May 14, 2008 – I never did a lot of formal herding training with Rose, as I was overwhelmed and didn’t have the time, know-how or patience. It turns out okay, because Rose teaches me all the time. This summer we have been working a lot on calming exercises and grazing quietly, and the sheep and Rose have forged a new and quite peaceful relationship. The sheep actually come running to her when we get to the gate and they walk easily with her and graze right next to her. This is, I think, because of her confidence and experience. The sheep run from Izzy, but this also is getting better.
  I love to watch rose, intent and coiled, ready to move if anything goes astray or a sheep wanders too far. I always said about Rose that she has a map in her head of how things ought to work. I don’t. Today the sheep were grazing inches from her, something they never used to do. Rose is always on the ready.