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August 9, 2007

Now that the wild meadow grasses have gone to seed, it’s time to trim the pastures. It’s both a fire mitigation as well as a see-the-snakes-better tactic. This year, Tom decided to do reverse crop circles. The strategy lets us keep areas natural with wildflowers and so that the wildlife have a place to bed down come winter. But, it’s apparently causing quite a stir in our rural valley.

Another neighbor, who has lived here a long, long time, said that people are asking him about them. But, not in a good way.

The whole thing cracks us up. It’s just grass, people. It looks cute from the road. Get a sense of humor already.

Since the mowing, I’ve found another use for such creative landscaping, albeit temporary.

The grass is tall enough that it makes enough of a barrier that Lilly often routes around the dots while running in training and in play. So, I use the mowed spots like a race track to encourage fast out front running and even Out cues to get Lilly to move away from me and around the obstacle (of grass).

I’m also using the paths for run-speed heeling and crosses. I can send Lilly Out, then cross ahead or behind her as she comes around. Surely, all that can be done on a normal lawn, but the dots provide a nice barrier for distance work.

I’m hoping to build speed confidence in Lilly as well, where she’ll trust the run even when she can’t quite see me clearly over the grass. Only time will tell.

So, until the snow comes (which could be as quickly as a month), you can find us crazy girls running around a pasture full of crop circles.

About the Author Roxanne Hawn

Trained as a traditional journalist and based in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA, I'm a full-time freelance writer for magazines, websites, and private clients. My areas of specialty include everything in the lifestyles arena, including health and home, personal finance and other consumer interests, relationships and trends, people and business profiles ... and, of course, all things pet related.

I don't just love dogs. I need them in my life. Seriously.

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