Meet Jack - Samson's New Dog

Samson is lonely. He's been the only backyard animal since Tuesday... so today we got him a dog.

Meet Jack!

Jack is 4-years old, and a lab/hound mix. He's shy, but good tempered. He is used to cows, horses, ducks, and other dogs, so we figured he'd be okay with Samson and the chickens.

The "boys" weren't too sure of each other at first:

 

 

But, then they sniffed each other out:

 

 

Then Jack barked, and spooked Samson a bit. He went to stand by Donovan - like he can really hide. :)

 

They are still getting to know each other... we hope they'll become friends, but they're both a bit skittish right now.

PS - the goats are pretty tasty. :)

Two Weeks In...

I am two weeks into my PhD program. The first week was completely overwhelming, just trying to adjust to being back in school, setting aside time for reading, researching, writing, and responding to my classmates. The second week was better; I'm hoping that by the fourth week I've settled into a routine!

I do seem to have a great cohort group; most seem interactive, prompt to post, and thorough in their responses. I suppose that's the benefit of the degree we are seeking; we know what to expect and how to to help one another along the way.

So - 2 weeks down, 206 to go!

Donovan's New Coat

Donovan opened a gift from Earl and Katie - a jean jacket that has been passed down from his great-grandfather.

It won't fit for long - but it's a wonderful family heirloom. Once Donovan outgrows it, I think we'll put it in a shadow-box with the story of the jacket and the patch.

Audri & Samson

The kids are here! Audri quickly asked to help feed Samson:

It's going to be a great summer!

Summer Plans

It seems that summer might actually be here! We have thought so twice before, but then it's turned colder again. Now our fingers are crossed that it's here to stay.

The kids will be here next weekend (the 23rd) and we are making summer plans. Of course, with the animals we can't just leave, but we don't need to. I will be headed North for a week, Audri wants to see her friends in Twin for a week, Josh and Donovan want a few days of boys time in the woods (something about getting dirty and not caring)... we have passes to the water park, we dug out our rafts and can float the river... we want to explore Idaho a bit and head to Silver City (a ghost-town about an hour away) and few other places as day-trips.

We're not entirely sure what the summer will bring, but we're excited that it's here!

Changes on the Farm

Farm life is exciting - but hard. 

Wednesday night we were out for a couple of hours. When we returned, our goats had jumped the fence into our neighbors yard... it's a 6-foot fence!

When we went to retrieve the goats, they had escaped the neighbors yard as well, and were gone. We haven't been able to find them - we no longer have goats.

Thursday Josh was able to get the garden planted. :) There is still room to plant more, and we'll probably add to the garden in the next few weeks. 

Saturday was raining on and off all day. Peter has been sick, and Saturday he took a turn for the worse. He wouldn't get up at all. We knew when we went to bed that he probably wouldn't make it through the night... Sunday morning when we got up, he was gone. This was the last picture I had taken of him - he'd been sick for a few days, and stayed curled up against the fence for most of the last week of his life.

Samson has grown tremendously. He loves to eat; he actually stands at the back door and moos when he's hungry, because he knows we come out of that door with the bottle for him. :) 

He gets so excited to eat his back legs shake! He will come when called - if Josh steps outside and whistles, Samson will trot over to him. 

Samson needs a new friend now; he looks pretty lonely in the backyard by himself. Josh wants to get him a puppy, but my heart is hurting right now. We'll get Samson a friend soon, but I need a few more days.

The farm is growing...

After getting our cows, one of our neighbors offered us a couple of goats. His daughter needed to downsize (she had 5 goats, and only wanted 2), so they were giving some away. The mama had just finished weaning her baby, so we were given both of them. :)

Bella - the mama

Thumper - the baby... he loves to climb on the paver stones Josh has stacked on the patio. Eventually, these stones will become part of a retaining wall... for now, they are Thumper's obstacle course.

Samson - he loves to play. :) As soon as Bella and Thumper entered the yard, he bounded over to meet the new animals and make friends... Bella was terrified, and still won't have anything to do with him. Poor guy.

We hope to plant our garden in the next week or so as well. The farm is well under way!