Same Fox; Porcupine

This is not a good photo, but it seems like a larger fox that is coming in at night to chase the birds. His visits have been at 7PM both nights.

Saw a large porcupine just waddling down the middle of my road, not too far from the pens , yesterday. I hope he goes far away.

Wildlife

Signs of wildlife everywhere. Saw a fox run in fast to try to catch pigeons eating deer corn last night, but the birds quickly flew away. Since we lost Solo (Anatolian, livestock guardian) a few years ago we've had much more wildlife closer in.

The does are looking ready for having fawns, maybe already having them, but ones coming in are still heavy. Solo guarded a newborn fawn one Spring.

This is a den that seems to be getting bigger, looks like a fox den, possibly. Lots of scat on the trails, photo'd some, large, 5 inches by one inch and scratch marks with 1/2 inch between the claws, same site. Yo enjoyed rolling in it. :( Not catching anything on the trail cameras though.

Wildflowers and More Chena

The wildflowers are finally coming up... cheery sentinels of Spring. The cherry trees are just starting to blossom out and I've seen hepatica and wild violets and Dutchman's Breeches... very beautiful.

I had to make a list of the many, many things I miss about Chena... it helps a bit to do that... first is, her beautiful velvet ears; next, how she walks me to the coffee pot and computer first thing in the morning. Next, how she barks to keep me on schedule and not lollygagging about in here. Next, hearing her nails clicking in the night as she looks for me. All dog lovers can relate to the memories and the loss. Especially I am grateful to have been able to know her. Sometimes we take them for granted. Hopefully they can take us for granted, too.

Chena, Best Friend

CHENA, IN MEMORIAM 1992 - 2008

Chena, chocolate Labrador Retriever, steadfast, loyal, funny, guardian, shepherd, constant companion, guide, conscience... finally, at age 16, she had too many problems to be safe or comfortable and we euthanized her yesterday, peacefully , in her room , at home. Our vet, Pauline and her tech, were very kind to come here . All of the dogs recognized Chena as matriarch over all.

Known as Chenarene, Brown Dog, Diver Dog, Sweetie, Thurmer, there were many nice stories about her. Of course, she loved to retrieve tennis balls and chase birds. Her favorite place was the lake. We had found her abandoned and pregnant, (she had been shot, the bullet is still in her neck)... we brought her to live here and she became my best friend. Her pups were born two weeks after she came here , on Easter Sunday, 1999. We placed all of her pups through lab rescue.

When she was still agile enough, she would sit on my sofa when I was gone and bare her teeth at anyone trying to sit on it. She often slept with me until she couldn't get up on the bed anymore. In her last days she would pace all night, look for me, find me, settle down , then up and pacing again. She had pain, various disorders, but always loved food until the last few days. She always sat at the computer and the piano with me. The loyalty of our dear Lab is irreplaceable.

Yo and his tennis ball

Speaking of patterns, Yo loves to play with his tennis ball, and now that we can't lose it in the snow, he's happy again.

Still no flowers: last year daffodils, all the cherry blossoms, wild violets were blooming on May 8th, on granddaughter's birthday. Yesterday she was one year old and she is adorable.

Patterns

Back to the summer pattern of trail walks, etc. Since we lost three of our trailwalkers this winter, we are trying more dogs as free running trail partners. For the most part, the males have to be leashed. Lillen, female, goes with us, but runs her own route. No wildflowers yet, looking though.

Slow Greening

The fields and trails are greening up a bit. Today and tomorrow rain in forecast so it will help some more. Seems like it's slower than most years. There is still ice under some straw in the pens as I rake it out, not unusual for early May. Hauled six more heavy loads yesterday.