Beijing and Xi'an Trip

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I had the great pleasure of spending a month in Brazil (Nov-Dec 2006) volunteering as the "official" Portuguese translator for the Campeonato Brasileiro de Pastoreio (Brazilian Stockdog Championships). My dogs' herding instructor, Danny Shilling, was selected as the judge of the 2005, 2006 and 2007 championships. He and his wife, Velda, invited me to go along on the trip this year to help out in translating at the competition and at the clinics they would hold afterward.

During our month in Brazil, we were hosted in the homes of nine spectacularly generous and caring families. In total, we spent two weeks in Rio Grande do Sul state (gaucho country) and two weeks in western São Paulo state (10 gallon hat country).

Though Brazil is a relatively recent arrival into the world of stockdog competition, the level of competition there is equal to the highest levels in the United States. It was an honor to be able to meet many of the owners and handlers and to see the dogs in action.

One of my favorite memories of the trip was when Alexandre Figueiredo, the owner of the top dogs in Brazil loaned me one of his competition dogs to handle at a fun trial held between the sheep and cattle championships. Though Pampa seemed a bit shocked to be handled by a woman with a strong American accent and poor whistle technique, she did an amazing job and earned a perfect score on every part except the outrun.

Here are some photos from the trip.