Cowgirl V: Dog Days at the Farm

 

imagesCA66ZLH7Burning candle at both ends

It’s been awhile!  My sister called this weekend and said “When are y’all going to post again?  It’s time!  “C” and I are both burning the candle at both ends!  I’m busy working at the school and helping with the grandkids.  “C” is SO busy with her law practice.  The pressure is just not letting up!  Earlier this evening she said “something’s gotta give!”  I couldn’t agree more!  Maybe a girls trip next month would be the respite we both need! 

I’ve talked to several of my friends lately who say they are working harder than ever in their late fifties—a time when ladies from yesteryear would have been playing bridge or sewing quilts!  Retirement is looking better all the time!  I don’t want to sound selfish, but I want and need some ME time!  I missed filling my hypertension medication this weekend and this morning my blood pressure skyrocketed.  The nurse at the clinic said “I’m getting you a pill right now” and the doctor doubled my dose.  I really NEED to slow down and find time to walk. Apparently, chasing toddlers does not count as cardio!

Slow Down

Eldest daughter is doing so much better with the pregnancy.  She still has to have a shot of blood thinner in the tummy everyday, but is feeling better.  We babysat the toddler while they went away for the weekend.  Not just the toddler, but Kiwi the parrot, the seven dogs-- thankfully our son took care of the horses!  Hubby took the dogs with him down to the creek!  The Saint Bernard arrived this summer as a puppy.  Can you believe he was actually DUMPED at their farm?  Bear is a gorgeous, affectionate fellow who is always gentle with the children, but when he is hungry you had better get out of his way!!!  I’ve never seen a dog eat with such gusto and greed!

 

jenifers, conway0004

Bear is about 9 months old now.  His father weighs 200 lbs.!

My grandson had gone out to feed the dogs and came back to report to mom that there was “another puppy out there!”  When my son-in-law got home and checked the mail, there was an envelope with two one hundred dollar bills and a note that said “For the care of the puppy”.  This made the third puppy dumped at their farm last summer!  There were also registration papers with the owner’s name whited out.  My daughter called the breeder in a neighboring town who told her that the man had paid $1000. for the dog as a gift for his girlfriend.  A week later he called her and said that he and his girlfriend had broken up and he wanted to return the puppy for a refund.  The woman refused, saying that her husband was ill and she was not going to breed dogs anymore.  The puppy was healthy and she would NOT give him a refund.  He told her that he passed a farm everyday where he could see dogs playing  in the pasture, and that those people had the other two dogs his girlfriend had decided not to keep, so he would see if they would take this one also!  So that explained how Cowboy (the Great Pyranees cross) and Scotch (the labradoodle) came to be dumped at the farm!  Who could believe that someone would actually dump three puppies they had bought?  I can’t help but think how lucky these dogs are.  Breaks my heart to think of all the dogs who are not so lucky!

 

jenifers, conway0006

Bear loves the water!

 

Coco was the first rescue dog at the farm.  She was adopted from the local Humane Society.

jenifers, conway0005

She was the mother of ten puppies who were all adopted!  She IS the boss!

jenifers, conway0008

 

And here is the the little fella who’s been snuggling up with me lately.  Desi the Papillon.

 

DPP_3

 

Can’t help but love dogs, but I love the kitties too!  Goldie is my constant companion. 

 

DPP_4

She is the queen at our house! 

So how about my friends out there in blogland?  Dogs or cats?  Do you have a preference or love them both like I do?

Comments

Vivianne said…
Glad to see you back ! Unbelievable, how those puppies were left. I have to say your Papillon is my favorite :-) regards to C, please ! :-)
I love them both, but I am definitely mostly a dog person. We've had cats too... since the last two died of old age, the husband doesn't want cat hair in the house anymore... and so, no cats for now. But I miss having one around.
Vickie said…
THERE YOU ARE! Been wonderin' where you girls were...

Now, that's some big dumping! I can't believe the same person kept dumping dogs there! People dump their cats at our farm. We've had 4 recently that I've found homes for. Our farm dog doesn't like cats, so I'd hate for something to happen to them.

I know what you mean bout getting busier in our mid-late fifties. Thankfully, I don't have kids to take care of, and I feel your pain. I'm trying to get back to painting, but I'm still working some - hubby resigned his last job of 30 years, and he's opening his own office. So, it's been hectic here, too.

Hopefully you girls will get a break soon and you can relax a bit! Good to hear from you V!
I can understand you needing "me" time and good to hear that your daughter's pregancy is doing well. Dogs or cats?? I used to think cats.......but my dog Sophie is my constant companion........I would have to say it's like comparing apples to oranges.........I love them both. blessings,Kathleen
happyone said…
Glad to see you posting and that your daughter is doing well.
I can't believe he dropped THREE dogs off. Lets hope after three times he has finally learned NOT to get another dog!!

I can certainly vouch for walking as a stress reliever!! : )
kath001 said…
We have three big dogs. A German Shepherd that was a puppy when she came to live with us, and a rescue Chesapeake Bay Retriever (looks like Coco in your photo) and a rescue Pit Bull.

I like cats, but my husband isn't too keen on them. They love me, though. I was at a coworkers a couple of weeks ago, and I had barely sat down when her cat was sprawled across me and conked out. Coworker asked if I had hypnotized her. I have this effect on cats everywhere I go. :)

Glad to hear that daughter and baby are doing well. You are a blessing to them all. Exhausting... but nice to be close enough to help and get the hugs, huh?

Hello, C!
Vee said…
We have one of each. I'm a cat person, though the poodle is very near to my heart.

I can't believe those dogs were dumped that way. What nerve!

Good to see a post...hope that you and C get to take off on a trip soon. Sounds as if you could both use a change of scene.
Bless you and the kids for taking in these dogs. I don't know what that guy was thinking, buying a new puppy for a girl who had already dumped two. And all of them are expensive dogs. At least the guy was thoughtful enough to give some money towards the food. As for me, I love dogs; but one at a time is plenty. Cats are good, too, but I have to agree about the cat hair.
Sandra said…
I would LOVE to have another pet -- either dog or cat. But Hubby is dead set against it. And I do have to admit I don't miss the responsibilities that go along with a pet, but I sure miss the wonderful love they give! :)
Lila Rostenberg said…
Amazing story....is that guy a slow thinker or what???!!!
he needs to find a different girlfriend...or at least chose different gifts for her!
We have a fondness for both dogs and cats...but some in the family are allergic to the cats!
Anonymous said…
Usually I get my gentle giants at about age 7 months thereabouts. They are no longer cute and fluffy (well, I don't believe that!)
and they are a LOT to clean up after.
Someone obviously knew a great home and how lucky you are that they at least paid for the first month's food!
Five of my six dogs were foundlings; all three of my house cats were foundlings and all of the barn cats. One horse and one sheep are rescues so, yeah, there's a unicorn flying over Thistle Cove Farm -smile-.
As to being a dog or cat person; I'm an animal person, love them all and care for each like they are the only one. My love isn't divided, it's multiplied.
Love your dogs; thanks for the rescue.
Susan said…
I love all animals. I also have an amazon parrot, double yellow head, I inherited and it bit the fire out of my hand. I've learned to not hold him when the other aminals are around. I have 2 dogs, a rat terrier and daschund, 6 cats all pedigreed except 1. We've taken it upon ourselves to feed the feral cats in the neighborhood also. It's sad so many people get pets and find they are too much trouble to care for. I can't imagine giving any of mine away, even the parrot!

Popular posts from this blog

Guest Post by K: Whirlwinds of Change & a New Normal

C: A Chili Dog and Country Life

C: Lessons on a Bridge