I had hoped to be able to post at least the beginnings of the birth process with Elsa. The snow storm did arrive, so I rolled out of bed and checked on her first thing. She was definitely nesting. She came out of the dog house long enough to say hello and then returned where…
Two Days and Counting
She is sitting next to me as I type. Her breathing is faster than normal, due in part to the heat of the house, but part is the squirming mass within her. Elsa is the jealous type. The one dog that will push others out of the way to get a pat if she thinks I’m…
The First Five Minutes
Just to get you in the mood for the upcoming puppies… I decided to share this little guy’s first five minutes of life. Enjoy! The First 5 Minutes from Carol Greet on Vimeo.
Lucas’ Ride
When we herded our cats calves the other day, Lucas was the designated dog of the day. Why? First and foremost, Lucas works quietly. If he was as barky as Elsa can sometimes be, the momma cows would turn back, ready to defend their calves, and forward progress would be non-existent. Lucas’ bark applies to when cows turn,…
A Ride
Lucas takes a ride in our calf cart… Details to follow tomorrow… Sorry, it is a busy day!
Herding Cats
Today we had to move our cows… some have newborns… some don’t. Herding baby calves is much like herding the proverbial cats… they don’t know what to do… they don’t know that mom just took 3 steps that a’way… they have no clue that even if they touch noses with her… that that *really* is…
Eight Days and Counting
I’m excited… did I tell you that? And Elsa grunts and pants… and squeaks when she breathes at the right angle. She wants to go in the morning with Vernon, but I deny her that… thinking that jumping on a hay wagon is something that overly pregnant dogs shouldn’t do! She still goes on walkabouts…
The bunkhouse
The bunkhouse sits just under a south facing hill. On the left side is the living quarters with bed, table, and at one time an old stove. Many a hired hand has slept here… many a visitor… On the right side is the remnants of the blacksmith shop with various tools and mysterious pieces in…
Ten Days and Counting
Ten days and counting… Butcher’s Foothills Elsa, (United Kennel Club Registry, English Shepherd Club Registry, Canine Good Citizen, MDR1 mutant/normal, OFA Good, light shaded sable female, born 5/10/2004) is gravid, fecund, replete. Gravid is a great term for her. Heavy, burdened. Slowed by the extra weight, she rocks to achieve a standing position. Fecund. Prolific….
Those old Tales
I’ve been going through old papers, finding papers 100 years old to the day… This is a warranty deed, this a homestead filing, that a mortgage. No stories. Just names we’ve heard for years. Signatures in ink… real ink… dipped, bold to fading… Surprised that the man I pictured as rough and tumble had great…
Spring Returns
I imagine I could use that title “Spring Returns” multiple times… and I might! But after a couple of nights with below zero temps and 5 inches of snow, today’s temp of 20+ degrees and sunshine feels mighty fine! I admit though… I like this photo. I took it the same time I took the…