here we go again!!!!!

soooo..... yesterday morning, I was up bright and early. I first had to attend to our doggies and the guest doggies that we have here for the Thanksgiving holiday... but then I was out the door and heading down to get Kathleen. It was NEADS fall graduation day, and we were going to see that.. plus.... pick up our new service puppies!!!!! (It's only been two months since I turned Chester in.. but who's counting??) We met up with Linda (chapter leader) and Teena, and the four of us were on the road. This picture is the first that I have seen of Christmas trees... hard to think it IS that time again....



Along with the graduation, we also attended the Annual Meeting, NEADS is going thru some growing pains (changes) right now and we wanted to be sure that the puppy chapters are still a part of their game plan. The prison programs for NEADS has been more than successful, but we full time puppy raisers still want to play a big part of the future... and it turns out, that yes... we still will. There are some puppies that will make good service dogs, but the prison program doesn't work for everyone .. so the full time raisers will have "those" puppies to bring up. I know I have only raised one dog, but I am hooked and would have been so sad to think that this opportunity might not have happened again.









Suzan and Logan were also there. Logan is such a good dog, and she is a real ambassador as to "what a service dog is all about"










course, the graduation wasn't without it's wonderful stories... you'd think by now I would remember to bring that box of tissues with me... there were 21 graduates this time around. Not all of them could make it, so some will be attending the spring graduation.









There was a yellow lab named "Jonesy".... I think the photos will tell you his story....

This dog went to a veteran who is a New Hampshire boy......

and look who I had the GREAT pleasure of seeing again... remember the gentleman that we watched train the day I took Chester back.... well, today was their graduation day!!! They are both doing very well, and this gentleman as it turns out is a veteran......

Another surprise... Kathleen got to meet up with Kelly again!!!! Kelly is still in training, she went onto the prison program after Kathleen turned her in and sadly "fell apart" in the program. So NEADS has placed her with a family who will continue to do the training.

Since she is such a "sweet" dog, NEADS has hopes that she might go into the ministry dog program, and perhaps a Canine for Kids... either way, they haven't given up on her talents, but it may take a little while to draw them out. Does a puppy forget it's raiser??? By the looks of Kelly... I would say not (can't wait to see Chester one day again!!!)

and then --- finally ---- "my" new little girl!!! This is Ginger!!! she was born on September 1, and comes from ---- Maine!!! (of all places)

Kathleen will be raising Ginger's brother - Leo!!!

So the Maine puppy chapter has two new members for the next year or so......

yup................. here we go again!!!!!

what's this???

catching up

If the calendar didn't tell you "what the time of year was".. the signs are all around. First off, we are back on standard time, so come 4:00 it's beginning to get dark. The seasonal restaurants have closed, and yesterday I noticed on one of the neighboring farms...(actually the farm that our hay comes from).. they have put up their snow fence. We haven't ever used a snow fence on our farm, but we haven't lived here during the winter either, so needing one or not, remains to be seen.





For the most part, the trees have all dropped their leaves. We can see our neighbors again!!!and with it being so dark early, it's nice to look out and see lights around. The weather has been pretty mild for November, I have a feeling that one day we'll wake up and --- "bing" we'll be into winter.







Last Saturday night, we met with the kids (Kas, Nate, Sadie and Tom) and had a nice meal out. Abbie was so funny.. sitting at the table with the rest of us.. checking out the menu to see "what's good"....












"what are you having Auntie Kass??"












well... the time has come to say good bye to our blue truck. It's been a very good truck, but it was beginning to show signs of age, and Ed felt it would be best to send it on it's way. One thing you need for sure, living here.. is a good dependable truck, and not that this one wasn't.. but before it came to that, Ed thought it best to trade it.





Here's the new one. It's a 2010...and was a "demo" so it's had some (very light) use. The price was too good to pass up... so.. we didn't. I can't believe all the modern things that come as "standard" now a days... it will take Ed "days" to learn it.








While Ed was doing the paperwork, Abbie and Cammie "played" in the show room. We love this dealership.. they have to be the most friendly people going. I guess that is why we buy all our trucks there, and do all our service work with them. Kids and pets are always welcomed!!! In fact , I understand I have a few blog readers (Hi Lisa!!!) It was fun to go in and hear... "do you have another service puppy yet??"

So, Abbie and Cam got the privilege of the "first new truck ride"... there is a ton of room, and when we take it to Williamsburg in a couple of weeks.. it will give us a comfy ride.

This has been my project of the past couple of days. Each month, I like to print off the stories of the blog and tuck them away in a note book. I am hoping one day - Abbie - or any of our future grandchildren might enjoy reading the stories and seeing the life their grandparents had. Well, between moving and various other "need to be done" things, the blog hasn't been printed in a number of months. So, I have been trying to get this caught up and put away properly. I don't know how long blogger keeps the blog posted, but I will have them just in case. I did however, have to to "buy" more storage for the pictures that blogger keeps for me. Believe it or not.. I have used up all my "free" storage space. Oh well... it wasn't much to buy more storage and so nice to know that my photos are being kept safe... modern technology!!!

Hello - Red....

Say hello to "Red" (aka Rusty).. a little dog who is staying with us for a short time, while looking for his new home. He is actually a rescue dog that is under the care of Cocker Rescue of New England.




It's been a while since I have done foster work, so I was more than happy to be able to help out with this little guy. I have been a volunteer for CSRNE for many years... since around 1989.. and I'm not always available to help, but I do when I can.



The nice thing about being here on the farm, is we seem to have plenty of room for all. I only wish my time frame were the same, caused I would take more. But one at time is more than enough!!!










We have had "Red" with us for a few weeks, but he's such a busy body, that it was hard to get some good pictures to share. He's young, and full of energy -- we are working on his house and obedience manners, and he's doing much better. At first he seemed quite shy of men, and bit
"forward" with the cats. He would be a runner if let loose, and I am pretty certain he's house trained, (but I keep him tethered when I am too busy to watch).




Rick has volunteered to work with Red in obedience classes, and I can see him improving every week. His confidence with men has grown, and his dog social skills are really coming along. He is crate trained, and loves to cuddle...

so.. any readers out there knowing someone looking for a nice little dog... you know who to send them to......

wood...

My life (our life) is all about "wood" these days... it's actually a project we should have started back in September, but guess what.... we didn't. So, we're scrambling now. At least in the cooler weather, you keep hustling to stay warm, and the "wood" projects are going pretty well. Ed and I have been working on clearing a spot near our wood furnace... (yes, that is what heats our home - no oil furnaces here!!!) With the spot cleared, he wants to put up a "tent building" that we will keep all our wood under cover. Then he has another area where - one day - he'll get some tree length logs from Rick and we can cut and split our own fire wood. Not that we don't mind buying it cut and split, but it's cheaper to go tree length. This year it will all be bought cut and split, but next year we hope to be further ahead and doing it ourselves.

I still have this nice pile of wood at the camp, and have slowly been moving it to the farm. We bought this wood back when we moved and fortunately - I have never used it all. It's perfect for the little stove in the house, so, before snow falls I need to have it all at the farm.

It's a good project to do when Abbie is with me. She loves to be in the truck, and sits and talks to me while I load the wood and we travel back and forth. When we have time, we can move as much as four loads... and by then, I've had enough of that "fun"....

Do our horses live in luxury???? One sunny afternoon.. this was my Tonka...

"ah, yes...feeling a bit sleepy"

"Just can't hold my head up any longer"

"I'm done..................."

Just curious, any of my "barn gals" out there want THIS in their back yard. We came across this outstanding barn in our travels.... talk about stunning!!!!!

and a round barn to boot!!!! I understand this place is open during the summer for tours... guess you know what's on my list "to do" next year!!!! They certain knew how to do it right back in the day....

crying.....

I was so hoping this story might have a different ending... but since it has been 12 days, and two storms and still nothing, I fear there is no happy ending here...Dancer is gone. My heart aches and my tears are many...

Dancer, Mona and Darci have always been "house cats", when we lived in the hometown, I felt it was safer to keep them in. All in all they seemed pretty happy, but cats like the great outdoors. When we got to the farm, the plan was to keep them in... still, they would sneak by us and head outside.

Mona and Darci were much braver than Dancer, they would be seen at the barn, and out in the field, Dancer stayed pretty close to the house, and was never outside that long. And well before dark, she was inside. She never missed a meal and hated to be cold, so she knew where she belonged. Well, Halloween eve as we were heading out, she slipped by me. I called and tried to get her in, knowing it would be dark before we got back.. but nothing doing.. she wanted out. When we got home, I called and Mona and Darci came running... but no Dancer, right away I got this awful sick feeling. I stayed up late in the night calling every half hour or so.... nothing. I had to work Saturday morning, and dashed home.. hoping to find her at the door stoop...nothing. By Sunday night, I just knew though didn't want to admit it... Dancer would probably not ever be home again.

I spoke with several of my neighbors... they (along with us) assumed the same... more than likely Dancer was caught by a fisher cat. I don't think it was a fox, because she's quick and I think she could outrun/out climb a fox.. but a fisher... they are nasty things.

Our closest neighbor "lost" a kitty over the summer, and other neighbor has actually spotted a fisher. The thing that makes me nervous (along with sad and extremely mad) is.. if it was a fisher, "he" probably is pretty brave and came close to the house. Needless to say the other cats - including our little barn cat - Annabelle AND the cockers are in danger. These things run around 15-20 pounds, they are fearless and will "take down" anything that is their size or smaller. We have picked up a trap, and as soon as Ed gets his gun ready, that trap will be set and Mr. Fisher best count his days. I am usually a "live and let Live" person and being here in a rural area, I expected that we will have to learn with the wildlife, but this "guy" is on my list.

So in memory of my dear little Dancer... a blog in her honor and month of tears still left to cry--- and Mr. Fisher, there will be no tears shed for you

Butch takes the reins.....

As reported a few weeks back, our team has been giving us some troubles. Now, to be totally fair and honest, I know that we are not working them nearly as much as we should be (and I have plans on "fixing" that problem), but that being said, they have had enough training to know "what is what". I sort of have had the feeling that they are testing us, horses will do that, but I wanted to be absolutely sure that was the case before I began to "get on their case". So, I called in my ever knowing horse guru... Butch. I was all for packing up the team and heading to his house (about a two hour drive), but as it turned out, Becky and Butch had a private hayride to do just a few towns over from us. Because it was an evening hayride, they asked if they could just camp out on the farm overnight (and save them the drive home after a long day) and then take some time to play with our guys and see what the story is with them. I was thrilled at this idea!!! Not only would it be time to spend visiting with our friends, but working my team AND getting some rides behind the Belgians to boot!!! perfect........

So, skipped out on church Sunday and after a nice breakfast together, Butch got right to work. I told him that Tonka was the problem child, so he started with him. I was pleased to see that Tonka did give Butch some attitude, which gave me the chance to see what handling techniques Butch used with him. Course it didn't take but a few "moments" and Tonka began to think better. I am used to this, it's what I do with my dog training - owner calls me in, I think it's "simple" but to someone who doesn't know or isn't sure, it's amazing.

The other nice thing is seeing what ideas other people come up with. I sometimes work with the horses, doing all these "exercises" and then can't think of anything else to do. There is ALWAYS something else to do, so, now I have a "new" list to work with. For example.... walking him into the trees. Now Tonka probably thinks this is the most ridiculous idea that ever happened, but the point is.. the human wants it done, so barring a life threatening situation you (the horse) must do it!!!!

When we put the boys together, it became a whole new lesson. It's one thing to work a horse single, and a whole "other" to work a team. Here we are in need of some harsh "get your act together boys" words.......

But "forgiveness" and kind hands quickly follow... along with a few moments for the horses to "think about that" and settle down... this is what I call ---- horsemanship!!!!!

Butch also wanted to check harness fittings and hitching fittings. He made some adjustments, but overall, we were on the right track.

After doing their work the night before, the Belgians seemed pretty happy hanging out in the round pen and watching the Percheron's doing a little work. Do you suppose they are thinking "been there -done that, good luck guys"......

Old Silver wasn't too excited about being left out, and he followed the team along the fence line all day. I've been worrying over this old boy, fussing with his food and keeping a careful eye on him. But after the miles he logged this day... I think things are going well for him.

We spent the better part of the day, driving, training. I had invited several horse friends to come and watch. It's always great to share information even if driving might not really be your thing. So Rick, Belinda and Denise came by. Not only did they get to watch, but they also did some driving and riding...

NOW... THIS is what I'm talking about. A nice Sunday ride (out on the street) with two horses behaving like a team. I got my work cut out, but the bottom line.... it can be done!!!!!



Abbie was quite taken with the big guys. Not one bit afraid of them.... that's our girl. She'll be a horseman yet.....

"Hey get over here and talk to me"....

"Mom - can I keep him???"

So, that was our Sunday here on the farm. With the cooler weather now is the time to get some real training in.... I just need to make the time!!!!!

Halloween....

Halloween eve was on Saturday this year, around here we call it "beggar's night" or "mischief night", but it's when "we" go trick or treating. Our family has never put much stock into Halloween, so we tend to keep it "light" around here, dress up in something fun and go out for the candy but that's about the extent of it. The day dawned very pretty, I was up early because it was my day to work at the post.. but I got to see this beautiful sunrise.


Our friends, Becky and Butch were on their way down.. they had a private hay ride to do with their team of horses, and then planned on spending the night with us, and work with our team on Sunday. (that's the next blog)...



when I got home from work... Abbie was waiting to show me her costume...


can you guess what Abbie was????


she was " A-bee" (get it).....











I have to say... she was just adorable in this little outfit, and because it was so comfortable, she was more than happy to wear it as she played around the house.

We don't have any "real" trick or treating here in town, so Sadie and Tom trucked down to the hometown to do some visiting there. They had a great time......

We spent the evening helping Becky and Butch with the hayride and got in rather late... but look at what was at the front door when we came in....

This wonderful little owl was sitting right by the door on the porch. At first I wondered if "he" might be hurt. But he seemed to be just fine.

I took several pictures of "him" before he flew away. Seems like he almost posed for me most of the time....

I think we might have seen this little chap before... when we were working on the house, and it wasn't quite closed in.. the guys came one morning and found a little owl in one of the rooms upstairs.

I have found out that this type of owl is called a "northern saw-whet".. they are very small - only about a half pound, and are great for eating mice, snakes, frogs and other small critters.

I have looked on line to see if there is some "tale" about finding an owl on your door stoop on Halloween eve... can't say there is one.. but I hope it might be lucky.