The dogs thought their run in the heavy rain was great fun on this morning's run. (Click for larger picture).

Thankfully, the past week or so has been wetter than normal for April in the UK, and I know the rain was heavy last night, because it woke me up!

It was heartening to see surface water in all the old places when we got up – there was even a small ‘lake’ outside the field gate – something that only happens when we get some ‘proper’ rain.

Sadly though, this is nowhere near enough to bring the water table back to something like normal, but as the saying goes, it kicks the can down the road a little.

'Big Ezra' enjoys himself in one of the puddles from the recent storms. (Click to enlarge).

When I took the dogs out for their morning run, there was great excitement. Some of the puppies had barely seen rain before and by the way they charged around barking excitedly, you’d think it was the first time some of the older ones had seen it too.

I managed to get some photos without getting my camera too wet, but by the time we got home about an hour later, the dogs looked like thoroughly wet rags. They were absolutely soaked to the skin,  but still in very high spirits.

As luck would have it, the rain stopped just long enough for Gill and I to put the dogs away and feed them – that was an added bonus! The dogs will probably be dry again by the time they go out for their evening run – I suspect they’re in for another drenching - (I certainly hope so).

Are you looking at me?

Almost every day brings requests to take on young dogs and puppies who, for whatever reason, aren’t working out as domestic pets. Quite often, the request is prompted by the dog biting someone; it seems to be a commonly held belief that working as a sheepdog will be the cure for all behavioural ills in a Border collie. Also, that if the dog isn’t happy in a domestic situation, then it must be because it’s missing sheep work.

We take on as many of these dogs as we can, depending on available time and dog accommodation, and last week we just happened to have both when we were offered our newest recruit. Lupus was actually fine with his family, but they felt that although, in theory, the arrangement should have worked, in reality Lupus was being left alone more than they were comfortable with. Coming from a working background in Brecon, and only five months old, we thought Lupus should fit in well. Then we saw Lupus’s lovely eyes, and couldn’t wait to start photographing him.

Two blue eyes can look rather startling; I think they’re probably

So, who's this new kid on the block?

Lupus/Locust/Lucas is proving elusive when there’s a camera about, but it’s clear to see that he’s fast becoming “one of the boys”.

Finally! Scylla keeps still long enough to get a decent photo

I wrote about Scylla’s arrival in my last blog, but at that time she refused to pose for her photograph. She appeared on lots of photos, but was just a blur so we had to wait for her legs to get tired. It took a while. We think she’s lovely, and with her father Eli’s characteristic white smudge on her nose she feels like a part of the family already.

Most people have Easter eggs and hot cross buns for Easter (actually, so did we) but we were also lucky enough to have another new puppy. Dora is blue merle bitch, a service pup by our Eli and from Andy’s daughter Ruth’s ISDS registered red merle bitch, Trim. Dora’s a bit of a departure for us, we’ve always avoided merles. Andy would have a yard full of rough coated tricolours, by choice, and I’d have a yard full of smooth coated prick eared black and white dogs. If we feel adventurous having red and white Audrey about the place, Dora seems positively exotic!

Dora seemed to enjoy her first foray into the woods

It makes her very easy to spot amidst the usual sea of black, white and tan fur.

Dora arrived on Good Friday, and this morning she decided she was brave enough (or foolhardy enough) to join in the wood walk with everyone else. She’s already proved that, though small, she won’t be pushed around, and she seemed perfectly happy climbing over and clambering through all the overgrown places that the dogs love to explore. I think that, for dogs, going through the wood in the morning is like catching up with the news headlines. They have special (usually smelly) places they just have to visit, and particular spots that need to be dug over and examined to see who’s been there since last night, and the novelty never seems to wear off. They’ve particularly enjoyed the longer walks recently while Andy’s been experimenting with a new camera, and capturing the spring flowers and young foliage.

Dora (far left) soon learned that going over the top is the quickest route

These delightfully delicate elm leaves caught my attention in a hedge on this morning's walk. (Click to enlarge).

Such a huge relief after the winter, but of course, we are still worried about the lack of rain. The last few days have been damp, but not enough rain has fallen to make a real difference. If 2012 has a long hot summer, I dread to think what it will be like for farmers.

The dogs are oblivious to it all, of course. They are constantly anticipating the next exciting event – whether it’s a run in the woods and along the local bridleways, or training on sheep, as long as there’s plenty of activity, they’re happy.

This morning I spent a few moments teaching the youngsters to ‘stay-close’. This is the command I use when we are on the bridleway and I want the dogs to keep behind me. I start off buy walking backwards so that I can see any dogs or pups who are likely to ‘break ranks’ and run ahead.

I took this picture while teaching the dogs to 'stay close' on this morning's walk. (Click to enlarge)

If this happens, we simply go the other way and the errant dog finds itself at the back again. They soon learn that they gain no advantage by being disobedient, and before long, they do as they’re told.

Teaching dogs to ‘stay-close’ is really useful training for youngsters who are soon to start sheepdog work.

Apart from filming for the next DVD there have been new puppies to cater for, young dogs to start training and numerous odd jobs around the place (taking advantage of the mild dry weather that inspires such mixed feelings).

Chester takes advantage of the opportunity to abuse the collies from a safe height

Left to their own devices the dogs eventually spread out to enjoy the sunshine, indulge in some serious excavation, or find things to chase, chew or fight over. The young dogs especially enjoyed scattering my tidy and growing log pile throughout the orchard. If there’s one thing a border collie can’t tolerate it’s an orderly log pile, but it was a small price to pay for the entertainment they gave us in the process.

Lupin lies in wait to take Scylla by surprise

Rosewood Eli is a superb stud dog - no wonder the girls love him! (Click for larger image).

So far the weather has been unbelievably good for filming. March was one of the three warmest on record, but that in itself is a cause for concern. We were hoping for a wetter than usual month, but it was extremely dry.

The last two winters have been unusually dry in our area, and last summer was virtually a drought, so although the grass is green, the soil underneath is very dry and we’re worried that it may not have the reserves of moisture to keep the grass growing throughout the coming summer.

If we don’t get some real steady soaking rain soon, it will become a major worry but knowing the nature of the weather in the British Isles, it could all change very quickly. We might even be moaning that we can’t get on with filming. (I almost hope so).

Some of our dogs on last evening's walk. (Click to enlarge).

I just had to share this lovely picture. When I took the sheepdogs and pups out for their evening walk (well, more of a dash, really) yesterday. The sun was going down, and I carried a small video camera with me in case I could capture some lovely sunset footage.

Well, we were a little late setting off and the sunset evaded me, but the dogs were very obliging and I managed to get them to stand still long enough to take this super picture. I think there are fourteen border collie dogs and puppies here – mostly facing the camera too. They must be getting used to me wanting to take pictures, or film them so often.

Front (from the left): Dennis, Bess, Snip and Badger. Carew and Ezra are together at the back, towards the right, with Mel on the far right.

OK - OK - You have the toy then! (Click to enlarge).

Young Audrey, the red and white bitch pup is beginning to assert her authority over the younger puppies lately. This morning, she showed Dennis that the toy is hers by right, whenever she chooses.

At the moment, she has seven weeks’ seniority over Dennis (b. 14th November 2011) but soon, the young male will be much bigger and stronger than she is.

It will be interesting to see which of these two will be the boss a few months from now. Hopefully, both Audrey and Dennis will appear on our long awaited new sheepdog training DVD (available autumn 2012).

Poor Bess is 'it' today! (Click for larger picture).

Puppies love to play, and this morning was no exception. The sun was shining gloriously when I took the dogs out for their morning walk, and the youngsters were enjoying it to the full.

Poor Bess seemed to be the object of their attention most of the time. I wonder if it’s because the other dogs knew I had spoken sharply to her for barking? She took it all in good part though, and once she was able to get up, she gave back as good as she got.

As far as I can tell, the dogs in the picture are: (l to r) Audrey, Bess (on floor) Meg (at the back), an unidentified puppy, and Gloria.

Snip was surprised to find the camera right in front of her nose!