quote

I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. ~John Muir, 1913

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

So I need some help from you....

My mother and myself are thinking of opening an etsy store together to list our crafts for sale for all you lovelies out there.

But what to NAME it?  It's been suggested that I just use the name of my blog and tie it all together...

Opinions?

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

My Initiation As a Farm Girl

Yesterday a very unfortunate thing happened.  One of the new pups was run over by one of our cars, fracturing his scapula (shoulder blade) and breaking the tip off of it and also some hip displacement.  The vets office was SO very sweet to us and especially Copernicus and they were very comforting and careful. However, because of his injuries he has to be restrained from walking a lot and certainly any horseplay. So yesterday after we got home from the vet I kept him inside in a really big Rubber-type Brand Name tub in the house, lined with paper and with a blanket, food and water.  He was medicated and so he rested quite a bit but later began to whine and I couldn't comfort him too well. So we brought Zeta inside and put her in there with him.

They both slept for a long time, Zeta laying her head or her paw over him as if to hold him or protect him.

I paid close attention to when they woke and seemed to need to go out and potty. And while they were outside I would change out the newspaper because when they drank they sloshed it everywhere. 

The confinement drove them batty. Great Pyrenees are roamers by nature, so eventually The Dude carried him out and put him in his doggie house so he could snuggle with his sister.  She was NOT staying in that little (to them!) tub all night! And then The Dude brought him back in this morning to get back into the blue tub.  He was definitely not having it and neither was Zeta and everybody was whining and I was going nuts, so after talking with both moms we had the idea to use the chicken wire we have here and some bannister rails and make a small pen using the dog house as a corner.  This would keep him confined enough where he couldn't walk around TOO much, couldn't go down to the creek and drink and then not be able to make the climb back up (this happened yesterday) couldn't get out around other dogs that would try and play rough with him and jump on him, yet he could go out of his house and potty and sit in the sun if he wanted to. The importance of the confinement is that according to the vet this is a critical growth time for them and growth plates are shifting about in their bodies and if that fracture doesn't heal right or he further injures himself it could cause permanent damage and possibly even cause some physical limitations.  Great Pyrenees are more susceptible to hip dysplasia anyway and so his hips need time to rest too.

Here is a picture of the make-shift pen I made today.  I know the short post is leaning but by that time I had to call it quits with the sledgehammer.


































So, the vet says he should be perfectly fine so we're doing every little thing they said to do for him.  He has pain meds (once daily) and an antibiotic (2x per day) that we have to give him and we have to make sure he's eating and using the potty each day too. 

In other animal related news Sambo said he found Zeta in the neighbors yard up the street a little ways, so I am ordering their doggie tags today or tomorrow hopefully.

Christmas is coming up very soon!  We each got a card in the mail from grandma and grandpa with a gift card inside! (shhhh, don't tell her I opened them... but I did.) So after my morning initiation into farm girl life (building a animal pen all by myself!) I told The Dude that we all needed some "muck boots" soonly!  And since we're going to grandma and grandpa's farm on Christmas Eve I thought it'd be good to have them before we went.  Well, then I remembered the gift cards we all got.  Each one could use their card to buy their own pair... and everyone wants some!  (for those of you who don't get my terminology, I am referring to the rain boots like at GetItAllMart and Tarjay. I just happen to call them muck boots because I will be walking through muck, not rain... well, not all the time.) So I am going to look online today and get us all our own pair.  Then when we go to their farm on Christmas Eve they can see what their gift got them!  Don't you think they'd like to see?  Of course, my girls will probably want the Hello White Cat from Japan or whereever... boys=camo... me?  Who knows...I'm not exactly the "pink" type of gal... not sure I'd want anything with any kind of fancy design or colors on them either but I guess I will have to choose from what they have before I can really say either way.

Well, I'm off to check on puppies and kids and then do some more typical mommy-type stuffs.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The beginning...

Did I already write a post titled that?  Ah, no matter.  For this feels like it really IS the beginning.  Beginning of what, you ask?  Life with animals.

A number of things have happened since my last post.  I learned that the puppies would be pickable-upable on the 6th of this month and because we wanted all of us to go so we could all tour the farm there we were going to wait until the following Saturday.  So this past Saturday we had a full day of work planned. The main thing being to finish the dog house.  So imagine our surprise when I got a phone call that morning saying we could come pick up the pups today if we wanted to.

!!!

!!!!!!!!!


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

??  This kinda threw our day for a curve.. (huh? did that make sense?)  Anyway, I of course, wanted to go pick them up so we loaded everyone up in the truck and headed off to the farm to get them.  There were only 2 boys in the litter of 9 and we picked the only one with badger markings.  We told them we had wanted a white female but there were so many it took us forever to pick one out.  The Dude had one picked up but I was a bit afraid of her because she seemed so spooked.  But she was keeping herself separate from the other puppies almost as if to say...."Here I am.  Pick me!  Pick me!  The one over here!"  So I went ahead and took her too.  :o)  We figured if we loved her enough she'd snap out of it.  So we picked them out, they got the worm meds and first immunizations (did you know i canNOT say that word?) and then we toured the farm and checked out all the goats and headed for home.

We had taken this huge rubber-brand name tub and put chux pads in the bottom in the back of the truck for them to lay in but I wanted to hold one on the way home. One of the boys held the girl and I held the boy.  One chux was under the boy on my lap and the other started out under the female.  Then kid #2 put it in the floor.  Well.... long story short the female got car sick and although most of it was caught by the chux laying in the floor, quite a bit landed on the beforementionedkid.  He was now pretty grossed out by it.



We unloaded and set the puppies down.  The female (Her name is now Zeta.) went under the truck and could not be persuaded out.  Even with dog food.  The boy (His name is now Copernicus.) went somewhere... I don't remember where.  Anyway...  The Dude and The Before Mentioned Kid and I (though I did very little) finished building the dog house so they'd have a place to sleep, although at this point I'm sure we'd have all let them sleep inside with us.  Later on we gave them both a bath in the mop sink (I used heavily diluted Dr. Bronners Lavender Castile Soap) and used the hair dryer to dry them off.  Then we all sat in front of the gas heater taking turns petting and brushing the puppies.  Sadly at some point it was time to put them down for bed.  I think around this time The Dude and I were still finishing the inside of the dogs house.  We put some scrap carpet down in the floor (Or HE did rather.) and some rugs and some old shirts in there for them to snuggle with.  We stayed in there with them for a while... just making sure they were nice and snuggled down for the night and plus because we wanted to keep petting them.

Copernicus...

Zeta...




















Before then and since then a number of things have occurred. (hey, it's my blog I can talk how I want and not make sense if I don't want to. and not capitalize either.) Several days ago a stray dog  showed up here and hasn't left.  I've posted pictures of him and tried to give him away and he's just not going.  So he now has a collar and a home apparently. He is maybe part husky though I really don't have any idea.  He seems to be really smart but that kid is ENERGETIC!  And he's eating all the food and making it known to the puppies that he is the alpha.  The head honcho.  De Boss.  I have been concerned that this will continue and only get worse until the pups are big enough themselves to where they can easily intimidate the other dog and thereby prove their dominance.  Also, at first it seemed Zeta might be the more dominant of the pups, but since then I have seen small glimpses or Copernicus coming out of his shell.  For instance, yesterday the black dog (the kids named him Attila.) bullying her.  Going up to her and nudging her with his flanks or his nose.  This is how they show their dominance.  Well, Copernicus (smart dog!) saw it and went over to her and laid his head down over hers and put his paw over her obviously in protection.  Then today I rescued "Perny" from a corner trapped behind some stuff and when I took him out Zeta ran over and started rough-housing and playing with him.  (I forgot to note that anytime I talk to the puppies Attila runs over to where I am and shoves them out of the way and wants all the attention.) Attila came over and started bullying and I heard Copernicus growl at him.  At first I thought it was Attila but then I heard it again and saw Perny clamp down on his neck a few times.  This is proving his dominance.  When training a dog (according to some online research) you can pinch them on the neck mimicking what their mother would do when they were being bad, thereby showing them Oh no you don't!

























This is their dog house..very nice and cozy inside...carpet on the floor and everything!  Needs a bit more trim work and paint but it's basically done.  The Dude Done Did Good!

So let's recap a little.
I was worried about Attila maintaining dominance over the pups for so long it would remain later even after the pups grew full sized.  However on day 3 Copernicus has already been showing some signs of establishing his dominance over the pup pack.

Oh, did I mention he's only 5 weeks old?

Yes.  Seriously.

Every day I am noticing they are more relaxed and at ease where they are.  Last night I watched them come out of their house and start wrestling with each other.  Then they went potty and walked around and explored for a while.  When I went to feed them this morning, they saw me come through the door of their house and they jumped up and ran over to me.  They wanted some snuggles and love! (no, they didn't just want food.  They still had some in their dish.  I know you were thinking it!) After I gave them some love I went to get their water and when I came back they were out nosing around here and there.  A while after I finally came back inside I peeked out through the kitchen widow and saw them chasing Attila and exploring some more.



I think they're happy here. :o)

Notes on training:
I worked with them a little bit with the "sit" command and rewarded them for what they did.  I also rewarded Copernicus for showing his dominance over Attila today.  It's one thing for dogs and puppies to want attention from humans but it's another to bully other animals into believing they're the boss.  He does it to me too and today he was biting me and biting Muffin and jumping all over her and me.  I've been working with him on the "sit" command also and rewarding him too.  When he's up close to me he will obey but if he starts to get up and I tell him again he won't do it.  And he never obeys when he's not right in front of me.  He just has so much energy and wants to boss everyone else around.  I might have to put our babies on hold until I get him under control.

I am still learning as I go but it's fun and I know it will be very rewarding when they will obey and do the things they're asked to do.

OH!  I forgot another time that Copernicus growled at Attila when he was jumping all over me and ran over to me when I started yelling at him (Attila).  He did the same thing when the Attila was jumping all over Muffin.

I think he's going to be okay. :o)

Now if I could keep his paw out of his collar I'D be okay!

Until next time...more pics and video to come. <3

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Another update on random happenings...

Imagine my shock when I learned a few days ago that I would be getting my pups in a week and a half!

Say WHAT????

Yup.

So, this holiday weekend The Dude and I worked on the dog house. I have an in-progress pic but haven't got the energy right now to upload it to my online album and what-not. It's coming! Just be patient! ;o) The framing is done and the trusses are finished too. Doesn't that make it sound like it's going to be HUGE? Well, it is a little big. 4x4x4 or thereabouts I think.

The Dude also worked on the chicken coop some more which is good because I think we will be getting some soon. Not sure what "soon" means exactly, time-wise, but...soon. :o) I can't have pups around here with nothing to do, can I? LOL! He put the front side wall on after he cut out the door and I then painted the front and the door. Just a few more things to do and it will be complete.

I got a few new pictures of the puppies to show off too. :o) I canNOT WAIT TO GET THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!






I just love their little waggy tails and cute fluffy bottoms. Sigh. Not too much longer! And I have a ton to do before they get here. Collars, leashes, food, food DISHES, tags, etc...

Anyway, I think that's about all I have to mention right now. I'm feeling a bit under the weather and it's been raining non-stop since yesterday so I'm taking every opportunity to rest that I can. Tomorrow is the first day back to work and school for everyone and I need to do my part.

p.s.  I think I have the pups names picked out.  I will keep it to myself for now... I want to see the puppies to make sure they fit, if that makes sense. :o)

Have a lovely evening. :o)

Monday, October 31, 2011

Puppies and Farm Update~

So, we had previously decided on a boy and a girl pup. Here's why. The way I see it, someone around here would LOVE to have a local dude to breed their dudette with and also I would love for someone local to have a dude that I can breed my dudette with. Like a barter, possibly. (I love bartering!) At any rate, we want a female so we can sell any future pups (If we're able to part with them!) and a male so we can let people pay to breed their dog with ours. Make sense? Good.

Now, I have PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!

Out of 9 pups born, only 2 were boys. One had badger markings and the other was white. After questioning The Dude and the gang, we decided on the badger, and here he is!


The 7 females are both badger and all white and since we got a badger male we decided to get a female with white coloring. A good way to tell them apart later, depending on how much of the badger-coloring fades as he grows. I don't have a picture of the specific female we're getting but here is a group shot of the puppies with their mama. <3


So, now we just get to sit back and wait on them for about 5 more weeks or more. Wait. WHAT? Sit back and wait? Hardly! We have a double dog house to build, collars to find and purchase, along with leashes, fencing to put up, food and treats to buy...grooming equipment, studying to do, etc....

This is going to be so fun! And the best part? They will come home around Christmas-time. Couldn't get more perfect than that, could it?


In other news: We did our first REAL thing to the farm on Saturday. The Dude and I stopped and purchased 3 fruit trees and then went and planted them on the homestead. We want more (2 of each or more) but a little at a time and all that rot! I wish I had taken my phone out there with me because it would have been REALLY neat to have pictures of that but I didn't have any pockets to put it in so I left it in my truck. Booo. :o( It was chilly out that day too so we didn't spend a lot of time just walking around like we normally do. Muffin and Punkin' were with us and both had on short-sleeved shirts so they got cold quick! (so did Mama!) At one point Muffin had my skirt on like a poncho. (I had leggings on underneath LOL!) Another reason I should have brought my phone so I could take pictures. Ah well... live and learn. Next time I will make sure to wear something with pockets!

The goal of our homestead, as with most, is to grow as much STUFF as we can on our own to provide FOR our own. So the fruit trees are just the first step. There are LOTS of fruit trees, bushes, vines, gardens, etc planned, but it's kind of hard to plant things when you aren't positive where your house is going to be OR where all the trucks hauling stuff to BUILD that house are going to be driving and where all the people are going to be tromping around, but I think these trees are safe. :o) Hopefully.

The Dude and I (well, mostly The Dude) have been working on the chicken coop. We're starting small because well, it's our first go at building one and though we might increase the number of hens where we are- for right now we will just get a few to start.

Here are a couple of pictures of the progress.


I love to watch him work. <3


Looking good, huh? We like it! It's actually progressed further than this picture but all those pictures have kids in them. As in, they are IN the coop. They apparently think they're getting a playhouse. Maybe I should let those 2 be the egg-gatherers! Ha!

I might post some recipes soon because this weather is perfect for yummy soups and breads. It's been nice chili weather and we've had it twice in the last 2 weeks!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Happy Birthday, Puppies!!!!!!!! *yesterday*

I got an email yesterday afternoon saying the puppies were being born! I am so excited and will post pictures as soon as I get some!

Keep the name ideas coming!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

YAY for Puppies !!!

It's been a bit since I've posted simply because there hasn't been too much going on. The Dude and I have started construction on our first chicken coop. No pictures yet because after learning a bit more we determined we needed to alter a few of the plans. So, pics of that coming soon!

Also... I finally found someone fairly local that had the puppies we needed. Well, I say puppies because we're getting two now. A brother and a sister. Below is a pic of a littler of Great Pyrenees but not THE litter as they won't be born until around the end of this month. This is just one I found online to share. :o)








Now, the next two are of some more mature (obviously) pups. I have no idea how old these pups are but this is just to show how large they get sometimes. :o) LOVE IT! Can't wait!




Are those some doggies or WHAT?

So, I am awaiting the news that they have been born and then I can go pick out my girl and boy.

Any name suggestions? It has to be very different, ya know because that's how I roll. :o)

One last pic... Just because it makes me smile. :o)



Until next time....