The Grey Ladies

were just puppies yesterday.

Ki-Anne and Diamond Lil

showing their grey but still hard at work.

The Stick Games

A game of stick is quite common around here.

 It's always good-natured

 and often an exciting

spectator sport.

Sometimes simply patience wins the game.

Bonnie, the victor, walks with the stick.

Ki-Anne gives her the raspberry.

 To the victor goes the spoils.

Bonnie, the current queen of Stickdom, surveys her realm.

Tomorrow there may be a new queen.

Big Bonnie

plays with her buddies

until they see the camera and pose.

The water garden is pet friendly but instead of swimming today

Bonnie just took a big drink.

Thought I had a leak but the dogs drink and swim often.

Have to add water about every three days.

Glad I can accommodate their needs and wants.

Falling

Pecans and Black Walnuts

not these two trimming limbs and patching the roof

after the near accident Thursday.

WARNING: Copperhead Snake Killed

In the woods you never know what you may meet.

This one was a little upset.

Since pit vipers give off an odd smell when disturbed my pack found it quickly.

Cautiously they assessed the danger.

They do NOT kill harmless snakes.

They are a well trained pack.

They made

quick work of it.

 Only seconds passed.

After all a pack's job is to keep the pack and its leader safe.

It was big.  It was mad.  It wasn't backing down.

Copperheads are poisonous.

 The dogs

paid a price...note the swelling where they were bitten.

Told you that snake was MAD!

The dogs were fine within 24 hours.

They are good dogs, just how we trained them.

Never Alone

Seems I'm never alone,

full sun nor shade.

 They gather to the pack leader

 or the one who feeds them...that's my guess.

They inspect my work

and keep a careful watch over me.

That paint bucket could have a hidden treat.  

You never know.

Finished outdoor table for zeroing sights with denim sandbags ready to use.

Rifle season is soon.

Watchers

taking their job seriously.

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.