Friday, June 2 – Sunday, June 4
RVSue and her canine crew are camped along Little Wood River at Pagari Bridge, northeast of Shoshone, Idaho. The sheep story continues from the previous post.
Each morning approximately 1,700 sheep are brought to the river by our camp.
The sheep are controlled with expertise . . .
By a herder and a horse . . .
Along with two border collies . . .
Under the protection of two Great Pyrenees . . .
One of the big, beautiful, white dogs shows his age.
Despite his stiff joints, he performs his responsibilities of guardian well. After cooling off in the river, he inspects our campsite on all sides for potential threats. Surely he hears Reggie and Roger throwing a conniption fit.
From my hiding place between the Perfect Tow Vehicle and the Best Little Trailer I greet the great dog with a few words. I want to make sure he knows I’m not a threat.
(Click link to read the story about a woman on a bike encountering a Great Pyrenees guarding sheep.)
No obsequious tail-wagging from this professional!
He acknowledges my presence with a stare, retaining the reserve of a dog on-the-job (next photo). He’s standing in our “front yard,” between the BLT and the river.
The flock passes under our bedroom window on the other side of the BLT.
(You can see the route they take in the first photo of this post.)
A sub-group starts to come around the outdoor room side of the BLT.
(That’s our trash bag hanging from the side mirror.) Apparently the sheep saw the Great Pyrenees (above) go that way. He immediately brings them around to rejoin the main flock.
What about Reggie and Roger?
I previously pulled back the Reflectix from the rear window to allow the crew a view of the goings-on.
Quite naturally, my two guardians are not happy with what they see!
On the last day of the sheep being moved across Pagari Bridge on their way to summer grazing in the mountains, I exercise what is commonly known as . . .
Bad Judgment.
Well, I’m not going to be real hard on myself here.
You see, at the time of the incident, I didn’t know Roger very well. He’d only been with us a couple of days and I had no idea he could dart out of the BLT through a partially opened door AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT.
Yep, that’s what he does, the little critter.
It’s Sunday, the last day of the migration past our camp. Since I already obtained several photos, I’m not outside awaiting the arrival of the sheep. I stay inside with the crew.
Then, when the last of the sheep pass by our windows, I change my mind and decide to grab a few more shots. It’s that persistent urge to record everything with my camera that I cannot deny.
I open the door just enough to squeeze through . . . .
And there goes Roger!
Like a rocket, he tear-a$$es after the rear of the flock, crossing back and forth, barking furiously.
I don’t have any photos of Roger’s performance because I’m too embarrassed and I don’t want the herder to see me taking pictures!
The herder glances over his shoulder at the raving, canine lunatic.
He sees Roger as insignificant and ignores him. And the border collies are too busy working to bother with a crazed chihuahua!
The herder, dogs, and sheep move away from our campsite.
Roger returns to me at the door of the BLT and I toss his hiney inside!
“Good thing those white dogs are on the front end of the flock or you’d be in big trouble, Mr. Roger Dodger!”
I’ve seen sheep funneled between those two striped signs three times before, but I’m still fascinated to watch it happen again, this one last time.
~ ~ ~
rvsue
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First?
Second?
I am from NC also Dawn…have a great day!
I love that word…”conniption”. Glad all’s well that ends well where Roger is concerned.
OMGosh…adore the photo with the last of the crew through the funnel…man, dog, dog, horse with rider! I love your style of telling a tale with all of the tails, both words and pictures. Thank you!
Deena and Miss Mollie
third?
Fifth, I guess that will have to do. Love the sheep. I am glad Roger fared ok with the sheep and came back to you. I know he and Reggie can be impulsive and hardheaded sometimes. I notice you still keep the tether on Reggie in the pictures.
Great post and pics Sue!! Signing my GSD up for sheep herding in the fall!
HA, what a sneaky rascal that Roger is! Excitement was just too much for him :).
Such a huge herd is just amazing to me. Great pics!
It’s important to note that Roger came back to you and didn’t follow the sheep off into the horizon. He knows where he belongs. That’s a good lesson for him.
Agreed!
Agreed. I know nothing about dogs except that they are amazing. And I think Roger’s quick return to Sue & the BLT was a good testimony to bonding accomplished.
Exciting post and great pictures Sue. Your life is never boring. Happy about your new dog and companion for Reggie.
I have a little dog like Roger…would head full blast into any situation she wanted to investigate oblivious to any danger around her. She’s always on a lease or in our fenced yard…but doesn’t mean she doesn’t get out for walks in the park(on lease) or rides in the car, etc. Such fearless little rascals!!!
Love the pictures of the sheep…and that there is no special hi-technology to herd them along.
Thanks for posting another interesting story.
Guess he wanted to prove he is indeed a “Roger Dodger”!……luckily though he didn’t cause any trouble.
I have Schipperkes and if they were allowed out off-leash, they’d be down the road exploring! I’m glad Roger didn’t try to get close to the sheep!
Great sheep story.
I’m reading a new book by food journalist Michael Ruhlman, titled “Grocery: The Buying and Selling of Food in America” [feel free to insert your Amazon link here]. The book is about grocery stories with fascinating chapters on how providers of various food products work along with other various grocery store details. The one chapter I just finished (and it was very timely considering your post) was about meat that included an interview and visit to an Idaho company that raises grass-fed sheep for grocery stores.
As always, can’t wait for your next post.
Robin [aka “Book Pusher”]
Hey Robin! Are you the same Robin that I’m friends with on Goodreads? I am figuring that out because I read earlier today (or yesterday) that you were reading the grocery store book. And how many Robins would coincidentally be reading that book at the same time?
Not many! Yes, that is me. Small world. Review coming soon.
I’m used to seeing Great Pyranees at the shows. I would never have thought they might attack someone! That article about the woman who was attacked was scary!
Roger was “earning his spurs,” Sue. No harm done and he came back of his own free will. Sounds like he’s adjusting well and getting used to his new home/Family. I’m proud of him. Well done, Sue. Hugs to the Crew.
Whew great luck that Roger came back to you after he was done throwing his fit instead of taking off. I breathed a sigh of relief.
OMgosh that is GREAT that he came BACK!!!! He came BACK! He knows his crew! After just a few days, that is awesome!!!
So I have to ask… did the sheep rumble the trailer? I would think it would be pretty intense in the noise dept with that many critters going past so close!
Best of everything to you Sue. So glad this worked out the way it did.
Hugs!
Love the photos and the great Pyrenees. We had a German Sheppard, female, who was very protective. She was fine among people, very social, but if a dog came near, she’d go ballistic….she did not like small dogs. Never mauled another dog though. Now we have small dogs and the do rush out oblivious to danger. On a recent camping trip, our dogs confronted a black bear, chased it out of our camp site. I didn’t see the bear but the dogs did and commenced a chase. I have yet to take to class for snake training for one dog but the other two are trained what to do in case they see a snake. Roger would make a good sheep herder….although I think he’d end up on horse back after a few miles ha ha
I have to agree with Barb from Hoquiam! I am,so pleased that
#1 Roger did NOT try to herd the sheep! And #2 that he came back after determining that the sheep were not a danger to his new hone! You have cored a big A+ by allowing Roger to become a crew member!
NOW, how to keep him from being so lightning quick dashing out that door!
Great story telling. Great photos! My favorite photo is the one of Reggie and Roger looking out the back window in full bark at the sheep!
Thanks for bringing grins!
SCORED big, not cored!
The wait command is very useful to keep dogs from rushing out. Yes, you can be forgiven the mistake with a new dog. 🙂
Again, great storytelling – and the photos to boot!!!!!
Thanks for you entertaining sequence of posts. So enjoyable!!! I had to LOL when I read the term “conniption fit”. I’m the only one I know who says that. Have you ever heard the term “ten fits and a hemorrhage”? Interchangeable, the two.
Love reading your posts and following your travels. Last week I bought a new Chevy truck so will continue my own travel with more momentum.
Well, it always helps to know when you have a dog that does as he pleases…argh!! Next time you can tie him up inside first…ha!! I must admit though that you have a harder time with most dogs than you do heelers in getting them to do as told…with heelers we have had, if they disobeyed it was just because they were not understanding your command…and it never took long to help them understand either. They and the border collies are such unique…
oh dear…I am so dreading the end of the month when we have to go take care of the great pyranees belonging to our niece…she does not know us well…and though we saw her a couple weeks ago…without them there I am wondering…
CookieDog is cheering Roger on…. Cookie says he used to be able to do the same escape- for the first two or three years after Kat rescued/adopted him. Somehow Kat now has a magic power and CookieDog can no longer escape. CookieDog says don’t let Kat tell RVSue how she got that magic power!
Love your sheep pictures and the crew looking out the window wishing they were out there herding those bad sheep! They would protect their crew at all costs.
Great pics Sue! Molly, Giz & I just returned from a long 3 week caring for a terminally ill brother. Spent time decompressing thru Nevada. Love ruby marsh but woke up to snow yesterday, a wonderful spot in the high desert. Thought of you as I passed thru Rogerson.
I don’t know if you’re still at Ruby Marsh… If so, be sure to keep enough gas in reserve for when you want to leave. It’s a long way to the nearest gas station!
Home now but will return to the ruby valley. Quite an amazing area.
Great storytelling, with wonderful photos. My 10 lb. Rizzo is a big fan of the “boys”.
Whew! So glad Roger came back! If it had been my dog, she’d be off with the sheep, still.
Happy day!
From the linked article:
“according to The Vail Daily, Robinson has since stopped using guard dogs, and said the year after the dog attack, predators and domestic dogs killed 26 percent of his sheep.”
Guard dogs are raised with the sheep, and identify with the sheep. You approach a herd at your own risk. Most city folks have no clue just how deadly any of the guard breeds can be.
My FIL ran sheep in Utah for years and domestic dogs are the one of the worst threats faced by most sheep operations on a day to day basis. I’m glad to hear little Roger didn’t become a morning snack for the guard crew. : )
That said, I **loved** the photos – it was like being back home for a few minutes…. Thank you once more.
Always worth my time to visit here.
Thank you for bringing up the point that guard dogs are just that, Guards. They are trained to attack threats. They don’t discriminate among two footed, bicycles, stray pet dogs. This is according to my sister who works with Great Pyrenees.
If ranchers posted Notice of Protective Guard Dogs along their property lines, unfortunate encounters with people may not happen. Or, the offending people would be more negligent in these circumstances.
In my opinion, Little Roger’s guardian angel was on duty. Glad you were able to get ahold of him soon enough.
There are no property lines for the sheep in this post as they range on land leased through the BLM.
I’m still here reading every post. Emotionally drained. Husband put on hospice this week as there is no more medical treatment for him. Prayers appreciated.
I’m so, so, sorry Virginia. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Virginia, I am so sorry. I will definitely be praying for you and your husband.
Virginia, sending prayers to both of you…thank God for hospice…such a blessing during this time.
Deena and Miss Mollie
Prayers for you and your husband, Virginia.
So sorry Virginia…will be praying for you and hubby!!
I am praying for you and your family. Hospice is a great help in difficult times.
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Oh my goodness, Sue! What an amazing photo essay with the herding of the sheep. I can just picture Roger trying to be a herder himself. Thank God, he is safe AND he came back to you on his own. That right there speaks for itself, or shall I say, YOU and his attention to or imprinting on you. Your adventures are such a delight to read. Thank you!
I’m surprised they let the sheep come that close to your camp, but I guess that road is their route “through the poles” to get to the other side. Quite the adventure for all of you! I suspect Reggie dared Roger to take on those weird monsters under your window :-))
Well I’m about to embark on my trip to NY. Getting my car worked on tomorrow. Last doctor appt on Friday. Got some errands on Saturday and packing. Sunday morning I’m off. Plan to be in Albuquerque by the first night and find a national park in that area, will buy my senior pass at the park. After that my plan is to only go 200-300 miles per day. I still have to work on the Knife every morning, but I’m usually done by noon. Then I’ll start driving. I figure 4 to 6 hours driving per day. I just have to plan ahead where I’m going to stay. I got my camp chair, my little table, my sunscreen, my window shades, my ice chest, my Coleman stove, my dog pen. I need a good flashlight and couple other little things. Then I’m set! Got to be in NY by July 4, so that gives me plenty of time. Getting more excited every day!
So now you know about Roger! I’m sure learning to live with Roger will be a fun adventure. Love the sheep!
Ginger, that is great to hear! Please keep us updated as you make your first grand road trip in your Prius!
Hey Ginger, you are on the road and it sounds like you have planned well. Congratulations.
Sue, you and your double R adventures continue, so many sheep! I know Tommie would be off like a shot after them. Once he took off after a deer and we both had a good run before he returned, thankfully unhurt. I am glad Roger did the same and he clearly knows where home is. He’s a smart guy to have picked you out.
We have a neighborhood Great Pyrenees ,Mischa, who is a sweetheart.She prefers to stay outside her owners house 24/7 even when it is below zero.She is a pussycat and wanders the neighborhood visiting all our pooches whom she is very protective of.She is our Neighborhood Watch Program and mooches biscuits at all the houses.
We are in a very rural area and comprise 8 parcels of an old 400 acre farm deep in the woods.This wouldn’t work everywhere but we all love her.She is a gentle giant.She only barks and never threatens but her bark can be heard as soon as a car enters the farm road.Trespassing is not an issue here.
Oh my goodness, this is another post where I laughed until I practically peed my panties!! I can just envision Roger darting past Sue, Reggie dancing excitedly and saying, “You go dude, go get run over by those giant white dogs that just bleat when they should be barking like normal dogs. We bark, we don’t bleat. And we don’t run after bleating dogs. But go ahead, make a fool of yourself.” Love it that the little rascal came back to you – I guess common sense took over his chasing instinct.
Just curious … were the herders Hispanic or Basque? Our homeowners association hires a few sheep herders every spring to roam the hills and eat the grasses and they are always Basque (the herders, not the sheep) 🙂
WOW!!!! What a site. Loved the photos of the sheep operation. I had two border collies and used them to herd up the cattle. Love those dogs. Take Care Sue and Crew!
Rogers return to Mom like a good boy was his way of signing on as a crewman! Missy, again, more nice pics and words! J…..
Gotta love how brave your little boys are, Sue. The photos in this post clearly show that your camp really was in the path of all the action, another case of your being in the right place at the right time.
This has to be the most fascinating thing you’ve ever documented, Sue. Awesome photos and story. You are truly living a rare, wonderful lifestyle and are the perfect candidate to have done so.
My husband is the descendant of Basques from the Pyrenees region in Spain; has some really interesting black-and-white photos from before they came to the US. He speaks Spanish, French, and English and sometimes I feel a little linguistically-challenged by that. He often remarks that he is puzzled how some native-born Americans are not truly fluent in their own language.
There is an article called” Life Love and purpose down on the Farm” There are Great Pyrenees dogs that protect geese!
Sue, I am so happy your crew is complete again:)