Room With a View

Winters are always wet here in the Pacific Northwest, but the storms the past two days have been exceptional. Everything is wet. As I was eating lunch I heard "go away" barking. Looking out the window I saw Millie laying on the hay I'd obviously placed there as a dry bed for her. She was warning the silly pony, who wanted to eat this bedding, that this pile was taken.

The previous day, I felt someone was watching me as I walked past the window. I glanced out to look into the bright, dark eyes of my favorite Pyr, keeping an eye on all she protects.

It was raining so hard I could hardly hear myself think. Looking out the window I saw Zander, keeping an eye on the geese and the road beyond. He sat there in a downpour for at least an hour. He hardly notices the rain, but sits on a platform to keep his butt dry.

Serve and Protect

The warrior dogs.

On Guard

Would you let him out?

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.

MY Sheep

My gander/sheep affiliation continues to amuse and amaze me. Three of the ewes and the gander were munching on a hay bale when I came by. The gander immediately came to attention.

He then pointedly strutted out from behind the bale, crossed in front of me to the other side of the yard...

to protect the ewe hanging out with the chickens. I might be willing to attack a lone ewe, but everyone knows I'm not going to mess with a Toulouse gander.

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.

No-Fly Zone

Millie was once again trying to leap out of her field. It took me some time to find the offending flyer - a Great Blue Heron was perched at the top of a fir by the pond near the edge of the property. Good girl, Millie.

Millie has taught Zander well. When the Heron finally left the pond and flew overhead, Zander was the first to threaten sudden death. He did it with his usual youthful enthusiasm - I'm surprised the Heron completely ignored him. Not all livestock guardian dogs look up, or consider aerial predators a threat - it's a specialization.

New Camera

My beloved Canon Powershot has been limping along for about a year, and finally died of lens errors. The little substitute I borrowed has also died of unknown causes. I didn't realize how much I missed having a camera until my new one arrived yesterday.

This is looking towards Mt. St. Helens at full zoom (the mountain itself is behind clouds). Not bad for straight out of the box on auto mode. I haven't read any instructions yet. 

Zander willingly posed for a close up. 

I'm so excited! It would be lovely if the clouds lifted so I could get some mountain shots, but there are plenty of small treasures to practice on. 

Sheltering from the Rain

Zander

The rains have come, the ground is wet. It's a good thing there are chairs outside, so Zander can sit outside the window guarding both house and territory without getting his butt wet.

Who...What...Are You?

I moved Polly into one of the dog yards so she can do her mowing magic on it. Zander wants to get up close and personal. He doesn't quite understand what this new creature is, but he thinks he likes her.

Polly couldn't care less.

Like Mother Like Son

Shaman Dream Catcher (The Babe)

Shaman's Lone Wolf (Zander)

Zander often sleeps in this position. When I sent Audrey (Shaman Anatolians) a picture, she immediately sent one back of his mother - Babe - in the same position. Funny dogs!

May I see your pass?

More Dogs...

Patrolling

Berna and Zander enjoying their morning patrol, keeping the world safe from predators.

Zander in the Snow

Snow Regeneration

There is a strange snow regeneration project going on here. It snows, it warms up, the snow melts down some. Then overnight it renews, and by morning doubles in depth. The dogs didn't quite know what to do with themselves this morning when confronted with a bank of snow to wade through.

Taking a Break

Berna joins Zander patrolling the property. The two of them take a break to romp and play, until Zander hears something, something in the distance...

And yes, Zander is shedding profusely in the middle of winter. I think he's finally losing his baby coat.

Play Time

Jesse and Zander enjoying some rowdy play.

Helping Feed

Zander helps me put the hay into the slow-feed nets.