Rodeo was in town

Every year our town puts on a Pro Rodeo,
it is run by volunteers and is really one of the main events happening in town.
Businesses close down for the parade,
others close down for the duration of the rodeo.
Everyone seems to do something to make this rodeo a success.

I admire the dedicated breeding programs to the bucking stock, the barrel horses, the racers, and the ropers.
I admire the athleticism of the animals.
I enjoy watching the pick up men working with the stock and safety of the cowboys.
The stock are fat and sassy.

So, here are a collection of "buck-offs" from these past few days.

Timing is everything

And, away they go..

Bovine removal Specialist

Equine removal

The pick up crew

A gentle let down by the pick up man.

This spotty bull knows how to rock and roll.

The haves..

and the have not's..

Local talent

It is one thing getting bucked off,

but, before you can say hi to mother earth, 

you have to be up and running with a 1400 lb, snot slinging, bull up your butt..

run Forest run..

Saved by the rodeo clown.

Another one bites the dust..

Puppy pictures Lucy and Vuk

A gazillion pictures of the pups, mom and dad.
The pups are really coming into their own.
They all have a strong sense of self preservation so all new things are met with caution.
They are free range, where ever they want to go, they go, but they mostly hang out around the coverall where they were born, then make trips to the pasture where both mom and dad are hanging out with some ewes.

They are learning dog language, when Lucy or Vuk say "back off",
they really need to back off!
They are learning that other animals exist,
weird dogs like border collies, white kitties and horses.

The learning curve is exponential at this age and personally I cannot fathom why some pups are taken away from their mom and siblings so young.
Although the pups are almost totally weaned, they learn valuable life lessons at this stage.

For those who like to follow certain pups, here is the colour coding:
The boys are Gray, Black and Blue.
The girls are Red and Purple.

Enjoy!