’s supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables. Right? The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic—you name it. And unfortunately there are people like that. And he has lifted them up.” ~ Hillary Rodham Clinton, 2016

30-Mar-2025

Three pups (1M/2F), Gail x Max, doing very well 1 week on. Nice and big. Gail is feeding them generously. …and yes, I believe Max is the perpetrator. Telltale markings (faint tan highlights on cheeks and butt) are from the Aled Owen lines. DNA parentage test will confirm this before registration. Because Max is big, I expect the pups to be med-large. Pups genetically clear by parentage.

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UPDATE 28-Mar

I have strong reason to believe that my initial chief suspect, Max, is the perpetrator of the litter. Distinctive markings on the pups are that are present in Max and his Aled Owen lines are not present in the other two possible sires from Dewi Jenkins and James McCloskey lines. I am 75% sure Max is the sire of the pups. A DNA test on a pup in a few weeks will confirm the parentage.

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Original Post

23-Mar-2025

When I went to the kennel this AM, there was general excitement in the kennel and some strange noises. A male pup had been born to Gail in her kennel. A quick shift indoors and several hours later, two females followed. All pups nursing and looking very healthy. It was an easy whelping for Gail –and for me.

These will be the first pups registered with the ISDS prefix ‘Strafford‘.

1. I had no idea when the pups would be born, since I only noticed 2 days ago that she was pregnant.
2. Sire is TBD. It will be one of three here. And no one has confessed yet. When the pups are a bit older, I will do a DNA swab and have it matched to the lineup: Max (chief suspect), Mirk, Pete.

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Males can be late maturers. At 8 months, Coal is looking like a different dog. The 2023 pups have matured nicely over the winter. I’m VERY pleased to think that I can offer Coal to working homes as well as mixed working/pet homes. More on his profile page.

I discovered Gail was pregnant today. I knew she was in season weeks ago and was careful about separating males and females. So, I’m not sure when and with whom this happened, but I will find out once the pups arrive and I can do a parentage / paternity test. Since I have DNA profiles on all the suspects, I can just submit a puppy’s DNA and find out whodunnit.

Who is the perp? My bet is on Max, then Mirk. Though it really could have been any of them.

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2 Days later…

Around 5 AM while I was watching the European Nursery Sheepdog Championships, Gail gave birth to a healthy male pup. Appears to be a singleton. And could belong to any of the perps, but most likely Max or Mirk.