Here's an Idea...

Every once in a while something comes along that makes me change my mind. I tend towards the tried and true. I'm conservative, and I really don't like change at all. My dogs have been wearing the same collars for years. For always, actually.  The leather ones with riveted, brass ID tags. I've never tried any other type of collar. That is, however, until I came across these at the Dog Bark Collar Store.

I have the blue one. You should see it on Spottie. I think it sets off his eyes. These collars are made from poly-coated nylon webbing and they're soft, smooth and comfortable in my hand. Leather collars are stiff when you first put them on, and I almost feel sorry for the dogs when they're new. My new collar is impervious to odor. No more collars that look and smell like sheep poop! And they are absolutely water proof, which is a nice feature for a bunch of soppin' wet Border Collies.

These collars are soft and flexible, and because the stainless steel identification tag hooks into the collar instead of attached by rivets, they fit gently around my dog's neck. And you can choose different fonts for the tag. I love that!

Nobody's perfect, though, right? Neither these collars. The ring used to attach a leash hangs perpendicular to the collar instead of being hooked into it like the ID tag. My only complaint, and not enough reason to pass on these. Did I mention the leashes? They. are. beautiful... come in matching colors and 4 or 6 foot lenghts. Wonderful!

I like them! They're pretty, and you know what? I like that too. I'm going to get a few more in different colors. I'm changing, trying something different, shakin' things up. Who knows, you might even see me with a different hairdo one day. The severe ponytail  might have outlived its' usefulness. Try these great collars. Buy several! Accessorize. Yup, that's right...I'm swinging out, and you should too.

Sentiment v Corian

My friend, Stephanie Summers who owns a fab little sheepdog store called Operation Sheepdog Herding sent me the Corian shepherd's whistle on the left in the photo above to try out and give a review. Hey, Steph, thanks. I'll review your wares anytime. Last time she sent me one of those kewl graphite stock sticks that I just love. So hardy, lightweight and easy to flick about if that's in your repertoire.

Oh, so what did I think about the Corian whistle? First a story.

I have a close friend, named Fred, who I've known for a very long time. About 315 dog years. He was married to Leslie, a girl I grew up with, and just like anybody who ever met her, Fred and I loved Leslie with all our hearts. She was one of those special people who are filled with light and love. A beautiful, willowy blonde who was just as pretty on the inside.

Fred and Leslie were in the cattle business, Leslie trained horses, and Fred shod them. Leslie had discovered sheepdogs long before I did, and was out in the pasture working hers one day. At the tender age of not quite 30 Les simply laid down and died for no reason that the doctors could discover, and the whistle on the right had been Fred's gift to his wife before she died. The Rockin' FL brand has been Fred's forever. Can you imagine the sentimental value it has for me? I hope so, because I could never find the words to truly convey it to you. When you see me at a dog trial, it will be Leslie's whistle around my neck, for luck and in her memory.

Sorry, whistles, and remembering Leslie go hand in hand for me.

Now, the Corian...I worked a student's dog with it today, which was a good test, because Buff is unfamiliar to me, so I have to be more deliberate. I focus on which whistle command is which, and try harder to duplicate those of his previous owner. What I discovered with the Corian is that it has a big sound. It carries well, and was easy for me to modulate decibel and strength. It's lightweight too, and with that faux-granite finish, very pretty, which is always a plus. It comes in a multitude of colors. Honestly, you could pair it with an attractive lanyard, and have yourself quite a dog trialing fashion statement.

I didn't like it's size. It felt bulky and thick in my mouth, and I found the Corian to be slippery, which is problematic, especially when the action heats up. I can't tell you how many times I've nearly spit out a whistle having to physically hold it in place when I needed rapid-fire results. Just like every other whistle I've ever tried, I'm sure I would grow used to it over time. I will buy a lanyard for this one, and make it part of my collection. You can't have too many. I put them in my truck, in my RV, and have several hanging from my hall tree all from different materials, in different sizes and shapes. I recommend that you give the Corian a try. No two whistle-blowers are alike, and you know you need another...

The Best Boots Evah!

I found them. Today I went online and I found the most-excellent, and my all-time, absolute favorite rubber boots. The venerable "Red Band" from New Zealand. They just had their 50th birthday you know. It has to be love to keep it together that long. If you've never had a pair, or even seen a pair, I recommend them highly. HIGHLY!

Kiwi, and dear friend, Julie Matthews had a pair that I always admired. So, when a friend of hers was coming to America for a visit, she had Sandra bring me a pair. So nice. And I loved them! Those of you who know me may have noticed that I'm small vertically challenged petite, OK... I'm short. What happens is rubber boots tend to hit me behind the knee. They're always too tall, which makes the boot slop around my leg, it's awkward, uncomfortable, and I hate them. I tried the uber-ugle "Muck Boot," which I can roll down, but they are the ugliest boot evah! Not that it matters when you're in mud up to your a**, but they're also kind of heavy too, especially when you're in mud up to your a**. More appropriate for a moon walk (no gravity) or some sedentary pursuit, like fishing. I threw mine out, or donated them to Good Will, or something.

My Red Bands are durable. I've had them for years, and they still look new...when they're clean. I most like the fact that I don't have to wear socks with them. Sometimes I'm in a hurry. They are that comfortable. They come just a short way above the ankle, which makes them easily slipped into. Plus you don't have to stoop to pull them off. You can simply kick them off, which is not only convenient, but v e r y satisfying after you've been out slugging through the goo with some stupid animal (sheep, steer, stupid animal du jour) that didn't know you were trying to save its life.

Skellerup makes them. Check 'em out. They won't due if you work in a swamp, but for wading out to the post, say at Zamora in a rainy year, they. are. perfect.

Caveat: If it's a monsoon year at Zamora, you will need a wet suit and scuba gear.

Chris & The Colors of Hope

Today I am launching my review of the L'Oréal Colors of Hope costmetics collection, so please visit my Review Blog and read my impressions. With every purchase of the cosmetics bag, L'Oréal Paris will donate $5 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, so we can help each other by fighting this insideous disease, and look gorgeous doing it.

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers in the US, and is the 5th leading cause of cancer death among women. It is estimated that over 20,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2010, and more than half will die as a result. September is ovarian cancer awareness month and there's no time like the present to become involved and help find a cure. This is my best friend, Chris, and it is to her that I dedicate this post and my review. She died from the disease when she was just 52 years old, in January of 2008. Chris left behind 2 daughters, Tara and Stephanie, her mother and father, Marge and Craig, her sister and brother, Dawn and Norman, many loving friends and me.

We met in Junior High School and were all but inseparable for many years after. Life pulled us apart as we became responsible adults, but it was as if no time had passed at all whenever we connected. It is her raucus laughter that lingers with me. She was my best friend for more than 40 years, and I am forever changed without her presence in my life.