Just Junior

Surprise!

I Like Dogs!

You may remember when Ki-Anne joined the family as an abandoned pup.  Ki took a few days to name herself and it was full steam ahead.  Never knew what she was, just a blessing I thought.  Then, due to my over site, she was bred before I had her spayed.  Bad me, but then we kept Junior and found good homes for the others.

After Marcy's ENT check up ("Come back in five years, cancer free!") we went to Salvation Army.  Always an outing we enjoy.

Walking by the second shelf a man asked me "Are you familiar with Mountain Curs?"  I answered, yes and the flood gates open.  I saw pictures of his pups, heard tales of all his dogs, and then we moved on to Bowie Knives (He was a blade smith), his son's military service, The Alamo and back to Mountain Curs again.

I ran through the store quickly and apologized to Marcy for taking so long.  Not a problem, gave her time to see every thing.

First I wondered...do I smell like a dog?  How did the man know I was a dog lover?  Had he asked every one that came in the same question?  It was an enjoyable educational day.

I remember reading the Compton's Encyclopedia and studying each breed of dog. Trouble was they showed only AKC.  I now have books on multiple dog breeds.  Call me weird, I like dogs.  I wanted to be a vet. Life happens so now I just have an eerie fascination with all animals along with an obsessive thirst for learning...and I love dogs.

I think I have discovered the mysterious breed in the lineage of Ki-Anne and Junior.  The facts fit!  How could I be so unaware?  Being a Mountain Cur (UKC breed and mainly an American dog)  is what makes both of these dogs a valuable farm pair.  They are the main poison snake committee, the watchers of the family yet always ready for a "Good dog!" or a pat on the head.

This fits the pair to a T.  http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/mountaincur.htm  I thoroughly enjoyed the temperament, origin, and description of the breed.

This link http://aboutdogmountaincur.blogspot.com/2013/01/basics-of-mountain-cur-training.html has an almost twin to Ki-Anne.

Now I know why she named herself after a hot pepper.  Ki-Anne, my undaunting, protective, intelligent, loving, useful farm dog.  It was a lucky day indeed when she was carried into my place of business.

Up A Creek

With sunshine and shadows we checked out the creek.  Actually this would be called a branch.  It carries the over flow from one pond and is feed by wet weather springs along the way.  As the weather turns dry the levels lower but the beauty remains.

Junior with reflection and Ki-Anne explores the opposite bank.

I ditch the shoes to feel the power from the ground and the water.

Difficult to read JR's mind

but I know Lil is considering this log for it's possibilities of becoming her stick.

The water slows but the moss still grows

A Parchment of Leaves by Silas House says, "God's Creek was a pretty place that held noise within its closeness like a voice in a cupped hand."  I listened to the beauty in the noise and though our creek or branch has no name, it is plainly God's Creek.

The water bugs danced in celebration.

Feeding The Fish

but

Junior picks

the fish food he wants.

The new Koi food enhances their color.

Wonder what color Junior will be?

Dog Tails and A Tale

Meet Ki-Anne, my hot pepper, with her son, Junior...the name that stuck.  Ki was a throw away dog that someone brought to me at work.  Someone had been dropped them off at her house. I could not say no. Ki-Anne has a natural bob tail.  

When I messed up and did not get her spayed in a timely matter, puppies were born.  Some with tails and some with none and a few varying lengths in between. All were given wonderful homes.  One is a therapy dog and two went with their owners to college.  I get updates now and then.  Junior was the one the guys chose to keep.  They are both valuable members to the farm team.

Ki still babies JR.  "Oh, you poor boy, you want a stick?"

"I will pick it up for you

and put it in your mouth.

 Wait, I will get it closer."

JR says, "I don't need a stick, Mom, but you can scratch my itch.

Oh, yes, that's the spot.  Thanks, Mom!"

For Wednesday's Wit and Wisdom

Pieces

of a day

a rusty weather vane

When we went to the garden to work I told Hubby I smell a skunk. He looked at me like I had gone crazy.  He smelled nothing.  The dogs and I did!  I worked in the garden as the dogs tracked down the smell.  A disturbed Copperhead snake gives off a musky smell, not unlike a skunk.  I guess the snake was pretty disturbed.  Good dogs found it and took care of it and I knew nothing.  Until Hubby salvaged some pieces.  All the farm dogs helped, that's why there so many pieces.  I certainly am glad they have my back.

Bonnie and Junior inspect one piece they had left.

Good dogs!!!

Gooooood dogs!

Scary looking?  Imagine one biting you.

Reminded me of a version of the song we used to jump rope to:

Yellow, yellow Cinderella

Went upstairs to kiss a fella

Made a mistake 

And kissed a snake

How many doctors 

Did it take?

One 

Two

Three...

and you counted each successful jump of the rope.  I don't think kissing a snake has ever crossed my mind...it was just a good rhyme for jumping rope.

Terzanelle? With My Dogs

Trying my inexperienced hand at creating a Terzanelle. (I feel a little better since my computer says it's not a word.  That just means we are both obsolete.)  While trying to find where in the world I found the prompt I discovered one of my favorite poetry sites is closing its doors.  Good Bye, Poetry Jam, I will miss you.

I thought, What in the world could I talk about, using the proper form, that would fill five required triplets and an ending quatrain?  Well, I do have six dogs....pictures in order of age, oldest to the pup.

I declare dogs are smart

Strong workers with big hearts

I declare dogs are smart

No matter the color, breed or age

They win you over from the start

Strong workers with big hearts

Size nor breed matters not

Loving canines with big hearts

They win you over from the start

Many are thrown away

When given a new place to stay

Loving canines with big hearts

A true announcer in every way

Running free living large

When given a new place to stay

A true announcer in every way

Strong workers with big hearts

I declare dogs are smart

Running free living large

THIS WAS TOO MUCH LIKE WORK!

Still not sure if I have the form right.

I could use some advice.

The More I Walk...

the more I seem to need the connection with nature.  I grow calm, centered and relaxed as I explore crooks and creeks along the way.

First and most important of all is lose those shoes.  Get a direct fix from the soles of your feet from the power we know is within the Creation called Earth.

Shoes abandoned I hit the water.

The afternoon light was amazing and the water was cool.

 Ki-Anne

Lizzy, Junior

and Bonnie had a great time.

Me, too.

The creek is very low but the rains will come again.

Junior nor Henny...

could shake the feeling they were not alone.

Valley of the Dogs...

The farm pack playing

From back to front, left to right:

Junior, 

Lizzy, Maggie, Squiggie,

Diamond Lil, Ki-Anne and Bonnie.

They have deleted a few predators

and are friendly with the other occupants here.

Good dogs!

Diamond Lil

Lizzy with Bonnie, puppy in training

All love the water except Lizzy

she tip toes through it.

Every farm needs a good team.

Wordless Water

Walking With Dogs..

Ki-Anne climbing some bales of hay.

Lil, with a stick, of course.

Ki-Anne watching.

Playing in muddy puddles:

Lizzy, Ki-Anne, and Junior.