Tag Archives: pets

Shakers andPets

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Although the simple life is certainly a draw in this hectic over-scheduled modern life, I would find living as a Shaker difficult, if not impossible. For one thing, I am not obedient. But also the shakers do not have pets.

The Milennial Laws of 1821 and then again in 1845 laid out rules governing every aspect of Shaker lives. They were not allowed pets, primarily because their focus was supposed to be upon God.

For me, this is a deal breaker. I have had a dog since I was ten, with only a few years here and there without. Plus a few cats scattered among the dogs.

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Shelby is my current dog, although she actually, emotionally, belongs to my husband. I wanted a dog for my birthday. When we went to the rescue, she raced to him. Once she’d chosen him, we couldn’t leave her behind. So, I got a dog for my husband for my birthday.

But I digress. Sandy was my previous dog. She looked similar to Shelby – a little lighter in color. Sandy was my best friend. She went everywhere with me. Although a medium dog (65 pounds) she lived to be 17 1/2. The vet was astonished she lived so long. by then she was blind, deaf, and had hip displasia. I was so heart broken I did not get another dog for a few years.

So, having a dog is one thing I could not surrender.

Winter?

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We are almost into January and the warmth continues. Thus far, even in upstate New York, we have not had a killing frost. I still have beets

beets

and kale

kale

Moreover, my poor dog is suffering. She grew in her winter coat. And now it looks like her April hair; ragged as she sheds. This is her flank one day after brushing.

shelby fur

I, however, am not complaining. Maybe this year I will actually get my peas in to the ground mid-March instead of being held back by snow.

Spring Gardening

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With the arrival of the first nice weekend in months, many many months, I began setting up my garden.

spring garden

What is the hardware cloth doing around the base of the fence? Funny you should ask. Last year I got hardly any peas or broccoli because the baby rabbits got through the fence and ate the sprouts. Not this year they won’t. After this picture was taken, I put in radishes, carrots, beets and kale. All the cold hardy veggies. (I still have at least a month before tomatoes, cukes and peppers go in.) Next weekend, if it nice, I will start laying out the plastic mulch so I can get a jump on the weeds.

While I was working, my dog ran around looking for critters that might have gotten inside the fence without her knowing. She spent a lot of time inspecting the first and largest groundhog holes.

dog in groundhog hole

She goes all the way in, hoping, I think, that she will find another groundhog that moved in, and all we can see is her tail.

Although we have tried to fill in the hole, I think it goes to China. It is enormous, not just from the successive groundhogs but from Shelby digging.

Maybe I should plant a tree.

groundhog hole

Shelby – and Snow

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Snow – and Shelby

This winter has been more like living in the Arctic than the Northeast, and more like living in the Arctic than living in the Arctic. We’ve broken all kinds of records, both for cold and snow. This past week we had three storms, small ones in comparison to some of the ones we’ve had, but the snow still added up to a foot.

Even Shelby is beginning to get tired of it all. But it doesn’t stop her from going out on the trail and making sure no squirrel or rabbit has come on to her territory.

shelby snow two

 

shelby snow

Groundhog Chapter 3

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Another groundhog moved into the yard, driving the dog crazy. This time the groundhog must have been a real risk taker. He came out in the middle of the day when Shelby was running around the yard. I suppose no on is surprised to hear Shelby killed this ground hog too.

I think what astonishes me most is how Shelby can be so gentle with the babies and so ferocious with an animal.

mason and shelby

 

 

 

 

 

Shelby not only allows the children to lie on her, play with her collar and take food from her, she allows them to put their hands in her mouth. But put a groundhog in the yard and she is a different dog.

mason and shelby two

 

 

 

 

 

The dual nature of dogs, fascinating.

 

Hunting dog instincts

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Shelby is too smart for her own good. Although the yard is fenced, she spends all her time looking for a way out. When she succeeds, she does the hunting dog thing and, as we euphemistically term it, she rolls. Rolls in crap that is. That way, her prey cannot smell her coming.

However, we can’t allow her in the house without a bath.

bath one

 

 

 

 

 

Boy, does she hate it.

bath two

Exploding garden

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I can barely keep up with the garden produce. The zucchini has taken over, the basil is huge. Even I may get tired of pesto.

 

basil

 

 

And the beans!

beans

 

beans two

Do you see the twine? These are supposed to be bush beans but some of the seeds didn’t get the message. They are twining up the cucumbers and squash and have taken down some of the poles. Hence, my little fix – twine tied to the fence. I will be freezing them this year.

A groundhog moved into the abandoned burrow and has eaten all my mums. But Shelby is on patrol and the hog hasn’t made it to the garden.

shelby on guard

 

 

My garden = rainforest

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It is amazing how well a garden grows without critters. Shelby is doing a good job of keeping everything at bay.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

 

Shelby in pursuit

 

 

My tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and beans are taking over.

rainforest

 

 

 

 

 

But this is what they look like harvested.

cukes and zucchini

 

 

 

 

 

And I am going to have tons of tomatoes. This is ONE plant.

tomatoes

 

More about Shelby and the groundhog

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Since Shelby’s epic battle with the groundhog, she has been swaggering around the house as though she met and defeated a lion. She had done her job – and has none of the conflicted emotions I am experiencing. She spends as much time as she can outside on guard, either watching the groundhog holes or sitting on the deck keeping an eye on her territory.

I know we have at least one rabbit around. So far he has been both faster and smarter than Shelby. I hope he has the good sense to leave. I don’t think I could take another dead animal.

shelby on guard