Some you never forget…

Ari – 1999 - 2009

Also in these photos is Brita when 2 years old and Ari was 8.

Brita and the skunk!

It's a skunk... it's smelly! I took a pitchfork and hoisted it over the fence at the end of the yard. Brita needed a bath with peroxide, baking soda and dish detergent! I couldn't get to sleep so got up about 1 to go to the bathroom and she went out. After a bit I heard her barking at the end of the yard. A bit later I smelled skunk and immediately got up to close doors so Jake couldn't get out. Went back to be and then thought I should close doors so she can't get in! Apparently she brought to about 40 feet from the back of the house and the smell came in the window and Jake and I had to sleep in the living room because it was so bad! It's been an eventful day!

 Here is the secret recipe that WORKS. Mix the following:

• 1 quart 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
• 1/4 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
• 1 teaspoon liquid soap or dish detergent
• Mix these together and bathe ("shampoo" in or rub down) the spray victim thoroughly.
• Be sure to use this mixture immediately after it is created, as it is unstable.
• Let sit for five minutes and rinse with tap water afterward, and repeat if necessary.
• For spray in the eyes, flush with water as soon as possible.

If you can't go to all of the trouble of buying hydrogen peroxide at your local drug store, then a 2% vinegar solution will help a bit. But please, don't bother with the old tomato juice tactic unless you want to smell like skunk + tomato.

Here are some additional tips:

• Flush the eyes first, with a turkey baster, or garden hose, or just by pouring water out of a cup.
• Before washing, wear rubber dish gloves and old clothes, and if possible, wash the dog outside.
• Don't rinse the dog wet first. This solution will work better if applied directly and concentrated. The skunk spray is actually somewhat oily, and the detergent in the dish soap will help break up the oils.

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More swimming!

 

Happy Turkey Day 2014

We took a walk in the yard and the Jake and Brita did some hunting!  It was a great sunny day – well – great for January probably but regardless, the SUN was out and it was NOT snowing!!

 

 

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OMG … FLOWERS!!!!

Peace

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Jake and Brita were searching for not just a mouse.

Their stockings were hung by the fridge with care,

In hopes that mom Laurel would willingly share.

 

In just a short time they were snug in their beds,

While visions of chipmunks danced in their heads.

It wasn't just chipmunks they dreamed of that night,

But also the rabbits who they made take flight.

 

In a short time there arose such a clatter

They jumped from the couch to see what was the matter.

And there to their wondering eyes did appear

The spirits of others that used to live here.

 

First, there was Josie who made the most noise,

Chasing the others, especially the boys.

But Ari and Teddy would not let her run

Because they decided she'd stifle their fun.

 

Tori was circling to see what to do

When Kobie and Liver quickly ran through.

Then they ALL came together to join in a song

While Brita and Jake, wide eyed, looked on.

 

The message they brought on that night of a birth

Was of PEACE and GOOD WILL to all on the earth.

This message was clear to those who would listen,

As clear as the snow which often would glisten.

 

And then, in the distance, was the sound of a whistle

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But they were heard to exclaim as they flew out of sight,

"Peace to all of God's creatures, and to all a good-night!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE:  I woke up with this running through my head this morning
and in 30 minutes had it done.  Truly I believe I had unseen help!

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Happy Birthday Brita!

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Shed + Straw = FUN!

30 bales of straw coming…  hmmm…  the shed!  It had become the dumping ground for all the environmental distractions used for PSA.  So…  9 garbage bags of milk jugs, cans, bottles, hoops, etc., etc.  bagged and ready for the garbage pickup.  Tarp and 4x4 raised box on the floor.  Straw!!  And, you know, Jake gets almost as excited at frozen chicken backs in the tubes as he does with live rats (which aren’t part of MY plan!)  …..liver maybe..  just thinkin’.

                             

So after the chicken lunch, Jake and Brita get to hang out while I figure out how to cover the window openings so the weather stays on the outside and away from the straw!!  I’ll also have to fence part of it in since Jake kept going to the outside since the tube was on the edge of the building and he thought it might be easier from out there…  FENCING I have!! 

UPDATE – the next day….
Jake, again searching for and finding the chicken in the tube….  what a guy!  He has NO hesitation about standing on his head to get the tube.  Then he takes it and heads out to the yard and finally back to the crate in the garage where he will get to eat the chicken he found!

      

Rain tomorrow so I wanted to get tarps around it so the straw wouldn’t get wet.
My plan was to have CLEAR plastic but had to use what was available so I  
used tarps for the back and far side and resorted to a
sail from an “A” scow which has a VERY high mast so it is very large.  
Not quite done here but after a bit more work it looks like a wrapped sardine can!

What we DO for our Dogs!!

 

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Jake guarding - Brita snoozing...

Dogs hunting!!

I tell ‘em…  “get that rabbit” because rabbits are eating my stuff!  Remember those carrots I planted….

      

Dogs and digging!!

Dogs dig.  That’s just the way it is.

The key I think is to have them dig in the right places and on command. 

It started with Ari digging in water.  Every time he did I would very excitedly say DIG DIG!!  It didn’t take long before he learned what “DIG” meant!  Then came the sandbox…  took him there and told him to DIG again I’m sure he thought “oh my, how exciting!”  Easy as that!  Built him a 12 x 12 diggers paradise sandbox!  He continued to think it was the greatest thing to do whether it was sand or water.  Eventually the pool turned into a sandbox and I learned that cutting the bottom out was a smart thing to do!

Now I have 2 diggers and am excited about that..  they chase each other to the sandbox and take turns digging.  Brita was not too much of a digger until she saw how much fun it was so she started too.  Jake picked it up instantly and now he helps me around the years…  I get the shovel out and he comes running.  Also, I learned that he loved to dig and pull out buckthorn trees which are invasive.  Apparently, the roots have a unique smell because he will dig and put his nose in the dirt, take a deep sniff and if it is a buckthorn will start digging and then pull it out by the roots….  the bigger the better, here’s another post! 

Now their sandbox is the former pool…  it’s perfect!   It has become the place of choice to hang out when we’re just hanging in the yard!

And finally..  remember I said cut the bottom out…  well here is what happened if you don’t….  sand…  rain… no where to drain  =  mud!

    

 

 

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New footballs!!!

Racoon…. or Brita??

Happy New Year 2013!

It’s morning and light out…

omg … it’s still snowing…  been for 2 days..  sure we’re only going to get an inch or 2!  The snow “storm” has a name now so we got way more than that!! 

Sure is pretty though…  very light and fluffy!!

 

UPDATE:  9am  …Jake is not so thrilled… he will be when I go out with him!

 

later in the day….  ok..  it can stop snowing anytime now…

 

Merry Christmas 2012

 

More snow pictures!