The herd took off on a search for fresh green in the hills... The excitement of spring coming..
Then the herd took a steep trail and left three kids and a lamb behind.. The little GoatScapers had been distracted by a green leafy Mointain Mahogany.
Once they realized they were alone the herd as long gone...
All four herding dogs had gone on this walk and all four stayed back with the kids, concerned for their safety.
The babies just wanted to eat, and when they finally began to move had to be turned back away from the disappeared herd back toward home..
Across land they had never traversed before...
The kids and lamb got a lesson in herding pressure without the influence of their parents and older herd mates...
They also had frequent snack breaks, especially when they came across sage..
The land is very rough in this section and the kids enjoyed the hillsides, jumped on rocks and danced along the way...
Bucky and Guppy were very serious about moving the little goaties on along toward home...
It was a little tricky keeping all four dogs in position to herd the young goats and lamb, but the pack is gentle and serious about babies, so they worked it out with some sometimes constant reminders...
While the Aussies worked closely with the little herd, Great Big White Guardian Doggo kept watch over us all...
Zuli kept extra close track of G-Man, the lamb...
Gorgonzola enjoyed hopping on rocks...
Gilroy enjoyed the salad bar..
The dogs enjoyed doing their job...
The going was slow at times and the dogs had to know when to release pressure, waiting for the little ones to be ready to move again...
It was a beautiful walk across some steep terrain...
Badger did little, keeping a general eye on things... But did lead the lamb up the hill a time or two back to the bunch when he got scared by over pressuring Zuli..
Hart II's SunStar Buck really enjoys challenging work...
Zuli loves working young stock...
The kids Love rocks.
The lamb, not so much..
It took awhile, but once back on familiar trails the progress was easier and all babes made it safely home- the lamb wagging his tail behind him..
