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In the later months of 2010, we relied upon Dewi, his daughters (Gem and Meg)
to work our stock in all kinds of weather conditions. We are confident
that our newest pup, Drover, will soon be working as well. There is no
rush; he needs to mature and gain confidence before he joins the current
team.
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Snowstorms can make working conditions brutal. This is not a black and
white image. It just appears that way.
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Gem and Meg constantly check to make sure all is well in spite of the weather.
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The team. Dewi was behind Eddie; Dewi's
two daughters were in front (Meg was to Eddie's right, and Gem was sitting to his left side).
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Meg and Gem in action as they caught up with three Hebridean ewes that
needed to be inspected.
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Same as above with Meg in front and Gem behind.
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Meg working behind the ewe, pulled the sheep off balance while Gem
blocked the front (so no escape would occur).
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Gem was located against the fence working in harmony with Meg (who was
behind) to turn this ewe.
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Eddie and Dewi, Meg and Gem head out to look for the
sheep. Craig of C/O Durham, a friend, came along, and we are most grateful for
his pictures.
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Here, the dogs began to gather the sheep
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Meg and Gem are out of sight on this picture because they were on the
far side of the flock in order to drive the sheep towards Eddie and Dewi.
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These two similar images show Gem in action as she worked to turn the flock.
Meg, on the left, was blocking their "escape" path so they would not bolt off to another part of the field. Look carefully, and you will notice that one
of the sheep is facing Meg. Gem had made
physical contact with one of the sheep's corded coat. The sheep
felt the tugging, yet remained completely unharmed.
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Gem, on the left side of the picture, can be seen moving the stock along.
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Meg was located on the left in front of the flock while Gem (on the
right) began to go after a breakaway ewe.
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That ewe breaking away from the main flock has to contend with Gem; working on her own with no instructions,
she made sure that the sheep was going to return to the others.
For the viewer who may think that the
dog had gripped too hard and had drawn blood, that was not the case,
there were both RED and/or BLUE marks on the sheeps' fleece known as
POP or SMIT MARKS. Those marks allow the shepherd or farmer to recognise
sheep from his flock, because those marks are put in certain places
unique to a particular flock.
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Here, Gem was under the ewe giving the appearance that she was trying to
carry the sheep on the back of her shoulders. Of course, that wasn't the case.
Also, In
this picture, you can easily see the RED SMIT MARK.
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The ewe decided she was not stopping for any reason to include having
Gem completely under her.
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But,
Gem didn't back down and regained control of the situation.
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Gem turned the ewe, and by that time Meg had returned to help Gem make
sure that
ewe went back to the flock.
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Same as above.
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Craig took a picture of
Meg running.
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In this image,
Gem was heading the flock.
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Oh no!
Meg had her turn at contending with two more breakaway sheep.
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Meg caught up with one of the sheep.
Again, the viewer can see a sheep that was carrying a red smit mark on
the shoulder plus a blue pop mark above the rib.
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Again, Craig was able to catch a shot of
Meg in full flight.
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Meg with two more breakaway sheep. When working a large flock, using a
team of Beardies saved a great deal of work and time.
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