All That Remains

A few weeks ago Scooter didn't come home one evening.  He had never done this, being loyal and a bit of a homebody.  A border collie we adopted from a rescue, he was bred to be a farm dog, and he loved his family.  He would visit his friend Bailey each day, but mostly preferred to stay close to home.  Scooter was microchipped, and wearing a collar with his rabies tag from our vet.

We put up signs.  I called shelters and rescues.  As each day passed, we grew more saddened.  Had he been attacked by the coyotes that got into the neighbor's goat herd?  Had someone driving past picked him up to 'adopt the country dog' in spite of the identification he wore, like what happened to our neighbor's dog? 

For the past four and a half years, Scooter has been an integral part of our family.  We miss him.  Small movements, from the corner of my eyes, on the deck or in the pasture, and I think it is his tail.  All that remains are some dog treats, a huge bag of Purina, and a few well-loved toys.  Plus a small amount of dwindling hope, and a huge dose of memories.

I wish that serendipity would strike, and Scooter would come running up the driveway again, barking in happiness. 

It's hard not knowing.

Great Farm Dog: Position Filled

It's a tough job, being a farm dog.  There's always something that needs a little chasing. 

Daily trips down to the stream for a dip in the mud are a must.  Even if that means you aren't allowed inside for a few hours.

And even if there aren't any sheep on this farm for herding, there are plenty of boys that need a little guidance.

Yup, it's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it. 

Speaking of awesome dogs, maybe some of you follow Tweedles?  She is a little puggy who had major surgeries recently, and there is an auction going on to help raise money for medical bills.  I have donated a couple of my homemade soaps for the auction, and there should be many other neat items featured.  Please check it out, if you have a moment.

 

Dogs Need Friends Too

When we left for a couple of weeks this summer, our dog migrated over to the neighbor's house.  I think he missed our boys, and family companionship.  He and the neighbor's dog, Bailey, became fast friends.  So when our neighbors left on vacation a few weeks ago, Bailey decided to return the favor and move in to our yard.  The neighbors returned, but Bailey is still spending a good part of his days at our house.  I'm happy for Scooter.  Dogs need friends too.  In the past, we've always had two dogs at a time, but for some reason since we adopted Scooter from a shelter 4 years ago, we've just had him. 

Scooter and Bailey, while different breeds, are both herding dogs, well-suited to the farm life.  They play rough, but you can tell while watching it that they are just having fun.

Bailey is really good at making monster faces.  Kind of reminds me of my twins when they put on monster masks and try to scare each other.  If I was Scooter, I'd be terrified of that face, but he isn't fooled.

He says, "Now who's got the upper hand?"

Yup, they sure do enjoy hanging out together.

Let's just hope that Bailey doesn't teach Scooter the joys of chasing the schoolbus!  

NoviPet Dog Vitamin Review and Giveaway (2 Winners!)

You know we love our border collie, Scooter.  We adopted him from an animal shelter several years ago and he's been the perfect dog for our family.  When I was recently contacted by Novipet about their multi vitamins for dogs, I was interested in trying them.  They also offer a supplement for joint support and one for Omega 3 & 6. 

 The vitamins are individually packaged and you feed them just like you would a dog snack.  I took a sniff, and it smelled kind of beefy and vitaminy to me.

Scooter was only too happy to test it - the vitamin was soft and easy to chew, in case you have a dog with sensitive (or missing) teeth.

A few minutes later....yes, I'm thinking he was pretty happy about what he thinks is a dog treat. 

I won't tell him that his treat is actually providing all the good vitamins and minerals he needs if you won't....

Want a chance to win one of the Novipet supplements of your choice?  I hope so!  Check out my Rafflecopter giveaway for a variety of ways to enter - there will be TWO lucky winners!

Disclaimer:  I was provided with a box of NoviPet multi vitamins and a couple of joint support samples for review purposes.  The opinions above are my own (and my dog's).  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tropical Traditions Expeller Pressed Coconut Oil for Pets Giveaway!

Our border collie, Scooter, is a loyal farm dog.  We adopted him from a shelter in the city shortly after the twins were born.  A family who lived in an apartment had surrendered him, at the tender age of one year, after he destroyed their furniture and his crate.  So we brought him home for a trial visit, and fell in love.  He's so well behaved and always up for adventures with the boys - and running with me.  He's a hard working dog, and the best dog we've ever had, so we really want to give him premium care. 

You've probably heard of all the health benefits of coconut oil lately.  It's been pretty popular among humans - but did you know you can get it for pets?  Tropical Traditions carries Expeller Pressed Coconut Oil for Pets - and right now it's on sale for 70% off!  It contains no hydrogenated or trans fats.  Coconut oil offers very nutritive medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) which is what makes it so valuable to health.  You can also find Tropical Traditions on twitter and facebook.

Scooter seems to like the coconut oil.  It's actually a solid - similar to butter - unless the temperature is over 76*.  I sprinkled a generous spoonful right on top of his food, and he gobbled it all up.  I will continue to put it on his food daily - and hopefully he will enjoy good health! 
Disclaimer: I was provided with a quart of  Expeller Pressed Coconut Oil for Pets for purposes of review.  The opinions stated above are my own.
Want a chance to win some for your pet?  Click on "Read More" below to enter through Rafflecopter.

Adjustment Issues

I've been fretting the past few weeks over Pierce's transition to Pre-K.  It's a full day program, including riding the bus, and I wasn't sure if he was ready for something like this.  I was scared to let him go.  I questioned the decision, wondering if we should've kept him in his preschool program that was only two mornings a week.  But at the same time sensing deep down that he needed this time to grow and thrive and learn.  To find his independence.

The morning before school, Pierce didn't say he was nervous, but when he had a meltdown over not being able to wear his Crocs (despite my preparing him for this) I knew something was amiss.  Luckily, I confided in him that I picked his red Converse high tops special, because the red was the color of love, and he'd look at them all day and know I loved him and was thinking about him.  It seemed to work, because he tolerated me putting his sneakers on (and in fact, later that evening, he refused to take the shoes off!).

Pierce waits for the bus at the end of our driveway on his first day...

My stomach was in knots the first day - I couldn't stop wondering how he was doing.  I wanted to park a lawn chair at the end of our driveway and wait, as though that could bring him home sooner.  It was with great relief that he got off the bus in high spirits, armed with a note from the teacher that read:

Pierce did a great job all day and seemed very happy.  He came off the bus all smiles and stayed that way all day!

I realize there will be many ups and downs along the way, but I was so relieved that he did well.  What I didn't anticipate, though, were adjustment issues from someone else.  Someone who has been watching a few too many Lassie reruns in his doghouse.

Someone who tries to jump on the bus with Pierce.  Who howls for an hour (and I do mean HOWLS - to the point that the twins keep asking why the doggie is sad, why the doggie is crying) after the bus departs.  Someone who waits, with wagging tail and whining, for the bus to arrive in the afternoon.  Who paces if it is just a few minutes behind.  And who - despite my best attempts at restraint - tries to jump on board as soon as the doors open to welcome his boy back home with a kiss.  Now that's devotion.

What am I going to do with him?

This post is linked with JDaniel4sMom -

Oh I'm a Dog, I'm a Working Dog,

Oh I'm a dog,

I'm a working dog,

 I'm a HARD WORKING dog!

Don't even think about coming in this house like that, Scooter!

Psst!  Have you entered my Loveable Labels giveaway to win your little one some Toddler Toes?  If not, go HERE.

How to Clean Up Dog Vomit When You're Really Neurotic

Warning:  Gross post ahead.  Abandon ship, those with weak stomachs!

Thankfully, our border collie Scooter doesn't get sick very often.  But the other day the twins had fevers and didn't want their lunches.  They dumped a massive amount of mac and cheese on the floor, and I decided to cheat a little by letting Scooter come in for initial clean up.  I hadn't even finished washing the lunch dishes when I heard a hacking.  You know, the very hacking you DO NOT want to hear.

I quickly shooed him outside, but it was too late.  There was the most massive pile of dog puke on our rug and wood floors.  Seriously, I won't give you details but it was a HUGE amount.  How does his stomach even hold that much?  Oh ick.  I'm the biggest baby when it comes to cleaning up puke, have I mentioned?

Because it was a good two+ inches tall, I started by bringing the trash can over and using newspaper to scoop.  By this time the twins were interested.  So I was waving my hands saying "YUCKY!  YUCKY!  NO! NO!" while trying to wave them away.  The last thing I needed was for them to dive into the mess like it was playdoh. 

After newpaper action was done, I switched to paper towels.  Then I sprayed the area with my homemade rug cleaner (a combination of water, vinegar, and dish soap).  I scrubbed the cleaner on the rug with paper towels.  Then I sprayed the area with Lysol.  Then, I washed my hands really well with antibacterial Dial.

I continued to shoo the twins away so the rug could dry.  But two hours later I still had images of dog puke in my head.  I started worrying that maybe Scooter threw up because he had worms.  Or even parasites.  (And this thought is what did me in - honestly I'm not OCD but I just couldn't get rid of the thought of us all catching worms!). So I got out the Clorox wipes and scrubbed the rug and floor again.  And then washed my hands again.

An hour later I hit the area one more time with Clorox wipes.  And then I scrubbed it with a little Nature's Miracle for good measure.  Then I went outside and dewormed Scooter for hookworms, roundworms, pinworms, and tapeworms.  This involved 3 pills plus a liquid dewormer.  Poor Scooter.  Then more hand washing.

No lie - 8 hours later I was still thinking about dog puke.  So I vacuumed the rug and mopped the hard wood floor beside the area rug.  Then for good measure I mopped the rest of the house.

I think it's clean now.  I so need a steam cleaner!  Also - as it turns out - Scooter got into the chicken feed, so that's what made him ill.  All that worrying over worms for nothing!

So she's totally going to kill me for this, but I'm linking up today with Angela's Show and Tail at WV Treasures.  Because as all responsible pet owners know, sometimes it isn't just cute furriness.  But we love our messy furry/feathered friends anyhow!  Go check Angela out for less gross animal tales and pictures.

Also, please go visit Everyday Ruralty today.  It's a wonderful blog about rural living, farming, animals, and things of that nature. I have an interview over there, and I don't mention anything gross, I promise!

A Dog in the ER, on Christmas

Paul and I received a sports video camera for Christmas from his parents.  You can wear it on your head and take video as your are biking, running, riding the horses, etc.  I saw many people wearing these at the NYC Marathon, and thought they were pretty cool.

So on Christmas Day Paul set off to go for a run to try it out.

Scooter loves running, so of course he went with him.

We had a couple of inches of snow on the ground that had fallen during the night.  Not much on the roads, but Paul and Scooter were hitting the trails on our place, where there was more snow.

As Paul was running, he heard a crunch, and realized he'd stepped on some glass.

He didn't think much about it, but a few minutes later he saw blood all in the snow.

Turns out Scooter had hit the glass (Paul later went back and found it - it was a very old bottle) and cut his paw severely.

They came back of course. 

Our back porch is covered with footprints like these:

So off to the emergency vet ER with Scooter.

Thankfully, they are open on holidays.  We have long been a customer there.  In fact, in their database we are customer number 68.  Out of some 60,000.  They thought it was funny. 

Scooter had cut a tendon and an artery.

It's good we got him in.

He got good loopy drugs and 6 stitches.

And a bandage that he promptly removed himself when we got home.

See the stitches, just above the pad?

Anyhow, because a tendon was cut, Scooter is supposed to stay quiet for 3-4 WEEKS.

Yeah, pretty sure that they didn't take the 'border collie effect' into consideration when they made that recommendation!

You never heard such big baby crying when he doesn't get to go outside to join in running and sledding.

Hope he survives.

I'm linking up today with Show and Tail over at WV Treasures.  Check it out, HERE!

Border Collie Madness

Right now?  I'm running.  I'm running as hard as I can.  Gulping for air as I run after Her.  I can't let Her get away this time.  I push harder, every muscle burning as I strive to catch Her.

She's got my boys. 

She starts to pull away from me.  And I'm running out of energy.

I just can't seem to catch Her.  Push!  Push!  Push!  Why aren't my legs any faster?

Finally, discouraged, I slow down to a jog. 

She pulls even further away.

Until I watch the headlights round the corner.

I find myself about a half mile from home, paws slightly tender on the gravel under my feet.

Even though I am trying to be dignified, a small sob escapes me.

I turn around and start trotting towards home. 

Along the way are my friends Copper and Moon.  Well, Copper is a friend, anyhow.  Moon is a little stuck up.  I don't think she likes me so much.  But I go off-road for a minute to say hi to Copper.  Through the wooden fence boards, we greet in customary fashion, by sniffing scent glands.

When I smell him, a vision of his day passes.  I see the sights of damp earth, morning walks, Kong-chasing, and dry kibble.  I guess when he scents me he smells the wood stove and babies and cats and chickens.

I don't stay long.  I'll be in trouble if I'm not home when She gets home. 

I round the corner and head up towards the house, wary of the mean old rooster Crockett.  I don't see him anywhere, so I head up on the porch to my doghouse.

The aloneness hits me, and I howl a few times in sadness.  I want my family back.  Briefly, I wish that they would give me doggie valium for these alone moments, like my friend Shasta at the shelter, before I got adopted.  She chewed her back bald and afterwards got doggie valium daily.

I could totally go for some doggie valium right now.

Resigned, I lay down to chew my toes and count the moments until She returns.

I hate waiting.

I'm linking this post with WV Treasures Show and Tail.  You can check out more animal stories HERE.

Skunktaneous Combustion

When a friend stopped by the other day he caught sight of this and asked if a skunk had exploded on our porch.

Not exactly.

Somebody got a summer hair cut.

Sadly, it wasn't Paul's beard.

Scooter feels much better now though.  His long border collie fur was starting to form dreads from all the trips he makes in and out of our creek all day to stay cool.

Dreads can lead to mats which lead to hot spots.

If you've ever had a dog go through hot spots, you know how unpleasant they can be.

So I decided to shave him.

He's much happier now!

Trimming Feet Tuesday

Let me start by announcing the winner of the giveaway (according to Random.org) is Charity from The Donovan Clan.  She has quads so if anyone can use some pampering, it must be her.  Congrats to Charity, and thanks to everyone who entered!

This morning I rushed to get in a 4 mile run, shower, mix up some applesauce and oatmeal for the twins, and catch the horses before the farrier got here.  Zip was a stinker and didn't want me to catch him.

We've been using the same farrier for over 11 years.  Nice as can be and the horses really like him.

Phoenix gets a little extra trimmed off.  Horses typically need their feet trimmed every 6-8 weeks.  The horses we have are quarterhorses, and they have been blessed with great feet.  None of them have to wear shoes.  In fact, Phoenix has never had a shoe on his feet.  During the winter, their feet don't grow as much, so we can stretch out the trimmings a little more.

Shaping up the front:

The inside of a farrier's truck.  Full of tools and horse shoes of all shapes and sizes:

 One thing about farriers.  They always have the best stories about the people they meet and places they go.  I've never met a farrier who didn't have some fine stories to tell.  They time always flies by because the stories are so interesting.  Having 2 horses and a pony trimmed takes about an hour.

The aftermath.  Think these are just old pieces of horse hooves?  Think again.  It's a big buffet.

Of the doggie sort, anyhow.  Dogs sure love a good horse hoof triming.

It's going to be 92* today.  Oh my!  What happened to spring?  Even at 8:00 am, total haze out.

Frog Masks and Snowmen

I've been so busy preparing my week of Memes that I haven't really done a proper post this week.  So I'll do a summary of our activities.

First off, some of my favorite recipes for the past week.  This one came from A Good American Wife.  Here's a direct link to the recipe:  A Good American Wife.  She posts some gorgeous recipes and this one was awesome!  I made a few substitutions, but it's basically the same.

I made some Dots of Chocolate bundt cakes:

Hot and Sour Soup from KERF:  Kath Eats Real Food

You have to scroll a bit to get to the recipe because it is a bit of a lengthy post.  I've been following KERF forever it seems, and she always has really great food ideas.  I did my version in the crockpot and added a few ingredients.

I also made some avocado and pears for the twins.  The pears I had to actually cook in a pot until soft.

Even though I didn't add any water, they were really juicy once pureed, so I added in some rice cereal before freezing them in ice cubes.  Reid just loves pears.  They are his new favorite thing ever.  Besides milk.  And sweet potatoes.  And rice cereal. And snuggles.

Pierce and I did some crafting activities.  We picked this up in the $1 bin at A.C. Moore.  Pierce just loves frogs.

We've been snowed in....more than once.

So we made some snacks for the birds.

Pierce and I hung these up on the old Christmas tree on our front porch.  The good news is that the pumpkins are now gone.  Well, I kinda miss their moldy old blobs on the front steps.

Not really.

Scooter scored a new bed.

And Pierce and I made rice crispie treat snowmen and painted them with edible colors.

And you could've guessed that Cort has been up to some trouble, right?  Even with an ear infection, he spends his time plotting how to do very bad things. Like taking off his clothes during nap time.  This could become an issue if he's still doing this come kindergarten.

Of Cookies and Other Warm Fuzzy Things

Last night was the cookie exchange for the Multiples Club. It was nice to escape the house for a bit of adult conversation. There were tons of delicious cookies and a very tasty rum punch.
This is Julia and Jamie. You know what's cool about them? They both are moms to triplets! Can you imagine? And look how cute they look! If I had triplets I'd look like I'd been living on the streets for the past 10 years. Heck, I already look that way most days and I only have twins.
Denise hosted the party, and she planned a funny game where you had to go around the table guessing the reindeer poo...which was actually smushed up candy bars. I didn't fare well because I mixed up baby ruths with snickers.

So overall it was a fun night, even if I was on such a sugar high when I got home that I couldn't fall asleep until midnight (and then the twinsomniacs woke up at 1:00 am). Here I am (on the right) with Julia:

Cort cooperated for a photo op last night by conveniently falling asleep. So he was still long enough for me to zoom in on a close up.
And of course, Reid was still for his own close up. He took to sucking his thumb about two weeks ago. So cute.
The twins aren't the only ones sleepy around here today. I think even the animals know there is a big snow storm rolling in.
In preparation for the storm, Pierce and I decided to get together some things for the birds. I saw this craft in Woman's World a couple of weeks ago and thought it looked like a fun one. It was messy though! Basically you just hot glue gun some craft sticks together in ornament shapes, paint with peanut butter, then dip in bird seed. We attached a ribbon using the glue gun as well.

The birds should enjoy if we really do get the predicted 12 inches.