I was recently reminded that my blog had been pretty quiet lately so I'm taking a minute to send Happy Birthday wishes to our Solo x Ruby puppies who just have turned a year old.

Thanks to Susan for this picture of Noche' - we share ownership of this feisty young gal; Susan's been great about getting her out and about to obedience, agility and herding lessons.

and to Sally for sending along this picture from Montana of Tilly and her friend Wally. I'm so fortunate to have had you folks find me and choose a puppy from this combination!

In other news, the puppies from Trouble begin to leave home this coming week, lightening the puppy responsibilities and giving me some time to spend with our girl Una who has been getting the short end of the stick she says. We have Birdie's puppies coming along to also help fill in that time!

The chickens have been growing and growing and will be ready for their final adventure on June 20! Now how much closer to free-range can you get, guys? We did see a fat garter snake in their yard yesterday; I think it may be a mother snake full of babies - I doubt they'll be around long in that yard though.


Yesterday we hatched out 2 pea chicks - they're hard for me to keep going though - so we'll see how these fare. The piggies are growing well and have made themselves a sort of nest in the duff under the pines in their yard; as with most of our pigs, they have interesting and delightful personalities making it difficult when the time comes to part with them. Chuck Draxler brought over 6 big hefty steers a couple weeks ago - Trouble has been working with them to get them dog broke for our summer clinic and trial. She loves and is good at it!