Surprise!

Life is full of surprises, and today we got one of the pleasant variety.  When we went down to check the cows, we found #7 with a new bull calf.  

We hadn't expected this cow to calve for at least another month,  but she wasted no time in producing her 2020 offspring.  We hope he will be joined by a little brother or sister in the next few days.  

A Very Special Day

May 31 was a very special day.  It marked the seventh anniversary of Rue’s joining the Bagley Pack.  Not long after losing Nickie to a rattlesnake bite, we had seen Rue's photo and videos on the All Border Collie Rescue site.  We thought she would be a good fit for our family.  The approval process was thorough; after filling out a lengthy application and telephone interview, we also had a home visit.  Finally, ABCR was convinced we were a suitable home, and we were approved.  Then came another wait while transportation by volunteers was arranged to bring Rue from Tulsa to Austin.  At last, on May 31, 2013, she arrived.  She came with her name.  It could refer to a plant whose leaves are used in herbal medicine.  Or, it could mean "bitterly regret."  We prefer think it came from the French word for street, since she was picked up as a stray on the streets of Tulsa.  She has been a challenge as well as a joy, but we couldn’t imagine life without our Rue.  She is our beloved companion as well as a confident cattle dog, and she loves helping with our cows.

We celebrated Rue’s adoption anniversary with an ice cream picnic.  (What else would it be on a picnic table?)  Everyone politely ate their own…

...but when Rue saw Cody eyeing her almost-empty cup, she quickly grabbed it and retreated to the yard to finish.

Cody wore a bit of his above his eyebrow,

but everyone had a fine time.