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.

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.

Saturday Musings

Pumpkin patch, freshly mulched with the straw from Boone's house.

Squash that came up over night after the hard rains.

The weather has settled down a bit, and we haven't gotten any more wicked storms. It's pretty nice at night with a cool breeze. Not too bad today either with a nice breeze, but pretty hot out in the direct sun.

My house was getting pretty rough looking, so I spent some time yesterday afternoon sweeping, de-cluttering and straightening. I had to go to the local 'Mart store--which I loathe--to pick up some supplies so I was later than normal getting home. After getting the house at least half way presentable I started on the dogs.

I was only going to bathe Ariel, because she needed it badly. Bathing, trimming, clipping etc is an ordeal with her, because she just won't relax. She stiffens up like a board and makes it very hard on herself and me. She has always been like this to some extent, but being old and frail just makes it ten times worse. I decided to soak her in Boone's pool, then soap and wash and rinse her. She kept sliding backwards in the pool when I made her sit down, I thought she was gonna mess around and go under! The whole time I'm soaking her and soaping her up in Boone's pool, he was standing in the water looking very stubborn. This is my pool. Mine!!!! While he has never been aggressive he certainly is possessive of his things! I decided since he was just hanging around anyway, I'd give him a bath too. Then of course he wanted nothing to do with getting in the pool. No way.

When I finally got Ariel done, she wasn't doing too good--having trouble with her hips and falling over. I finally got her settled down and locked in the hallway where she could lay in front of the fan or on the dog beds (she did neither). I upped her pain control meds this morning, but she seems to be doing okay for now. However I intend to try and lift her up on a portable table and work on clipping/brushing her later in the day. She needs it so bad, but I know it will be hard on her.

Boone got his soaping and washing and smells much better. I brushed a ton of hair off him this morning.

Boone's House....all the straw out, swept once and letting the wet spots where the rain blew in dry.

Yesterday before I left for work, I set off a bug bomb in his house and locked him out of the pen for the day. This morning, I took out his bed, and am washing the covers, and letting the cushion part dry and air in the sunlight. It looks like quite a bit of moisture worked it's way into the house and straw bedding in one area, so his cushion was damp on the underneath. I also forked out all the straw and had several loads to mulch the garden with. Then I climbed in his house, knocked down cobwebs and swept up the floor. Again there are a couple of damp spots the floor that need to air dry, so I might not put any rugs down for a few days. Boone didn't really approve of me moving his things out of his house. He lay down and put on his best sad face and looked all mopey while I worked. Did I mention he does not like change?

I'm still washing the never ending (it seems) supply of dirty animal bedding. I think once I get this batch done today, then it'll only be the normal weekly stuff. At least the sun is shining today so that makes everything dry quickly and sweet smelling.

Thursday night I was pretty tired after the lack of sleep from the storms/electricity being out the night before. I dozed off while reading, around 10:00 or 10:30 p.m. Boone was very happy and was quiet as a mouse so I wouldn't wake up and evict him. It was nice though, because it was cooler, and the fans were rustling up a pleasant breeze. Finally about 12:30 a.m. I rousted myself and went out to put Boone up for the night and check the sheep. After I put Boone up I went out and was shinning the light around, counting sheep. About then I heard a car coming over the hill on the highway from the North. Then I saw that it was two cars, traveling slow. I had an idea they were up to no good, so I shut my flashlight off. I heard them stop down in front of my folks house near the old store. About two seconds later I heard a big crashing noise. I took off towards the fence line, not sure what I planned to do, maybe scream at them or something, but I heard a door slam and they took off almost immediately. I quickly finished counting the now spooked sheep and went inside and called my folks to see if they were okay. I wasn't at all sure what had happened. Mom didn't hear it, but my Dad did. He went out and checked and they had thrown something (or used something to bash in) through one of the large plate glass windows on the old store. Most of the windows have now been damaged as well as the door from these vandals. Miserable little creeps. They tend to travel in teenage packs and never are up to any good. Reminds me of a bunch of dogs--by themselves they are nice little things, but team them up with others of their kind on a dark night and even their mommas wouldn't recognize them. The sheriff's department came out the next day to file a report, but there isn't much that can be done. It's weird though that the one night I'd be out late checking the stock was at the exact moment they pulled into town to do their pathetic little show of juvenile delinquency.

Anyway, I didn't sleep much the rest of the night, since we didn't know if they'd be back or not.

I've got a bunch of paperwork calling my name this afternoon, so I better get to it....I guess.

Ah....clean sheets and a cool breeze.....

Have a great weekend!

Ham Hocks = Happy Dogs

Ariel munches her ham hock, keeping an eye out for thieves

The dogs appreciated their ham hock treats on this grey misty day. They don't get them very often, every few months or so, so they really enjoy them--even Ariel who snubs most chew treats these days.

Boone enjoys his, using their bed as a table.

Getting down to the nitty gritty, of serious bone chewing

Catching Up

Sage, Birdwatching

Just a few updates on things around the homestead. The weather has been very nice this week, with unseasonably warm temperatures. The peeper frogs are out in full force and will likely get their webby little feet frozen this weekend. The bad storms that hit Oklahoma and moved into Missouri, missed us as well, although we got several inches of rain. Everything is muddy and mushy, but we do need the moisture, so I'm not complaining. (add on: It's the weekend now, and the temperatures are much cooler again).

I've had to rearrange my schedule a little with letting the chickens out in the morning, since 'we' were visited by a 'possum last week. Normally I open the chicken house door while I'm feeding the sheep and doing the other chores. At that time it is still dark, and the chickens will come out at daylight. One morning last week, while I was getting ready for work, I heard a ruckus from the hen house. I crammed my feet in my shoes, and went running up there. I grabbed the shovel as I went. Inside the chicken house, up on the roost, a 'possum was selecting which chicken morsel it would like for breakfast. At this point it was daylight and the hens could see it and were scattering. I whacked it off the roost with the shovel and gave it another whack as it scuttled out the door. And said to myself, 'it won't come back today, after that'! Back to the house to finish getting ready for work. Ten minutes later, chickens are alarmed again and I run back out with the shovel. Yep, it was back. This time, I hustled the last chicken out, shut all the doors and left the 'possum in and the chickens out and headed off to work, lest I be late. My plan was to capture it and remove it when I got home. My Dad ended up doing that while I was at work, and I sure appreciated it. The 'possum was removed and relocated. However, all that to say that now I don't open the little chicken door until daylight, and then I usher all the chickens out. They aren't happy about it, as some are obviously not 'morning chickens'. But so it goes.

The same day, after work, I finally got my taxes in to the preparer. It was a relief to get it done and out of the way. I'd been procrastinating, then sorting, and then procrastinating some more. I was getting a little sick of myself. Now I just need to file it all away and forget about it.

Ariel seems to be doing pretty good. The thunder storms stress her out and she really isn't handling that well. She was started on Prevacox about six weeks ago, and it's made a big difference in how she feels. The aspirin just weren't cutting it anymore, and she looked miserable all the time. Her movements are free-er and she just looks better out of her eyes. I'm not sure what the long term affects will be, but since she will be twelve this year, it's more about keeping her quality of life now. She is on half a tablet a day and I'm toying with dropping that down to a 1/4 to see if a lower dose is effective.

The big Ba-Boone has completely recovered from his trauma last Friday. I'm hoping he doesn't repeat it, but there is a good chance he will. Friday and Saturday he was a mess, could barely walk, and so pitiful. Sunday we didn't go for a walk, even though he was feeling good enough to stare in the door at me and try to will me to take them. By then one foot was healed well enough, that instead of hobbling, he could limp. He limped on the one foot for a few more days and then started running around again, so he seems good now. We had more neighbor dog drama last night, but he was pretty careful. I checked his feet yesterday and they look great. Healing very nicely. (add on: While at the vet's yesterday with Rain, I saw a dog that was actually bigger than Boone! I think it was a Neapolitan Mastiff. She was very large).

Sage is trying to have UTI problems, but so far we've headed off the worst of it. I'm giving him Methigel and the vet said I might have to switch the food he is on. I prefer to wait and see about the food, as they've done so well with this food in the past. The Methigel supposedly acts similar to the special food and breaks down the stones, except you give it orally once a day. For being such a goober about life in general he sure is good about the meds. I think he secretly likes it. (It comes in a smelly paste, that I put in a syringe to get it down his throat).

Meshach also seems to be doing well on his predisone, but isn't as accommodating about the meds as Sage. Even though I try and open the bottle quietly, he often hears and slinks off the bed and tries to make his getaway. He is so predictable though that I track him down easily enough. The pills are much easier than the liquid was. He has been very playful lately and that is really nice to see again.

My little dark grey, bossy Shetland ewe, Rain is very ill. I have no clue what is wrong with her, and it's been ongoing for about a month. However she has stopped eating the last few days so it is becoming critical. She has allot of fight and spunk left in her. I've tried everything under the sun I can think of and that has been recommended by other breeders. I took her to my vet yesterday, and he really doesn't know either. For awhile I thought it was perhaps a bad tooth. Her front teeth look really good, and I know she has back teeth because she bite me when I was poking around in there. The vet checked all her teeth and mouth and throat out yesterday, but nothing there that was out of the ordinary. Originally she gave up grain, but was still eating hay with gusto. Then she was mouthing the hay more, and chewing slower. She has choked several times since this started. The other day when I gave her the sweet sticky nutri-drench she literally beat her head on the floor for several seconds. She did not have this reaction to the a-lyte water that I gave her. So anyway, her lymph nodes aren't swollen, her temp is borderline (the vet thought it was high at 103.1 but we had been wrestling her around, so I'm not sure it was), her lungs sound good, there aren't any neurological symptoms and so on. I came home with a whole wad of shots to give her-- from predef to a shot similar to Riddlin (to help her 'innards' calm down), as well as a broad spectrum antibiotic. There is another oral medication she is getting for her esophagus and stomach, but the name eludes me at the moment. In addition I'm still giving Vit B shots and supportive therapy. Since the 'sweet stuff' results in a violent reaction, I've just come up with a mixture that has an egg, vanilla yogurt (with lots of the beneficial stuff), a-lyte, few drops of olive oil and am syringing that down her several times a day. Accepting that I have done all the things I know to do, including much prayer, now we wait. Rain is seven years old, and is an exceptionally aggressive busy body, so it is strange seeing her so quiet. Her front leg still works well though and she is constantly pawing--telling me she wants out of that silly stall.

Warm Fire in the Wood stove

Sunday Walk

Yesterday, it was cold and snowy almost all day. The ground was warm, so the snow didn't start to stick until evening, and we ended up getting about an inch and half of accumulation.

Sundays are traditionally 'go for a walk' days for the dogs, and I try and hold to that if at all possible. During the week, I seldom get to take them out, unless it's a quick prowl across the field. Even though they have a fenced yard and fenced property that they can run on with supervision, it's still exciting for them to 'go somewhere'.

Boone & Ariel leashed up and off we go!

Yesterday, Boone was revved up from the moment I got outside. He can be almost scary when he is that excited! Imagine 127 pounds of pure (klutzy) energy bouncing and running around and you get the idea.

After I got home from church, I changed clothes and bundled up to take the dogs out. Boone needed to burn off some energy! He gets to stay out in the yard three days a week (unsupervised)---it's complicated, but it has to do with the cats, and Sunday is one of his 'free' days. While I was gone he pulled the comforter off the dogs breezeway bed and dragged it out into the yard--and 'unstuffed' some of it. The whole time I'm in the house getting ready he is looking in the door..'please are we going for a walk now..huh,huh??'

Down the gravel road..

It was blowing snow (even though it didn't show up well in these photos!) and pretty cold, but we set off anyway. We went on the gravel road this time, instead of down the highway. Ariel gamely plodded along, but her heart just wasn't into the whole cold/snow blowing/walking idea. Very few leaves are left on the trees and it looked grey and stark out there, but it was an invigorating walk and I enjoyed it.

The starkness of this solitary tree caught my eye. You can still see some of the broken limbs from the ice storm two years ago.

After I got home, I carried in quite a few loads of wood, with the intention of holing up for the rest of the afternoon...with a good book perhaps. Boone thought we should play though, so between loads I'd throw one of his many toys and he'd run and capture it....over and over.

I was freezing and ready to head in by that time. When I looked back outside a few moments later, I saw Boone standing at the door--still with the 'wanna come out and play look' on his face! Silly guy. He seems to think the colder and snowier the better. I heard him later tearing around and around the house and breezeway as hard as he could, which sounds a bit like a freight train running through. Later I gave them a little snack and he finally seemed ready to take a snooze. Wish I had that energy.

Dontcha want to play??? Boone uses his 'winsome' face...

Scattered Thoughts....

Scattered thoughts and observations tonight. Just got back in from checking the sheep for the final time this evening. It is so beautiful outside. The temps are mild, the sky a deep dark blue, with white lacy clouds slipping by. The moon is three quarters full and shinning brightly, with stars twinkling backup.


The weather was frenetic the last few days, with rain, cold winds and a drop in temperatures. Saturday brought some sleet, rain and generally dismal conditions. Today was warmer, with the sun out in full force. The wind was strong, but not too cold.


I took the dogs for a walk earlier, and because deer season started yesterday, we all had our 'hunter orange' gear on. We just walk down the roads, but the woods and fields press in on all sides, and the hunters are not always wise. The deer are plentiful this year, and it's been wearing driving to work the last few weeks. Just this week I've seen six deer dead on the roads and have had several sightings of live ones, to close for comfort. The ditches haven't been mown much this year, and tall growth easily conceal the deer until you are right upon them. All the same, I'll be glad when hunting season is over, as it isn't a pleasant time around here.

The sunsets have been unbelievable recently. It's hard to capture the extent of their dramatic beauty with the camera, but I keep trying. God is an extravagant artist!

I was pleased to get a call from my 'wood guy' this past week. He had found someone to let him cut, and already had my wood up at his house ready to deliver. I begged off a few days until payday, and then he brought it over. It's beautiful stuff, nicely split with some green and dry mixed together. He brought three cords, with a little extra thrown in. Isn't that just a pretty sight? Look at those nicely crafted ends. Then compare (if you must) to my sorry little stack featured in an earlier post. Having this wood eases my mind, and should last me this year, with close to a cord to carry over for next year. I've still got a nice stack of last years wood, plus all that was hauled up from the ice storm piles. It's very dry and burns wonderfully.

I took this picture of the three ram lambs before putting Sprat in with the ewes. The picture turned out rather dark, but I still enjoy seeing the little boys together. Orion and Omen are off in a separate pen now, near where Jeff and Callum live. You would think it was outer Siberia the way boys act.

Left to right are Sprat, Omen and Orion.

Tonight when I fastened the chickens up, I came up one short. The one missing is an Ameracuana, and is a light grey with a reddish cast. In other words, at dusk, she would be almost impossible to find. First I checked the hen house thoroughly, then the pen, then under the hen house. It's always a bad feeling when one comes up missing. Chickens that don't go into the house don't make it through the night around here... too many 'coons and 'possums. So standing there, scanning the sheep paddock and thinking where to check next, I noticed that the plastic tub that I keep under the sheep mineral was in a different place. I usually keep it bungee corded under the bottom of the mineral feeder to catch the loose stuff. However the sheep often un-bungee it and move it around. The thing was it was upside down... hmmm... I went over and flipped it over, and there she was! I thought she was dead, as she didn't move, but turns out she was just 'frozen' like they will do when in the dark. I picked her up and she squawked loudly and long. She jumped up on the roost in the hen house, so I'm hoping she will be okay. Geesh....

In other sheep news, the plan, now, is to break up the breeding group next weekend. I plan to take Sprat, Orion and Omen over to Allena's. The O's will be spending the winter over there in Allena's little ram flock. I'll re-evaluate them in the spring, if they aren't sold and go from there. I went to the big city Saturday and when I got home had a rude shock. I looked out at the main ewe flock and saw this rack of horns in amongst them. What? About then Sprat's head popped up and I realized that he was not where he was suppose to be! Argh. I wanted to cut down and have an easier lambing season, but now it looks like it'll be just a 'normal' one.. bah. At this point it looks like eight ewes have been exposed to Sprat....at least. His raddle paint was pretty worn off so the evident markers weren't there. However I'm pretty sure by their, uh, messy hair styles that both Rain and Tabitha were cycling. The last time Rain cycled she tried to bash down the fence to get with Sprat (as in backing up, running and ramming the fence! The hussy....), and this time she succeeded. They managed to open about two wires in the corner of a gate, for Sprat to squeeze through. All the big, fat, fluffy ewes in his breeding group couldn't fit through, so they were all still where they were suppose to be. I've fixed the fence, and hoping no more 'incidents'...enough is enough. On the plus side, they are all Shetlands and there is no questions on paternity. It'll be real nice to get all the girls back together. Then I'll need to put up a second fence line to keep Blue (the Merino ram) from coming in contact with the girls when I move him into his winter paddock. It'll be much easier with 'only' three sheep groups to care for. (Right now there are five--three ram groups, one ewe main flock and the breeding group).

I'll leave you with a picture of the kitty boys, taking advantage of an unmade bed and the warmth from the wood stove.

Have a good week everyone.....

Just Dogs

Just thought I'd post some old pictures of the dogs. Jody passed away two years ago. Ariel is now 11 and Boone looks a whole lot better than he did in some of these pictures. You can see how puppyish looking he was, even though he was still thin and his hair hadn't slicked down yet. Hope you enjoy.

Jody--just home from the groomer

Jody, just groomed. (That is sweet Salome the Himalayan just behind her)

Ariel, just home from the groomers (they went twice and hated it both times! ;-)

Ariel and Boone, checking out an interesting scent

Beautiful Jody and Boone, shortly before Jody passed on

The pack.... a couple months after Boone joined us.

Ariel & Jody out for a walk in the field

Scrawny Boone and the girls out for a walk (Boone is on a flexi-lead)

Jody and Boone on the pond bank.

Jody on the pond bank...kinda looks like a scene out of Lassie

Boone....lets play ball!

Boone and Jody

Good dogs, good days.