Dog Duties

I have new hay hooks. Somehow I keep losing hay hooks. These new ones aren't curved enough, but I figured they'd work anyway. I hooked one around the string of the top bail of hay in my hayport (a canvas carport) and jerked on it. The hook, somehow, unhooked.

The force of my jerk was meant to dislodge the bale of hay, move it against the other bales so I could wrest it out and drop it down. Instead that force propelled me backwards, causing the bales I was standing on to move, and me to fall. I fell slowly enough to choose a landing, ending up on a pallet instead of against the van door or something pointy. I wasn't hurt, but decided I'd just stay there and contemplate the sky, the hay, and gravity for a while.

Lucy, the Border Collie, immediately came running up, wringing her paws, trying to comfort me. She kept squirming against me, licking me, trying to give me some of her energy. Trying to get me to get up and act normal again.

Millie, the Pyr, sauntered over, stuck her head into my face, and asked if I was OK. She decided I was, so she went out about 10 feet and set up a "do not pass" boundary so no one could come bother me while I was down. After a few passes she came back to make sure I really was OK, and see if I needed any further help.

I figured the animals weren't going to get fed if I continued my personal experiments with gravity, so I got up and - much more carefully - moved that bale and loaded up the van. The rest of the time feeding, every time I turned around I'd see Millie, keeping an eye on me.

People worry about me working out on the farm by myself. I'm never alone, and my companions  are quick to come to my aid. And I have this great phone to take pictures with.

On Guard

Would you let him out?

Serve and Protect

 Millie, like most dogs, takes her job very seriously. She loves feeding time, as she gets to range out to be sure the area is safe from predators while I feed the horses.

When it looks like I'm almost done, she turns and makes her way back, ready to clear the rest of the route.

Lord of All He Sees

Pardon the blur, these were taken through a window streaked with rain.

Zander, overseeing his domain - while keeping his butt dry. It's difficult to get a picture of him doing this, because he almost instantly realizes I'm at the window, and turns to greet me. As you can see, he likes to keep his feet dry, too. He has no idea why we live here, where it rains so much; he doesn't mind being out in the rain, he would just rather not sit in the mud, thank you.

Screen Door Art

Best screen door ever! This was for sale at the Great Pyrenees National show earlier this year. Hopefully Veryl remembers the artist/seller. I want one!

Job Definitions

Nina, my recently acquired Great Pyrenees, has decided it's time to rewrite her job description. She's been living in the fenced yard of my rental house watching over two ponies. Yesterday she climbed the fence and went exploring. It may be warm summer weather, but there's still no lack of mud.

The ponies spend the day under the power lines munching the plentiful grass. I took the quad up to fetch them down tonight, and was shortly followed by my big white dog. The ponies weren't where I expected, and Nina followed us up the other way as well.

Once we were all together we made a very interesting sight. Little black Lucy the Border Collie streaked out in front, followed by me on the quad going as slowly as I could manage. Quite a ways back trotted Nina. Some distance behind here were the two ponies.

At least she should sleep well tonight, and stay in the yard with the ponies. I'm not sure where to go from here. Nina seems to feel she should be coming along with Lucy and I when I take the quad out, but Pyrs aren't known for sticking around. She did today, so maybe she's an exception. It is, obviously, time to set up some more hot wire.

It's a Dog's Life

It's hard to hold up that big head while sitting on guard duty. Why aren't chair backs higher?

This is taken through the window, because when I opened the door I got this: 

It only looks like he's snoozing.

Charlie and his Horse

Dolly spends her days clearing the side of my lane, and her nights being protected by Charlie. He loves having someone to watch over at night. Charlie is a retired working livestock guardian, but stays current on barking techniques. He is now the first line of defense against predators, even if he is in a yard, rather than the pastures.

Charlie's Traumatic Evening

About 8 PM I heard Charlie barking from the north, and my suspicion that he'd escaped was confirmed when I saw his gate open. I wasn't too worried; he has gotten loose several times, and he circles the fenced areas, marking and barking, never leaving our property.

I went out at 9:30 to collect him from the driveway and take him back to his retirement area - but he wasn't there. This was a deviation from his pattern, and I couldn't hear him barking. Worried now - Charlie is old and has very bad hips - I got on the quad and went looking for him.

The Universe was with us, as I went directly to the railroad cut and a short ways in thought I heard a high-pitched whine. I turned off the engine to listen, and it was definitely a whimper. I found Charlie in the ditch at the side of the track.

The ditch is about 5' deep here, with about 2' of water. When I stepped down to help Charlie out water streamed into my boots. Cold, murky water. Poor Charlie was cold and frightened, and couldn't get his rear end to work at all. I tried to lift his rear and help him climb out, but he was too weak and the bank too steep.

I got a sheet to wrap around his belly and several ropes, thinking maybe I could lift him with one hand and pull myself up the bank with the other. Needless to say, that did not work well. I called my neighbor to help, but got voice mail. Charlie and I stood in the ditch discussing the situation, trying to figure out how to make this work.

Then the phone rang. Damien had returned, and was at the gate. With his help we lifted Charlie out of the creek, got the van down, lifted him into the van, and got him back home. I don't know what I would have done without help.

I got Charlie settled and covered with blankets, water and food nearby. I stayed with him until he calmed down and I thought he'd sleep. When I got into the house I realized I was soaking wet with water still in my boots. Too tired to shower, I climbed into warm dry sweats and under my down comforter. It took ages for me to warm up and get to sleep.

This morning we are both pretty well recovered. Charlie can stand up again, although it will be awhile before he's back to playing with me. I am amazed that I found him so quickly, that my neighbor came home just as I left a message, and we were able to get 120 lb of dog out of the ditch and back to safety.

There are so many things to be grateful for.

Zander On Guard

Learning the ropes. A very serious Zander sits where he can see clearly, and checks each direction regularly.

Charlie On Guard

The Saga Continues

My friend Anita suggested putting the dogs up so the 'coons could slink away to safety, hopefully having decided that this is a dangerous place to be avoided in future. I thought I'd make things a bit more scary for them, so I shook the trees. 

One of the raccoon lumps separated into two. I had a few bad moments then when I thought one had lost his hold, picturing a frightened raccoon landing on my head - and two dogs trying to get him away from me.

Getting the dogs away from the area was easier thought than done. I didn't want them to feel they were being punished, or that they shouldn't be protecting their world. I finally had to go into the lower building, where Charlie always follows. That building hasn't been checked out since last night - who knows what horrible beasts may have invaded since then. Jesse is a bit easier to distract, so now the 'coons have a somewhat dog-free zone if they chose to leave. Unfortunately Millie's pen is nearby, and I have no place to sequester her. I'm watching from the house, no movement in the trees.

**Update - Sunday morning: The raccoons moved out during the night. All birds accounted for. Hopefully they have decided this is a dangerous place, not to be revisited.**

Intruders!

The dogs were carrying on this morning, but that isn't unusual this time of year as the coyotes come in closer. As it got light, the peafowl started carrying on as well. The geese were all together carrying on an intense conversation. Then Jesse came up by the house, barking the "come ON - we NEED you" bark. I slipped into my boots and down vest, and went to see. Jesse and Charlie were circling some trees, occasionally trying to climb one. I looked up. 

Two very large raccoons cling near the tops of two trees. They are quite high, and look like they intend to stay there. They also look like they haven't missed many meals.

The view with the max zoom of my camera.

We seem to have a standoff. The raccoons are safe, high in the trees. They can't come down because there are two dogs slathering around the base, making their intentions obvious.

I assume these two came in early this morning with the intent to feast on chicken or peafowl. Charlie and Jesse saw them and gave chase. The raccoons figured out they couldn't outrun the dogs and took to the trees. Now they can't get down, and the dogs can't get up. I don't own a gun. I have LGDs because I don't want to kill wildlife, but don't want wildlife to kill my furred and feathered residents. This has worked well for me. But now two well-honed hunters are treed in the middle of my chicken/peafowl/goose area. Raccoons are excellent hunters and killers, and I don't want them here. Nor do my dogs.  For that matter, I don't want my dogs to fight them, either - injuries are bound to happen.

Getting To Know You

The sheep and goats have been in a separate field for a couple weeks. I thought it was time to reintroduce Zander.

The goats are completely cool with him - "Oh, you."

Zander proceded to ignore them in favor of the interesting smells of the pasture.

The sheep have shorter memories. They are suspicious of any dog who isn't Charlie or Jesse.

They formed a loose group in the corner, and watched Zander ignore them.

A noise in the woods caught Zander's attention...

And he went to the fence to bark at it. Guarding instincts firmly intact.

King of the Hay

Zander (I think this name will stick :) ) knew just what to do when left in the hay shed. Climb to the top!

Another Lookout

Charlie has these lookout spots all over the property. Here he's watching over me (and, of course, everyone else) as I put hot wire around the newly filled hay shelter.

Help at Feeding Time

Murder Spins a Tale

It's available! My friend Veryl has written  a wonderful cozy mystery that revolves around a fiber artist, her shop, and her wonderful Great Pyrenees. If you enjoy mysteries, working dogs, and fiber arts - spinning, weaving, knitting, etc. - get yourself a copy of Murder Spins a Tale. You can order it through Amazon today.

You can read more about the book, the dogs and the fiber on her blog, Flock 'N' Fiber Mysteries.  Note the plural in the name - there are more to come.

I'm very excited to hold this book in my hands. I had the privilege of reading it as it was being written, but not the final edits. It is a well-written mystery set in Western Washington (and two of the characters are working Pyrs!), and I'm sure you'll enjoy it too. 

Puppy In Hiding

MY Stick

Oh look - a stick!

I can carry this one. This looks like a GREAT stick.

I SAID *I* can carry this one! MY stick!