Red Dirt in My Soul
Ranch Life In Wyoming
Carol, Wyoming Ranch Wife
This blog is my photographic journal of daily life on a Wyoming Centennial Ranch... 100 years in the same family! The dogs are English Shepherds, the cattle are Angus, the stories true! Also find me at www.rimrockenglishshepherds.com.
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Whew
Thank you, thank you, so much.
Your kind words have meant a great deal...
Dally is doing fine.
A shot of oxytocin this morning just to make sure there was nothing left inside... and she's happy being Momma.
So...
to the good news!
Five puppies... 4 girls and a boy... and they seem like they've grown already! Four, for sure, are tri-colors. The firstborn, a large girl with a wide white blaze and a glorious star in her forehead, at first glance looks like a tri. Shepherd spots, tan cheek patches, tan legs... but only her spine is black black, her sides look like a really dark shaded sable! She's going to be interesting to watch and see what her color does.
Another one also has a star... the little one *could* have had a star if just a smidge of white would have cooperated. One has a "creative" collar and blaze, and the male has nice markings as well.
(I'm resisting launching into "One Fish, Two Fish..." this one has a little star...)
Only one has a name. The littlest girl. But perhaps I'll save that for later...
Again, thanks for your well wishes...
BUSYBUSYBUSY week ahead.
Something about a 2012 Blogher Voice of the Year Award...(!)
Moving cows...
Branding calves...
Moving cows...
Company...
Question and Answer Time (you know the drill... leave a question in the comment section)...
And, oh, yeah... A WEDDING.
Whew.
****
June 2, 2011 Calendar Shot (didn't make the English Shepherd calendar, but it should have!, IMO)
June 2, 2010 Wordless Wednesday - "Cowgirls At Rest"
June 2, 2009 Nick and Molly
June 2, 2008 no entry.
Your kind words have meant a great deal...
Dally is doing fine.
A shot of oxytocin this morning just to make sure there was nothing left inside... and she's happy being Momma.
So...
to the good news!
Five puppies... 4 girls and a boy... and they seem like they've grown already! Four, for sure, are tri-colors. The firstborn, a large girl with a wide white blaze and a glorious star in her forehead, at first glance looks like a tri. Shepherd spots, tan cheek patches, tan legs... but only her spine is black black, her sides look like a really dark shaded sable! She's going to be interesting to watch and see what her color does.
Another one also has a star... the little one *could* have had a star if just a smidge of white would have cooperated. One has a "creative" collar and blaze, and the male has nice markings as well.
(I'm resisting launching into "One Fish, Two Fish..." this one has a little star...)
Only one has a name. The littlest girl. But perhaps I'll save that for later...
Again, thanks for your well wishes...
BUSYBUSYBUSY week ahead.
Something about a 2012 Blogher Voice of the Year Award...(!)
Moving cows...
Branding calves...
Moving cows...
Company...
Question and Answer Time (you know the drill... leave a question in the comment section)...
And, oh, yeah... A WEDDING.
Whew.
****
June 2, 2011 Calendar Shot (didn't make the English Shepherd calendar, but it should have!, IMO)
June 2, 2010 Wordless Wednesday - "Cowgirls At Rest"
June 2, 2009 Nick and Molly
June 2, 2008 no entry.
Three Tiny Heartbreaks
It was bound to happen sooner or later...
In the words of my beloved veterinarian, "Do something long enough, you're bound to run into problems someday."
Today was that day.
On schedule, Dally started going into labor last night.
I was excited.
I was ready.
Or so I thought.
I really don't want to rehash it all step by step, my eyes are puffy enough and my head is starting to hurt.
But poor little Dally... she tried so hard. And she did as good as she could, but along the way we lost three little pups.
Three.
My head knows all the right things to say... "You did all you could." "To have 47 pups in all these years of breeding English Shepherds and to only lose 3 of them, is still a pretty good record." "You have 5 healthy pups, be happy."
Ya-da.
Ya-da.
For some reason, she had a hard and long labor, and the placentas came detached early... they were still born... and nothing anyone could have done would have made a difference.
But still.
Still.
These three tiny heartbreaks will get tucked away into that corner of my heart with the baby calves that didn't make it, with Willow who was my Dream Horse, with all the dogs that came before.
We shall arise at dawn and revel in the joy of the five pups that have joined our world...
But tonight.
A tear.
Or two.
For those three tiny heartbreaks.
****
June 1, 2011 Wordless Wednesday - "Dog Tired"
June 1, 2010 Tiring Days
June 1, 2009 Please Stand By...
June 1, 2008 Reality
In the words of my beloved veterinarian, "Do something long enough, you're bound to run into problems someday."
Today was that day.
On schedule, Dally started going into labor last night.
I was excited.
I was ready.
Or so I thought.
I really don't want to rehash it all step by step, my eyes are puffy enough and my head is starting to hurt.
But poor little Dally... she tried so hard. And she did as good as she could, but along the way we lost three little pups.
Three.
My head knows all the right things to say... "You did all you could." "To have 47 pups in all these years of breeding English Shepherds and to only lose 3 of them, is still a pretty good record." "You have 5 healthy pups, be happy."
Ya-da.
Ya-da.
For some reason, she had a hard and long labor, and the placentas came detached early... they were still born... and nothing anyone could have done would have made a difference.
But still.
Still.
These three tiny heartbreaks will get tucked away into that corner of my heart with the baby calves that didn't make it, with Willow who was my Dream Horse, with all the dogs that came before.
We shall arise at dawn and revel in the joy of the five pups that have joined our world...
But tonight.
A tear.
Or two.
For those three tiny heartbreaks.
****
June 1, 2011 Wordless Wednesday - "Dog Tired"
June 1, 2010 Tiring Days
June 1, 2009 Please Stand By...
June 1, 2008 Reality
Minute Movie: Fox Kits Playing
Finally!
Enjoy!
****
May 31, 2011 Yes Day
May 31, 2010 In Your Honor (this one makes me tear up!)
May 31, 2009 Sore and Achy Part 3 (I like this one too!)
May 31, 2008 no entry.
Enjoy!
****
May 31, 2011 Yes Day
May 31, 2010 In Your Honor (this one makes me tear up!)
May 31, 2009 Sore and Achy Part 3 (I like this one too!)
May 31, 2008 no entry.
Wordless Wednesday - "Ah, A Rose..."
For WW this crazy week...
The rosebush out my front door... ah, a rose...
****
May 30, 2011 The Puppy Coop is Open
May 30, 2010 Thrilled With Green
May 30, 2009 Sore and Achy Part 2
May 30, 2008 First Day
The rosebush out my front door... ah, a rose...
****
May 30, 2011 The Puppy Coop is Open
May 30, 2010 Thrilled With Green
May 30, 2009 Sore and Achy Part 2
May 30, 2008 First Day
Shading
Instead of working on a Minute Movie for you starring the fox kits...
I was busy.
I drove 47 miles to get my hair done in Worland.
And shopped.
And shopped.
And drove 47 miles home and unloaded.
And changed clothes and reloaded my Durango.
And drove 20 miles back to Ten Sleep.
And decorated.
And set out food.
And hosted a bridal shower for Megan.
And had a fun time.
And drove 20 miles home.
So... How was I supposed to fit in making a movie today????
Duh.
Sometimes I set my goals too high and just get frustrated when I don't accomplish what I want!
So, instead of my movie, I'll put out this question to you intelligent internet people, especially those of you that like genetics.
Little shaded sable English Shepherd puppies will have a little black triangle on their tails... which basically is where their shading starts from and spreads. Guess what I noticed on these little fox babies?
Yup.
So.
Is this how shading always starts???
****
May 29, 2011 It Worked
May 29, 2010 Dance
May 29, 2009 Sore and Achy Part 1
May 29, 2008 no entry.
I was busy.
I drove 47 miles to get my hair done in Worland.
And shopped.
And shopped.
And drove 47 miles home and unloaded.
And changed clothes and reloaded my Durango.
And drove 20 miles back to Ten Sleep.
And decorated.
And set out food.
And hosted a bridal shower for Megan.
And had a fun time.
And drove 20 miles home.
So... How was I supposed to fit in making a movie today????
Duh.
Sometimes I set my goals too high and just get frustrated when I don't accomplish what I want!
So, instead of my movie, I'll put out this question to you intelligent internet people, especially those of you that like genetics.
Little shaded sable English Shepherd puppies will have a little black triangle on their tails... which basically is where their shading starts from and spreads. Guess what I noticed on these little fox babies?
Yup.
So.
Is this how shading always starts???
****
May 29, 2011 It Worked
May 29, 2010 Dance
May 29, 2009 Sore and Achy Part 1
May 29, 2008 no entry.
More Time
I can't quite see it yet, and I know it's out there...
Someone has taken video of me and my siblings playing...
but she needs to sit down and put it all together.
I guess she needs more time.
****
May 28, 2011 Who's Hiding
May 28, 2010 The Same Shade of Red
May 28, 2009 More Crabapples
May 28, 2008 no entry.
Fingers Crossed
Artificial insemination.
It's what we do for our Memorial Day celebration.
Our young heifers, the ones we'll be calving out next spring, are busy, hopefully, getting pregnant this weekend. After much debate, and checking records, and discussions, and looking at lists... the guys decided which semen to buy, and which heifers would be a good match for that semen.
Then it comes down to synchronizing their heat cycles so that these days are spent by Daniel, Brandon, Victoria, and S. with their arms up the inside of those heifers, slowly guiding the little swimmers to their new home.
Sounds so much more fun than going to a rodeo or a dance or a picnic over this holiday, doesn't it?
It works for us... extra help is able to come... and it times it correctly for next spring.
So, fingers crossed, we'll have good success... and lots of great looking calves!
****
May 27, 2011 Meet the Crew
May 27, 2010 Ambiance of Sorts (further details of AI-ing)
May 27, 2009 Wordless Wednesday - "Under the Crabapple Tree"
May 27, 2008 no entry.
It's what we do for our Memorial Day celebration.
Our young heifers, the ones we'll be calving out next spring, are busy, hopefully, getting pregnant this weekend. After much debate, and checking records, and discussions, and looking at lists... the guys decided which semen to buy, and which heifers would be a good match for that semen.
Then it comes down to synchronizing their heat cycles so that these days are spent by Daniel, Brandon, Victoria, and S. with their arms up the inside of those heifers, slowly guiding the little swimmers to their new home.
Sounds so much more fun than going to a rodeo or a dance or a picnic over this holiday, doesn't it?
It works for us... extra help is able to come... and it times it correctly for next spring.
So, fingers crossed, we'll have good success... and lots of great looking calves!
****
May 27, 2011 Meet the Crew
May 27, 2010 Ambiance of Sorts (further details of AI-ing)
May 27, 2009 Wordless Wednesday - "Under the Crabapple Tree"
May 27, 2008 no entry.
Name of the Game
A little fox kit strikes a pose almost identical to a photo I took for the March 2011 entry on last year's calendar...
This time there are either 4 or 5 kits, although I never seem to catch them!
Obviously, at least for those of you living in the general area, this wasn't taken today! Rain and fog and cold were the name of the game today.
I spent the day inside, once again cooking and babysitting.
The guys will probably have a big day AI-ing tomorrow... so I'll go capture some of that action. Victoria, Matt, and the twins are here as well, so if the weather's nice, we'll all try to get out at some point! Victoria is a big help with AI-ing... seeing as how she is the one who originally took the class...
Sorry this is so short AGAIN... but family always triumphs over blog!
****
May 26, 2011 Dally's Litter
May 26, 2010 Redneck Birthdays
May 26, 2009 A I School part two
May 26, 2008 Branding
Snuggle In
After avoiding the "scattered thunderstorms" for a couple of days... the clouds settled in and finally blessed us with some moisture.
The mountain is draped in white, and it is COLD.
It's 35ยบ out there right now.
I've built a fire and yanked another blanket on the bed.
I managed to do some outside work until it got too wet, then came inside and cooked Daniel's birthday supper and cake.
Of course, we'll be AI-ing in this weather... starting early in the morning.
Right now, I'm headed to snuggle in and stay warm!
Enjoy your holiday!
****
May 25, 2011 Having Puppies!
May 25, 2010 Dirt Slick
May 25, 2009 A I School part one
May 25, 2008 no entry.
Campfire Time
Wishing you some campfire time this weekend!
Enjoy the holiday!
****
May 24, 2011 Infrastructure
May 24, 2010 Cats and Dogs, Foxes and Dogs
May 24, 2009 What Are Cowdogs Good For?
May 24, 2008 So Much to Tell, Blizzard
Enjoy the holiday!
****
May 24, 2011 Infrastructure
May 24, 2010 Cats and Dogs, Foxes and Dogs
May 24, 2009 What Are Cowdogs Good For?
May 24, 2008 So Much to Tell, Blizzard