Friday, November 15, 2013

A Mixed Up Friday Post

It seems like this week has flown.  We started out with bitter temps, but it is 60 out there now, or nearly so. 
Very balmy and nice. 

Too bad I am still carrying water. 

We have the pump, but have not heard from the plumber, and tomorrow, it is supposed to drizzle most of the day. 


These two D'Uccle roosters (and the porcelain hen behind them) are living in the rafters of the new henhouse. The Mille Fleur on the right used to go out daily, but has now become a rafter dweller.  The only thing I can think is that Ferdy, the big rooser, has beaten this one, Larry, up.  So now these two have to duke it out to get to the feed and water on top of the nest box daily.  


And, as you can see, the nest box was busy this morning when I got out there to do chores. There was also a hen in the lower right. 


This was also something I was glad to see this morning... Delilah and Kelly were playing at butting each other, NOT trying to hurt each other.  This was good news, because it means, to me, that Delilah is finally settling in well, and the babies have accepted her dominance.  The horse trough there is full of hay because the three little ones snooze in it in the sun during the day. 

Um... when they aren't out driving me crazy. 


I posted this on Facebook early this morning, it's the ducks headed downhill as soon as I let them out.  They LOVE to go heads-down to the bottom of the pasture and back up, in the morning. 

At this point, I am getting only ONE duck egg daily. 



I knew I was in trouble from the second I walked into the library this morning. 

I only came home with four, I don't know how I did it.  I'm going to read them, and donate them to the food pantry thrift store.  One may be given away on the blog. 




I posted this picture on Facebook last night, and my cousin posted back...

"He looks worn out". 

Ranger, my friends, is worn out. 
His hind legs are deteriorated now to the point where he has trouble getting up and down every time.  He whimpers with pain. 

We are afraid for him every day, and the goats irritate him to death. 

When they are out, he is in, but then, he is in almost all the time now. 
This morning, for the first time, he did not want to go down into the yard to do his business.  He can still get down both flights of steps, but can no longer get up the deck steps.  He has stopped sleeping outside the bedroom door at night, he can't get up and down quickly. 

We know his time is near, and today, I talked to the doctor's office about it. 
It will be soon, and how we'll miss this wonderful old boy, whom Keith found dumped and starving in the county. 

Keith and I have cried off and on for two days. 



18 comments:

  1. oh i am so sorry to hear this. it is just too sad to lose our beloved pets. i hope it all goes smoothly and painlessly. i am so very very sorry.

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  2. The book sale looks awesome!

    Sorry to hear about your buddie!

    M : )

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  3. I'm so sorry to hear about Ranger. You guys surely love him dearly & will make the right decision when you're (& he is) ready.

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  4. Sedona is not doing well either. Like you, I've been crying off and on all day. She doesn't seem to be in pain but she has lost interest in life; she sleeps on the front lawn because she can't get up the steps to the front porch. It's hard, so hard. Sending you a hug -- and I know you are hugging me back.

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  5. I'm sorry to hear about Ranger. He's had a wonderful life with you guys, I'm sure. They become such wonderful companions, don't they? On another note, I'm so glad to hear that Delilah is settling in, and becoming a playmate instead of a menace!

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  6. It makes me cry, too, to hear about your beloved pet. They are so special and just like a member of the family. Ranger was blessed to find a wonderful home and someone to love him. I'm sure he has given a lot of love back in return.

    I always enjoy your posts and have missed a few lately. I hope to catch up soon. Take care and have a nice weekend.

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  7. Mary Ann,

    Every time I walk into the library there having a book sale and I get into trouble, lol
    Enjoy your new reads :-)

    It's very hard to make these decisions about your sweet puppy. Sending prayers and hugs your way.

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  8. I know the tears will keep springing for a long while. I'm sorry; I know.

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  9. Love is making you cry those tears. You have given Ranger a wonderful home- and he has been loved.
    He knows you love him,,, he knows
    We are crying too cause we know your heart is hurting,,, You were angels to take him into your family,, soon he will be an angel for all of us.
    love
    tweedles

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  10. Love is so difficult at times!! My heart goes out to you both!! God Bless you all!

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  11. So sorry Ranger is having a difficult time. It's hard to say goodbye to our beloved pets.

    I usually go to the library book sale when it is $1 for a whole sack. Think you were smarter! Enjoy the books.

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  12. I have felt the pain of loosing an older dog. I've had a lot of pets over the years. They were all such blessings in my life. Loosing them is really hard. Saying good bye is not ever easy. Ranger may be old and tired but I'm sure has had a good life. He looks content to me. Hope the plumber comes soon. Take care hauling the water.

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  13. I've been absent for awhile and just came back to check what you and Keith have been up to. I'm in love with that glorious red maple that you have on the header. We went to Branson hoping that the fall colors would still be on display, but I think we missed them down there by about a week to two weeks.

    I'm so sorry to hear about the situation with Ranger. It will be hard to let him go, but please know that you have given him a wonderful life and that he knows he was loved. He will always have a special place in your hearts.

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  14. Hello all, this is Keith. Ranger has a special place in our lives together. All of our pets do, but Ranger is extra-special. Mary Ann were married in Texas in the spring of 2003 while I was still on active duty. When I retired from the Army in 2004, we moved to Leavenworth and rented for the first year. Our only pet at the time was Nicky, our cat that Mary Ann had raised from an abandoned baby. While living in Leavenworth, we got Oscar, the most energetic, fun little min-pin you ever saw. In June of 2005 we closed on and moved to Calamity Acres. It was nothing but a few buildings, an exterior fence and a big yard (no gardens, planting beds, cross fencing, deck, etc.). I immediately went to work building stuff. In July of that year I was driving in to Leavenworth Home Depot on one of the back county roads early on a sunny Sunday afternoon when I saw this handsome, but obviously injured, German Shepherd limping right down the middle of the road. He was going very slowly and could barely walk. It took about a mile and over and hour to get him to finally come to me. He was in obvious distress and when he got close it was obvious that he was emaciated and starving, as well as injured. Honestly, I don't think he would have lasted more than a few hours longer. When he finally got close enough for me to pet, I carefully scooped my arms under him and lifted him up ... he sighed deeply and completely relaxed. Got him into the back of the van and headed home, calling Mary Ann on the way. We got him home that day, took him to the vet the next day and nursed him back to health. Ranger has been the king of Calamity Acres ever since. We've had some other dogs, some cats, rabbits, turkeys, ducks, geese, chickens, mini-horses, ponies, llamas, and now our cute little goats. But Ranger has been the one constant companion. We're going to miss him terribly, but we can't let him suffer.

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  15. Sending my thoughts and prayers to you, it is so hard to see an old friend like Ranger struggle. You are good people and will know when to let go. Sending you best wishes for a nice weekend x

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  16. A Dog�s Prayer

    If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
    And pain should keep me from my sleep,
    Then you must do what must be done
    For this the last battle can�t be won.

    Don�t let your grief stay your hand,
    For this day more than the rest,
    Your love and friendship stand the test.
    We�ve had so many years.

    What is to come can hold no fear.
    You�d not want me to suffer, so
    When the time comes, please let me go.
    Take me where my needs they�ll tend,

    Only, stay with me to the end
    And hold me firm and speak to me
    Until my eyes no longer see.
    I know in time you�ll see, it is a kindness you do for me.

    Although my tail its last has waved,
    From pain and suffering I�ve been saved.
    Don�t grieve it should be you who decides this thing to do.
    We�ve been so close, we two, these years.

    Don�t let your heart hold tears.
    Smile, for we walked together for awhile.
    Author unknown

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  17. I know what you are going through. It's hard, but so is watching them suffer.

    Take care,

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