Audition

I have a new (almost) 2 year old that I picked up at the airport yesterday that is on audition. Her name is Rylee and she is half sister on the father's side to Tricia Guidry's Tipper (E. Baker's Rye) and half sister on the other side to Nina Fox's Jed (E. Baker's Mist).

She is a fairly small mostly black - white on the tip of nose and under the chin and chest. One white foot. She arrived at Orange County last night very in doubt about the whole travel experience but quickly warmed up to me and later to Diana. I think Diana fell in love with her within about 30 minutes. She really is a sweetheart.

Well we took her down for a test drive today at Jennifer's and the early returns are very promising. She looked good enough in the small arena that Jennifer decided to venture out onto the field. Quickly Jennifer had her doing outruns of about 100 yards with some nice controlled fetches. She actually has a lie down which can be applied without slamming hard on the brake pedal. Her flanks looked nice and kept a constant distance from the sheep without spiralling inwards.

On her second outrun she went to where the sheep had been and upon discovering the sheep had exited before she even started onthe outrun but she looked around on her own and cast out after them.

She will be a very different dog to handle than Piper. Just a way different style.

Waiting for the official test drive decision but right now it is looking very promising.