Goodbye, Good Dog

It’s hard to lose a member of your family.  It doesn’t matter if the loved one has two or four legs, you still grieve.  This week we lost a loyal, honest, loving family member, our granddog, Louie.  My first pictures of him date from November of 2009 when he was a rangy pup, and continue through the years as he graced our lives. 

Louie never asked for much, but he gave plenty.  He gave his human mom, our daughter-in-law, Debi, a jogging partner and another dog to cherish after the loss of her beloved Molly.  He helped our grandchildren, Gage, Myles and Mallory through the rigors of their teenage years.  And he gave our son, Brian, comfort in the knowledge that he would be there to protect the family.  As far as I know, Louie never actually had to engage a threat, but his deep, fierce bark was certainly a deterrent.  

John and I treasured the times Louie spent his “vacation” with us while his family took trips he could not share.  He got along with the Bagley Pack in its various configurations, and especially loved going to the farm with its amazing variety of sights and scents.  

Louie was always happy, obedient and anxious to please.  Here are some of my other favorite photos of him.

I have shared before a piece entitled, “Loyalty,” printed below.  It deserves to be shared again.  If I needed to put a face on it, Louie would certainly fit the description.

“Loyalty”

God summoned a beast from the fields and He said, “Behold people created in My image. Therefore, adore them.  You shall protect them in the wilderness, shepherd their flocks, watch over their children, accompany them wherever they may go — even into civilization.  You shall be a companion, an ally, a slave.

“To do these,” God said, “I endow you with instincts uncommon to other beasts: faithfulness, devotion and understanding surpassing that of people.  Lest it impair your courage, you shall never foresee your death.  Lest it impair your loyalty, you shall be blind to the faults of people.  Lest it impair your understanding, you are denied the power of words.  Let no fault of language cleave an accord beyond that of people with any other beast — or even people with other people.  Speak to your people only with your mind and through your honest eyes.

“Walk by their sides; sleep in their doorways; forage for them; ward off their enemies; carry their burdens; share their afflictions; love them and comfort them.  And in return for this, people will fulfill your needs and wants — which shall be only food, shelter and affection.

“So be silent, and be a friend to people.  Guide them along the way to this land that I have promised them.  This shall be your destiny and your immortality.”  So spoke the Lord.

And the dog heard and was content.

Author Unknown

Source:

Herding Dogs—Progressive Training 

by Virgil S. Holland

Farewell, Good Dog.  I am comforted to think that on your passing you were greeted by Lucky Dog, Feathers, Nickie and perhaps Jack and Rudy, and that all of you will be waiting to greet us as well when we say our goodbyes and travel on.

.  

The Merry Months of May and June

We got a pleasant surprise in early May.  After a year's vacancy, the owl house is again occupied.  We saw Owlivia, and eastern screech owl, sitting in the door dozing.  Presumably her owlets have hatched and it's a little crowded inside, not to mention hot. 

We have watched their shadows flying to and fro from the owl house just at dusk for several evenings.  After the house wasn't used last year, we moved it to a different location farther from the BBQ pit and outdoor fireplace.  I guess that is what the owls wanted.  This Owlivia is a different bird from the female that has been our backyard resident for several years.  Owlivia #1 was gray, and this one is what they call the brown morph.  She is beautiful and we hope she and Oliver will be regular residents.

Screech owls weren't the only ones to have new babies this spring.  Rue's and my herding instructor, Michele McGuire of Paws4Ewe stock dog training welcomed a new litter of pups. Here they are at two weeks with their mom, Bugsy.

And here are a couple of them at six weeks.  It's a treat to get a "puppy fix" when Rue and I visit each week.

Michele's mare, Marley, was also having a good time the last time we visited.

We recently had a very special visit with good friends Jimmy Joe and Danine Jacks.  JJ, you may recall, has been my friend since we were in grade school.  He and Nine were our companions and tour guides in 2012 and 2013 when we visited them in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 

We only had a couple of days together this trip, as they were in the States for a grand-daughter's wedding.  We did have time for a good visit and to share some excellent Texas steaks, though.  

We look forward to spending more time with Jimmy Joe and Nine soon.  If they don't come back "home" soon for another visit, we may pack up and go to see them!

It has been a lovely spring at the farm, with good rains early in the year.  Spiderwebs covered with dew often adorn last year's dry vegetation when we go for our morning walks.

For once, winter wasn't followed immediately by summer.  It was really spring for several glorious months...and that was much appreciated.  We have had rain, and ants have been protecting their burrows by building little walls around them...to keep out the water I assume. 

Rue and Colt discovered the remains of a mouse nest in this birdhouse.  They tried very hard to get inside, but when they could not they settled for keeping watch in hopes the resident would return.

Kota discovered some fresh cow poop to roll in, then when we got back to Austin she polished off her new perfume with the essence of something very dead.  John had to wash her down with dish soap before he even dared to take her to the dog spa for a thorough scrubbing.  It was her first visit, and she was very proud of the ribbons and bows she came home with.  

The wildflowers at the farm have been lovely as well.  Some are recognizable, like these wine cups and prickly pear cactus blooms.  

Others, while just as beautiful, may be called weeds.  We love them all.

Summer did come, though.  Late May and early June have been unseasonably warm...no, HOT.  But the heat didn't keep a number of dedicated handlers and their dogs from showing up on June 2 at Destiny Farm near Bertram for a chance to compete.  Most of the dogs competing were border collies, like Jamie Swanson's Kimber,

and Mary Carter's Will.

But other herding breeds were represented as well.  Michele McGuire ran Trips, a Berger picard.

And Connie Nelin competed with Marty, the briard.

In spite of the heat, there was a lot of cool stuff going on.