The goat lost her coat, so over I did bend.
Then out of nowhere, did lumber up my old friend.
A bovine in season had her eye on my rear end!
Okay, as I said, this is NOT a Dr. Seuss story.
So I'm at the farm Saturday afternoon with my fellow volunteers and we'd gone into the pasture to feed the cow & goat, and to access the ponies' pasture.
The goat, Bernadette, a sweet black and white ol' girl, wears a doggy-coat when the winter temperatures dip down very low. She's not in the best of health and shivers, who can blame her?, it was only 25 degrees outside. But her coat had come off and was lying in the field. I retrieved it and was bent over, trying to secure the Velcro straps beneath her belly, when the normally sweet and docile cow, Gertie, decided I looked like a good mate. And by mate, I don't mean friend or casual acquaintance. Gertie was "in season" and looking for some bovine lovin'!
I had my back to the barn door and was only vaguely aware of Gertie coming up behind me, but regardless, I never would've expected such behavior from the ol' girl. Next thing I know, my fellow volunteers are gasping and shouting out "Gertie, NO!!" and in the same moment, I felt her trying to climb on my back.
I never knew I could move so fast!!!
I was twisting and scrambling to get away before she could get mounted, but Gertie was persistent. But her persistence wasn't as strong as my insistence that she leave me alone. She followed me relentlessly wherever I went around that field and barn. She showed little interest in the other girls, having fixated on me.
What does the average dairy cow weigh anyways? A 1000 lbs? 2000? I don't know. With my history of back problems, I wouldn't even want a 20 lb. monkey going for a piggy-back ride, much less a full grown, rutting cow.
Needless to say, I became the "butt" of many jokes that afternoon (pun intended), yes, even many made by me. Hey, if you can't laugh at yourself...
I felt bad as we were leaving the pasture, as Gertie finally turned her attentions towards poor little Bernadette. I now know how her coat came off in the first place and the Velcro became torn, no doubt when Gertie was mounting her. Now her coat was just hanging around her neck and she was walking all over it. It was almost certain she'd get hurt trying to get away from the cow if she had the damaged coat tangled around her legs. Darn!! Now I had to go back in there and get the coat off her and face Gertie again.
Fortunately, no further altercations occurred.
The aches and pains started to set in as the afternoon wore on. I think it was mostly just the muscles tightening up from the sudden scramble I had to make to escape her. I took a Lortab when I got home, and later was flying too high to care about any pain. ;)
Monday, February 13, 2012
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Dog Bite
In case you missed the news story about the dog that bit the anchorwoman, here's the link:
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/cutline/rescued-dog-bites-nbc-anchor-face-during-feel-141755422.html
I hate hearing of anybody that gets bit by a dog, unless of course it's an intruder being bitten by a dog defending it's owner/home.
While I won't exactly say that the reporter deserved what she got, I will say that it's a shame that some people never learn!
How many times does someone have to get bitten by doing something so foolish? I mean honestly! How stupid to get face to face with a dog you don't know. Just because it's never done anything like that before, doesn't mean it won't ever. Just like people, dogs can have a "bad day" and not feel well or just be moody.
Use a little common sense people!! Haven't you been told enough times in your life that you should always ask before petting some else's dog? And how many times do you have to be told not to get face to face with a strange dog?
I can't begin to tell you how many times I've had perfect strangers walk up to me and one of my giant furbabies and just start petting them, and even worse, get down so they are on eye-level with the dog(s) and put their nose to the dog(s) nose. I mean, seriously!, of all the stupid things!!! Or even if they do ask and I grant permission, they aren't content to just pet the dog in a gentle manner, instead they have to get overly enthusiastic in their petting and practically smack the dog. I'm sure they are entending it as a "pat", but because it's a giant dog they feel they can pat harder, but seriously, a gently pat, a light scratching under the chin or behind the ears goes a long way toward keeping the dog calm and well-behaved. By rough-housing when you pet the dog, it can get the dog all stirred up and make him/her very difficult to handle and create a dangerous situation.
If it weren't for the fact that my dog would be taken away from me and have to be retired from the pet-therapy program assuming I got them back (and I'd probably have to pay some kind of fine and possibly get sued), a part of me almost wishes the dog would bite the stupid person, just to teach them a lesson. But I'm guessing that foolish person wouldn't learn, and in time, would do it again.
Do I get face to face with my dogs? You bet, but they are MY dogs and I can read their moods and behaviors pretty well.
Do I get face to face with dogs I know that don't belong to me? Sometimes, depends on the dog and how well I know it, and even then, I don't force myself upon the dog.
Do I get face to face with a strange dog? Hell no!!
Now that's not to say that I haven't had strange dogs come up to me and start licking me in the face, but I certainly wasn't the one that initiated the face to face situation.
Seriously folks, I can't beg of you enough, please, Please, PLEASE! ask before petting someone else's dog, and above all else, teach your children to ask before even approaching someone with a strange dog.
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/cutline/rescued-dog-bites-nbc-anchor-face-during-feel-141755422.html
I hate hearing of anybody that gets bit by a dog, unless of course it's an intruder being bitten by a dog defending it's owner/home.
While I won't exactly say that the reporter deserved what she got, I will say that it's a shame that some people never learn!
How many times does someone have to get bitten by doing something so foolish? I mean honestly! How stupid to get face to face with a dog you don't know. Just because it's never done anything like that before, doesn't mean it won't ever. Just like people, dogs can have a "bad day" and not feel well or just be moody.
Use a little common sense people!! Haven't you been told enough times in your life that you should always ask before petting some else's dog? And how many times do you have to be told not to get face to face with a strange dog?
I can't begin to tell you how many times I've had perfect strangers walk up to me and one of my giant furbabies and just start petting them, and even worse, get down so they are on eye-level with the dog(s) and put their nose to the dog(s) nose. I mean, seriously!, of all the stupid things!!! Or even if they do ask and I grant permission, they aren't content to just pet the dog in a gentle manner, instead they have to get overly enthusiastic in their petting and practically smack the dog. I'm sure they are entending it as a "pat", but because it's a giant dog they feel they can pat harder, but seriously, a gently pat, a light scratching under the chin or behind the ears goes a long way toward keeping the dog calm and well-behaved. By rough-housing when you pet the dog, it can get the dog all stirred up and make him/her very difficult to handle and create a dangerous situation.
If it weren't for the fact that my dog would be taken away from me and have to be retired from the pet-therapy program assuming I got them back (and I'd probably have to pay some kind of fine and possibly get sued), a part of me almost wishes the dog would bite the stupid person, just to teach them a lesson. But I'm guessing that foolish person wouldn't learn, and in time, would do it again.
Do I get face to face with my dogs? You bet, but they are MY dogs and I can read their moods and behaviors pretty well.
Do I get face to face with dogs I know that don't belong to me? Sometimes, depends on the dog and how well I know it, and even then, I don't force myself upon the dog.
Do I get face to face with a strange dog? Hell no!!
Now that's not to say that I haven't had strange dogs come up to me and start licking me in the face, but I certainly wasn't the one that initiated the face to face situation.
Seriously folks, I can't beg of you enough, please, Please, PLEASE! ask before petting someone else's dog, and above all else, teach your children to ask before even approaching someone with a strange dog.
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Catching up
Wow, I actually have a few free minutes to spare here, so I thought I'd blog and update the world on our lives.
I don't even remember what my last blog was at this moment, think it might've been about our cable tv issues. I'm happy to report that after 3 visits to our house by 4 technicians, they finally have things working properly. Yea!!!
Monday of last week was a bittersweet day.
First off, we finally had our sweet puppy-boy Eliott put down. It was a difficult decision, as I mentioned before that his health was still pretty good overall, but with his ever declining ability to walk or stand up, we finally decided it was time to let go. As I led him from the house, I said, "let's go see Bootsy" (Bootsy being his best pal that we had lost last June). Poor thing, he fell in the driveway and we had to pick him up and load him into my car, but he seemed to enjoy the car ride, he was alert and watching the world pass by, perhaps looking for his Bootsy along the way. Now he is once again with her.
After we left the vet's office, we raced home to get Phoebe and take her to our therapy-pet group's meeting. She was about to take her test to see if she had what it would take to become a therapy pet.
I'm delighted, pleased as punch I say, to report that she did indeed pass her test on the first try.
So while our day started off rather crummy, it ended on a high note. She had her fist visit to a nursing home this past Sunday and did very well.... if only I could get her to stop trying to crawl into bed with some of the residents. ;)
But being the love-bug that she is, she was a hit. I thought Olivia was popular, but Phoebe is really going to shine at this. My girls, while looking so similar, couldn't be more opposite if they tried. Olivia is reserved, somewhat aloof and often has to be coaxed in with treats, and even then she doesn't always get too close to too many people, and typically only enjoys being petted under her chin (in the throat area). Phoebe on the other hand, loves the attention. You don't have to bribe her with treats to come closer. She absolutely loves the attention and will stand there all day letting anyone pet her on any part of her body they so choose. She even allowed a couple of patients to wrap their arms around her neck and pull her in close for a hug, and gave more than a few puppy-kisses.
Whereas Olivia seems to bring a sense of calmness and peace with her presence (or so I've been told), she gets gentle smiles and comments on her beauty. But Phoebe gets large smiles and laughs when she comes into contact with you. And unlike Olivia, Phoebe even welcomes children to love on her. I just knew there was something special about her from the moment I laid eyes on her photo on the humane society's website so many months ago, and I was right!!
I'm hoping to have her take her Canine Good Citizens exam later this month, I hope she does as well on that.
It's been an incedibly warm winter, if not an overly soggy one. Our backyard seems to stay in a constant state of muddiness, and poor Phoebe gets hosed off with icy water on a regular basis. If I could just convince her to go potty on a leash, I'd take her out front where she wouldn't get muddy, but she just refuses. She'd rather hold it all day than to have to go anywhere other than her back yard. I guess she likes the "home field advantage". ;)
I don't even remember what my last blog was at this moment, think it might've been about our cable tv issues. I'm happy to report that after 3 visits to our house by 4 technicians, they finally have things working properly. Yea!!!
Monday of last week was a bittersweet day.
First off, we finally had our sweet puppy-boy Eliott put down. It was a difficult decision, as I mentioned before that his health was still pretty good overall, but with his ever declining ability to walk or stand up, we finally decided it was time to let go. As I led him from the house, I said, "let's go see Bootsy" (Bootsy being his best pal that we had lost last June). Poor thing, he fell in the driveway and we had to pick him up and load him into my car, but he seemed to enjoy the car ride, he was alert and watching the world pass by, perhaps looking for his Bootsy along the way. Now he is once again with her.
After we left the vet's office, we raced home to get Phoebe and take her to our therapy-pet group's meeting. She was about to take her test to see if she had what it would take to become a therapy pet.
I'm delighted, pleased as punch I say, to report that she did indeed pass her test on the first try.
So while our day started off rather crummy, it ended on a high note. She had her fist visit to a nursing home this past Sunday and did very well.... if only I could get her to stop trying to crawl into bed with some of the residents. ;)
But being the love-bug that she is, she was a hit. I thought Olivia was popular, but Phoebe is really going to shine at this. My girls, while looking so similar, couldn't be more opposite if they tried. Olivia is reserved, somewhat aloof and often has to be coaxed in with treats, and even then she doesn't always get too close to too many people, and typically only enjoys being petted under her chin (in the throat area). Phoebe on the other hand, loves the attention. You don't have to bribe her with treats to come closer. She absolutely loves the attention and will stand there all day letting anyone pet her on any part of her body they so choose. She even allowed a couple of patients to wrap their arms around her neck and pull her in close for a hug, and gave more than a few puppy-kisses.
Whereas Olivia seems to bring a sense of calmness and peace with her presence (or so I've been told), she gets gentle smiles and comments on her beauty. But Phoebe gets large smiles and laughs when she comes into contact with you. And unlike Olivia, Phoebe even welcomes children to love on her. I just knew there was something special about her from the moment I laid eyes on her photo on the humane society's website so many months ago, and I was right!!
I'm hoping to have her take her Canine Good Citizens exam later this month, I hope she does as well on that.
It's been an incedibly warm winter, if not an overly soggy one. Our backyard seems to stay in a constant state of muddiness, and poor Phoebe gets hosed off with icy water on a regular basis. If I could just convince her to go potty on a leash, I'd take her out front where she wouldn't get muddy, but she just refuses. She'd rather hold it all day than to have to go anywhere other than her back yard. I guess she likes the "home field advantage". ;)
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