The empty house

The house really isn't empty, it just seems that way. 

It was a difficult decision as to who to bring back to the house.  I decided that Callie should return since she doesn't always play nice with others and being that her stress level will be higher than usual.  For the second one, I chose Breeze since she still has some anxiety-type issues where she will growl and air snap for no apparent reason.

Callie would like to tell you about the advantages of there not being a pack at the house.

Hey there, it's me - Callie!

 

Since it's only me and The Breeze at the house, know what I get to do?

Can you guess?

 

 Me, all by myself, gets to....

 

...have the whole couch to myself!! 

Meeting the neighbours

Once the pack got settled in their new (temporary) home in the barn, it was time to officially meet the neighbours.

Here is Keeper, one of the three resident dogs.  

Keeper belonged to the elderly couple that I bought the farm from and the tenants agreed to to take her when the elderly lady moved to an assisted living facility after her husband passed away.  The tenants also have a yellow lab and a little poodle.  Pictures to come!

As you may recall, the pack already met one of the roosters. Here is the other rooster and the hens.  They were quite pleased with the clean up of the barn and enjoyed scratching and pecking at the old straw as it was dumped out the back of the barn.  

While I was cleaning out the barn, I saw something run along the top of one of the old pens.  It was bigger than a mouse and my first thought was rat. I wondered, Are there rats in the barn? If so, should the pack stay somewhere else?  Well, not to worry, it wasn't a rat, it was this little furry friend -

He/she (?) was quite relaxed and interested in watching the clean up process.  

Back inside the barn, I noticed that Hiker seemed interested in what was on the other side of a gate, located on the far side of where we are staying.  As I wandered over, Hiker was very excited about her new friend.

It was Valentine, the sheep! We later learned that Valentine loves dogs but they usually run away from her.  Maybe the two can actually meet without the gate.

Breeze was most interested in Chilli the horse.  She seemed to want to play and Chilli kept trying to reach over the gate to get at Breeze but couldn't quite reach.  Yes, Chilli loves dogs too!

As you can imagine, with the two day roadtrip, The Mom almost having a complete meltdown and then being settled into a barn with all the barn related sights, sounds and smells, the pack are having a great time!

Getting settled.

After meeting the chickens and a not introducing themselves nicely, I herded the pack into the barn and got them temporarily settled in.  The tenants suggested a part of the barn that wasn't being used and has two doors to outside so that a fenced area could be arranged. Since the area hadn't been used in years, there was a bit of clean up required.

Once the old straw was removed, window boards removed to let in some light and fresh air and the floor swept, it wasn't too bad at all.

In order to give the pack some inside space to play and relax without getting into the remainder of the unused section, a few boards and some chicken wire created a safe area.

starting to look like home!

For outside space, fifty feet of safety fence and a few heavy duty T-posts gives them enough room to wander and play.  The doorway is set high and needs a step but all the pack quickly figured it out.  Of course, there are those who think that taking a running leap through the doorway is the most fun!

We are so fortunate to have such amazing tenants at the farm.  They had given the location for the pack thought before we arrived and offered suggestions as to where they would likely be happiest.  As I write this, the tenants are taking awesome care of the pack and say that they are all wonderful dogs and so easy to look after.  I am so looking forward to being back with them in only eight more days!

 

Road trip!

Before we get to telling you all about our roadtrip, I want to thank all of you for your kind words and happy thoughts you've left in the comments.  We appreciate you!

Since the dogs had to be relocated and boarding was not an option (too costly) I contacted the tenants who are enjoying life on the 40 acre farm I own located approximately 1800km/1200miles away.  I explained the situation and asked if they would mind having the dogs stay in the barn for a while.  Being animal lovers - they transported their horse, rescue sheep, goat, three dogs and a cat over 2600km, they get it and instantly agreed that I should bring the dogs.  So, a rental cargo van, five crates, a cooler, a tent and we were on our way!  (Okay, I will admit there was a box of kleenex too since I was almost constantly crying).

The plan was to drive for eleven or so hours and then camp for the night and continue the remainder of the way in the morning.  Ah...camping!  We love to camp.  Granted, the most dogs I have taken at one time was three.  With the whole pack, well, it was a bit chaotic.  They all had to be tied and of course, they all got tangled up.

Once they were repeatedly untangled and I got the tent set up and they all had dinner, it was time to head into the tent for bedtime.  Now, doesn't that sound nice and peaceful.  Herd the pack into the tent and settle down for a nice, relaxing sleep.  HA HA HA HA!!

I led Bill to the tent and he was hesitant to go in, but did get inside.  I held the door closed as I called Forest over.  As soon as Forest started to enter, Bill ran out.  I called Bill back and stuffed him inside with Forest and called Breeze over.  No way was she going in.  Trying to convince a large stubborn blind dog to go into a tent where two dogs are that want out was not fun.  Then add in the blind one who would rather lay in the grass (Hiker) and the deaf one who kept looking away as I motioned her over (Azule) I was getting a bit frustrated.  While all this was going on, blind and partly deaf Brook realised once again that she was tied and went into panic mode, leaping and twisting at the end of the tie out. 

In the morning, more chaos as I had to leash and tie everyone on the way out of the tent!  Well, we survived it and drove for the better part of the second day.

The weather was rainy and cool but the scenery was nice.  We saw quite a few of these signs -

but no moose.  We did see an adult racoon and five little ones and a doe and fawn.

We arrived safe and sound at the farm late afternoon. 

Things got off to a bit of a rocky start when the pack saw the chickens.  None of us were thinking as the dogs exited their crates and got out to stretch their legs.  Azule spotted the chickens almost instantly and was gone.  Feathers were flying, the rooster was squawking, people were yelling...not a good scene.  Not at all.  The rooster is missing a few tail feathers but is otherwise unharmed.  It is somewhat amusing now but just about tipped me over the edge at the time!

Two dog limit

Where we live, there is a two dog limit.  Yes, we have been over that limit for a few years and until recently, nobody cared.  Our neighbors knew about the dogs and the fosters that came and went.  We had no problems until a few weeks ago when there was a knock on the door.

The person standing there informed me that there had been a complaint regarding the dogs.  Not about them being noisy or not cared for, it was related to the fact that there were more than two.  He went on to say that it didn't matter if they were foster dogs or not.  Two are all that are allowed.  We received a ticket ($180) and were given two weeks to "get rid of them".

Well, as I am sure you can imagine, my heart sank and I was on the verge of tears.  Yes, I know, I know, we were over the limit.  But after this long with no problems, well, I kinda got comfortable.  I am sure that you also know that "getting rid of them" is not an option.  So, into panic relocation mode.

For now, Callie and Breeze are at the house and the others are safely far away, enjoying life on a farm.  We will be together again in about two and a half weeks.  More on that in the next post.

I am trying to hold it together and get through the next couple of weeks until we can all be together again.  I will tell you about our recent advenutures including our big road trip and camping with seven dogs (not as much fun as it sounds!)

I will be getting back to reading your blogs and commenting soon.

Just looking.

Here is yet another example of how normal a blind and partly deaf dog is.

I heard a noise coming from the kitchen and quietly walked in to see who was doing what.  Blind and partly deaf Brook had decided to check out the totes that contain the bags of kibble.  

Since her hearing is so poor, I was able to get the camera and observe.

"Wonder what is up on the counter?"

There wasn't anything there but an empty kibble bag and a bag of potatoes.  After a few minutes of snooping, she tried to get down but seemed to realize that it was a bit far for a little blind dog.  A helping hand from The Mom and she was on her way.

 

The continuing excavation.

Due to the situation we are currently dealing with, I decided to prepare a few posts and schedule them since we won't be around for a little while.  We might not be able to check your blogs but will as soon as we can. Soon we'll be be able to explain what has been happening.

Recently in the backyard....

Breeze seems determined to find something in the dirt.  

Forest was a bit annoyed since he was happily laying in the dirt and along came Breeze who decided it was time to excavate again.

Even though she is digging large holes, she has yet to find anything. I think that the cool dirt and the smell of it is all that matters.

 

 Luckily, the dirt just brushes off and she is clean again.