Every year everyone
makes resolutions for the New Year, well here we are at the beginning of the year and I’m
sure most of us have plans to change things and do things different in
2013. At least we made it without the
world ending on December 21st and we have another year to look forward to.
As most of you know, I am a planner and will sit and think of ways I can make it better or
easier. While lying in bed I will have images of projects spinning through my mind. I have always done this and it has cost me many
hours of sleep just because I can’t shut it off and in many ways this is a
curse.
There are several projects
that were started in my mind and even a few were physically started. The biggest was the fence and that was a real
blessing for us and any guest dog because of the peace of mind in knowing my dogs and
any others are safe. I am so pleased
with it and have seen many great benefits from it.
The second is the
chicken house; this was stalled because of cold weather and not wanting to
bring day old chicks onto the farm and have to worry about them surviving. To the many people who ask, “Great chicken
house, but where are the chickens?” The
new chicks will arrive on April 1st via US Mail. There are six varieties all picked because
Elaine wanted “pretty” chickens and they are and I’m sure they will lay “pretty.”
eggs.
So what is planned
for 2013? There are several projects in
the works here on the farm? The first one is to expand the kennel and make
it more efficient and dog friendly. When
we built it, we just had three dogs, so it was set up that way. Well, as you all know, then there were 4, then 5,
then 6, and now you get the picture. I
have contacted several contractors and there are plans in the works and
construction should start as soon as the weather breaks in the spring.
The second project that
has started is…I want to be a bee keeper.
I have always been fascinated with honey bees, so now, hopefully that
dream will come true. I have talked
and met with several people and even attended a meeting or two, just to see
what’s involved, like I need something else to do.
I did ask at one of the meetings, “We have
dogs, will this be a problem?” My
answer was oblivious and I gave several people a chuckle. “The dogs will only sniff the colony once,
because the bees will defend their home”
Well in my mind, I was thinking about Dutchess and her eagerness to get to something or to get to food. I might as
well get Dutchess a beekeepers hood, just to keep the stinging down to a minimum. So to all the family members, you’re getting
honey for Christmas….Sweet
The next project that
is in the works is the “1st Annual Shuck’s Border Collie” Puppy reunion. It will be in late spring early summer and
feature a weekend of puppy and dog fun here on the farm. It will be free and will include dock diving,
swimming for the kids, fishing and many activities for the dogs. We can have campfires at night and enjoy nature.
It will be exclusively for our dogs that have grown up or rescued over the years. It will last the whole weekend and if you want to camp, that’s fine or you can come for the day. There will be a cookout on Saturday. More plans to come as they develop.
2012 was a good year
despite some problems and setbacks, but hopefully, we became stronger and wiser
during that period. Make 2013 the best
year ever for yourself and your dog and remember, the more you do to improve
your stance in life the bigger the reward you’ll receive in the long run.
From us to you, Happy New Year, give your dog a hug and make it a great year
for them too. Ken