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First, I didn't mean to disappear. Life happened. In 2022, at the ripe old age of 72, I decided to go back to work. I'm a part timer at a ShopRite deli counter slicing cold cuts and making the clear plastic clamshells with potato salad, cole slaw, grated cheese, et al. Until last summer, I also had a part time job milking sheep. I'd start at 4am setting up the equipment and feeding lambs. My Sheltie and I would pen the working flock because the milking flock was in a pasture that required them to be brought through the working flock pasture. Kendra and I brought the sheep three tenths of a mile to the milking parlor. I milked roughly 45 sheep. I had to give it up because I can no longer climb on the milking stand to read ear tags. I haven't had much free time to be online.
I just became a Provisional Judge for Happy Ratters. It's a new sport similar to Barn Hunt where the dog finds rats, but it's setting is urban instead of rural. Instead of hay bales on the course, the course has 'debris' for hiding spots. The debris is whatever you'd find in an alley or in a home. There's mostly cardboard boxes, but also suitcases, toys, ironing boards, anything.
Titling is also different. You don't title on the number of Qs, but on points earned. As long as you find a rat and don't get more faults than points, you keep your points earned. Even if you NQ, you keep the points earned up to the NQ.
There are standard classes. There are also many game classes. I titled AJ recently in game class Silent Hunt. I have to stand on the start mat and cannot move or say a word after I tell him, "Find it!". I'm not even allowed to turn my head. I think this is AJ's favorite game because he's on his own.
If you're having trouble finding or starting a Barn Hunt club, Happy Ratters may be an alternative. It's new and the founder, Jean MacKenzie, is willing to work with new people.
Image from the Happy Ratters Facebook page.
I just became a Provisional Judge for Happy Ratters. It's a new sport similar to Barn Hunt where the dog finds rats, but it's setting is urban instead of rural. Instead of hay bales on the course, the course has 'debris' for hiding spots. The debris is whatever you'd find in an alley or in a home. There's mostly cardboard boxes, but also suitcases, toys, ironing boards, anything.
Titling is also different. You don't title on the number of Qs, but on points earned. As long as you find a rat and don't get more faults than points, you keep your points earned. Even if you NQ, you keep the points earned up to the NQ.
There are standard classes. There are also many game classes. I titled AJ recently in game class Silent Hunt. I have to stand on the start mat and cannot move or say a word after I tell him, "Find it!". I'm not even allowed to turn my head. I think this is AJ's favorite game because he's on his own.
If you're having trouble finding or starting a Barn Hunt club, Happy Ratters may be an alternative. It's new and the founder, Jean MacKenzie, is willing to work with new people.
Image from the Happy Ratters Facebook page.
