Thanks to all the kind readers who sent their best wishes to Lassie. Good news: she seems fine. I’m hoping it was just one of those “dietary indiscretions” that come and go into all of our lives. Fed her tiny meals, low fat, gave her Pepsid as instruction by Dr. John for acid stomach (common if kidney problems). I am taking her in to the clinic though next week, just to get a chem panel and check on her kidney function. Assume all is well if you don’t hear anything, no news being good news and all. Ah these old dogs. Thanks for your stories about your own, I love hearing them.
Speaking of news, I promised my staff I’d say something about the Professional Trainer Special we have on right now for people who use the Family Friendly Dog Training book for classes or clients. I don’t like to mix the “making a living” part of my life with the blog, but I have been gently reminded that there really are people out there who would like to know about an “end of the year” special. And our Email Alert Newsletter-y thing is on the fritz, so okay, good Trisha, I’m doing it: If you buy 10 Family Friendly at the usual half price for 10 or more, you can get 10 behavior booklets free. Check out the Professional Corner on the website. Whew. I did it. Good girl.
I’m halfway through Made for Each Other, will post a full review on the next blog. Very interesting stuff… I have kudos and a few complaints, but will write details when all done. Would love to hear your thoughts if you’ve read it.
Meanwhile, back on the farm: Yesterday was a good day to read (and write). 16 inches of snow in 24 hours, fat, wet, heavy frosting-like stuff that coated the satellite dishes that connect my little farm to the world. No TV, no internet, no email. But hey, the phone worked and most importantly, I didn’t lose power. That was huge to me, because I could spend the day writing. I’m working on a chapter for a book from NIH about children and dogs, due next week. Eeeeps! Also rewriting the Puppy Primer, so the terminal at my computer was smoking.
Spent the day writing, reading, wrapping Christmas presents, talking on the phone. Heard about the 23 inches of snow in Flagstaff in a phone call with CAAB, CPDT Karen London. Snow shoe-ed up the hill with Willie. (Much too hard for Lassie girl.) Stomped down paths to the barn and bird feeders with snow shoes, after an unsuccessful attempt to get new snow blower carving through the snow (too much, too heavy). They’ll be lots of shoveling tonight, is still awfully hard to get around.
2 below this morning. Windy. Too cold for Lassie, she pees in the snow one foot from the edge of the garage door. Took some photos yesterday, before the bitter cold settled in: Here’s the scene from my front door.
Gotta love those red barns. And to think my barn was almost torn down, before I bought the farm. Granted, if I told you how much I’ve spent on keeping the barn standing I’d have to shoot you, but lordy I love my barn!
Mary Beth says
Beautiful pictures! Gorgeous barn. I have an old barn at my place too. Its a magical place full of all sorts of wild and wonderful scents for the dogs to explore and occasionally a fox has her kits there in the spring which I love to watch.
So glad to hear that Lassie is doing well. My 13 year old girl slows down more each day with her laryngeal paralysis, but she stills runs the pack with every bit of the attitude she’s had all her life. Noticed that my 10 year old is tripping more often. He’s always been so graceful, so I think some care might be needed. Is it possible..could he be aging too?
Dena Norton says
I’m looking forward to the updated version of the Puppy Primer. I’m especially interested in doing a comparison, to see what kind of things you’ve changed.
Lauren says
This is the first time I am visting your website and I am really enjoying it. Thank you for giving and sharing so much of yourself and your knowledge.
I have read The Other End of the Leash and found it fascinating. My cousin, who is a dog trainer, recommended Fiesty Fido to help with some dog problems I was having and she couldn’t see in person (we live like 2000 miles apart).
Unfortunately, our sweet dog Hailey passed away suddenly and unexpectedly one week ago. I never got around to truly using Fiesty Fido and our other dog, Crackers, doesn’t need it.
What I came here seeking was a book/advice for picking out a dog. When the time is right, we are thinking we will get another dog. We already have one mixed breed, pound rescue dog who will be 6 years old soon. She just lost her 10 year old friend who helped her be more confident. Crackers is rather shy of people, always has been. Hailey helped her be more bold/confident.
Anyways, if you have any advice you could point me to? Books? That would be awesome.
I have already lost a good hour to your website and suspect I will lose many more. Thank you, Lauren Hagerman
Lindsay Stordahl says
First time to your site as well, and I am enjoying it. Plan to read some of your older posts. I am very interested in all you’ve written about dog behavior.
Nicola says
Glad Lassie is doing better – hopefully everything will be fine. Just had my 10 1/2 year old dog to the vets last week – possible pinched nerve in her spine – but every time something goes wrong for the older ones, my heart is in my mouth!
How amazing to get that much snow – it blows my mind. I’m enjoying slightly cooler weather too – 30C (86F) down from 40C (104F). Bush fire danger is still high though – I think I prefer it to blizzards – but I guess it is what you know. The one time my dogs had to walk on frost on the ground, the were so funny – at first jumping back into the car (we were camping), then picking their feet up every second step and shaking them. I hate to think what they would do in the snow – I guess Willie enjoys it, so they could learn. Your pictures are always so beautiful – the one of your barn in the snow could be a winter christmas card!
nan says
Beautiful pictures (and barn) and happy birthday to your lovely Lassie. Can’t resist giving you (and Lassie) the following image. We don’t get a lot of deep snow where I am but a few years back we did and with about 24 inches on the ground my elderly golden newfie mix was completely at a loss as to how to assume either position without getting snow on sensitive body parts. He resorted to holding on which was increasingly uncomfortable for both of us. My neighbor was startled some hours later to see bursts of snow flying into the air in my back yard. He wandered over to discover the nicely shoveled walkways and dog toileting areas. As to your booklets many a student goes home with feisty fido or leader of the pack in their folder and I am so grateful to have a tool like those booklets to help, in a gentle thoughtful way, those students whose dogs require more management to fit comfortably into our crowded fairly urban environment.
Kat says
I’m delighted to hear Lassie weather the upset and is recovered. We had an elder cat that would almost always react to excitement (parties, visitors, changes in his environment such as rearranging furniture) with a brief intestinal upset. It took me awhile to make the connection as he appeared to enjoy having guests about (new petters, don’t ya know) and always strode confidently into a rearranged room and explored it. But after awhile I realized that the common denominator was that the previous day had been “exciting” for him.
Two of our critters are reasonably young 3.5 year old dog and 7 year old cat but the 15 year old fat cat is a concern and every day is an adventure in worrying about his health but so far despite everything he’s hanging in there doing what he likes to do.
Martie says
I share your love of old red barns and have one here. Over the years, we have spent a fortune on it – new foundation, roofs, paint, etc. There was also the cabling to straighten/strengthen it done by a group of craftsmen who traveled in and stayed in a camp trailer in our yard for that week. Area farmers consider us certifiable! Why in the world would we not just tear it down and put up a functional pole barn?
We are not rich people (maybe the barn has contributed to that?), but I feel rich when I walk in there and imagine Orie, who built it over 100 years ago, out tending to his draft horses, or milking the cows in the now-crumbling four stanchions in the basement as they munched sweet hay he grew for them on the farm. I marvel at the “conveniences” built into it – piecing together over the years why a little door is in just that place and marveling that a simple hand-hewn wooden sliding latch built into the wall is still functional after all this time. Few would take the time to craft such a thing when a simple hook would do the job.
The barn is old and worn, but it is full of history and the unmistakable marks of those who worked in and loved it long before us. You said it best – “lordy, I love my barn”!
Amy says
Wow, look at all that snow!! I love old barns, and spend lots of time in them while checking on Barn Owls down here in Indiana (state endangered species). It’s so sad when an old barn (especially the ones with loads of character) falls down.
Anne says
I love old barns too; luckily ours were kept in good repair. Maybe the real reason barns are red is to give us something cheery to look at in the winter when everything else is white.
Mateus Freua says
Glad that Lassie is fine. She is part of my life too 🙂
Wisconsin, beautiful, as always.
Beth says
What a beautiful area you live in. My grandmother had a huge red barn just like yours and I have fond memories of going out to see the pony or tend the cows.
I wanted to share this link with those of you who use your BC’s for herding. If you ever need to step up your herding trials, you may want to consider something similar to what these guys in Scotland have done.
Enjoy — http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1137883380?bctid=17075685001
D.K. Wall and The Thundering Herd says
Chuckling – 16 inches of snow does not translate to a quiet day inside the house – not with a Herd of Sibes. But glad you were able to enjoy it.
Ellen Pepin says
I’m glad to hear that Lassie is fine. I love the pictures of the party and your barn. What a neat place.
I also want to sent my sympathy to Lauren, who just lost her dog Hailey. I know what that is like as I lost my forever dog, Nikki, a year and a half ago.