Our trip home from Wyoming was fairly uneventful… If you consider a trip to the emergency vet clinic in Colorado Springs uneventful. Dutch have been feeling poorly for a few days, and had began refusing food. We were concerned, so stopped in to have him checked out. We arrived late afternoon, and we’re allowed to park in there lot overnight. Dutch was diagnosed with acute gastric distress, and given medication for the problem. This is not an uncommon thing for him when we are traveling, but we were glad it was not more serious.
Early the next morning, Mike Lupow met us at the clinic to deliver Badger, a four year-old Border Collie that will be riding back to Texas with us. She has no interest in herding sheep, so she is going to a pet home with Georgia Canfield and her husband Travis Brown.
Badger was a great traveler. She fit in nicely with our dogs, And was a joy to have around. But talk about a small world…. I knew the person who would be picking up Badger was named Georgia, but it was not until she and Travis arrived that we realized we knew each other. Rolling back the clock a number of years, Georgia and I worked for different law firms in the same building. 20+ years ago, we saw each other most mornings when we arrived to work out in the gym at 111 Congress Ave. It was a delightful surprise, and I know Badger will have an amazing home with Georgia and Travis.
No sooner had we settled back in at the farm, then it was time to celebrate our nations 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. The dogs agreed to pose (briefly) and we enjoyed a celebratory supper with Jack and Vivian Christensen.
There were fireworks in nearby communities, but John and I opted to put our feet up and watch them on the big screen TV. I must admit, watching the amazing display from Washington DC was much more memorable than any local fireworks show could have been. The following are just a few of the images I could capture from the TV with my cell phone. Pale and comparison to the real thing, I’m sure, but we enjoyed the show.
We ended the week by watching the livestream as good friends, Wendy Auzqui, Linda Lulias and Rhonda Plecher competed in the 2026 Calvalry Stampede Championship Sheep Dog Trial. None of them took home prize money this year, but they and their dogs gave a good account of themselves. So glad this event is live-streamed so we can enjoy in real time.
Everything is pretty normal at the farm, except we lost the second angora nanny that we know of since they came to live at Goat Hill. Allan found one dead nanny while we were on our trip, and this makes the second. Neither death was caused by a predator, and we have no idea why they passed.
August arrived before we knew it, and we were able to enjoy a great weekend with Allan and Jef, along with all the McElhanys and Carmodys. As I mentioned earlier, we had a style show from the thrift bag I had brought from Wyoming. Then, Rachel, Laura and I put our wits together to solve what looks like a very simple jigsaw puzzle, but which kept us busy for most of the afternoon. Cousin Rosie enjoyed hanging out with us, especially when she could claim the landing at the top of the stairs.
The Dutch x Meg pups are now eight months old, and are looking more and more like dogs every day. They are approaching their parents in size, but are still puppies at heart, and very affectionate.
Paula Kunetka comes over regularly to bring their littermate, Possum, to play and get acquainted with sheep. Here, he is learning patience in close proximity to the sheep.
