This morning I let my dog outside and it was really foggy out. I thought for sure that he would stay in the side yard, where he usually stays. He generally “does his thing” and then plays with the cats for awhile, and scratches at the door to be let back in. This morning he was staying out longer than usual. The fog was lifting as the sun was coming out, and even calling his name didn’t make him come back. I didn’t panic.. yet. I went to the back patio doors to see if he had gone out into the big back yard we have. Wouldn’t you know, I didn’t have batteries in my camera. There was my dog, playing with (from what I could count) at least seven rabbits. It seemed like they were doing their own special game of hide and seek and tag. One or two rabbits would take turns chasing the dog, then he would chase them. No fear in the bunnies what so ever. It makes me now wonder just how long this game between he and the rabbits has been going on. It would have made for a wonderful video. I just put batteries on my shopping list.
A mouse in the house
I just spoke to my mom about an hour ago, because she called to make sure I was coming home to her house. Then she called back to tell me that she has been trying to capture a mouse that is in her house, all day long. Apparently she can’t set the traps. I personally don’t like to kill mice. I think they are cute, and that is a cat’s job. I’ve never had a mouse in the house. I had to assure her that my husband would set her traps for her, since she is afraid of the little thing getting into her pantry and eating her dried goods. I can tell by her voice that the hunt for the mouse is now on. This should be a trip, to say the least!!
Summer
Every summer we spend as much time at the lake as we can, fishing, boating and swimming. This year has been no different. The best thing about this year has been taking our dogs out on the boat, they love it and seem to really enjoy going fast on top of the water, they hang their heads over the side and bark with glee. I had never known that a dog would love the water so much. When we pull in a big fish they sniff and bark at the fish like they were responsible for reeling them in it is so very funny. A couple of the dogs even like to get out in the water and paddle around, Dottie and Diva really like it the best I think, they jump in when ever they can. Over all this has been a great summer and I already can not wait for next summer to get here.
New floor
Last weekend we pulled up our old nasty carpet and put down a new wood floor. It was a huge job that took us the whole weekend to complete. I was very happy to have a lot of help the boys and one of their friends who is a carpet installer helped, I could not of done it without their help. The floor looks great and it is such a joy not to have that old ratty carpet on the floor. The whole house looks so much nicer and smells better, too! The dogs love it they go sliding when chasing the ball and I think they are having a blast on the new wood floors.
My poor dog
Texas my cocker had surgery today. He had to be neutered and also had a big infected mass cell that was also infected. He had a big bump near the top of his tail on his hind quarters. Because of his general blood work and testing, he was in the normal range as far as health goes. In fact the vet said that he was in great health, so she didn’t think the mass cell was cancer.
To send the mass away to have tested would cost so very much money that we knew we couldn’t afford. And the vet told us that if we found anymore lumps to bring him in right away, but she also said by the look of the mass that it didn’t look like cancer. I pray it isn’t and doesn’t spread.
The stitches are bothering the poor little guy and I can tell he of course hurts because he keeps growling at me when I try to look at the wounds to make sure they aren’t or don’t get infected. He’ll have to go back to the vets and keep on his medication for ten to fourteen days, and then he gets his stitches out.
Additions to the family again
We now have two more furry additions to the family. My daughter’s cat had kittens sometime ago and despite having plenty or room at her house, her husband told her she had to find the kittens homes since they already have four dogs and three cats. So, she got me in a good moment and begged me to take two of the semi grown kittens that she hadn’t found a home for.
I have a preference and only have black cats. Both of the kittens she wanted me to take are black and since she did get me in sucker mood, I agreed that I would take them as long as she bought the cat food for them. She agreed to it right away and so now will be bringing the kitten/cats over tomorrow.
I figure since they are already used to being outside, they can be outside cats here. My daughter told me that they are already hunting mice and bringing them to her as little presents, so with the mill just down the road a bit at least two more cats will keep the mouse population down. She hasn’t named the two of them yet since she didn’t want to get attached and so it might be fun getting to know their personalities and naming them accordingly.
AC problems
Go figure, this week has been the hottest and most humid weeks we’ve had so far this summer and the air conditioning unit went on the fritz. Normally in my younger days, I could handle the heat and wasn’t bothered with it at all, but now…not so much.
To say everyone is rather miserable, despite of fans in the windows and the floor and ceiling fans it feels like they are just moving the hot air around. The heating and air conditioning guy is booked solid and can’t get out here until this coming Monday. Umm, a bit late I would say, considering the heat index will no doubt drop by then. At least we are all hoping so.
In the mean time, I’m drinking plenty of iced tea and water, and my son and I are putting ice cubes in the dogs water. Everyone is kind of irritable including myself. I just keep thinking about when we didn’t have an AC and how we coped with it. People have dealt with this issue a long time ago, and didn’t have an air conditioner so, if we must we must.
Thunderstorms and Puppy Jake
Last weekend I found out our 7 mo. old puppy Jake, is terrified of fireworks. He doesn’t even have to see them, just hear them and he freaks out. I had wondered if he also would be afraid of thunderstorms when I was looking at the skies early this morning. My body felt a storm coming on and I think the dogs knew something was going to change weather wise just by the way they were acting.
Sure enough, it started getting darker and the skies looked a grey black. I saw the first bolt of lightening and counted to three… BOOM! My poor puppy went ballistic. I felt so sorry for him. He nearly flew under my desk, spinning my chair around and I almost tipped over. He was under there shaking so hard I think I heard his teeth even clicking. I went under the desk to him…which was hard to do even if I’m small. Jake is just a pup, but he is BIG and it was a tight fit under there for both of us. Still, I held him and kept telling him everything was okay. He didn’t stop shaking though.
So, now I know Jake is terrified of thunderstorms and fireworks. I’ll bet he’s afraid of gunfire also. Living around here, all of these sounds are like an every day experience. I’m going to have to find a way to teach him that these things aren’t going to hurt him. Bless his heart!
Spring thoughts
While letting the dogs out this morning, I walked into the back yard and despite the snow and ice we had this past week, there were dandelions growing next to my old well. There they were…four perfect small yellow flowers poking out through the snow. That is what I call either determination or real hardy plants!
I happen to love dandelions. While the kids were growing up, we called them dandy flowers and to be honest, I still do. They are great for a lot of things and make tasty spirits if made and fermented properly. There is a convent of nuns or used to be, in Ohio that made the best dandy flower wine and used to sell it to help with the convents upkeep. I was too young to try it at the time, but I hear that it had an exceptional bouquet. (pun intended).
The dandelion greens are quite tasty also, if cooked the right way. I’ve never tried this with the family, but I like them. To me, dandelions are not a weed. I know people who battle dandelions every year trying to have a lawn that is dandelion free. The roots, which are good for you also, grow very deep and they are indeed hard to kill. Myself, I figure why try and kill them off. I like how they make the acreage in my back yard look. To me, they are a sure sign of spring.
Healthy Ducks for Sale
After me voicing that I wanted a pond in the back yard, my husband jokingly said to find some Ducks for sale while I was at it. I don’t think that is a bad idea at all. If all goes well with building the pond that I would like to have at the edge of the back yard, they would be an ideal addition to it. Plus, not many people I know like duck eggs, but I do! They have a nice rich flavor and are great for omelets, in my opinion.
If I can Buy Ducks along with the chickens, I’d be on way to becoming a back yard farmer of sorts. Plus I think these animals are so darn cute to watch. They would be a most welcome addition to my back yard. They might even turn out to be nice pets also!
I thought it would be so nice to find some nice laying Chickens for Sale. I would love to go out to their coop and fetch my own eggs that came from my own chickens, and ducks without having to buy them in the store at a really high prices for brown chicken eggs. My whole family love fresh eggs, and brown ones are the best. I think they have a much better flavor when they are fresh and brown.