Wandering Shadows & Other Tails

I suspect that's a drop in the bucket for what you'll need getting through winter.

I see the chains on the lawn tractor. Were those for Winter or so you've got traction to pull that trailer?
 
That old Bolens tractor with a high / low range gearbox and will pull far more than the 'little' load shown behind it there so long as you have the traction, in low / low with a big load the only danger is you can stand it on its end! The chains stay on the tractor year round but it is rarely used in the winter but is the equipment of choice getting wood out of the bush from the narrower trails......
 
RuralKanuck said:
It lasted for much of that first summer but after that he quickly learned that even heavier rope could be chewed through and we had to move to a light chain. He now is rarely tied up except when out after dark and does not chew on the current somewhat heaver and longer rope, but I still have that chain handy if needed!
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Do you leave your dog out all night?
 
I missed Maisey's birthday. It was on the 3rd. How can I do that? She turned 5.

Maisey does manage to get in my lap. All 51 pounds of her. It's a hoot when she does it when I'm sitting on the porch in the lawn chair. But she manages.

I never asked you what your reaction was when she brought the pup to you.
 
At that point having not that long ago had to put down Nikki who comforted me upon the loss of my wife to cancer I was not even sure I wanted another dog but my daughter knew better. The first few days were 'interesting' in that all my previous five companions came to me quite a bit older and already 'trained' (potty wise) and I was not fully prepared for that challenge.
However it did not take long for that little fellow to worm his way into my heart and there were more interesting times over the next couple of years but he now roams free most of the time and rarely wanders far from my side. I just thanked my daughter for the best gift ever!
 
I know. Remember I said no more. Then I saw Maisey and it was all over.

Shadow has given you so much more than you ever imagined he would. The same with Maisey.

I just came in from mowing the weeds in the fenced area. I'm totally ignoring the back for now. These blasted trees and their limb drops is creating so much more work before I can get the mower out there.
 
officerripley said:
Those of you with kids who can take in a pet if something happens to you are lucky. I worry about what will happen to our dog if she outlives both Huzz and me, which she probably will since she's so young.
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I have the same concerns. I have a neighbor and my vet who would would move heaven and earth to find them homes. One is spoken for but I told the person that wants Mike he had to take Pete too since they're bonded. Maisey is old enough now I'm sure I'll outlive her. Trixie is the oldest and probably will go before or right around the same time as Maisey.
 
I also worry about what if Huzz and I both ended up in the hospital at the same time, who to take care of our doggie. It's too bad because I'd like to always have a dog, I love them so much and they're so much company but it seems like it's usually not a good idea for the elderly (which is unfortunate because in my old age I could really use the company).
 
officerripley said:
I love them so much and they're so much company but it seems like it's usually not a good idea for the elderly (which is unfortunate because in my old age I could really use the company).
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Whilst I do have a son here at home he is working 8 to 10 hrs most days and without Shadow to help pass the long hours, if only to be letting him in and out several times a day, I dont know what I would do.......
 
Boarding is an option if you both ended up in the hospital. My neighbors would watch mine but I'd have to board Maisey. Her separation anxiety and medical needs would need to be dealt with by a professional.

And what @RuralKanuck said, even facing those possibilities having them in our lives is worth the risk.

What I won't get any more of are cats unless it's really old. The one I have left now is 15 and still getting around. I don't need a young cat that would be hard to place if something happened to me.
 
Memories of those first few days 3 years ago, previously posted on another forum as our friend Robin knows......

My new pup 'Shadow' was very quiet and subdued yesterday which was to be expected the first day away from mum and his siblings but is quite a bit more active this morning and I see I am going to have to move our winter boots from the rack in the mud room / greenhouse where he overnights!
I also see that he has kindly left some deposits every place but in the tray provided, I had forgotten about these little challenges as all my previous dogs where a year or older when they joined us and their youngsters were adopted out before they were the 6 weeks this fellow is now.
It looks like I am going to have to build a temporary ramp as the front steps are a bit much for the little guy as yet but he weighs a ton and a bit much for me to pickup and carry, There are no handles on a dog eh!

Just a couple more of those memories to come before I go back to wandering my woods instead of my memory....
 
A further look back a the first few days with that little pup that has now grown into a much larger very active indispensable companion. I am glad to say that he is now 3 years later done with the chewing on everything stage!

Several big steps forward yesterday, he has now decided he is not so timid after all and wants to play and follow me much of the time which is great. He has also mastered the front steps, I simply left the leash on and the door open and he made his way out the first time on his own and is now in and out on a regular basis.
The light weight tie out does not bother him at all but not fond of a leash with owner on other end. Did take him for a walk however and so long as he takes me for a walk rather than the other way around it works fine, just going to take a little time, all coming along better than I envisaged.
How did I ever manage without a doggy companion for those few months since Nikki passed?
 
robin416 said:
I have the same thought.
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Me too. But I had a dog rescue person tell me this morning, when I told her I was torn about adopting because I was worried about what would happen to the doggie if she outlived Huzz or me, tell me that I should not adopt unless I'm 100 percent sure. I was hoping she might say something like "Oh, don't worry about that, if it happened, our organization would take the doggie back & find her a home." But nope. She did tell me there was an organization like that but they're 4 hours away from here. Oh, to live closer to civilization, how I long for that...
 
I'm sure you saw my response about outliving our pets. Mine are already taken care of if I should leave them behind.

Adopting an older animal is not a bad thing. I've got one. They guessed she was 6 or 7 when I got her. She's been a good girl and is smart. Tell her no once and that's it. Not saying that's what you'd end up with but it is possible.
 
officerripley said:
Me too. But I had a dog rescue person tell me this morning, when I told her I was torn about adopting because I was worried about what would happen to the doggie if she outlived Huzz or me, tell me that I should not adopt unless I'm 100 percent sure. I was hoping she might say something like "Oh, don't worry about that, if it happened, our organization would take the doggie back & find her a home." But nope. She did tell me there was an organization like that but they're 4 hours away from here. Oh, to live closer to civilization, how I long for that...
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Its such a shame when you have to make that choice and there are no friends or relatives to take on the responsibility, I simply cannot imagine being in that position and it reinforces my fortune to have a son and daughter who would not hesitate to look after him.
My buddy went for a 'walk about' first thing this morning on my 40 acres and was not back in his usual 15 min, I refuse to have him 'on the chain' all the time and know he will always come back but am like a worried grandparent when he takes his time to return.....
 
robin416 said:
I'm sure you saw my response about outliving our pets. Mine are already taken care of if I should leave them behind.
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Mine wouldn't be. The only family I have nearby are a nephew and niece-in-law and they are wonderful people but my NIL is not a pet person; she's a baby & toddler person (which is fortunate for her kids and grandkids since she's such a great mom and grandmom).
 
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