October Sunny Day

I found my good camera!  And it is working!  So what better way to spend some time but taking pictures of the dogs.  Here are a few for your entertainment.

Biscotti-age 8, the oldest boy of the group

Biscotti (L), Declan, Lemmy (R)

Cruz, age 8 months--Yea I know, I need my ears done again..gads!

Declan

Harold (L) and his buddy MWCR foster dog, Lena

Two of the old gals, Lemmy (L) age 12, and Tori (R) age 9

Lemmy doing what she does best.  Laying around, waiting for the time to go back inside so she can lay on the sofa.

MWCR foster dog, Lena--Looking for her Forever Home

Spice

Tori - my MWCR foster failure--just could not part with this one

Spice, out of coat and I'm afraid there are a few burs in there as well

Things That Made Me Smile Today

It truly is the little thing that make me smile. 

No wind today so I burned both garbage and some of the dead weeds and long grasses behind the garage that have been trying to creep into the dog runs. 

Blue sky with floaty white clouds to view on the long, slow walk to the mailbox and back.  Add to that the joy of having Hobbs, Ava and Tori along.

A serviceable, easy on the gas car for a trip to the library to pick up a new title from a favorite author.  Add to that the joy of having Spice ride along and sharing a small french fry.

Foster dog Lassie burping dog cookie in my face. 

The buzz saw snoring of a contented Lemmy dog. 

Watching 12 year old Shortcake "bounce" along the fence "chasing" the tractor that is plowing the field.  Pretty sure she can't see it clearly, but she knows the sound a tractor makes. 

Having enough LP for the winter and being able to turn on the heat when I want it. 

A full pot of hot coffee and seasonal Pumpkin Spice creamer..umm..

A yard full of Hobblets being kept in check by Spice and first Lt. Tori

Life is Good...

Fall

It might be Fall.  The calendar says it should be and today it is nearly winter-y outside.  The air is just a bit on the brisk side this morning, the sun is out, the sky that pale, crystal blue color that speaks more of winter than fall.  A sure sign that we haven't tipped into winter is the arrival of gravel trucks bright and early this morning.  I wonder when the sight of fresh gravel for the farm became such a joyous event.  Oh yes, after the last two downpours left a miniature version of the Great Lakes in the lane. 
With a predicted high of 45 degrees today and the ever present breezy conditions out here it is time to tidy up the smaller building so I can do training this winter.  The building is unheated and the floor is packed dirt but to polish up conformation basics and rally it will do nicely.  I need to move a few dog houses around and want to finish the chain link by the house so I can use that remaining kennel panel to put a fifth indoor/outdoor run in the garage.  Time to bundle up and get it done.
The big question is - Will I be able to find my winter mittens???

More Hobblets and Other Stuff

Gus and Eli (formerly known as Manning) have been here for a while now and having 4 Hobblets around is like watching a day long action movie complete with stupefying stunts.  Thankfully, Declan and Gus get along fine for the most part, so the only dog that still can only play with girls is Hobbs.  Since Hobbs is almost always attached to me I do not believe he really cares who he goes outside with, it's not like he out very long.  Gus is learning to be a good indoor dog including "wait" and "off".  Off is especially important given his size.  He is stunning and I haven't seen such a big goofy blue dog since my Ripley.   Eli is just sweet.  Sweet sums him up perfectly.   Ava thinks having more bros around to play with is great.  Cruz thinks it's all a bunch of hooey.  On the Cruz front, the addition of chamomile to his regimen has helped him settle and increase his confidence.  I am hoping that at some point soon he will be confident enough to be available to a companion home.  Gus and Eli will head home in another 30 days. 
Foster dog Lena has recovered from her spay.  I think she probably came out of anesthesia completely recovered, but that's Lena.  If only I could harness her energy for good instead of evil.  Just kidding!  For a dog that was raised outside with no concept of manners or how to listen, she is doing very well.  She is crate trained and had only one accident in the house, she no longer requires being covered to eat and can chew a bone or play with a toy with the older dogs around without an issue.  I suspect her guarding behaviors were due to lack of training and having to fight for everything she got.  She knows "wait" at the door and at her crate door, "kennel up" to go into the crate and gets "off" about 65% of the time without needing a reminder.  Walking a leash proved to be more my issue than hers, I just don't have the strength anymore to handle a 60lb, semi out of control pulling dog on a simple buckle collar.  Did I tell you that Lena is only part Collie?  And that the other is German Shepherd and Aussie?  She is gorgeous but has a decidedly un-Collie personality.  So I am using a Gentle Leader with her instead.  We are still at the stage of getting it on her and adjusted.  Baby steps with Lena continue.
I am sad to say that two of the dogs have had to go to new homes and thankfully their breeders were kind enough to take them back to re-home them.  So I said a sad good-bye to both Trace and Charlie.  I don't like to think about it too much, it makes me too sad.  Harold has a new home the first part of November and Spice and Biscotti are on the bubble--still waiting on very very special homes for them. 
For your viewing here are pics of Eli, Gus and Lena.

Eli (Northern Oaks Maiwae MVP)

Gus (Northern Oaks Anstett Sole Survivor)

MWCR's Lena - AVAILABLE thru MWCR