Sadie is sick

Not sure whats wrong with my little Sadie but she is certainly under the weather. She was off last night...not interested in treats and didn't sleep in her usual spot.  This morning she didnt go out and I didn't make her, it was pouring.  I am still working but stopped by my house in route to check on pigs in the garden...when I realized I didn't take a lunch so Sadie hadn't been out yet! Ugh, feeling like the worst caretaker ever. During the day she pooped in this pantry room I have and while a bit runny did not offer any clues.

I'll take her temperature tonight and run a fecal using the farms microscope tomorrow if she hasn't bounced back. Dreading a vet visit but it will certainly be in order if my boss (a vet tech) and I can't figure it out.

Sadie is by far my 'best' dog in the category of lifestyle compatibility.  She minds herself, keeps an eye on me, is sweet but snarky and totally rules any and every roost even at a mere 14lbs.  My other 2 dogs have quirks that can be emotionally/mentally draining....not Sadie though.  She is my 'reward' dog. A true gem. 

Sorry Cali...your high prey drive run away always has to be leashed dog aggressive highly demanding self can be difficult to enjoy at times (though I love you dearly). With you I am ever vigilant and always aware, never able to drop my guard. Keeping you safe is a full time job!  You do have many amazing qualities and I'm blessed (i think, though cursed may be more appropriate) to have you.

Littles...you know I don't appreciate your endless yearning to mark everything. Inside or out. Unless you're crated I know you will try to sneak a squirt in...or two (twenty). Just this week you marked one of my shoes (yes the ones INSIDE) and that does not make me happy. I give you an inch and you mark for miles. Thank God you love your crate...probably too much actually.

Sadie...I have known from day one after adopting you (when you bit me) that you were street smart.  I can't trust you around children or adults that don't know shit about dogs and that's fine by me. You hold your own. You are loyal, devoted, and just the sweetest most feisty little thing. Get better!

Here ye here ye!

I will take your money but I will not take you comments, questions, concerns, criticisms, or critiques.

Please think of those child soldiers when you're donating to me!

OBNOXIOUS

I'm other news...it stopped raining! Slipping and sliding through mud but so grateful I'm not getting assaulted (ok, yes...a little drastic I agree) by water from the top down and bottom up anymore!  The pigs are thrilled as well. Cold and wet is not a good combo for person or pig (relatively mild now, but that's because I'm dry, thanks to a complete mid day wardrobe change ).  Well, dry except for my feet due to not having proper footwear for farming. Need me some waterproof boots and knee high wellies!

Currently saving up...cheap options are not an option. Rather have a good fit soaking wet than dry and otherwise not functional (like the unisex boots I tried on at southern states).

The mare pictured is a Shire named Desi. She loves to sleep laying down.

Poem of the day

Headlamps
Will allow you to distribute extra bedding after dark on Christmas eve
Will not prevent you from catching your leg between the first and second strands of electric fence *
Headlamps

*fence is plug in not solar and therefor always on point - shocking

Secret Santa gift all wrapped up

The paper being the straw.

Tricky tricky!

Dark at 3:45 pm?

Not a chance.

Felt Farm

Tbc

Found a favorite steed!

Had a lovely hack today on a gelding Ive never ridden. Darcy is laid back and goes with the flow, my kind of horse.

Though my ass was in the saddle my heart is always with the pigs.

Get to know pigs...and I mean KNOW them and (im my case) you'll find the relationship with horses pales in comparison.

It's all in the eyes.

Cow bells

Researching a cow bell I found in the barn yesterday led me to this gem of a forum...back from when the internet was just a baby.

http://thetreasuresofutah.yuku.com/topic/656/Old-bell-found

Some of the comments are amusing as these users are just getting familiar with Google...posting pictures, etc.

Pigs...playful opportunists

Buried treasure

I thought I'd struck gold when I found the apple press in the attic of the old dairy/veal barn...until I spotted these!

Hawking

verb (used with object) 1. to peddle or offer for sale by calling aloud in public.

www.dictionary.com

Isn't that ironic?

I've got my 'owl' on you!

Poem of the Day

Workshop
You work
I shop
Workshop

My cat

Farmers hours

10 hour day ( at a minimum), 2 minute lunch, and no weekends. Exhausted!

Now to tend to the dogs...

This picture is of Belly the babysitter and a piglet who was brought in due to a prolapsed rectum. So grateful to have a sweetie who looks after the little ones.

One at a time

75 buckets to go

Nonverbal 'cues' ha!

Bull March

Duck duck goose!

Cali in the snow with diamonds

Dancing bears...

I've been thinking about capturing, training, and exploiting...I mean partnering with a wild animal of my very own. I believe a dancing bear is my kindred spirit, now to break the spirit of this majestic beast so it will do as I command. How fun and exciting! There are very few of us who dance bears, an elite sport not for the faint of heart. Please follow along in my journey as I stalk, trap, and convince this predator through hunger that I am its new world. For one lucky bear, a life in the dangerous wild will be replaced with all the luxurious a bear could ever want...I'm basically rescuing it. My bear riding shot gun (blindfolded, handcuffed, and in a straitjacket) will be the envy of all.

Picture from http://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dancing_bear_in_Bulgaria_about_1970_1.jpg

Felting?

Parasite management in pastures pigs?

Budgeting time and money?

Transitioning to a morning person?

What advice, experiences, thoughts, or insights do you have on the above...or whatever else!?

Ho Ho ho

Christmas Parade

Getting tbe boys ready!