The shelter is closed. After 26 days our work is done and we're going home. Those of us with homes to go to that is. For the rest, many of our people - and yes, we've become both attached to and protective of many of our families, both human and animal - many of them … Continue reading Vermont Flood, Day 26
Category: pets
Vermont Flood Day 17
The shelter is about to close and it’s going to be a rough closing. It is Thursday and rumors are flying. Unofficially, we are closing tomorrow. Officially there is still no word. We are supposed to get 48 hours notice before closing, so presumably we will be open at least until Sat. But no one … Continue reading Vermont Flood Day 17
Vermont Flood day 12
It’s been a long haul for the people of Barre, Montpelier and all the other towns in Vermont affected by the flooding, almost two weeks ago now. I went to doctors appointment today and one of the first things I noticed was how quiet and peaceful it was. I'm one of the managers of an … Continue reading Vermont Flood day 12
It’s a Scary World
Yesterday I saw a man, 6’ tall, built like a boxer, with a scruffy beard, wearing a worn baseball cap, cupping an 8 week old puppy in his hands. She fit in his palms, golden-brown fur wet from a recent walk in the rain. He lifted the puppy.He was in a dog training room, dozens … Continue reading It’s a Scary World
Love Bug
bumble bee on red clover with dog nose
By Tooth and Claw: A Day in the Life
How one deer deals with dogs.
Dog Language – Play Groups
I often take my puppy and my camera to a play group. I took this series of photos on a sunny afternoon not long ago. Let me introduce the cast of characters: Olive, a Golden Retriever, is a puppy and submissive to everyone. She is timid but loves to play. Beta, a white Shepard is … Continue reading Dog Language – Play Groups
More Chickens
Chickens are wonderful animals. I don't know why. They wander around muttering and scratching in the grass looking for bugs. They usually flock together but sometimes someone (usually Big Red, top of the pecking order) heads off on her own. I used to let them out to wander the property. But, I have a puppy … Continue reading More Chickens
Where April Went. A Story of Writing Block
I didn't write for a month. I've been lamenting my writing block, trying to figure out how to break through. I decided to examine it more closely. I sat down in my favorite chair with coffee close to hand. Then Beadle started bothering the cat, so I told her to get down, and removed the … Continue reading Where April Went. A Story of Writing Block
puppy play
Beadle is now 12 weeks old and I've gone from hating puppies to thinking they're kind of cute. In other words, she is now sleeping through the night. In the past month she has gone through many changes (the most important to my mind being that increased bladder control). She has gone from 13 to … Continue reading puppy play
The Nature of Things 