Back Home

I've been admonished for not keeping up my blogs.
I will try to remedy this.
However, we just got back from a two month long trip and have a few things we need to do before I will have time to write.

First things first,
I need to mow so I can find the dogs.

Alaska and Friends

Alaska isn't happy

About a month ago, she injured one of her front legs.
Now, I'm not saying it didn't happen when she boldly rushed to chase off a marauding coyote,

 I'm just saying she also likes to pull things down from shelves and such and maybe, just maybe, something landed on her wrist that hurt it.

What I do know is that she kept re injuring it.

When the snow was high, she and Togo stepped over the fence and chased a coyote out on to the lake ice and killed it.

That made her leg hurt more than ever.

So she's chained in the lean-to of the barn to make her rest for a few more weeks.

The sheep spend most of their time back there anyway, and Alaska has made some new friends.

She would really rather we didn't know about them so she pretends they are not there but I've seen them sharing the sun with her.

A few others like to hang out on the cast off, wool that has felted and several barn cats gather there when it's cold.

Togo continues to guard the rest of the farm,

and the kittens now rest comfortably safe with Alaska's protection.

Happy Holidays!

Bah Humbug

Danger Is His Middle Name

Skid doesn't trust trees that grow in the house.

Watch yourself, Tree, he's got his eye on you!

Once again, Skid allows me to sleep well at night, knowing that no tree is going to attack me.

Alaska And The Cone

Scott and I don't really ever use cones when training our dogs.

Alaska on the other hand, thinks this cone is something to be treasured.

She thought we were eying up her prize and removed it from our sight.

You might ask where Alaska found the cone since we never use them.
All I can say is, "Who knows.  That's Alaska."

Cat On A Cold Shingled Roof

I don't know if Poe likes it up there,

or just can't figure out how to get down.

And what is in his mouth?

Winter Is Back Again

Sigh
At least it's not real cold yet...

Skid And The Stink Bugs

We are in Virginia right now for the border collie National Finals.
This year, they are having a big problem with stink bugs, so that means Skid is having a big problem with stink bugs.

They are annoying because they come in the camper and walk on the walls, but they don't bite or bother you too much.
However, they bother Skid alot.

If you squash one (or bite one) they emit a stink and taste badly so he's learning to keep his distance, but he still doesn't trust them.

I sleep better at night, knowing Skid has my back and will continue to watch the stink bugs.

The Visit

Several years ago, our farm was happy to help a white Jack Russell Terrier named Jane get in touch with her inner terrier whenever she came to see us. Jane is now gone but another white Jack Russell, Fitz, is her successor, and he paid a visit to the farm today.

Fitz is pretty sure he already knows how to be a terrier so this day was a day to meet and explore.

Not surprisingly, the dog he liked the best was Skid.

They hit it off right away.

Their inner terriers recognized that they were meant to be friends.

 BFFs

After his socializing, Fitz had one more objective for the day...

GET THE TOY UNDER THE WATER!!

 I hope you had a good time, Mr. Fitz! (and watch out for those scary chickens!)

A Conversation

I WAAAANT TO EAT YOUR LAAAAMBS!

HOW DARE YOU!

NEVER!

 

Well, what about that small dog you have?

 

Skid?

I'd die first!

 

Ok.

Hmmm.

Oh, how about that fat black and white cat?

 

Poe? 

Let me think about it...

 

The Great Outdoors

Poe has always been a very difficult pet to have around.

He's rude, he destroys the house,  he pees on our stuff, and he won't give us the time of day.
In the past, Poe had never shown any inclination to go outside.
He's a house cat and that's his domain and if he wants to shred it, that's his prerogative.
However, he has recently been asking to go outside.

He snuck out when the house sitter was here and she had a heck of a time catching him to bring him back in.
I didn't want to let him out.  He's always been inside, and I was afraid he'd do something that would get him hurt outside.
But finally, his destructiveness, broke this camel, and I opened the door.
What did he do?
Well, he did this:

and then this,

and then he caught a grasshopper,

and climbed this,

and finally, he did some more of this,

and when it was time for bed, he came in on his own.
And you know what?
He hasn't destroyed or peed on one thing in the house since he's been enjoying the outdoors.