http://www.theperfectstockdog.com/stockdog_visitors/000%202013/2013-02.htm

Remembering Karen Tate, 1946 - 2013  John called this morning, November 22, 2013, to let us know dear Karen passed away around 1:00 am this morning.  John wants everyone to know that though he was not returning calls the past few weeks he appreciates them. His priority has been caring for and spending his time with Karen. John will update us when he has more information regarding Karen's, memorial and arrangements.

Please keep John and their family in your prayers. And please check back for an update.  If you call John, please know he may not be able to answer the call at this time, but does appreciate you.

http://www.theperfectstockdog.com/stockdog_visitors/000%202013/2013-01.htm

November 2012 - April 2013 - Hi everyone, life seems like it got stuck on a roller coaster this past year.  Ben's been training dogs steady.  2012 was way too dry again and we're holding our breath for 2013, although we have had some moisture the past week.  We are very thankful for that.

Lambing went great this year.  Good weather and Ben's a good herd manager regardless of what species.  He's pretty particular with his rams, culls pretty heavy on the ewes and holds pretty high standards on his replacement ewe lambs.  We lambed 53 head of ewes within a 3 week period - 12 sets of triplets, mostly twins, and not very many singles.  He only bummed 3 lambs.

So far, the guard-dogs-in-training have been paying attention and learning from the older guard dog.  And the young guardian dogs can run fast.  We "hear" the coyotes around but none on our place.

We had a new great grandson born right before Christmas. That's 5 greats and 6 grands!  Pretty cool kids if we do say so ourselves.

Folks, we appreciate each and everyone of you. We thank all of you who have brought dogs for training, and/or bought dogs. Our sincerest gratitude.

We know you'll be checking back to see what's up with us.

Until we fire up the computer again, be blessed,.
Ben and Leslie

http://www.theperfectstockdog.com/stockdog_visitors/00%202012/1202.htm

January - April 2012 - Gosh, this year started at a dead run and hasn't slowed up yet. From talking with folks it sounds like its been that way for most everyone.  This update is short.  Hope to post more pictures soon.

Between the two of us we've been to Florida, Virginia, California and back since the last update. We met lots of great folks.  California was the best - good folks, good dogs and good ranch country.  Harry and Pam Piek hosted a clinic for Ben. They rolled out the red carpet for us.

So many of you have stopped by to visit already this year, brought dogs for training, picked dogs up and we thank you.

Please check back to see what we've been up to.  It may be one picture added at a time.  We hope this year has been a good one for all of you and will continue to be.

Until we fire up the computer again, be blessed,.
Ben and Leslie

We lost a page from 2012.  If you thought you remembered something or a picture of you and/or your dog, you did.

http://www.theperfectstockdog.com/stockdog_visitors/00%202012/1201.htm

April 2011 - December 2011 - Hi Folks, we're still here.  Ben has been eyeing the web site trying to figure out how to update it since Leslie was putting in a lot of extra hours at work this year.

Our summer like many of you was long and dry.  We sold cattle and lambs way early this year.  It was a good decision because while we had to look a little for hay, we didn't have to scramble and we didn't have to feed hay early.  Leslie has been encouraging Ben to put together a Hardscramble Cowboy's Sheep Manual.  We'll see where that goes J

Our gratitude to all of you who have brought dogs for training, visited, purchased our training tapes and book.  We count you among our blessings.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year bright with joy, rich in health,

filled with family and blessed by peace.
Ben and Leslie

http://www.theperfectstockdog.com/stockdog_visitors/01%202011/1102.htm

February 2011 - March 2011 - This year we understand Punxsutawney Phil (Pennsylvania) did NOT see his shadow this year, but, we don't know what the difference is - seems like spring was longer coming this year.

We showed the big February snows last time.  This is the tail end of February and March. Lambing started after the big snows and was over in 3 weeks.  We lambed about 60 ewes.  Had a good percentage of twins, 3 sets of triplets and 1 set of quads!

Dogs keep coming and going.  Order Buyer Danny Ferris (Kentucky) brought a dog for training, Ron Kirby (Missouri) picked up a dog, Ben is working a couple of young dogs of his own. Thanks to all who have stopped by to work dogs, talk dogs or just to chat.  End of March highlight was a visit from Eric Wanman and Rodney Hopwood, Idaho.

Seems like we've kept busy with all those end of winter, beginning of spring chores. Although, at this writing, the elusive spring may have arrived on April 1st!  Hope things are well in your neck of the woods.

Be blessed, Ben and Leslie

http://www.theperfectstockdog.com/stockdog_visitors/01%2011/1101.htm

September 2010 - February 2011 - 2010 zipped right by and here we are with a good start on 2011. We're a little behind like most folks we know due to holidays and this wonderful winter weather Oklahoma has had.

Ben and brother Bernard made it to Colorado in September.  Ben also made the cattle dog trial at the Tulsa State Fair that month.  We had an opportunity to visit Glenn and Beverly Guttridge, Gainesville, TX in October.  Got to see lots of our Texas buddies. Leslie had a "busman's" holiday during the AVCA Annual conference November 12 - 14 in Phoenix.  We saw all of the family during Christmas.

Some visuals posted below of the past 6 months. We hope everyone has been healthy and keeping warm.  Many thanks to all of you who have called, stopped in, and brought dogs for training.

Wishing you 10,000 blessings!, Ben and Leslie

http://www.theperfectstockdog.com/stockdog_visitors/2010/1005.htm

June - August 2010 - Whew!  We thought we were cruising along this summer - just enough rain, hot enough.  We've been breaking the triple digits the last part of July and first part of August.  Ben gets out early to work dogs.  Then he shades up until it starts to cool off in the evening.

A big thanks to all of you who have brought your dogs for training this summer.  We know it was hot or hotter where you live.  The Pennebaker's from California made a special stop to see us enroute to family in SE Missouri. 

Our son and family were here over July 4th. Our great nephew and his new bride came over for a visit. 

All of you who have stopped by to say hi are appreciated.

We're not sure where the summer went.  It started with Ivan and Kylie's (great nephew) wedding the end of May, Dad's Day in Pawhuska, cowboy wedding, neighborhood calf fry and family over the 4th, ranch rodeo, county fairs in August.  The big Tulsa State Fair will be here in September as will the AVCA certification examinations.  Sometime in between the State Fair and exams the brothers will head for Colorado.  Little brother Ben is thinking a pup tent will be just the thing this year.  Check back to find out what big brother Bernard thought.

Happy Trails, Ben and Leslie

http://www.theperfectstockdog.com/stockdog_visitors/2010/1004.htm

April - May 2010 - Spring seems to have zipped right by.  Summer is here!  We've had plentiful rain and now the temps are climbing.  First cutting of hay is put up.  Ben's keeping busy bush-hogging the pasture.  Check out his fancy "new" tractor - only 40 years old.  He's a John Deere man now.  We had a great visit with friends Eric Wanman and Rodney Hopwood (Idaho) when they made their annual circle through here in April.  Thanks to all of you who have brought dogs for Ben to train. Our friend Edna Grabow (Wyoming) stayed with us the first of May while she was on dog business here in Oklahoma. She also purchased a couple of our Katahdin ram lambs.  Doug and Maria Lawson, Alberta, were here the first of May working with Leslie on behalf of the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (Leslie's day job).  Congratulations to Kenny Graves (Kansas) on the purchase of Dan.

Keep cool, Ben and Leslie

http://www.theperfectstockdog.com/stockdog_visitors/2010/1003.htm

Last of March 2010 - What a month.  Most of Lena's puppies went home with their new owners.  Ben's sent dogs home and got new dogs in.  Thanks to all of you have stopped by to talk dog or just say hi.  We got to see our son and family during their spring break.  The day they were here was glorious weather.  Though the trees had budded, less than 24 hours later winter had one last fling dumping 8 plus inches of snow on us.  Grandson Dakota's basketball team (Dadeville, MO) placed third in the state tournament.  Way to go, Dakota.  It's been busy in the neighborhood, pulling out snow bound vehicles and rounding up wayward cattle. Easter Blessings.

Spring's around the corner, Ben and Leslie

http://www.theperfectstockdog.com/stockdog_visitors/2010/1002.htm

February - March 2010 - Yes, that's my valentine pictured left!  My hero!  Our friend, Matt Fullbright stopped by with valentine goodies.  The tote bag is to replace Ben's old "flowered" suitcase that wore out.  Ben is one savvy cowboy.  He traveled with an old flowered suitcase of his mother's..  That suitcase never got lost or delayed in any airport!

We thought winter was on it's way out, but it keeps lingering.  Nothing to complain about here as we see other parts of the country getting weather much worse.  We'll be grateful for the sun when it arrives.

Cowboy Junction Christian School didn't make the top ten in the U.S. Cellular contest giving away $100,000 to 10 schools.  The leaders of the school camped out every weekend in shopping malls soliciting votes. Thanks so much for those of you who took the time to vote for them.

February came and went and March is half over and we still feel like we're playing catch up.  Hope things are not so hectic in your neck or the woods.

Stay safe, keep warm, Ben and Leslie

http://www.theperfectstockdog.com/stockdog_visitors/2010/1001.htm

January - February 2010 - God's glorious sunrise in NE Oklahoma.  Our second snow of the winter was also a blizzard (for our neck of the woods), New Year's Eve. Ben still has the wood stove smokin'.  We're already off to a grand start for the year.  Sold a few left over lambs at Diamond, Missouri - Ben thought he hit the big time as they sold for almost double what he was expecting.  Training dogs are coming and going.  Get your name on Ben's list.  He's cut back the number of outside dogs again he's taking.  Geez, does he think he's retired or something?  And another great grandbaby arrived!

Thanks to all of you who voted for our Cowboy Junction School to get them in the running for the US Cellular $100,000.  We are on pins and needles waiting to hear if we stayed in the top 10 and will receive the money.

Stay safe, keep warm, Ben and Leslie

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Fall - Winter 2009 - Our first snow of the year was a blizzard. Christmas Eve. Leslie above on Christmas morning scooping a path for the house dogs.  Ben's reflection as he took the picture from the inside :>))  We got everything battened down, chores done and were set for the duration.  Some folks were out of electricity.  Ben has the wood stove smokin'.  This has been quite a year.  Thank you to all who called and checked on Ben this fall, after his wreck with the BIG lambs. He was out of commission for about 8 weeks. He's back!

Thanks for your training DVD orders, patience in waiting for Ben to be back up and at 'em for dog training, for your friendship, visits and many kindnesses throughout the year.  Each of you are appreciated.

Blessings of the season, Ben and Leslie

Neighbor Bob Porter stops in to see how soon Ben will be back training.

William Matthew Fullbright, born 11-13-09

Friend Allen Sanders makes a find - Bob Dalton's saddle

Bill Ormston, DVM, Dallas, Texas

Nicole Rhodes, Stockdog Journal

Gary and Marsha Gabrielson, Gary, South Dakota

Heath Wentworth, Haskell, Oklahoma

Mike Langley picks up his dog

http://www.theperfectstockdog.com/stockdog_visitors/2009/0904.htm

Yep, it's almost Thanksgiving - our best wishes to you and your family for a blessed one.  We hope to get this page updated soon.

Summer - September 2009 - The highlight for us was our was our short September get-away to the mountains via Padlock Ranch, Dayton, Wyoming.  Thank you Wayne Fahsholtz, Padlock Ranch CEO, Tony and Vickie Line and Jerry Howard for having us, and giving us the red carpet treatment.  We both thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone and the clinic itself. We spent the day after the clinic with our good friend, Dean Delp and family, Hardin, Montana.  Dean was able to make the first day of the clinic. Those of you who have brought dogs for training this summer, thank you.

Click here for more Padlock Ranch Clinic Pictures.

It was an honor to celebrate John and Karen Tate's (Seneca, Missouri) 40th wedding anniversary with their family and friends in July. Means relatives Theo and Sara Beth Kelly from Colorado stopped by while making a circle from Colorado to Texas to Missouri and home visiting relatives.  Sure seems like the days came and went in a hurry.  It's turned off cool this month and we've already seen 3 flocks (gaggles??) of Canadian Geese flying south.  Guess that means winter is around the corner.  Time to lay in fire wood. All of you are appreciated. Have a blessed day, Ben and Leslie

http://www.theperfectstockdog.com/stockdog_visitors/2009/0903.htm

June - August 2009 - We've been so busy since May that we finally looked at the calendar and it's almost time for the stock dog clinic in Montana/Wyoming mid-September. We think we'll be right there north of Sheridan, Wyoming at Decker, Montana.  Call Ben for more info 918-784-2643.  Please check back to see pictures and summer updates.  Below is still the February - May info.  Heck, Maria (pictured below from an April visit) and Doug Lawson (Calgary, Alberta) are here for the AVCA certification exams this week.

http://www.theperfectstockdog.com/stockdog_visitors/2009/0902.htm

February - May 2009 - It's hard to believe we're halfway through this year. Thank you tor those who called to check on us since it's been that long since the last time we added pictures and an update.  Ben's been kept busy lambing and working dogs. He's organized informational meetings this spring for landowners in this part of Oklahoma and Kansas so they would be informed as the power company puts in a high power transmission line through all of us. Ben is still limiting it to 4 outside dogs at a time. That's his idea of retirement. So get your name on the list ahead of time.  Big news for the first of the year was the birth of the first great grandchild, Avery Kelly, in February.  Leslie had a real perk when friend, Maria Lawson flew down from Calgary, Alberta to work with her for almost 2 weeks in April. Maria is the past executive director of the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board. They got to have a little "girl time" too. Those of you who have brought dogs, thank you very much for continued support.  Folks, those who bring dogs for training, telephone to ask questions or just visit, those who visit our web site, or those who just keep good thoughts for us - all of you are appreciated. Have a blessed day, Ben and Leslie

http://www.theperfectstockdog.com/stockdog_visitors/2009/0901.htm

October 2008 - January 2009 - WOW, Happy New Year!!!!  We're expecting our first great-grandkid. It's a milestone though we don't consider the age factor in.  We think the 60's are the new 40's for sure J.  2008 was one of those years - Ben stayed even and ahead, Leslie got behind with web info and office work.  Amy Hess hired on as fulltime AVCA secretary in October.  She's helping things get squared away so that Leslie has a more normal schedule.  The cool part is that Amy and her family belong to Cowboy Junction too and are part of the youth ministry.  We can't let 2008 come to a close without thanking all of you who purchased training videos and books, hired Ben to train your dogs, bought dogs and puppies, stopped by or telephoned.  We've posted a few pictures that got taken the last part of 2008.  Leslie was so tied up in the office that we missed getting shots of most of our visitors.  Ben is spending the end of January lambing.  His Katahdins are a hardy bunch.  So far he's only bottle fed a couple lambs their first or second meal, and they were ready to go. Wishing all of you all the promises and blessings of 2009, Ben and Leslie

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August - September 2008 - Remembering our friend Harley Stewart, Ringling, Oklahoma 1945 - September 25, 2008. Son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend to many. Harley is remembered by his friends and family, truly in their hearts and minds.  Teacher, cattleman, hunter, statesman gives only a small insight to Harley. Summer seemed to wind down as fall winded up here at PSD.  Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo, AVCA exams, dog training, Ben's brother Bernard's 70th birthday and more. 

http://www.theperfectstockdog.com/stockdog_visitors/2008/0805.htm

July, First of August 2008 - It's been a busy summer with some ups and downs. We appreciate your calls, questions and training tape purchases. We want to remember our small group family members Bill and Mary Aldinger of Afton, Oklahoma who went home to the Lord the last of July. Folks, thank you for the training dogs you've brought. We saw a span of 100 degree days and lots of humid days.  Ben was up before daylight to work dogs. Many of you fared the heat to stop in to work dogs.  We had a fun 4th at the Vasquez calf fry with friends and neighbors. Seems like summer is soon turning into fall.  The kids in our neighborhood started school the first and second week of August.  The Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo is coming up the end of August and will also be a memorial this year to his nephews Bob and Clem McSpadden who passed away in July.

CLICK HERE for more 2008 Visitors

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