We're Family

Sometime you run into one of those situations that you can't explain and things happen that you never expected.  In the dog world, I run into all kinds of people and dogs, some are very nice and keep in touch and some we never hear from again, but it’s always good when we do get updates.  In October of 2010, Molly had a litter of 10 pups; it was the most any of our dogs had here at the farm.  Life was so good and all the pups scampered and played and had a grand time.  One of the last to go home was a little girl by the name of Keely because of scheduling issues.  She was the spitting image of our Abbie and had a wonderful personality.

Keeley's Litter

We have kept in touch with Keely over the years and have boarded her several times throughout her life.  Currently, we have had the pleasure of boarding her from January 6^th for an extended stay.  She actually came the day before we got Doc and they have been together the whole time she has been here.

Keely and Doc

When she came I knew she knew where she was because she appeared to remember her surroundings and even went to the kennel where she was born.  Keely was a little reserved at first and I knew she was going to be here for a while so I felt it was imperative that we get reacquainted and spend some one on one time together or it would be a very long visit.

Well here it is nearly 4 months later and I will tell you, time flies when you're having fun.  Keely has been a dream boat and has been accepted into our pact and into my heart.  In the beginning, it wasn't the fact that she did anything bad or mischievous; she just wouldn't let me “really” get close to her or get to   know her.  She was so busy playing, running, jumping into the water, which she loves to do every time she gets near the lake and just having so much fun that she was too busy to stop and see me.  She reminded me of a very special boy that came back to us that took a big part of my heart with him when he left for his forever home, Bodie/Tucker.  Tucker was also a little reserved at first too, but soon warmed up to me and I remembered I cried when he left.

Over time, she has gradually let me into her world and we have become best buddies.  Because Meggie may be pregnant, I have kept her from running as much as she would like too and Abbie needed a running partner.  Keely stepped up to the plate and has become Abbie’s best friend.  They both are high energy and will encourage each other to  run around the full circle of the farm nipping (in a playful way) at each other  barking all  the way, each trying to get to the end first.  I remember so well when Keely’s owner was coming for a visit before she was born, she liked Abbie and wanted a dog just like her.  Be careful what you wish for because sometimes it comes true and it did in this case.   Abbie and Keely have the same personality and even look alike (both are Molly pups).

But today, Keely goes home and like Tucker she will take a part of my heart home with her.  She is a very loving and affectionate dog that has given us nothing but love and affection.  She is always polite and when I put them up, or to eat, I will open the kennel gate and call her and she will go right in and turn around and sit down and wait for me.  Something even mine won't do at times.  I will miss our times of snuggling in bed or on the couch, and the times she would search me out just to make sure I'm OK or just to give me a kiss or to have her ears rubbed. 

Like all of my dogs, I cherish them all so much, but today it will be hard to give her up and see her leave.  I will tell you, I already miss her and have enjoyed our time together.  She is a long runner and it’s such a treat to see her run and play without any restrictions until she is tired of running and romping with the other dogs and then lay down for a much needed nap with the pack.

Keely, you are a special little girl and you are so smart and wise in your young age.  I will think of you often and will always wonder how you are doing.  You have accomplished so much and have become family to us, including the dogs.  You have been a big part of our life and have filled us with joy.  Hopefully we'll see you again and soon,  I am so proud of you and just yesterday for the first time, you jumped off the diving board into the lake…something only the bravest of all dogs do, but you did it.  You are a treasure and we all love you.  Think of us often as I hope you know we will think of you often and also know you are taking part of my heart with you, this is reserved only for my "special" pups.  Love, Dad.

It's hard not to get attached to our pups when they stay.  We do try to give them the best home away from home and to love them as best as we can.  As I write this tribute, Keely is sitting by my side with her head in my lap letting me rub her ears while she licks my hand.  Good-buy sweet Keely... I'm sure I'll cry when you leave too... You're always welcome back home, as all of our pups are.

Getting Hurt...

I hate it when one of my dogs get hurts or are in pain.  I had to go to town yesterday and run some errands and as usual, I put Clancy in one of the kennels because I found out that when I'm gone, he likes to run around the kennels and bark at the girls and the girls like to bark back.  I have crept up on him and watched him run around having a grand time. He will even refresh himself by jumping in the lake and getting a quick drink and to cool off and he's right back at it for some more, it's their game they invented.   It’s so funny, when he sees me, he hangs his head and looks away because he knows I don't approve of it because with all the dogs barking, I'm sure the distance neighbors can hear it and I would rather they behave when I'm gone. 

Yesterday, he had been out all morning and when I put him up, he was fine but when I returned, as soon as I let him out, he was limping.  It doesn't appear too bad as he will put some weight on it, but you can tell it is uncomfortable for him.  I sure after a few days, he will be back to normal.  Who knows what happened.

I get several calls and emails every couple of weeks and it’s usually about the same thing that has happened to Clancy.  Border Collies are tough on the paws and pads.  Its runs about half and half of either a torn or cut pads or sprained front paws.  I will tell them my personal experiences, however if in doubt, call the professional, (the Vet), they are the experts.  I have had Dutchess Abbie and Meg to the Vet for x-rays just to make sure nothing was broke.  Luckily, it wasn't and 2 weeks of rest was in order.  We once had a guest dog break a toe and had to have a soft cast for a couple of weeks but everything was fine.

Lord knows, I have seen my dogs go through pain and surgeries the last six months, but you do feel for them and want to comfort them.  They want to do the normal things because they want to be with us or show us everything is OK.  Just last night as I was taking Clancy for a small walk so he could wee, and as we went down the lane he started to gallop and I called him back and said “Whoa boy, that'll do” He looks so hurt and I knew he was in pain and limping but he wanted to because he has the spirit in him, but I knew better and he needs to rest his paw.

The point of this story is not so much of Clancy’s injury, but how it sends a shiver through you when you see them hurt.  It does remind me of the times my mother would say to me as a small child, “This will hurt “me” more than you” I never believed her until I had kids and said the same thing to them, and now it has been passed on again.  You really do feel for them and at times I don't know why.  It may be because you know they have a pure heart without any malice or underlying thoughts.  It may also be that you don't know what is wrong and you feel so helpless, if only they could tell you what is wrong.  It pains me when they hurt.

This morning he seems fine, probably just needed a little rest, but I will tell you, he will be kept on a short lead for several days, because as we all know there is no medium speed, just full blast, their Border Collies.  I remember so well the Vet telling me to keep Dutchess quiet for two weeks after a visit and I looked at him and rolled my eyes and said sure then he said "give it your best shot, I understand".  We did make it.  

Something in the Air, Part II

No….No, that was last week…

As I transferred the chickens to their new chicken house, Dutchess knew something was up.  

She is so curious about everything I do and she wants to be part of it, it’s her way of helping.  She usually thinks’ everything is always for her or it’s something to eat.  She watched me with a keen eye cocking her head back and forth wondering what it is. 

Just then, as I was putting a chick in the basket from their brooding box to move it, it flew from my hand to the ground landing safely.  Dutchess’s eyes lit up like the Fourth of July.  I could hear her mind screaming.  “It’s a toy, it’s a toy, and it’s a new toy that flies on its own”.  “Can I have it now...RIGHT NOW?  Can we take it out and play with it?  Sweet Jesus, what will they think of next.  It’s a toy that flies on its own, right out of your hand.  Thank you so much, Thank you so much”, she said. 

I looked at her and said “No” it’s not for you, it’s for Elaine and I and watch your mouth" as I got that "Look"   

You told me NO, I'm mad, just so you know...

“NO….NO….she said ,You get all the neat stuff and beside you don’t even play Frisbee and Mom can't even throw one, she holds it wrong and it goes in the trees”  “It’s not a toy’, I said “it’s something for us and it will give us food when they get big”  “Food…tomorrow?, will it get big tomorrow?, can I have more food tomorrow?”  “It will take a while” I said.  She named off the days of the week wanting to know how soon she would get food and was a little disappointed when she found out the food was not for her.

All in all the transfer went smooth, they are getting big and are so cute.  I never thought I would say chicks were cute but they are.  Everyone wants to know what we got and the only thing Elaine wanted were pretty chickens but as she picked, I only pulled up ones that laid large or extra large eggs and were only brown or white, nothing too fancy.

Dutchess is shattered and starts therapy this week.  This "chicken thing" has caused her the greatest of struggles in so many ways.  First it was the house I build that she thought it was her's.

Then it was the Frisbee that flew on it's own that she could not play with and the ultimate....the food that she thought was for her and can't have.  

Her only solace was as I was transferring the food and water and was busy, she decided to try the chicken feed right out of the feeder and whether she liked it or not, she cleaned it out, grit too...

"I'm telling you, I know we can play with them and I promise to be careful"...DUTCHESS.........and to think, it's only just starting....

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Spring "IS" in the Air

Well, we wanted it and it appears it’s here, maybe… what’s that you say’ Spring of course.  It’s been a beautiful day today and it has been this way all week.  There are always several signs that points in that direction and I have been seeing them all come together in just the last few days.  The first is my eyes start to itch because I am allergic to every tree and grass that’s grown and always suffer in the spring.  I have started taking my eye drops to keep the itching down and that helps and another is the daffodils (March lilies) finally came up in April.

It has been wonderful to let the dogs out and let them run, where they don’t get muddy and sloppy because the ground has finally dried out.  They can even come in when they want and that makes them happy and content and it’s nice to have a medley of dogs again that stay inside at night.

The main reason I know its spring is we have entered the breeding season for our “once” a year spring love fest.   It has been a hoot because this year, we have included Doc, Annie and Gabby.  This will be Annie and Gabby’s first litter and with the colors, there is no telling what will show up because they are merles’ but whatever shows up, I’m sure they will be beautiful. 

As I said it has been a hoot because all of the girls came into season the same week.  I have let dogs in the kennel and out the kennel a hundred times and at times I wonder if I am going in circles because of the activity and making sure the right pair are together to court each other.  I try so hard to keep one or the other males up, but Clancy is a champion at getting out. 

Clancy is a little "wired" this week...

Luckily, when he did escape, I was always there to capture him and put him in the big steel cage that is in the garage.  It has double locks and a steel ceiling and floor.  He has yet to escape from it, but I did find a file in the corner that I’m sure he snuck in there when I was busy for... later use.  If he gets out of the steel cage, I'm going to take him on tour as the “Magic Houdini” dog.  He once went through a chain link fence and I mean through it.  He’s not a climber and we have steel mesh preventing any digging, so he chewed on the fence and broke one strand and worked his head through it and went through the middle, leaving fur along the way.  If I did not see the results, I would not have be believed a dog could do it.  He is one determined young man.  Elaine has gone to Louisville to see her parents this weekend and I suggested she take Clancy and she did.  I just hope he doesn't call a taxi.  The good part, Dutchess was spaded the first of this year and I swear, I think she was worse than Clancy about getting together.  Several years ago we were not going to breed Dutchess and it was her last day in season.  Just one more night and we made it.  Elaine had her in the house and was going to let her out to "potty".  I said, “Let Clancy in another door and keep him inside”…Well, she thought she could keep Dutchess close to her but as soon as the door opened and as fast as she could run, she took off and ran to find Clancy.  They ran through the woods and ended up on the porch “in love”… and I'm sure you know the rest of the story, puppies born 63 days later.  She is called the “party girl” for that very reason to this day.

Party Girl...Me?

This will be an exciting 2 months and hopefully everything will proceed as scheduled.  This will be a first for us, perhaps three litters at once.  I can only imagine all the little pups running and scampering and me trying to walk when they are under foot grabbing my shoestrings.  Yes, Spring "IS" in the Air.  Good luck girls

A Very Busy Week

This has been a very busy week here at the farm and it’s because of spring break in Indiana.  We are watching several of our pups while their human families go on vacation.  It’s wonderful to see our little pups all grown up and spend some quality time with them again.  In addition to being spring break week, Annie, Meggie AND Gabby went into season.  One of the guest dogs that came over to stay is also in season, so needless to say, Clancy and Doc are on edge and wondering what happened to their world. They think they have died and gone to dog heaven.  I will tell you it’s like chaperoning  a high school senior prom at a Viagra convention.   It has been pretty smooth without any issues or problems except  Clancy did get out once and presented himself to a young lady, but it was a planned meeting. 

The one thing I have noticed when dogs board with us, is how tolerant our dogs are.  I guess I have never thought about it but I did take stock this week.  It appears that our dogs will team up with someone and show them the ropes letting the guest “find” themselves, something they won’t always do with each other.  

It’s so amusing to watch them with their new  friend play chase, ball and Frisbee and even prance and dance with each other letting them in their space and home to share everything, including us.  I have never thought about the fact that our dogs share “us” too. 

As a rule, we try to give every dog that comes over full run of the house and property and even let them sleep with us because we want them to feel at home and comfortable while they are away from their home environment.  Not all the dogs do get to stay in the house because some are more comfortable and happy in the kennel.  The downside to this is even though our dogs get a lot of attention, there is some sacrifice on their part by not being able to sleep in the bed with us or lay in my lap when it is already full with a guest dog.  They have never raised a stink or had an issue.  I do think  this is possible because they have been introduced to so many dogs over the years, different breeds, sizes and ages. 

Clancy is so tolerant of each dog and once he gives his seal of approval for acceptance to the pack, its game on and let’s be friends.  Over the years, there has only been one of our adult pups that wanted to challenge him by not submitting to his domain.  He approached Clancy in a manner that appeared dominant and wanted Clancy to submit…Bad move…Clancy flipped him over as fast as he could and before the guest dog knew what happened, Clancy had him on his back with his open mouth poised over his neck.  In just a few seconds, the guest dog’s paws relaxed in an act of submission and submitted to Clancy without any further  issues.  After Clancy released him it was play time and both of them jumped up and went to the field to play Frisbee, but no doubt on who was in charge.  The rest of the stay was enjoyable for both of them and they became great friends. 

Annie is our Ambassador of Good Will.  

After their acceptance to the pack, she will always be the first to take up with the guest.  In a “good will” gesture, she will approach them and prance around them and play “bite”.  This is something she will do in a loving way by licking their face and mouth and gently nibbling at them in a friendly way, she actually will do this to me when she wants to play.   She will jump on the couch and start nibbling at my nose and then clean my ears which usually don’t need it, but she offers anyway.

I am pleased with the personalities of our dogs, but this was not done by us alone or our dogs just picking up on it.  It was done by all the “Play days” and "visits" and all the guest dogs boarding with us, so thank you for trusting us to watch your dog and giving us the chance to be their parents again.  

Remember we were their first parent and in all the faces of the dogs that visit with us, I always see them peeking over their kennel door and watching me, as I sing to them again…Such sweet memories...Ken

A Small Reunion

This is a very busy week because Spring Break is here for the kids in the surrounding counties and it has started.  As usual, we get several calls from our dog owners wanting to board their dog with us.  It’s always fun to see them again and catch up with the human families.  Some of the dogs have not been here for a while, but still know me when I call them and will always come to me, always turning over at by feet wanting their belly rubbed. 

It always starts the same when they get here.  Each dog will be just a little shy and reserved and will coddle down giving lots of room to our dogs.  It’s like they know who is in charge and whose home it is, the guest dogs always gives respect to ours.  After about an hour of butt sniffing and checking each other out, things will loosen up and then the playing will start.  With the male dogs, a hump-fest will start and it is game on to see who is in charge…

Humping behavior is to show dominance over other dogs. This is the reason why male dogs can be seen humping another male dog. In primitive dogs, the dominant male is the only one allowed to breed females. Dog will only allow being mounted by dogs it considers to be higher in rank. We know that dogs are affectionate and loving creatures. Some would form a strong bond with the whole family while others would be devoted to a single person. Dogs hump people because they think people are members of their pack. A dog mounting your leg is telling you that he is dominant and that he occupies a higher position in the pack than you. Of course this should never be allowed. The dog should be made to understand that the human is higher in rank, that the human is the alpha male. A dog allowed to think otherwise will be one stubborn and hard to control dog. 

It’s always in a playful way and they end up playing and running after each other, playing catch.  If you are wondering…NO ONE ever attempts to “hump” Clancy.  He is very gentle and reserved, but is given a very wide "walk around" by each guest along with Molly, Dutchess and Meg.  Everyone else is fair game.

This week, we have a few new guests that are new to the farm.   “Ranger”, a pup from Molly’s last litter who is only about 3 ½ months old came to stay.  At first he was very reserved and was fearful of every other dog.  He kept running back to us and would not want to be with them at all.  On the second day however everything changed and he was a little spitfire.  He and “Tess” became great friends and would run and play though the obstacles on the porch and then down through the trees.  It was great to see such a change from a little reserved pup to an active and socialized dog.  “Tess” who was re-homed last year but came back to Indiana is also here.  She is the splitting image of “Kemba” who moved to Washington DC.  Tess has matured into a very sweet little girl and wants to be held and cuddle, which she gets. 

Reggie, “The Reggienator”, is from Dutchess and has some of the same features and manors as his mother.  Whew.....

Hope, Sofe and Gunny paid a short visit and all are in fine form and doing well.  They are beautiful and playful dogs that when they are not running, will get in your lap, especially when they are wet.  All in all, the dogs have had a great week but some will going home today. 

 I will miss all of them and hope to see them again very soon.  Remember the 1st Annual Puppy reunion on June 29^th and 30^th.  More to come…

Happy Birthday to Meg’s first litter, born 2 years ago today,  Errin, Scout, Murray, Kenba and Ranger.  Mom sends her love….and I do too...Dad

The Tell of the Tail….

For the last few weeks, I have been busy catching up on things around the house and the weather has been bad.  The dogs were always so dirty and now that the weather is breaking, Dutchess and Abbie got to come in one night because they were the cleanest.  Usually, we take turns letting the dogs in at night where they can sit in my lap, cuddle, watch TV, sleep or have a snack, but most of the time it's all of the above which is what usually happens and Dutchess and Abbie were excited.

 It had been a while and they both danced around in circles and jumped from couch to couch.  We went down to the family room where the snacks and ball drawer is and of course, they wanted to do something, so after asking and pleading with me, I gave in and we all went to the ball drawer and got their favorite ball.  Dutchess jumped up and took it out herself and ran back to the couch and waited for me.  She gummed it a hundred times and got it all sloppy and wet and then placed it in my lap for me to pick up.  Then I noticed the most amazing thing while they were waiting for me to throw it.  I had seen it a thousand times but tonight, it was with more vigor and movement.  Dutchess and Abbie were wagging their tail with as much gusto as I have ever seen.  They were both talking through their tail and I just know they were telling me that they were happy, I mean really really happy.  I know it had been a while, but they were happy dogs now and it showed. 

Dutchess’s tail will go in circles like an airplane propeller in big circles, around and around.  I swear that on this night, her butt was pulling her backwards because her tail was going so fast.  Never have I seen it spin this much and so fast.  Abbie’s tail was just going from side to side and would change to up and down.  Never in a circle but only north to south or east to west and it also was going with gusto and at high speed.  .

This set me to thinking, why do dogs have tails and what do they say with.  I Googled a few things about it and learned things I did not know, for example.

Dogs use their tails to communicate strong emotions such as agitation, annoyance and anger as well as happiness. A person can get bitten by a dog that's wagging his tail because they read the signs incorrectly. And make no mistake; there is a science to tail wagging.

Dogs have been wagging their tails since…well, there have been dogs. These furry masses of bones serve multiple purposes. The original purpose of the dog's tail was for balance. It prevents him from toppling over as he makes sharp turns while running or swimming. The tail also balances him when walking along narrow structures, climbing or leaping. Over time, the tail adapted itself to playing a vital role in communication, particularly when a dog is just walking or standing around.

Puppies don't come right out of their mom's womb wagging their tails. The majority of them don't begin wagging until they are about a month and a half old when they have a need to communicate with their litter mates or mothers.

For example, if there's too much "rough-housing" between the pups, one of them might wave their tail like a white flag to signal a truce to its litter-mates  As they grow, they wag their tail to beg for food from the adults in their canine family.

Dogs wag their tails for other dogs, humans, but research shows that dogs don't wag their tails when they are alone because there is no need. Just as humans use smiles and body language as social cues in different situations, our dogs friends do the same.

Dogs also wag their tails to spread their natural scent from their anal glands. Each dog has a scent that's unique to him or her. An "alpha" or dominant dog that carries his tail high will release more of his scent than a dog that carries his tail lower. Often, when we see a dog holding his tail between his legs, he's frightened and doesn't want to release his scent. This is his way of flying under the radar.

I know the experts say a lot of things about this, but I know my dogs a little better than some researcher do, here is my take on their tails...

I'm Pissed, can you tell....

I'm a little Gassy

My tail would look better if you would get off you tail and brush it

I said I'm pissed, LOOK at my eyes...not my butt...

You're NOT coming in...

You either

Hey, Pull my finger...

OK, Let's Play...

Let's Play...

There is no doubt that they gravitate toward me and one thing I know and see every day is when I walk in the room or call their name, their tail will start to move.  It's so enduring and even when they are in deep sleep, I can just mention their name...the very tip will move and nothing else and I know they recognize my voice and answer, "I love you too"...



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