Winter Bliss!

While my soul may be yearning for the snow and frost to go, I was thrilled to capture this shot of my Canadian mare, Lakota enjoying the crisp air!

Spring Rituals

Well, it may not feel a whole lot like spring, but the spring rituals have begun around the farm. This week the crows arrived in search of nesting material. They swoop in, land on the sheep's backs and just start plucking till they can't hold any more in their beaks and then I watch them fly off over the fields to their nesting site. We have hair sheep (St.Croix and Dorper crosses), so they actually don't get a real type of wool, but actually a hair type of fleece that the sheep actually shed out in the spring. So the sheep actually don't seem to mind the crows landing and plucking (it looks a little rough to me) but with all the snow that is inevitably to come yet this spring, they may regret losing their top coat haha

Yellow Dog Warning System

This is a great new warning system! Please spread the word to help prevent incidents.

Important Health Study on Golden Retrievers

This is a very important study that has just been released on the effects of spaying and neutering on dogs. It is also great that they used Golden Retrievers as well, so even more solid evidence for our breed as to the issues of interfering with the natural growth development of animals.

http://news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=10498#.URxICxYek-k.facebook

Old Dog Love

Lsa (9 years) and Gemma (14 years)

There is nothing like the love and devotion of an older dog. Gemma has had an important influence in our breeding bloodlines, and since longevity is one element that everyone would like to have in their dog, we are pleased to announce another important birthday. Sweet girl Gemma, has just celebrated her 14th birthday!! Both Lsa and Gemma are living the golden years on a farm nearby with a good friend and her family.

Walk With An Old Dog

Because you will not be forever
Hope against time though I may
I paint your picture in my memory
Eyes blue with age, muzzle gone gray

Because you walked with me in springtime
Puppy clumsy, running free
As we grew, we grew together
You became a part of me

Because you shared with me my sorrows
Not understanding, simply there
Often spurring me to laughter
My friend, you know how much I care.

Because the years have slowed your fleetness
Though your spirit still is strong
I promise I will take more time now
So that you can go along.

Because you do not fear the future
Living only in the now
I draw strength from your example
Yet time keeps slipping by, somehow.

Because the day will soon be coming
When I will no longer see
You rise to greet me, but in memory
You will always walk with me.

Author Unknown

Blank Slates

 

I love this time of year. While this time of year seems in some ways to be winding down, in many other times it is the greatest time of renewel. Kids go back to school, and programs to learn or do something start up again and I find that so exciting. I have never understood anyone who wanders around saying they are bored! Just how can you be bored in this world? Opportunities are everywhere to enrich your life or someone elses. I will soon be teaching new classes in the studio and I am the only one teaching many of these techniques in all of central Alberta. I love seeing new people make something they never would have thought they could and the pride in them as they display their accomplishments. So if you are reading this blog from anywhere close to me, come break glass for fun!

New Bashkir Curly Foal!

Sugar has just had a brand new stud colt this morning! He is so sweet and she produces the nicest temperament in her offspring! Looks like he will be a palomino too!