SNEAK PREVIEW…Tammy’s Cowdogs Caps

This is just a “preview”.
Don’t call or write yet, please.
I need to work out the details of pricing, shipping, payment methods.
But here is a “PEEK” at the new caps.

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Today in History…

Today in history…
November 14, 2008 for 45 minutes beginning a little before 4 PM I listened to a man on the phone tell me how he was going to “ruin me in the cattle and dog business.”
What an anniversary this date is. And what a phone call. One thing you learn in life is this, “People that stab others don’t have a life of their own and they feed and live off of drama and the thing they enjoy most in life is hurting others. They feel empowered when they believe they are causing others grief and pain.”
~Got cattle and dog chores to do…5 years later.

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Cowdogs and Directions

Have you ever wondered how you ended up being right-handed or left-handed?  Few of us can remember back to how we made the choice of using our right or left hand as our dominant or preferred hand to use.  Have you ever had a young horse easily take to the right lead and just not want to do the left lead as easily?  Or if you are on the right lead and the horse decides to switch on its own to the left lead or vice versa?  Well, you will more than likely notice that cowdogs are the same way.  Some cowdogs will easily go left/counter-clockwise/away to me very easily and resist switching to go right/clockwise/come by.  Or the cowdog will easily go right/clockwise/come by and just not want to switch and go left/counter-clockwise/away to me.  The best thing you as a teacher can do is, “Be patient.”  Do not give the cowdog the “three strikes and you are gonna get it” treatment.  Always remember, if you begin to shout at your pup or cowdog you need to ask yourself, “Just how loud am I willing to make myself go?”  Shouting, swatting at, hitting, leaping, electrically stimulating your cowdog…those should all be left out of the training equation.  If you can, make yourself learn to be even keeled in your approach.  I work with a lot of emotionally, physically and mentally massaged dogs and it takes them a long time to acquire a level of comfort or trust when they have resisted being trained “in a certain way” or “by force”.  Just remember, when you were younger it sometimes took you awhile to catch on.  You might have been hard-headed, stubborn or an artist at working your parents to give you what you wanted.  Cowdogs can be the same.  Genetics can – and generally do – play a major role in your pup or cowdog’s learning abilities. Keep your training frustrations under control.  Your pup or cowdog will read you like a book and you may work against yourself by what your pup or cowdog is reading into the training situation.  Keep your sessions short in the beginning.  If you are not used to running your training equipment and your pup or cowdog when teaching directions then you need to keep the training session short for yourself too.  When frustration begins then you need to end the schooling session.  It will make for a more harmonious outcome for you, the pup or cowdog.  Work towards positive progress for both parties.

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Tammy’s Cowdogs Annual Cowdog Production Sale

Well.  Here we are.  It’s March 7, 2013!

Though the last year has not gone as planned…due to the extraordinarily HOT and dry summer/fall, the prolonged drought and feeding cows hay since June 2012, the wonderful feet of snow the last couple of weeks…I am still going to have my annual cowdog production sale…May 17th is the cowdog demonstrations and sale, followed by 2 days of cowdog and handler training for the new owners. The demos and sale are on Friday the 17th.

This event is simply a way for folks to take a tiny vacation and come and watch cowdogs work. There will be yearlings from Ducchess x Oscar, pups from Liza x Oscar and pups from Gabby x Oscar. Ducchess, Liza and Gabby are daughters of Bert x Hawk. I may have a couple of 2 – 4 year olds that are dogs that like corral and lot work. They have been used to do pasture gathering and pasture work but their real cup of tea is corral work. They are not long-strided speed dogs and tend to lag behind in gathering. They are heading and heeling cowdogs, not afraid of the kicks and dings of close work, listen really well, pleasant to be around, males, very good manners, good partners, and good personalities. Kind of “work the trenches” kind of cowdogs.

I have submitted my website updates to the Angus Assn. So watch my website home page and my blog. I will use my website blog as my source of updates, pictures, etc. It is easy to update and can be tinkered with at my work schedule convenience.

The notable changes are that my cowdog program is a closed breeding program and not subject to anyone else’s idea(s) of what a working cowdog is.  My breeding strategies are proprietary information and intellectual property of Tammy’s Cowdogs.  It is called, “progress”.

This picture is of Bert and Hawk.  Bert is the blue merle on the left, Hawk the black cowdog on the right.  Take a moment to go to my Home page and read, “Tribute to Bert”.  My cowdog program is built around the qualities, partnership, friendship and love that I was able to share with Bert and he with me.

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Emails, Phone Calls, Facebook

If you have a call in, a note sent or a post with a question…rest assured I will get back to you.  It may take a day or 2 or a few days!

Gathering, sorting, hauling cattle for sale due to the drought has been the priority lately.  We weaned a couple hundred October calves along the way.  Looking after cowdogs and new litters is mixed in there.  Add to that getting hay trucks in and now dealing with the several inches of sleet/snow/freezing rain…I am a tad behind on correspondence.  You can call my cell phone if you’d like.  I will tell you in advance that I travel a lot of areas where I don’t have service.  Yes, we send folks to outer space and they communicate with clear signals back to Earth, but, for various reasons a hill or a building or a low area will drop an earthling out of communication range!

My cell is (573) 659-5971.  Have a good day!

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Calving…The 24×7 Priority…And Returning Phone Calls

Fall calving is going pretty good.  Sure wish “Mr. Drought” would pack up and leave though.  I am grateful for the cooler weather, the few tiny showers of rain that we have had, and the sprigs of grass that have sprouted.  We just need rain.  The calves are in great shape.  And they oughta be!  The cows have been on a winter feeding program since June 20th…hay and supplement.  I have only had one heifer that had a small and weak calf.  Which is amazing given the record number of over 100F weather we had.

I know that I am behind on calling some of my cowdog customers back.  For that, I apologize.  I do try to get at least 6-7 customers called each day.  But that still leaves me behind.  And I totally understand if that frustrates folks.  But I try to give each caller a fair shake in visiting about their wants and needs in a cowdog or pup.

The supply of cowdogs is limited here.  I only breed those individuals that I feel meet all my criteria.  The only way to meet all the cowdog and cowdog pup needs would be to be breeding something every other week.  And I will not do that.  There is no quality control with the philosophy of breeding “cuz she’s in heat” or breeding “for the money”.  I do not subscribe to the theory of “if the pup don’t work, just give them another one”.

With the drought, the record heat, the dry conditions, the harsh impact of the weather on the cattle, and now calving…the time spent working with the 6 month old pups this summer was basically zero.  The last couple weeks we have started back to doing some lot work for a couple of hours a day or a few times a week.  It all depends on the calving and feeding cattle chores.  There are only so many hours in the day and night!

For me, the priority is with having a successful calving season, determine which cows might have to be sold due to the drought and the lack of feed to make it into winter, and then some CIDR sync AI scheduling.

So if you have called and I have not had a chance to call you back, please be assured that I am not just ignoring you or that you are not important.  You might try to reach me on my cell phone…573-659-5971.  And, calling another cowdog supplier might be an option too.  I have friends from time to time that will have a reputable mating and they have pups for sale.  I do refer people on to folks when it seems like the pups available would be a good match for the caller’s needs.

I do appreciate the interest in my cowdog breeding program, my pups, and my started cowdogs.  A great cowdog is a wonderful asset and that is the goal here…to produce dependable, courageous, smart cowdogs.  You can also keep tabs on what we are doing by following us on Facebook.

Thanks again for all the friendships and loyalty to quality!

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Shame On You

I was at a friend’s house Sunday night and decided to check my email.  Typing in “tammys cowdogs webmail” I got some search results that I was not anticipating.  There were 6 results that showed my keywords in my website link and the contact information for another person is embedded into my links.  A person who sold a cowdog business to me on January 08, 2008…a retirement that truly was not a “retirement”.  After 4 years and a matter of legal pursuit, the proof was in the pudding.  And now, the latest antic…over the last few months… is to embed contact information into my website keywords or to mix my website keywords into yours?

When you see a phone number that begins with an area code of 940…well, that is not my phone number.  And the email information for “windstream.net” is not mine.

Try instead to reach Tammy’s Cowdogs at tammy@tammyscowdogs.com or 573-782-4912 (landline) or 573-659-5971 (mobile).

So please disregard the area code information of “940” as this is an attempt to direct you away from my cowdog business via some crafty “switch-a-roo” tactics.

And to the people who think they are benefiting from these less than ethical ways, I say, “That’s fine…keep it up.”

You cannot surpass Bert.

Tammy’s Cowdogs…Hangin’ Tree Cowdogs…and the master cowdog “Bert”.

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~~Wonders Never Cease~~

Have you ever had times in your life when you think people are simply unbelievable?  That some people just cannot be happy for others because they are so blinded by the knowledge and success of others?  As we grow and experience life, we begin to realize that some people spend a lifetime creating drama after drama after drama.  Their goal is to suppress others from being successful.  And, in the end, the one who is constantly delivering the punishment is the one who is self-destructing.  I cannot help but feel sorry for the persecutor, for they bring endless shame to themselves.

Yesterday, I received yet another phone call that highlights another personal attack against me.  I listened.  The very notion of the message was another desperate attempt to drive people away from my successful cowdog breeding program.  You really have to wonder how shallow and small-minded some people are.

I ranch.  I ranch full-time.  I get up early, come home late. I have a successful retained ownership beef cattle operation.   It’s been successful my entire life.  I’m 54 and have been involved in cattle ranching my whole life.  I embrace doing a good job.  I embrace helping people.  I have a closed cowherd.  I have a closed cowdog program.   The people trying to discredit me are wasting their time with their useless, endless jealousy.

Soon, I will be posting the full details of my acquiring a dog related business over four years ago.  Some of you have been extremely supportive to me because you know the people that have waged a devious battle against me since I acquired the business.  I never anticipated that I had been set up for failure.  So when the failures began to kick in it was anticipated that I would give up, give in and would want to give back the business and the dogs.  That anticipated and hoped for end result never came true for the ones hoping I would fail.  Thus, the endless rollercoaster of lobbing more bombshells my way.

I filed a legal suit.  I won.  The people were legally exposed.  And the last several months, the latest tactic is to use another route to achieve their statement of, “I will ruin you in the dog and cattle business if you don’t give me my dogs back”, is to attack my sexuality.  Well folks, I am married to a male.  A man that is not remotely interested in my ranching lifestyle.  I do my ranching work myself with the help of my cowdogs.  And we are successful.  We will be successful today, tomorrow and clear into the future.

So to the people who breed Hangin’ Tree cowdogs and want to continue to “pull another show-stopping rabbit out of the hat”…shame on you.  This latest salvo will not work either.  Shame.  Shame.  Shame on you.   I’d suggest you go back to the drawing board.  Here is an idea, “Grow up.”  But, I know out of experience when you are dealing with people that are “self-absorbed drama addicts” you might as well just let them be because they have no remote clue how much better their lives could be if they lived in the values of truth and honesty.

So, as you:  (1) see their local, regional and national ads, (2) see or go to their low-stress cattle handling clinics, (3) see or go to their cowdog clinics and demonstrations, or (4) see them at ranch rodeos and tradeshows…remember this, “they have spent a lifetime bashing, trashing and hurting others”.  Afterall, the main reason they wanted to get out of the dog business in late 2007 was, “All the people you deal with are stupid and I am sick and tired of dealing with all the stupid people.”

I do appreciate all the lessons I have learned since December 2007 and the activities and events surrounding the expansion of my cowdog breeding program.  And, I feel sorry for those who have spent the past few years with burning up their mental minutes with trying to destroy me.

But, as usual, I hope everyone has a good day.

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Working Class…Ranch & Reata Magazine, June/July 2012 Print Issue

Ranch & Reata magazine, June/July 2012, is once again an issue packed with great writing…from the front cover to the last page. A.J. Mangum, Bruce Pollock of Range Radio, along with their contributing writers (including Paul Canada) have pieced together another timeless keepsake print issue of, “The Journal of the American West”.

Dear to me are pages 17, and 38-44. These pages have stories and photographs covering how cowdogs are used in various parts of the United States in varying ranch operations. Articles packed with good information about the various uses each of the ranching operations have and how their varied cowdogs are key to getting the cattle work done.  My contribution to the articles on these pages were to share the story of “Bert” and how his gave himself to my ranching operation…both in his earthly life and his everlasting life in Heaven.  Bert lives on through his sons, daughters, and now his grandbabies.

http://www.ranchandreata.com has an on-line version of their magazines and remember to click on and crank up Range Radio while you are getting things done on the worldwide web.

If you get a few minutes, you might look for www.ranchandreata.com on the web.  Plus, subscribing to the print-version of this magnificent publication is a monthly “I can’t wait to get it” treasure when it lands in your mailbox.

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Hangin’ Tree Cowdog/Puppy Fraud…You Got Your Dog Where?

Well, it is Sunday afternoon and I have been returning a few phone calls.  I have once again, “Learned a lot.”  I spoke with 3 people that had some questions about the pups or cowdog that they “recently” got from me.  And, as it turns out (again) the pups &/or cowdog did not come from me.

Over the last few years, there have been periodic phone calls very similar to this scenario.  Pups or cowdogs from me that are/were never truly from me.  Two of the people today sent me faxes of the “registration papers” and pictures of their pup or dog.  While the papers show parents that are owned by me and are signed, the signature that is to be my signature “IS NOT MINE”.  I keep a database of pictures of every pup in every litter.  This database goes back to 2006.  I know exactly what has been produced in every litter and what the pups look like.

I raise my own pups.  I have a cowdog breeding program with specific goals.  I DO NOT BREED MISSY A TO STUDLY B JUST BECAUSE SHE IS IN HEAT AND HE IS AVAILABLE.  I DO NOT HAVE OTHER PEOPLE RAISING PUPS FOR ME.  I DO NOT HAVE OTHER PEOPLE STARTING PUPS FOR ME.  I DO NOT HAVE OTHER PEOPLE TAKING YOUNG DOGS AND RUNNING THEM FOR AWHILE.  I DO NOT FARM OUT DOGS FOR OTHERS TO START AND THEN TAKE THEM BACK TO SELL.  Yes, I know that this is going on with other Hangin’ Tree cowdog folks.

I do not TRADE, LEASE, SWAP, BORROW, MILL, LOAN, BROKER dogs.  Yes, I know that is how some people operate.  But, you need to know that some people are driven by money…checks, cash, swiping of a credit card, etc.  If you  want a Hangin’ Tree ‘something’…well, they have what you need.  If you are not happy with the hundred or so that they have for sale or access to, well, wait a day or two and they will find you one.

I feel lots of things when this kind of stuff continues.  But, if you want to know if a pup or cowdog came from me, then simply call or write.  I can answer your questions.  It is easier to check things out before you pay for the pup or dog.  But, it is your deal.  These situations are unfortunate and will probably continue…simply because the word “honesty” seems to have varying definition levels. And when the goal is “money”…well, you probably get the picture.

I know that there are dogs on sites that say they are out of parents “such & such”.  And that “so & so said”.  But, if in doubt…check it out before you actually buy something.   Because what you might end up with is “something”.  I might be explaining all of this out of experience.

I hope this helps.  And, it should also help explain why I have a “closed cowdog breeding program”.  Those papers might just be a piece of paper.  There are possibly way too many “papered” dogs.  Just a thought.

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