Trip down memory lane

These photo's of this mixed flock certaily brings up many memories for me from all the years I shepherded sheep in the Netherlands. All our sheep were moved on foot from one area to another. We had to contend with traffic, guide the sheep through cities, roads, we grazed on river dijkes, golfcourses, heather regions. We moved sheep with the collies along highways, over bridges, through towns. It was always an adventure.

The flock approaches:

  The lead donkey guides the way for this mixed herd of sheep, goats, donkeys and guard dogs.

Moving the flock to the side to allow the traffic to pass.

These men have a job to keep things moving along.
I am sure they would appreciate a good collie dog!

I am not sure what breed these two guardian dogs are, however they do look a bit like a central asian ovcharka.
These dogs remind me of our CAO we once had, called Koira.

Seeing all these images from Allison Chapman in K-stan reminds me of those wonderful years.
Once again Ally thanks. I am sure I am not the only one that loves to look at this images!

Pastoral scenes from Krygyzstan

Ally knows that I am interested in farming, wildlife, sheep, guardian dogs etc.
So she sent me a whole bunch of pastoral scenes from Krygyzstan.
These are some of my favorites:

Part two Krygyzstan

Whenever Ally is somewhere on a mission,
dogs are an important part of her "recreation",
read about what her other project is after watching horses and street dogs..

This is my project in my spare time.  Trying to get equipment and raise money for the Osh City K-9 Unit.  It is only through the absolute dedication of a few that the Unit survives.  Barely.  There is no line waiting to be a K-9 officer here, the culture does not encourage close contact with dogs.  The equipment and the kennels are barely serviceable.  The men who take care and train these dogs are very unique.  They love them as well as work with them.  They use modern methods of positive training and have the knowledge, but not the resources.  They are in desperate need of equipment, collars, leashes, toys, bowls, bedding, you name it  as well as know how in training and practical guidance in narcotics detection as the narcotics routes increase through their country.  So, if any one can help in any way ... (You can reach Ally through me if anyone can help or can donate any items..)

The trainers “bite suit” a heavy overcoat.


 

They gave me a tracking demonstration which was very impressive!

This is where they keep what little supplies they have:

The place may not look like much,
but what they do have goes to the dogs who were in very good condition.

 

  These 2 dogs belong to my Swedish colleague who adopted them and were former street puppies. The dog on the right has been very ill. I spent last weekend ministering to the pup rehydrating him, and getting some nourishment into him.  The little guy, named “Topi” is a fighter and has a strong will to live.  We don’t know what’s wrong with him, his illness affected both dogs but the female on the right recovered quickly (within 2-3 days).  It may have been parasite related.  My colleague will be taking both dogs back with him to Sweden at the end of our project.

That’s all for now.  In this beautiful and fruitful land there seems to be a people of strong will and dedication but an economy and government struggling to keep up with the modern world.  I am here for one year and part of my responsibilities is to facilitate and reunite the police and communities torn apart by the events of June 2010.
There are a million stories to be told.
Thanks Ally for your contribution!



News from Kyrgyzstan (part 1)

 I have a friend and collegue sarplaninac lover, called Ally Chapman.
She is the breeder of my Vuk.
Normally she resides in Pennsylvania, USA however she has been sent on a mission to Krygyzstan. I asked her to send me some pictures and news for my blog about her adventures there. One of her primary tasks is to renuite the police and local communities together. To undertake this mission she has had to learn some Kyrg (?). She will be living there for a year and I just love to hear about her adventures .
Here is a recent update, part 1.

Above is a picture of the mountains just outside of Bishkek, in Kyrgyzstan. These are also home to the white snow leopards.

Referee at National Sport Kok-Boru (don't ask what they use as "ball") played on horseback on the famous Kyrgyz horse:
The Kyrgyz saddle looks/is very uncomfortable!

The game in action!
Beats fast barrel racing by a 100% !!

As Ally is a dog lover (particularly Sarplaninacs!),
she just could not resist a dog in her life...

This is ”Little Alkaldo” Kyrgyz for “Clever” he is a street dog that spends time with me every day.  I named him Alkaldo because he can get in and out of trash dumpsters.  He is the only dog here that I have seen able to get in and out and therefore get all the “good stuff.”  I, of course, have been supplementing his diet with some good stuff.  For a street dog he is gentle, affectionate, non-aggressive and avoids other dogs competing for food. He has become my buddy and comes to my whistle when not foraging. He is in good condition and seems to enjoy life.  He helps me miss my dogs a little bit less.

Part two will follow...