Another Contentious Election

I know you have all been waiting on pins and needles for the outcome of the name election.  I apologize for the the delay in reporting the results, but you know how elections are these days......Here's what happened:

I was trying to find the name that stuck to this little guy and I had some great candidates.  Names have term limits, though, and can't be reelected after already serving a full term.  That knocked out my first choice, along with many others given that I am getting older and have known a lot of animals.  Under pressure from lobbyists and special interest groups, I finally narrowed the choice down to two options and the election began.  

That is when the lobbying really started.

Under pressure from all sides I became disillusioned by both parties.  While the politics were flying hot and heavy, I did what I always do - I hunkered down and played with my puppies.  This particular puppy has an extremely strong sense of self and opinions on everything.  He was completely uninterested in either of the name candidates.  Instead, every morning, he climbs to the highest possible peak (his chair), and proclaims I AM. 

The name is something like: grawrie-arri-orrruuuu

Who am I to argue with such a clear statement?  The only problem was how to translate that into something we pitiful humans can pronounce and use on all those pesky adulting things like vet records and recalls.  So, after even more debate about the pronounceability of Rory or Roarey or Rawrie, Farm Buddy and I did something that seems to have been forgotten in our modern politics - we compromised and agreed on:

Orrie *

*Please note that this was a legitimate election.  My vote counts more than yours because I buy the food, pay the vet, and share my bed with Orrie.  Farm Buddy's vote counts because she is my best friend of nearly 30 years, has to provide babysitting, and will never let me hear the end of it.  Orrie gets a vote because dogs (even baby dogs) should be respected for the amazing, wonderful, intelligent creatures that they are.  There will be no recounts and insurrection attempts will be put down with the shame and ridicule they deserve.    

Welcome to the farm, and to the deep parts of my oft-cracked heart, little Orrie.  

Cast your vote

 The puppy is either going to be Leo because he is a fierce little lion or Aero because he is already very aerodynamic.  What is your vote?

Language Barriers

A visual essay on the fundamental differences between Border Collies and Windsprites....

Connor may not do cuddling and all the touchy-feely stuff, but he loves Cora and is totally accepting of the new puppy.  He is amazingly good with all puppies and he loves having his very own pack.  You aren't ever going to see cute pictures of him snuggling in bed, but he is the best pack leader and mentor a puppy can have and he is very happy with his Windsprites.  Even if the rotten little devil does steal his Frisbee.

You Can't Have Just One

 Windsprites are unusual dogs - quick, clever, silly, snuggly, endearingly naughty.  Sooo naughty.

Their people kept telling me that you can't have just one.  I didn't believe that and we were doing just fine with one - Border Collies and Windsprites go well together.  It is true, though, that they don't always speak the same language.  So, when my friend Ann, who introduced me to the breed in the first place, had a litter of puppies and asked me if I wanted one, I said NO WAY.  But, then I asked Cora and all the other Windsprites I see playing Windsprite-games and agaonized over it for ages.  

Well.....you can see where this is going. 

Say hello to Bright Light's Dash of Brilliance:

I was going to call him Dash, but now that he is here, he makes me think of a little lion cub every time I see him.  He even has this insanely cute little roar he does.  I haven't found a name that sticks to him yet.  Suggestions?? 

Spring Days

 

Spring Fever

 I know it's been a while, but there hasn't been a whole lot to blog about recently other than how utterly sick of deep snow we have all been.  Between the snow, the job, the pandemic...it is hard to find words that feel relevant and equally hard to find words that feel creative or interesting.  

All of the donkeys are doing well, though they are as sick of snow as I am.  Qilin continues to grow mentally and, most definitely, physically.  He is taller than Ben now, but still at an awkward, gawky stage.  His relationship with Cora (and dogs in general) is interesting.  He and Kaia were kindred spirits, siblings of sorts as they were born at nearly the same time.  They were quite fond of each other and played together all the time.  Qilin is good with Cora - now anyways - but does not have the same relationship with her that he had with Kaia.  I doubt that could be recreated.  He is totally accepting of my dogs and dogs he is familiar with.  Strange dogs on the other hand.....let's just say the dragon half of his hybrid soul comes out in spades and I'm not talking about the friendly sort of dragon.  

The mind of a mule is an interesting and many layered thing.

And, of course, there is Cora.  She is a blessing that has helped all of us cope with the loss of Kaia though that is a gaping hole that will never be filled.  Cora is a bridge over that chasm.  

She is very different from Kaia and yet, like most siblings, every now and then she does something so similar to Kaia that it steals my breath away.  

Cora is maybe a bit softer, not quite the bold, fearless adventurer that Kaia was but some of that is also that she has been as constrained by deep snow as the rest of us.  We have finally had a reprieve from that and she is able to really stretch her legs.  She just turned 6 months old and is suddenly realizing that she can fly.

Connor is very glad to have her as is Ian.  Border Collies and Whippets go well together.

Of course, she is also very naughty.  Happily, delightfully, maddeningly naughty.

And weird.  Windsprites are so endearingly weird😇😂😂😂😂😂

There are signs of Spring, my favorite season, all around.  We had a few really nice, warm days that wiped out most of the snow.  A huge flock of blackbirds has shown up at the feeder and we are all able to get out and stretch our legs.  The Spring Rush is nearly on us and we can't wait.