I know this has nothing to do with dog training or behavior, but may I mention how relieved I am that Barbie FINALLY had her lambs?
I just happened into the barn a few minutes after she had her first, and was there while she had little ram lamb number two:
Here they are about 20 minutes after the first one was born, perhaps 5-7 after the second.
Here’s the first attempt to stand from lamb #2, about 10-15 minutes after its birth:
MEANWHILE, also on the farm: Poor Willie is bored silly, I’m working all the time or traveling to visit my ailing relative, and he can’t work sheep, play with toys except on a limited basis or run around outside. Poor Willie; I do keep reminding myself that this too shall pass. I wish I could tell him that. (But thanks for the comments from those of you whose dogs have had surgery and made great recoveries. I wish we could do it now and get it over with, but as we all know, life (and death) has its own agenda.) But it is sunny and springy outside; the older lambs are frolicking, the daffodils are dancing and the earth is coming alive. Sweet. Cherish the moment.
I’m cherishing the feel of the spring breeze on my face, the smell of Willie’s fur when we cuddle at night and watching Rosebud’s triplets leap in their pen. Maybe for only a few seconds, but isn’t that all we really have? One second after another?
What are you cherishing right now?
Holly says
“What are you cherishing right now?”
My new mare. She came to me because the trainer “clashed” with her. The owner wanted out of the prospect business. She’s a baby, just 3. She’s pretty, she moves like a dream and she is MINE. She’s as sweet as the day is long and she tries SO hard for me. I bought her to turn her over this summer, hope I can let her go!
Alexandra says
I’m sorry to hear things are a tough for you right now. You have my sympathy. This is a small thing, but this week I decided it was time for my older dog to retire from her daily runs with me. I am grateful that she is still sound and energetic, but it is clear that her arthritis has made running too difficult for her. I know our days of having long walks together are numbered. I started out my run tonight feeling a bit sad, but by the end I really cherished the brisk run I had with my younger dog, happy that for now at least we are both still young and healthy enough to enjoy it.
Beckmann says
I am cherishing the Spring sunbathing with my dog 🙂 We are in heaven:-))
Cheryl says
I am cherishing that my 2 dogs really like each other. Taser has been with us for a little over 2 months and it has been a slow process but he and Cassidy are relaxed and happy together. I cherish the leap of faith it took for the dear woman who rehomed Taser to us. She wanted him to have a home that fitted his needs, rather than live with other dogs he wasn’t in synch with. He is such a terrific dog, and I can only understand how much she must miss him every day.Oh yeah, I’m cherishing our New England springtime…..ahhhhh.
Frances says
I am cherishing a little quiet time, between a lovely visit from my American cousin, and what will be a busy few days sewing costumes with my niece next week.
And my cousin picked up one of your books that I had been rereading, noted how my dogs behave, and will be going back to the States with a clicker, a book list, and the addresses of local reward-based trainers. She is 78, has had dogs all her life, and knows a better way of doing things when she sees it!
AnneJ says
I’m cherishing life, and spring time, dogs playing, and the sheep enjoying fresh grass coming up.
Christina says
I think you will enjoy this picture then! Here is my dog after his hip dennervation (he has hip dysplasia) very clearly conveying how he feels about the whole restricted movement thing! He was back to jumping on the furniture and running around like a loon post-op (the pain of surgery is NOTHING compared to the pain of dysplasia w/ arthritis in a not even 2 year old dog I guess!) and it took some fun tethering, crating and general “don’t freak out that he feels so good) from us! Sorry I did not share this in the last post it’s been a busy week for me! 🙂
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/vixy022685/Pets/2009/December/2009_12_16_1795-1.jpg
I am cherishing the dog I talked about above and my female who are both making great strides in their individual issues. Mochi in learning not to stress out even if he’s unsure of what’s going on or doesn’t like it (like being crated at the clubhouse while his sister does fun things) and he’s doing really well. Arya is gearing up for her first rally advanced competition and we’re going to barely slide in with a left pivot I don’t have to touch her for. I’m really proud of her these last 6 months at the age of 6 learning all about rally, obedience and agility all at once!
Carolyn in Belize says
I’m cherishing Maggie. She has heart disease now. Some days are better than others. I am cherishing the good and happy moments we can share.
Dena (Izzee's Mom) says
I am cherishing the sunshine, and the anticipation of fun I will have with my younger Springer, Pixie, when we start our “Intro to Disc Dog” class on Friday evening.
Jodi Reinke says
I am cherishing a rare day wherein I have nothing to do but hang out with my four dogs!
Tori says
I am cherishing that my dog is recovering from lepto and I should be able to enjoy his company for a few more years. ( Still hoping that we’ll be able to return to agility class and take a pack hike or two this fall; just being able to take long walks again will be heaven!) Also very grateful for my cat and my kitten.
Gretchen Dietz says
I am cherishing the acupuncturist/osteopath who helps my poorly constructed labradoodle find relief and relaxation. Dr. Geisler is a gifted care giver, veterinarian, and teacher. As a canine massage therapist I am extremely grateful for her gifts in my (and Rubin’s) life.
And I want to cherish the sunshine, but we are stuck in rain gray rain gray cycle in the Pacific Northwest…an endless February it seems. Soon, I hope to be enjoying warmth and blue skies. Soon.
Best to you and yours. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and introspection — I feel blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful teachers.
Barb says
I am cherishing my puppy. Of course, I cherish my two older dogs for different reasons. But at 7 months, Sawyer and I have been together just long enough to get under each other’s skin in a good way.
I find him enchanting, and he’s returned the complement. We’re starting to read each other better and to look to each other to share a love connection or a moment of play. He’s started to come to me as often as the other dogs for cuddles and a game of tug.
Before long we’ll settle into our life-long love, knowing each other and what to expect. Knowing that we can count on each other. But this first facination with each other is a rich experience filled with joyful surprises for both of us. The headiness of a new love is thrilling. I am savoring every moment.
mungobrick says
I’m cherishing seeing things through Daisy’s eyes…we had a spring snowstorm a week or two ago just as we had hoped the snow was all melted. I was so grumpy…and then I took her outside and she was ecstatic – “SNOW!!!!”- she ran huge circles around me like a mad thing. I’m cherishing seeing her run – we should have called her Joy, because that’s what I see when I see her outside. Whatever the weather…
And of course the snow all melted within a few days. What on earth was I taking the time to be grumpy about?? Dogs are so smart just to accept whatever comes and enjoy it.
Rusty says
My family. My son-in-law was injured while in Afghanistan late last year. He is recovering well, he and my daughter were just up for a visit. It was good to see them laughing and carrying on again for the first time in almost a year when he deployed. My son broke his ankle so gets around on crutches now. Yes, cherish what we have as it all could change in a moment: Family, walking the dog (yes I love doing that), weather, health, things we tend to take for granted…
trisha says
Mmmmm, I am loving your comments. I read each one slowly and carefully, and am loving the oxytocin high I get from each of your entries. Thanks so much.
Kat says
Cherishing another day with the elderly cat. Just after Christmas he was to the vet where we learned he had no kidney function. Amazing vet care restored his kidney values to within normal parameters but each day with him is a gift. There’s a lot of laughter in watching him navigate his elderliness. It takes too long to walk down the stairs so he’s invented stair surfing–climb onto a plastic bag left near the top of the stairs lean forward like you’re going to step onto the next step and sail down the stairs. He actually seems to enjoy it judging by the look on his face. I know he loves the room service where meals magically appear. This cat’s greatest pleasures in life have been eating and sleeping and now, since the kidney issues are leading to dramatic weight loss he gets to eat as much as he wants and we actively encourage him to eat. Arthritis has given him an uneven gait and the younger cat now seems to regard him as some sort of zombie cat running in terror when he appears stumping down the hall. And of course now that he’s in his twilight years he can’t be bothered to accommodate anyone but himself so he gets the dog’s bed and the dog sleeps on the floor. http://www.flickr.com/photos/33350160@N02/5426131525/ I’m cherishing the fact that everyone (with the possible exception of the younger cat who as I mentioned seems to regard him as one of the undead) respects his aging eccentricities and embraces each day we have with him. I’ve pointed out to the children that I expect the same care and consideration when I get to my twilight years. They’ve responded by assuring me that they’ll make me up a nice big dog crate for my night time abode just like Katzenjammer’s crate. Thanks kids.
Dee says
I’m cherishing my husband right now. As I’ve posted before, I broke my leg (displaced spiral Fx’s of both tib & fib = emergency surgery w/ 14 screws) a little of three months ago and I’m still not walking or driving yet. (Probably another month to go.) My darling hubby takes such wonderful care of me, our two dogs and our cat. He never, ever complains… well maybe a little when the mini Aussie gets up earlier than he would like too many mornings in a row. His cheerfulness taking care of all of his “girls” is remarkable. When I think of how many weeks I would have spent in a rehab facility if he wasn’t here to take care of me, I get choked up. Instead, I got to come straight home from the hospital and have my dogs and cat piled up on me while I heal.
And, I’m cherishing the beautiful warm sunny weather we had here today in Connecticut. I sat outside a lot today.
You have my heartfelt wishes for peace and ease as you go through these troubling times with Willy and Jim’s sister. It is difficult to sit with “this too shall pass” when you are in the middle of the “this.”
Thanks for posting the photos of the lambs. Just too precious.
Chris Carney says
Actually, I’ve been cherishing my 5 year old golden Smooch while preparing for another golden puppy. Annie, my 12 year old golden, left us last July from hemangio–one day fine, the next day gone. Smooch has been lonesome but had to have paw surgery, then had a soft tissue injury to recover from, both of which back-to-back took about 6 months (so I do know where you’re coming from).
Three quarters of me is sooo happy and excited about this new pup, but a quarter of me just wants it to be me and Smooch. I’m so afraid that we might lose the tight connection we have forged together. Well, I just won’t let the puppy overwhelm me I guess is the answer and I know that Smooch has been lonesome for a friend in the house while I’m at work. Stuck at the corner between bitter and sweet (as one book title goes); but once the pup is here in a few weeks, I’m sure the three of us will have a blast!
Meanwhile, Smooch and I will have some one-on-one GREAT times of our own!
Angela Demeuse says
I’m cherishing snuggling in bed with my girl Callie. She is an 11yo golden retriever/border collie who has cancer (tcc) and is being treated at the uw vet school. She is doing really well these days. Acupuncture really helps too. Although it’s moments like this I’m holding onto. So I’m cherishing snuggling in bed with her on this very cold windy night, reading, and eating granola from brennans:)
ABandMM says
I’m cherishing my dog Abby and celebrating her “Birthday Week”. She turned 6 years old and I am very glad that I have such a sweet, well behaved girl to spoil rotten (pupcakes, chicken and going out for breakfast). We are in South Florida, so there is no distinct change of seasons like in the North (though it has been more humid of late reminding us that “hurricane season” will be here soon enough). I do miss the smell of the lilac bushes, my harbinger of spring when I lived up north, so please take a few extra whiffs for me :).
My mom’s 16 yr old chow Bear is very much day-to-day and is at the point where each time I go home, I wonder if that will be the last time I see Bear. Bear has had a very good life and I am fortunate that I do have the chance to say “goodbye” to her.
Thanks Tricia for reminding us to take stock of what we have in our lives, especially considering the trials that you are dealing with in yours.
Lanette Yingling says
I am cherishing the fact that I can be with dogs all day long in my line of work, that I can make people happy knowing that their loved ones are cared for, that I am healthy and have a wonderful family…..AND that the sun is shining today!! Could be a little warmer but I am happy with the sun!