Step 47

We had a full day today. In case, you were wondering, I took it easy and lots of breaks. I even took a 30 minute nap later in the afternoon.

My chest hurt and it woke me up at 7ish so I took a 1/2 perco. Finally it quit hurting so bad but I could feel it. I took my meds at nine and then it felt much better. It is not as sore when I touch it. The scar has gone form an angry red scar to a thin red line.

We started off by having breakfast, coffee and reading my email. Then off to a lesson with Irene and Rascal. Rascal did the first part of his lesson in the round pen and then his second session they worked in the big field. He did very well and Irene was so happy. He has come quite far and they are a good working team now. I am pleased that they are working in the big field. Being patient and making sure they had a good solid foundation has paid off.

Nancy and Courtney were next. Nancy has to be the most cheerful person that I know. Talking to her is like soaking in a ray of sunshine. I enjoy chatting with her!!

Blaze was a real pistol today and he even blew me off (as is totally ignoring me). Nancy did the stall exercise with him and that seemed to help. Then she worked him dragging a long line and he decided to show how well behaved he was. Their other dogs did well and Courtney even got Logan to hold a single and move her to another pasture. Jack just looks better and better each time.

That was a nice morning working some talented dogs. It wasn’t too hot or too cold. It was perfect for working dogs!!

Jennifer came later in the day with Flink and Atom. Last time I saw Atom, he was about two months old. He worked well at that age and reminded me of Tess when she was that age also. Courtney worked Atom in the round pen and he was very biddable and had nice square flanks. Flink worked in the big field and at first she was pushy. We worked on a steady (lie) command and by the end she was steadying quite well and rating better. She can be ready to run in a Novice trial in a few months. She is a very quick study and works the sheep with authority but doesn't scare them.

Monique and Janet worked dogs later in the day while I fussed about. I did odd chores in the barn and also sat and watched their lessons. I made sure that I sat in the barn in the shade which was a good idea as it was hot, hot!!

For the rest of the day, I decided that I was tired and then did some house work. I need to get caught up on housework as I am falling behind. I can't lift heavy stuff but I can sure sweep, mop, dust, sort and just plan clean up. The girls and I took a nap and it would have been longer but Tess snored so loud that she woke me up!!!

Chuck came over and worked Teddy, Clip and Rainey in the big field. I am sure he thought that I was mad when I told him to work Clip and Rainey in the big field but they were ready for it. They worked about 25 sheep and did well. When a sheep would break away, they would recover it and put it back into the flock. They just need miles on them now.

We had deep fried catfish and French fries tonight. I told Jeff if he got catfish I would make him deep fried fish and fries. Chuck joined us for dinner and I am sure our arteries are slowing down due to the deep fried dinner but it was good. I am not sure what to make for dinner tomorrow night but it will be healthy to balance out what we ate tonight.

Now, later at night my chest is much better. I am 118 lbs now and have a good appetite. I do get short of breath when I am whistling. That takes a lot more that you think. I am doing whistles when I am not working the dogs. That seems to help open and work my lungs. It is much more fun than blowing into the air puffer.

It has been a little over seven weeks since the surgery. I am healing but still have some issues. It will take time but I am patient. The only way to can climb a huge mountain is one step at a time. I am on STEP 47 today.

Nan and the bone

The girls got some raw bones today. Nan loves her raw bones. She knows she can not bring them into the house but has to eat them on the front lawn. She doesn't like to share her bones either. Here she is next to the front porch.

"Yum, tum, this is so tasty. I am so happy!"

"Oh no, I must take off with my bone to a safe spot"

Perhaps this is the reason why?

....boring days...

My chest still hurts. I took a long nap today. I took a nap yesterday. I have been taking the 1/2 perco to help me through the days. I figured by now my chest wouldn't hurt so much. But it is.

So needless to say, I haven't been doing much except sleep during the day and then the night. BORING....well, I worked Nan and Tess a little bit. I tossed the ball for all the dogs. I fed the animals.

I was going to do some housecleaning but didn't get very far. I got as far as lying on the bed and taking a nap.

The Doctor has me on blood thinning meds so that is another pill to take. Jeff preps my pills because I would mess up.

But aside from the pain, I did manage to prep dinner for the last two night. Last night we had "Ginger/soy baked chicken" and tonight we had "Italian Seasoned Bottom steak". I know that Jeff was getting tired of doing dinners as well as everything else. So now that I can do dinners, that will ease the load for him.

I sure hope that my chest pain goes away as that puts a damper on stuff.....more tomorrow

Mortal Enemies

The "Universal Rule" states that cats and dogs are "MORTAL ENEMIES"

Chase, attack and kill at all cost. Cats are to be be chased by dogs. They are nice furry live animals

Well, the "Universal Rule" does not apply here at all. When Rigby, all 6 weeks old, arrived he promptly let the Border Collies and Great Pyrenees that *HE* was the boss. No if, and or buts about it.

Dripping wet at 6 pounds to the two Great Pyrenees 125 pounds plus, he let them know it was "cat chase the dog across the pasture" game and not the other way around. Yep, these LGD would would kill a coyote were be in a dead run across the pasture, tail between their legs while a tiny kitten was in full pursuit. After a bit, they would chase each other and then throw themselves on the ground to sleep as a team

So then Rigby made sure the Border Collies understood that he was boss. Tess and Rigby formed a tight bond and would hang out. Rigby quickly discovered that Nan was terrified of cats and therefore she made an easy target. He would lie in wait for her and chase her up to the house, down to the barn and the occasion he was let in the house, he would chase her out of her dog bed.

Today we tossed the ball. Rigby heard the fun and came dashing to investigate. He saw the dogs playing ball and ran up to them. Tess was waiting for me to toss the ball. He had to rub against her and she ignored him. Nan, meanwhile saw him and dashed off as you can see.

Having scared Nan off then Rigby decided he needed to get into the ball tossing adventure. When you toss a ball for Border Collies, the ALPHA dog gets in front gts closest to the ball and the lesser dominant ones lie up behind the *BOSS DOG*

Or in this case, the *BOSS CAT*

I really didn't do much that last few days. My chest still hurts and I am taking it easy. So I have been sitting on my front porch, tossing the ball for the dogs, drinking lemonade and reading. worked the girls for a little bit but mainly trying to heal the owie!! I will post more tomorrow,

This is the view that I have sitting on my front porch. It's so beautiful. Peaceful and quiet.

View from front porch, looking directly out. This is the path to the upper driveway.


The little woodsy Park to the left. Several large trees, ferns and flowers.


Same view. The pups loved to play in this woodsy area. There is a huge log laying on its side and they loved to scramble over it. It also made for some cool hiding spots so they could bushwhack each other. It is one of my favorite places on the farm.

This view is looking to the right of the front porch. There is a pond directly in front of you. My garden is in front where the bare earth is.

TThis is looking to the left from the front porch. This is a large stump with huckleberries on it.

This is the front porch. To the left is my garden (or what is left of it).

Enjoy the view. I sure did.