Week #25 - Bring treats..

“Once you have had a wonderful dog,
a life without one, is a life diminished.”
—Dean Koontz (author, Whispers)

Any visitors to the farm, have undoubtedly met Avery.... she's hard to miss! Part Newfie and part who-knows-what, she's a big dog with a bigger personality. 

Avery came to us through the Winnipeg Humane Society several years ago.... after we lost our previous dog of many years, our farm (and hearts) were ready for another. 

Never ones to shy away from a challenge, we headed to the back of the shelter, where dogs that are 'hard to adopt' can be found. Avery had been adopted out twice before but things had not worked out. She reportedly could not be kenneled and destroyed the house trying to get out. Listening to Avery's story, it was clear that she was a dog that needed room to roam and a family that could help her learn to trust again. She clearly had anxiety anytime she was confined and hated being inside. The farm was perfect for her. 

We set things up so she could come and go into the insulated barn or garage but worked to gain her confidence. It took two years, but we finally got her to voluntarily come into our home and she now does so daily and as you can see is a wonderful family dog. She remains anxious when confined and we would never leave her in our home without someone with her. 

Outside, she is the queen of the farm, ranging around and making sure all is as it should. She is a good protector of our other animals... although she certainly will steal an egg if you leave them lying around!

Next time you come and visit, be sure you stop and say hi to Avery... she likes belly rubs and won't say no to a treat, if you are so inclined!  

Week 5 - Winter's embrace

February brings us fully into winter's cold embrace.... For us February is a month of ordering seeds, planning where and what we will plant, and repairing and cleaning equipment (well at least in theory, we should be doing this... at times the warm fire is more welcoming).

On days like today, it feels a bit like winter's embrace is more like a headlock... The wind and snow are creating challenges everywhere, with road closures and flickering power outages. 

However, regardless of the weather, chores must be done and work has to continue. The animals need more care and attention than ever in order to keep warm and healthy so out we go....

How do we deal with the snow and cold? 

Engineer crazy sled inventions from recycled things!

Dress warm!

Some of us enjoy it more than others!

How do you embrace winter? Whether you are a hibernator or a snow lover, here's hoping you have a healthy dose of whatever makes you happy today! Stay warm!

Week #4 - Going to the birds!

Winter can be hard on all beings, both two legged and four. During winter we could all use a leg up, a boost.. a helping hand. 

For the chickadees that comes in the form of seed cakes we make from saved bacon fat and bird seed. This keeps the seed together, instead of scattered all over. I find in the winter if it scatters, its lost after the next snow fall. 

The bacon fat which we use in place of suet is a great source of energy for the birds, which helps keep them warm during the coldest days. 

The cakes are easy to place in the crooks of trees and elsewhere where the birds can eat in peace. 

Selfishly, we also put one on the bench near our window so that we can watch them come and go! 

Now if we could just teach Avery (our Newfie dog) that the chickadees are OK and not a threat! 

Well glad that's done...

FFF Photo a Day - Day 363

Well after 104 days, countless worry and a good deal of time and energy (not to mention money), Avery's leg has healed. 

Today the pin was taken out of her leg and the vet told us he didn't want to see us again... "unless she does something stupid!"

While her activity level will still have to be controlled, and it will take months to re-build muscle mass... no more casts, cones or sedatives! Yay! 

Blessings for everyone...

FFF Photo a Day - Day 360

Feeling blessed and grateful for all things big and small today. Even Avery discovered a little something for herself this morning.

Hope this message finds you surrounded by love and gratitude. Count your blessings folks! 

Snow... glorious snow!

FFF Photo a Day - Day 351

We are finally getting some snow... and while driving is terrible and there will likely be school closures and chaos tomorrow... everyone, both two and four legged, on the farm seems to have an extra spring in their step! 

Avery particularly was almost purring with contentment as she rolls in the snow! 

Cast away!

FFF Photo a Day - Day 344

Super excited for Avery (dog) who got her cast off after 12 weeks! She is still hobbling around but it's great to see some progress! 

Poor Pup Part Five

FFF Photo a Day - Day 337

The saga of our poor pup continues... Avery's leg is healing but very slowly. 

She's moved from a full cast to a splint (which she chewed through in short order). The cone has been 90% successful in keeping her from doing so again! 

Next vet visit we are hopeful that she will graduate to a soft bandage! Our poor pup! 

Puppy pose

FFF Photo a Day -Day 321

The saga of our poor pooch continues... Avery has been recovering from a broken leg for over two months now. At the last vet visit, they ordered 4 more weeks of cast and confinement. 

We are running out of sweatshirts to put on her (they keep her from chewing her cast off..) but it is all good for a giggle once in a while. #puppypose

Love at the end of the day...

FFF Photo a Day - Day 317

At the end of a long day full of stress, strain and struggles, its so wonderful to bask in the simple love and acceptance that only a dog can give.... well as long as I keep scratching her ears!

The saddest eyes....

FFF Photo a Day - Day 307

Avery has the saddest eyes these days....

Two weeks ago she went to the vet to get her cast off and they weren't happy with how well it was healing and prescribed another two weeks in the cast. 

She promptly set about chewing it off her leg, hence the attire..

Tomorrow she goes back to the vet....fingers crossed, prayers and best wishes accepted! Let's hope they relent and free this sad dog! 

Four weeks and counting...

Avery lying in the sun, looking dopey but adorable.

FFF Photo a Day - Day 292

For anyone who follows the farm regularly, you will know that Avery, our Newfie cross farm dog suffered a mysterious injury that broke her front leg a little over four weeks ago.... 

Avery came to us from the Humane Society after two unsuccessful adoptions as she became significantly anxious (and destructive) when kept inside. (a kennel or even a house). We felt we might be able to give Avery what she needed... freedom to be outside with an option to come inside on her own terms. 

While she would come and go from the heated barn or garage willingly, it took over two years for her to trust us and come inside the house. 

Needless to say, this injury has been challenging... with orders to kennel her for a full eight weeks, we have had to compromise given her significant claustrophobia. 

After some false starts (bent kennel, destroyed steel door), we've settled on a combination of sedatives, supervised indoor & outdoor time with the remaining time being confined to the garage. 

Tuesday she gets her cast off (we hope) and while her confinement will continue for several weeks hopefully she will have healed well and an end will be in sight! 

A long eight weeks...

FFF Photo a Day - Day 259

Avery came home today. After badly breaking her front leg, she's had surgery and starts a 8 week recovery period in a kennel with a cast... this is going to be fun! #notreally #poorpuppy

Lazy dog days...

FFF Photo a day - Day 190

It's getting hot! When that happens you can usually find Avery (our Newfie cross) hiding in the garage where its cooler.... 

Today I found her thus.... 

Hair of the dog?!

FFF Photo a Day - Day 159

Our dog, Avery (Newfie cross) is a hairy beast! 

As she spends much of her time outside all year round she grows a significant coat which keeps her both warm and cool as needed. However in the spring time she sheds her downy undercoat for the summer. 

Several times a week for several weeks this means spending time with brush and cattle comb brushing her out. 

As I look at the pile of downy fur I wonder if I could make felt with it like sheep's wool? What do you think... a new product from the farm? :) 

Please Mum, it's time to play!

FFF Photo a Day - Day 123

It was a busy weekend of seeding potatoes, kale and swiss chard. 

This afternoon, Avery had had enough of us ignoring her and decided she was going to insist. A 125 llb dog sitting in the middle of your seeding area, tends to interrupt you! So.... we went and played! 

I've fallen and can't get up?

FFF Photo a Day - Day 119 

Yesterday I rounded the corner of the house and was greeted by this sight! Avery was sound asleep in this bizarre position. 

I'm not sure if she tumbled down the front steps and just decided to stay put and have a nap or if she simply found this to be the most comfortable posture to snooze in... Crazy dog! 

Tricks of Light

FFF Photo a Day - Day 108 

We all know that light can make or break a picture. It is why I often head out either early morning or late evening when the sun casts some interesting shadows! 

Tonight on my walkabout I snapped a quick photo of Avery our farm dog and thought the result was a bit otherworldly! 

Through the accident of overexposure and light, she looks like she's surrounded by white light instead of just lying on the road!      

A Walkabout

FFF Photo a Day - Day 95

My daughter and I went for a meander today. Not a long one as the wind was cold on the ears as we rounded the corner! She on her bike and I on foot accompanied of course by Avery (our dog) as always. 

Happy Easter to those that celebrate and for those that don't, I trust you made good use of the long weekend! 

Don't you wish....

FFF Photo a Day - Day 84

Don't you wish that you could understand what they were trying to tell you....

Their expressive eyes or facial expressions seem to be willing you to understand, to know what they want. 

Avery is one of the most intelligent dogs I know... almost too smart! It gets her into trouble, a lot! Luckily we love her anyway... almost too much!