Who would have thought?

Amidst a weekend that found me ankle deep in paper towels armed with a Windex bottle filled with a 50/50 water and vinegar solution (what seemed more often than not) some great accomplishments were made (not to include the liquid crate blow out, dog vomit in my car, or the stream of urine at my front door).  I'm going to be hesitant to open my door when I get home today, Bass has been out of sorts and a vet visit is possibly in order...but back to the weekend report!

Bass dog (press play and tilt the head) had his first bite on the sleeve during protection work at Schutzhund training on Saturday.  This little mixed breed mutt has drive and intensity comparable to those pure German Shepherds selectively bred and trained for such talent.  Bass has it and he's not afraid to show his prey drive off.  About a month ago I took him to training to have him evaluated and he displayed great potential, potential I thought would take months to perfect to work up to sleeve work.  Within 2 minutes he progressed from a leather tug on a lungeline, to a puppy jute toy on a leash, to the real deal sleeve.  Steve (my trainer) certainly can bring out the best in his pupils, hopefully I can keep up with my steed.

I tracked him Sunday and he was much more methodical and and collected than I had expected for his first time with his nose to the ground.  The few times he lifted his head I put pressure on his collar toward the ground (flat collar for now) and he slowed his paced and momentarily layed down.  I'll have to talk with Steve about how to encourage his head without his body following, I don't want him to crawl down his tracks.  It is nice that his body follows his head, as i feel he'll stay straight on the track...i need to figure out that balance.

Obedience didn't go as well.  I tried to use a toy rather than introduce food and he was much too spirited.  I need to prong him for obedience to avoid my ear/cheek/fingers from getting nipped as he lurches and lunges for the toy pressed against my left shoulder.  He will be fussing in fine form in no time, i'm sure of it.

Cali, Sadie, Bass and I went to Sky Meadow State Park for a hike Sunday afternoon.  Sadie is off leash the entire time (shhhh) and Bass got to run on the quiet mountain balds.  Cali always remains on her line, all 30 ft of it.  Bass has a HUGE bark and he enjoys using it when strangers approach.  I love hearing it and do not correct him at all.  If i don't want him to bark i'll avoid the situation, but this dog (for the sake of his schutzhund training) will not be limited in his vocal or vertical actions.

Brice and littles enjoyed a quiet evening at my parents while the other 3 rested at home.

When tending to the coop I opened the back and what did I find?!?!?  Two perfect brown eggs.  My buff (or buffs) layed for the first time.  I can't help but wonder if introducing the rooster to the flock jump started their egg production?

I'm thrilled.

New Kids on the Block

A local Craigs List find...meet "Roger"...as his former family called him.

Once on my property chickens become nameless.  With all the predators in the area the less emotionally invested in the chickens the better.  Not sure being referred to anonymously as hens or roosters would lessen the impact of one getting killed, but its been my long standing philosphy with foster dogs (their breed is their "name" while hanging at my place) so I'm going to give it a try.

The two buff orpingtons took to him immediately and the bantams seemed to enjoy him as well.

He flew out of the fenced in area yesterday and roosted somewhere out of sight, i checked all outbuildings and ran the spot light up and down all the trees.  I figured he found a good spot and i'd wake to his crowing.  I doubted his longevity after watching a fox lope through the yard, but indeed, he was strutting his stuff as I looked out my windows this morning.  The thought of potentially having chicks is exciting and I look forward to seeing if and when any of the hens get broody.

Speaking of nameless foster dogs, here's Bass, named and already pulling the heart strings.  I haven't fosted in a year so its nice to have a change of pace and a new personality in the mix. well, i could say i still have a foster as the senior rat terrier (pulled from a local shelter) is still here...but i consider him one of the fold...and after all, he has a name, on a tag, with my name, number, and address.

Bass is a 9ish month old GSD/American Bulldog mix (best guess) I took in when a friend decided he no longer wanted to invest the time, energy, and money it takes to move...and bring your dog with you.

I don't normally take owner surrenders, but Bass is super special and an all around lovely boy.  He is wonderful off leash, doesn't stray, looks to me for guidance, and best of all gets along with my other 4 dogs and pays no mind to the chickens.  I hope he sticks around for while as Cali needs a buddy to bring her out of a winter funk.  My other dogs don't really play with her, Bass couldn't be more playful.  He literally brings toys to other dogs and drops them at their feet.  If that's not a demanding play with me right now tactic, i don't know what is.

He was neutered Tuesday and I have a few people interested in him.  If I didn't already have 4 dogs he woudln't be going anywhere.  He's ideal...and even has Schutzhund potential.  Adopting out what i'm convinced is my heart dog? I dread the day.

sneak peak

Blue Ridge Mountains - my backyard view.

Back on a property I left 2 years ago, with two additional dogs (total of 4) and now 3 hens.  I rent a tenant house on a small farm which is currently vacant, except for a couple dozen cattle who rotate through our fields. 

The hens are making it through their first winter...happy with fresh water, scratch feed, a blanket of straw atop the snow, and daily culinary surprise these chickens are doing alright. The bantam stopped laying for the winter and I expected the buffs to start laying sometime soon, reading they are hearty winter birds I expected eggs once they reached maturity.  Come on girls!

Thankfully Virginia hasn't seen much snow this year and I am thrilled for that (especially after a 8 hour commute due to one foot of snow in January). Last year around this time we had no idea two back to back storms would shortly dump several feet of snow and create drifts so high Maryland was left in a state of emergency. I batten down the hatches at my parents and rode it out with the 3 dogs and plenty of knitting supplies.