Photos by Dennis Webb—Missouri resident Roy Taber’s dog Craig tries to coax sheep into a pen during the National Sheepdog Finals in Carbondale, which began Tuesday. Craig came close but couldn’t get the sheep penned before time ran out. MIDDLE: Trax, 7, headed directly to a cool tub of water after competing in the National Sheepdog Finals with Thad Buckler, who lives near Edmonton, Alberta. Buckler said the dogs get hot after 13 minutes of herding sheep. “That’s a lot of running,” he said. BELOW: Susan Orr of Oregon, left, and Valery Kelly of Carbondale enjoy two border collie puppies during Tuesday’s National Sheepdog Finals in Carbondale. The puppies’ sire, Boone, is competing in this week’s event with Susan’s husband, Bill.