Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Who Mourns The Dog?
When our beloved livestock guardians die, we mourn them. It isn't surprising that their co-workers, especially with a male/female pair, mourn them. Here is a story about the other mourners - the stock they guard, and the tribute the stock paid to their lost protector.
I asked all of you on the lists: - what about his soul mate Molly? Should she see him after? I got so many replies and pretty much all of them said yes. So we decided we would do that. We put Sampson on a blanket in our small tractor cart and drove into the field. Jon stopped once he got in there and turned off the tractor. It was so moving, but not because of Molly. She came over and sniffed his face and wagged and touched his face with her nose. But perhaps the most interesting and moving thing to us was the two miniature donkeys and the two goats.
They also came over and suddenly there were five noses, quietly leaning into the cart, touching his nose, his face. Not scared or skittish...just touching. Elmo the goat raised his head to peer into my eyes and then dropped his head again to touch Sammy. They followed us across the field, to the back gate into the woodland.
The woodland has a meadow and we rotate our few critters in and out of there... but they are all very sociable and prefer to stay in our front pasture. If I DO want them there for the day, I have to entice them back with food. Especially the donkeys like to stay in the front pasture.
Not this time. They followed and we left all of them behind the gate because our neighbor who does excavation etc. for a living had dug a large and deep hole for us and I didn't want anybody falling in. But as we went through the gate and I closed it, I called to Jon to stop the tractor and look back. Both donkeys and both goats we right there - looking through the gate, noses literally pressed up to it. Ears forward, watching.
Finally, this morning we went out and opened the back gate, Molly at our side. Her head went to the ground, following the path the little tractor had taken the night before and she went to the grave. Sniffed and checked it out. But then, guess what? Here came both goats and both donkeys - directly to the grave, walking there, sniffing the dirt and sticking to Jon and I like glue. They seemed to want and need extra love and attention. They stayed right with us all the time, until we finally walked out of the woodland and across the front pasture and into the house.
So, a chapter ends and now the healing can begin. I've included a photo of the meadow and Elmo and Chloe the goats, Little John and Snowman the donkeys.
Posted by Judy at 2:17 PM 5 comments Labels: Stories
Sunday, January 24, 2010
The Horses
Posted by Judy at 7:29 AM 2 comments Labels: Horses
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Cloud Mountain
Posted by Judy at 9:38 AM 4 comments Labels: Mountains, Sky
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
And the Winds Blow On
Charlie's shelter bowed in submission. It's interesting that the tarps stayed attached, but the frame gave way.
My new carport was relocated across the lane, climbing the trees. It may be recoverable, if I can get it down without further damage.
After the big storm, morning dawned with clear sky and sunshine in view. Today dawned mostly clear and bright and still. A welcome change from clouds, rain and wind.
Posted by Judy at 9:48 AM 2 comments Labels: Storms
Monday, January 11, 2010
Skies of Grey, Vanilla Clouds
This is from my friend Kerin's blog on her website, Remnants of Olde. I liked the poem and artwork so much she said I could share it here. Kerin is an extremely talented, creative, eclectic artist as well as an insightful, thoughtful individual. Take a look and enjoy.
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Posted by Judy at 11:25 PM 1 comments Labels: Art
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Daylight Waxing
Posted by Judy at 1:46 PM 1 comments Labels: Geese, Plants
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Through My Window - LGD at Work
Every couple of minutes he raised his head, looked ahead, left ... (notice the geese in the background - facing away from Charlie, merrily chomping grass)
Then he heard something. He sat up and barked. Notice the geese now - they've raised their heads and are looking towards Charlie.
Charlie continues to bark - it's not a huge threat, he doesn't feel the need to rush towards it. But look at the geese - they are well on their way to Charlie. When I left the window they were grazing safely in front of the house.
Posted by Judy at 8:17 PM 1 comments Labels: Dogs at Work
Sunday, January 03, 2010
On a Dark Winter Night
I was so impressed with Shaman's singing Anatolians that when the coyotes started vocalizing I thought I'd capture it. The screen is black because, well, it's a dark and rainy winter night.
Posted by Judy at 9:32 PM 3 comments Labels: Dogs at Work