Dogs and me

When I wasn't even a teenager I had my first dog-the first dog that was mine and to this day I remember her perfectly.  Fifi, yes, a poodle.  Not the full sized model that are quite impressive but a smaller one-I believe she would be classified as a Miniature-not as small as a Toy Poodle but no where near the size of a standard. 

Fifi wasn't a coddled, well groomed show dog. Nope, she was a hunting dog.  Even before I had a license to hunt, Fifi and I would go across the asparagus fields and she would chase up pheasants for me to marvel at.  She was a great dog and some forty years later I am happy I had her as my first dog.

Since then I have had a greyhound, a lab, springer spaniels, Black German Shepherds, a mutt and now White German Shepherds.  Most have been wonderful dogs and without them I doubt I would be anywhere near sane today!  With great dogs comes great friendships and sadly, great heartaches.  I had two black German Shepherds when I was in the Tri Cities but sadly, one was hit while chasing off a rottweilder that was trespassing and my female was stolen!  I got out of dog ownership for quite a while after that but eventually I came back into it!

When I had just graduated from Washington State University, I obtained a job as a park ranger at Chief Timothy State Park near Clarkston.  I bought my first Springer Spaniel.  George was probably the smartest dog I have ever owned and he stayed with me through the winter at Field Springs State Park where I stayed in a cabin which was not well insulated.   It got sooooo cold that the shower would freeze up.  But yet George and I managed to survive that winter together.  It was a great time. 

I then got a job in Texas and knew I couldn't take George with me.  That was more than fine with my parents as they both loved him.  My mom and dad and George spent many years together! 

Today, I have Hail and Snow.  Hail is only 4 years old and is absolutely beautiful.  He has the greatest desire to please since George.  He will catch a frisbee or a tennis ball a hundred times if I will throw it that many and he truly seems to know that he has done something spectacular when he catches the frisbee high in the air!

Bob

Our Lost Connection to the Farm

Over the generations, our families have slowly drifted away from farm life and the miracles and lessons of life that can be realized there.

Most people will only see farm animals on television, in books or for short "visitations".  That is sad for life on a farm shows another side of the world that most of us will never see.

Whether your farm raises cattle and horses or just a few chickens and ducks such as I do, the lessons are plentiful and pertinent to living!  I have raised cows, horses, goats and a variety of fowl.  Each animal has its own challenges but each has many benefits. 

Even those living on small properties can keep chickens if zoning allows it so today I will concentrate on those fine feathered friends.

Who would think that raising a few chickens would have much to teach a family.  I have raised chickens for years and honestly, they are more interesting than most would ever believe.  I allow some of the hens to sit on and hatch their own eggs and watching a hen care for and guide a clutch of chicks is truly amazing. 

The hens cluck different tones depending on the circumstances.  If I am approaching, or the dogs are approaching she will give a more panicked series of clucks which the chicks easily interpret as danger is approaching and head for the protection of their mom.  If I have thrown feed out, or if the hen finds feed, she will give an excited cluck which signals the chicks to hurry over and eat whatever is available. 

The "hey I found food" call is also used by roosters to call their hens.  I often throw out an apple core or some other morsel of food and if a rooster arrives there first, he will NOT eat it but will signal for the hens and even the chicks to come eat.  It's truly impressive.

I remember watching cartoons from the 60s and 70s which often had hen, chicks and a rooster and the creators of these cartoons did their research.  The hens, roosters and chicks are exceptionally characterized in many of these short works. 

There is so much more to write about this subject and I will continue to delve into this subject but generally my point is that there is so much to observe and learn from the activities of a small farm and it is sad that so many will never have a chance to see this!

Bob