Smothered In Fur

It's been a little over two weeks since Ariel passed. Maybe it's a little easier, but we all still miss her. Learning new routines to cover up the empty spot, sometimes something will spark, and I will miss her terribly. The critters have coped in their own little furry ways.

Boone has had a couple of 'accidents' in the breezeway, marking places he shouldn't. He gets in trouble, but I know that he is stressed, and lonely, so I cut him some slack. It doesn't take much anyway to destroy his 'feelings on his shoulder' outlook. We've made a point to get out and about so he can get distraction. Walks, a couple of rides in the truck, a trip to the river.

The cats almost succeeded in smothering me in their need for kitty comfort. Or maybe it was my need. Here are a few shots of the furries coming to grips with their loss.

Find a soft place to lay your head.

The next few shots were taken a few days after Ariel died. I had lain down for a few minutes, and was instantly covered in kitties. In the first few photos, Sage is sitting on my stomach (ouch) and you can see Meshach in the background latched onto my foot. No matter that it was still sweltering hot.

An incredibly sad face.... but some french fries got a little bit of a 'smile' from the big guy

More fries please?

And so it goes......I wouldn't trade my 'just animals' for anything. Nope.

When Will I Ever Learn?

The other night, as I was on the phone, and getting settled in for the night. (i.e. stretching out on the bed to rest), when I heard the sheep baaing. I listened a few minutes and the baaing intensified. Sometimes, an ewe and lamb will play the mommy-come-here, no baby-you-come-here game, where they will call back and forth, back and forth, until you want to go out and smack duct tape on both of their mouths. However this was different--this was multiple adult sheep yelling. Usually this means that some of the flock managed to get into the chicken pen and the rest of the flock are squealing on them.

Now, my chicken pen used to be really nice. Six foot chicken wire attached to seven foot posts. Over time though the chicken wire has become rotten and very fragile. The sheep pretty much demolished what time hadn't. Being the hillbilly I am, I've 'jerry-rigged' it over the years, replacing broken pieces with welded wire or field fencing. This had worked well.

Until the other night. I have a couple of big white sheep, namely Hope, who like to push their heads through, or stand on the fence to reach high branches. These girls aren't light weights. I hadn't been paying attention, but evidently this combination had squished the field fencing nearly to the ground. When it was low enough, the sheep pushed through the rotten chicken wire like it didn't exist and invaded the chicken pen.

But that wasn't good enough for them. No, they had to push through the other side of the pen as well, into a pasture I was saving for Blue and Lanny. About twenty two sheep made it into the 'new' pasture and were having a great old time. The left behinders were the ones doing the squealing.

Tomato Plants in Buckets and Squash Plants (behind) in Wire Baskets

So, did I grab a bucket of grain and calmly go up and call the escapees in? No, of course not. I ran out there, moved some panels around, plugged the escape hole, shut the gate to the Shetland pen, then opened the gate on the other end (which opens into the pasture the sheep escaped in). Did I then go and grab a bucket of grain and calmly call the sheep in? No, of course not, instead I proceeded to dash out there, and 'round up the sheep'. Bear in mind it was dark, the sheep were nervous, and the gate opening wasn't that large. Me, though in all my wisdom (and okay maybe some aggravation) was going to drive them rotten sheepies into the Shetland pen. Oh yeah.

Thankfully I had enough sense after about three tries of sheep running everywhere but the gate opening, to stop and go and get a bucket of grain. Of course they came right in. I shut the gate, shut the panels to the Shetland pen and had them corralled. What would have been a 10 minute job turned into more like a thirty minute ordeal, because of my idiocy.

Once I got them penned up, I rushed around and started putting cattle panels up over the flattened fence. The minute I turned the escapees out of the Shetland pen, they ran back around there to find the 'hole' to get back to the pasture. (Yes, I see the irony---they couldn't go through an open gate, in a fairly easy location, but they remembered where the tiny hole was to get back out. Selective remembering?)

So hot and sweaty and mumbling about 'if there was truck leaving tonight, you'd be on it', I got the job done. The sheep were very disappointed, but some of them were very smug and deliciously full of that green grass. Lanny and Blue will have to wait a little longer now, for the pasture to recover before they enjoy any green grass. Greedy girls.

The weather has been wonderful the last several days--in the 60s at night and 80s during the day. Humidity has been lower as well. I've really enjoyed the break. It looks like it's over though, with hot temperatures moving in the rest of the week.

The gardens are going great--my little seedling tomato plants are starting to really put some growth on, and even a few blossoms. I have some small green tomatoes on the 'store bought' tomato plants I bought. Still pretty small but getting there. Squash and pumpkin plants are growing and blooming like crazy, but haven't seen any set fruit yet.

I'm trying to get all the push mowing done before the weather gets so hot again. Only a little more tonite and it'll be done for another week or so. I've also been working fleeces--only six more to go, I think! Woot! I'll be so glad to get this task done. I'm working through both 2008 and 2009 fleeces, taking photos, and writing down stats as I go. Then I immediately upload whatever I've completed on my website (before I forget whose fleece is whose on the camera!). Once I get this done, I'll be caught up on the fleece front. There will still need to be some decision making for the fleeces I'm holding back to have processed, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

My Heirloom Tomato Plants Raised From Seed

Only ten chickens left on the farmstead. One of the hens died yesterday. She had been in decline for a few weeks, and I had her separated out to give her special care. She was the hen that had the 'bumblefoot' so bad that she couldn't walk. I gave her intensive care, working the things out of her feet and treating her with special ointments and rubs, and foods. Something had happened though that caused her not to be able to walk at all. She did show some brief improvement and was hopping around, but it didn't last long. I'm guessing that perhaps something more systematic was going on. The other hen that I treated at the same time (and who had even bigger bumbles in her feet) with basically the same treatment, has since recovered and I don't really even see much of a limp, if any. Since her recovery was so quick, I had hopes the other hen would make it too, but it wasn't to be. However all these girls are old so I'm thankful they have had such long productive lives as it is.

So summer goes on, soon it'll be time to order hay (holding out for second cuttings this year, if possible). The garage still needs to be cleaned out before then though. The sheepie girls are mowing the front area of the place in the evenings for me. There is quite a bit of good grazing out there, so it helps stretch the pasture. I've even been taking a few minutes to sit out in my new chair, read a little and write letters, while keeping an eye on those sheep. The breeze at night has been so nice.

Have a great week.

Conway Seeks Ewe Flock

Fairlight Conway
(Three Ring Just Jack x Fairlight Luna)

Conway is growing up, and still looking very nice. He is a solid little guy, with good solid conformation. I'm unsure yet what fleece type he will have, but am guessing at a shorter intermediate. His fleece at this time seems shorter than his half siblings, so he may lean towards a UK style fleece. Regardless, it should be very soft and have a nice handle. He is stocky and wide both fore and aft and his horns are looking extremely nice, with a very wide placement. His tail is acceptable in length, although slightly rat tail in appearance. This may improve as he develops more wool covering. He is now as large as his mom, but much of this is due to being a single.

He is a nice dark moorit, born with a large krunet. Although he isn't as flashy as his half brother Orion he is equally as nice, with a much nicer horn structure. (If you are looking for a nice spotted ram, both Orion and Omen are still available as well!) He should pack a powerful spotted genetic makeup and bred to spotted ewes or spot carrying ewes will produce spots for you. For more information and price check out my website.

Fleece sample---(it's hard to hold 'em still and take pictures at the same time!)

Three Ring Just Jack
(Sheltering Pines Jerome x Locksfield Brietta)
(Pictured at seven months old)

Fairlight Luna
(Minwawe Redford x Locksfield Willow)

(Pictured at a few weeks old)

House Sheep

Tom T.

Saturday was another blistering day, it was also the day three sheepies went to new homes. It's always hard to see them go. I worry about them and hope that their new owners will be kind, and will appreciate the personality of the Shetlands. Selling sheep is the hardest part of the 'sheep-biz' for me.

So anyway. River and her son Freddie, along with some sheep from Allena went to a lady who wants a starter flock. River is a beautiful ewe, very correct and has one of my nicer micron counts. Very good mother and her wethered son should have a very nice fleece. Although she would come up for cookies, River was never really into being really affectionate, so we never bonded strongly. Still difficult to see the little birdies go off to their new homes.

What a big barn!

Now Tom T.....he was the other little sheep that went to his new home Saturday. Tom and I were very firmly bonded from almost the first minute. Only little Ringo has come this close to being such a 'pocket sheep'. Tom loves attention. He comes running up to me, he will stand (probably for hours) for scratches and hugs. He wags his tail. So I knew it would be tough to see Tom go. Fortunately for both Tom and myself, Kati, his new owner is a gem. You can tell when she talks about her critters that she takes delight in them, and cares for them. She drove three hours to get him.

It took Tom a few days to settle in as he was lonely for his flock mates, but it sounds like he is settling in. In his new home in a fiber flock, he will have another little wether lamb (half Shetland) and some baby wethered angora goats to keep him company. Kati lives behind a subdivision and here is a quote from the last email "Tom is a baby doll boy just so sweet! The neighbors love him and may help to rename him as the Turkey named Tom knows his name and gets upset when I call little Tom in."

Tom sniffing the fabric chicken...."Are you sure this is a chicken?"

When I knew that his new owner wasn't too far from getting to my house, I went out and picked up Tom and carted him down to the house. I was going to sit outside in the breezeway with him, but it was so hot, and Boone was being obnoxious, so I just decided to take Tommy in the house! I had a halter on him originally but it was too big, so I just looped the lead around his neck. I really didn't need it, because he wanted to stick with me. It was pretty funny to watch his eyes get bigger and bigger as he checked out this new 'barn'. We sat in front of the fan and had one last scratching/petting session, his tail wagging madly the whole time. He was very good and didn't 'soil' the house until I left him alone to go and let Kati in the yard. Then he deposited some pellets in his distress.

Little sheep, big halter

What a sweet little fellow. Even though I miss him allot, I think that Tommy will enjoy his new home, and I'm pleased for him. He will be getting a new name to go along with his new life, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out for him.

Thanks Kati!

House Sheep anyone?

My's New Chair

Here's my new Adirondack chair I got a few weeks ago. It's really comfortable. I haven't sat in it much though, it's been so hot with not a bit of breeze. I hope I'll take time to sit outside and just enjoy things. I got it from one of the Mennonite stores. I've been saving up for it for quite awhile. I've moved it around several different spots and still am not sure where I'll put it.

Here's one of the views from my new chair........

The weather is a little cooler, --in the 80s instead of almost a 100 every day. The humidity is extremely high though (94 percent at almost 10 p.m.) so it doesn't seem as cool as it is (66 degrees). However, it is a big relief after the oppressive two weeks we've had. I think it's suppose to remain in the high 80s this week with 60s at night. Maybe I'll get my tomato patch weeded. It's a mess. Boone and I went for a little walk tonight, so you can tell it's not as hot. I'm trying to distract him from things, as he is taking losing Ariel pretty hard. I think he enjoyed his walk.

Hope you all have a good week.

Ariel

Ariel
May 5, 1997 -- June 23, 2009
Goodbye Beautiful Girl

Little Ariel, you are missed greatly. Just the other day you came to visit for awhile, as I kept you for your breeder. Just for a few weeks. But you never left. You became Jody's pesky little sister, and a member of the family. What a silly little dog--you enjoyed the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, sometimes all in the space of a minute. You could run like the wind, and used that to torment Jody, who would knock you flying if she caught you.

We went to obedience class when you were a few years old, just to have a bonding time. You were the star of the class, most of it old hat to you. While we were being instructed you would roll on your back, feet to the sky and 'rest'. What a ham. Your big treat after obedience and on the way home was french fries. Your addiction for french fries never went away. As you got older you very conveniently forgot all that obedience. Really you didn't need it, you were smart enough to do what you had to do.

You collie girls saw a steady stream of animals come in around here, and never offered to bother anything. Sheep were cool--you thought they were okay, but Jody adored them. Lambs were enticing and needed to be sniffed over carefully. Cats loved on you obnoxiously and you would walk off when tired of it. You and Jody shared a yard with two chickens for several years and I didn't think twice about leaving you alone with them. Good dogs. Very good dogs.

In your younger days you were a consummate thief. Anything not nailed down was fair game. Tools were a particular favorite. You had a voice that would make a grown man cry, literally. It could send me over the edge in zero point two seconds when you were really revved up. Collie barks tend to be shrill anyway, but you get the prize. Watching you and Jody race the fence barking at loud cars was always interesting. Without fail there would be a meltdown in the system at some point, and you both would turn on each other. It sounded and looked horribly fierce, but if you looked a little closer, you could see it was all an act. Exposed fangs and clacking jaws only rent the air. Then you both would untangle and race on like nothing every had happened, only to repeat a short moment later.

Then age crept up on you, and you lost your best buddy. You slowed down and became frailer each day. You put up with boisterous Boone and forged your own unique bond with him. Finally your body gave out and it was time. The light still shown in your eyes, but you were tired, in pain and confused. It was hard to make that choice for you, but your last day was peaceful and full of the things you loved. My life has indeed been blessed by your silly Arieyberry self for eleven and half years. My blessings are many, and in grateful return, although difficult, my gift to you is a quiet, pain free end, cuddled in my arms.

Three pictures of Ariel at her 12th Birthday.

Ariel being silly--she was a teeth clacker.

Ariel exploring---never take the easy way, when there is a harder route to venture through

Jody and Ariel 2006

Ariel--winter 2006

Ariel--2005

Because we choose to open our hearts to love our animals like family, we open our hearts not only to joy but to pain. Even if we are blessed to have them for a 'long and healthy' lifetime, their lifetime is painfully short. However, not having them in our lives is not an option. Because the pain they bring, when they pass is far outweighed by the joy, laughs and love they shower us with.

I can't imagine a life without my critter family. I am blessed to have such a welcoming committee every time I come home. They inspire me to get up and get going even on the worst of days. Lessons can be learned from them. Enjoy the moment; don't be afraid to be giddy about the ones you love; every minute is a new minute; run fast, play hard, sleep deep; enjoy special treats, a ride in the car, a long walk; know whats important; cultivate friendships, even if you are nothing alike; enjoy quiet time; don't stress over the irrelevant.

Losing one of the furry family is hard. There is a gap, an empty space, a void that their presence filled. You see them out of the corner of your eye, you continue to do the special things they required, only catching yourself in mid action. It's difficult to see the other animals look for their lost friend, to be unsettled and lonely. Animals do grieve and deeply. I've witnessed it and have no doubts on the matter.

Time moves on, and eventually it's easier to think of the happiness they brought than the sadness they created when they died. Sometimes there is a sense of relief because you aren't worrying about how they are coping or feeling with their failing bodies. Life is different but it continues.

Still, just yesterday you were a pup........

Not a Happy Day

Early a.m. Monday, Ariel woke me up crying. Sometimes she gets in a bind and can't get up, so I didn't think too much of it. I went ahead and helped her up and put her outside since she wanted to go out, and turned the fan on her. About an hour later, around 4:00 a.m. Boone started barking and then I heard Ariel bark/whimper. At first I thought they were barking at something, but then I realized that it was Ariel crying again. I went out and got her up, but she wasn't walking right. She went out in the yard and I heard her crying again, so I got the sling and flashlight and went out and found her. She could walk with the support of the sling, but she couldn't get up on her own. I finally got her settled on their big bed out in the hall, with the fan blowing on her, and got some pain medication down her. It took awhile, but she finally relaxed a little.

I hoped that it was because she had been in the air conditioning during the night and she was just really stiff. I stayed home with her, because there was no way to leave her alone, but there was no improvement during the day. She can get up if I help her, and walk with the sling under her belly to support her hips/rear, but can't initiate getting up, or remain standing very long. As the day progressed it has become more difficult for her to walk the necessary steps to go out to potty.

I set up her inside dog bed, which is very thick and put sheets over it. Then I put the ex-pen around it, so she has to stay on it. She doesn't like it, but I can't risk her falling and struggling on the floor. She has been fairly comfortable today and her appetite is good. She is obviously failing though and I've come to the difficult decision to take her to the vet tomorrow to have her put to sleep. I hope that her night is not too hard. I have medications to give her if needed to ease the pain. I keep hoping that she will hop up and be okay, but it isn't looking very good.

Her breathing is hard, and it's very difficult for her to walk very far even with support. I just can't stand to hear her cry in pain, and hope that the meds will keep her comfortable tonight, like they have today.

It's been terrifically hot here and I've had the dogs in the house quite a bit over the weekend, so they could be cool in the a/c. She was fine yesterday--not spry, but moving around okay. I don't know if the extreme heat has precipitated this or being in the cooler a/c air. I guess it doesn't matter. Her health has been fragile for awhile, and it's been noticeable that she is losing ground.

As hot as it is, my worry is for all the critters. This is so hard on them, and it sounds like it's not going to break for a week or more.

Boone and Sage are besides themselves and Meshach has kept his head buried against the covers most of the day.

Tuesday (today)---our vet appointment is for 4:00 p.m. I know it's the right thing, but it's still very hard. She rested comfortably last night, but cannot move around. She can't get up or walk without assistance and it's obvious she is uncomfortable and in pain if the meds wear off.

I take her outside every few hours, but otherwise she is on her big bed resting in the a/c with the fan on her. I fixed her a special breakfast of fried chicken, hot dogs and cheese (she loves all three) and she enjoyed every hand fed bite. I'm just wishing this day was over. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers, please.