Monday edition of the Sunday Funnies…(again!)

Seems like the computer issues at home just don’t want to go away.  We may be heading for a new one.  Good in some ways, not good in others.   I will have to temporarily suspend weekend posting. It seems only during the week, when I can go into work a little early and use my computer there, can I get a post done.  Oh well…

It’s the first full day of Autumn, as it began Sunday at 4:44pm.  (Can you get it a little more precise?  Like down to the nanosecond?)  Today, it really seems like fall.  Nice cool crisp air, leaves turning colors, Reds in playoff contention, Browns almost out of playoff contention.  (Heavy Sigh) Only us Browns fans understand the frustration.  Although they did win this week!  Sorry Vikings fans!

Last week was the “Harvest Moon”.  The Full Moon closest to the first day of Fall.  Doesn’t mean much to most, but when you live in the country, it seems to take on a different meaning and feeling.  It was a beautiful night to sit outside and enjoy!

The full moon typically brings out the best in the area animals, and this one is no different.  For the past several nights, area dogs have been at their best.  Or worst if you’d rather call it that.  Surrounding us, we have a Black Lab, a German Shepard, and some other small yapper.  These dogs have been non-stop!  Surprisingly, our dogs have been as quiet as church mice.  There are times when ours act up, but these other three make 10 times the noise as our 11 do!!  And unfortunately, this is the time of the year when you want to sleep with the windows open.

One discovery I made this week is that animals DO like music.  While I was out working in the barn the other day, Hunter, one of our horses, was standing in his stall facing the wall.  His rear end was facing toward me.  I turned on some music (Kenny Chesney) and he immediately turned around and came to attention. He knew I was in there beforehand, but didn’t turn around until the music started.  He faced me the rest of the time I was out there, and seemed to enjoy the music!  Of course it WAS GOOD music!  Not sure if he has the same reaction to some of the modern music that’s out there today!

Yesterday was the first time in a couple weeks that they all got to go out and play together.  All of them…At the same time.  We’ve had females in heat for a couple weeks, and they simply cannot all play nice together during these times.  They all must go out in shifts.  Even Miya got to go out.  She is now separated from her babies, but her milk has not yet dried up.  The poor girl looks like she has several water balloons hanging down from her underside.  They all have to go through this, and it normally takes a few days to dry up.  Needless to say, she is not as active.

Speaking of heat cycles, right now Holly and Aleu are just finishing.  Rose finished hers about a week ago.  This is Rose’s second since her last litter.  She has, at least so far, very active cycles.  About every 5 months instead of 6.  At first we kept her separated with the intent of waiting an extra cycle, but decided to mate her toward the end.  It may have been too late though.  She didn’t seem receptive to Kallen, and we don’t know if they ultimately tied.  So it’s wait and see.

We skipped Holly because she just had a litter 6 months ago.  Her final litter will be next spring, and then we will retire her.  She has been a great momma!  We will certainly keep 1 or 2 of the puppies from this litter to continue her bloodline.  Even though she is non-AKC, she is very popular, and has wonderful puppies.  We will simply continue the non-registered puppy line.

The intent was to skip Aleu as well, for the same reason.  Well…no matter how much you meticulously plan or how careful you are, somewhere along the way, the inevitable will happen.  During the overnight hours, Kallen dug his way to Aleu.  The hole had to go over 2 feet deep to get below the stall walls which are about 18” below the ground.  Not only did he manage that, but he made the hole large enough to squeeze himself through.  Apparently, Aleu also helped him from the other side.  When we went out in the morning, we found the two tied.  Likely, she will be pregnant, but it will be wait and see.  Not a big deal, as Aleu is certainly healthy enough.  She has small litters, and recovers quickly.  The lesson?  One we already knew, but can’t emphasize enough…NEVER underestimate the tenacity of a Siberian Husky. 

How early do Huskies become tenacious?  Well…Very early!  This little guy tried and tried and tried!