Wet days will give way to sun soon

It was a cool/cold day at Regalridge - no heavy rains but neither was there heat in the air.  The den stove stayed on and the dogs were appreciative.  Trapper Ken had taken a day off so no critters were transported in the light rain.  Instead, there was a trip to the outer reaches of the city for the alpha male.  Dawn and Chantelle joined the party for dinner and an update on the Ontario shows as well as a quick visit with handsome Mason.  Lee left the nursery for short periods and Marguerite allowed the absences. 

The kennel is well and active.  Sarah and Lola are having adventures and are perhaps not the best combination for a restful day.  Viola stridently urges them on.  Naomi and Moses are packing, having hear that the city beckons.  Old Baily departed with a new spring in her step, able to jump up on Lee as she trotted to the gates to greet Faye. 

The house crew preferred the stove and soft beds to the out of doors.  Patti had a few spins in the big yard, just to ensure that all was well.  Charlotte checked the antics of the resident squirrels and pronounced them silly, returning to the house rather than her step - a true commentary on the dampness.  Piper continues to improve, is brighter and happier but still with a way to go.  Marguerite is ever the stellar mother, looking after her family with a joy that is great to watch.  The babies are growing - another ounce for most on this day - with the smallest now 12 ounces and the largest 22.  Bottle feeding is accepted as a necessary supplementation - Marguerite approves and most puppies applaud the addition to their dining pleasure. 

Dinner was interesting.  Pete's had offered up a meal that was divided among the four, supplemented by the lovely bread with guacamole, a Caesar salad and freshly made brownies.  All was well. 

A cool and wet day brings us closer to the end of May

Showers were forecast and delivered.  It was a cool day with lots of activity.  Trapper Ken carried yet another banded interloper to the wilds of Hants county and set him free.  The project continues.  Both Lee and Ken had appointments and meetings so it was a two vehicle proposition.  Lee went to the city, had her adventures and managed a return on time and on budget to Regalridge.  Our Ken travelled to Truro, suit and tie attired, for a photo op and a meeting.  His return was later but less eventful.  Lee generally finds city center entertaining.  On this occasion, it was an underground parking garage.  City folk appear to get wound up over little things.  Having been pointed down a ramp by the attendant, her vehicle came to a stop at a downturn.  Within seconds, a young woman had advised Lee that there was a problem and it would be a minute before forward momentum could be achieved.  Lee settled to observe.  A man then appeared and stopped to report that he was seeking assistance and it would be a short wait.  This was followed by the aforementioned attendant reappearing, stopping to report that there seemed to be an issue to be resolved but that it wouldn't be long.  As He disappeared around the corner, a second woman appeared to advise that there was a "serious issue - the driver of the truck had been terribly rude to her daughter and that was not to be tolerated so their car was not moving".  That's more excitement than is seen in Belnan in a twelve month period.  Lee, apparently seen to be the interested fifth party, was highly appreciative of being kept abreast of the developments as they occurred  . . .  Medication must be available for this sort of thing. 

The kennel is ticking along and all inhabitants are well and happy.  Showers were less frequent here than along the coast so dogs had more freedom to be outside than their city counterparts.  Coby approved. 

The house crew were content to check out the beds in the den and assist Lee on her return to the country.  There were dinner preparations to be made and Piper, Abigail and Lori were of great help.  Patti had a good snooze and managed a decent meal at dinnertime.  Jack is on high alert now that Trapper Ken is in action.  The critters are maintained just below Jack's deck - a call to arms to any self-respecting Welsh.  The nursery is filled with puppy sounds and Marguerite is delighted with her family.  All are doing well, are gaining wieght steadily and enjoying the bottle feeding supplementation.  Generally there is at least one pup who declines the offer of food other than Mom's.  Not so with this bunch.  All eagerly take the bottles that are offered - and all eagerly move to join Marguerite each time she appears within their range.  Another few days and they will be ready to move downstairs. 

Meals were quick early in the day but better thought out by dinner.  On offer was an international menu featuring garlic.  There was guacamole on offer with lovely french bread (avocados were perfectly ripe at Pete's).  With her secret ingredient, Our Ken enjoys this appetizer.  This was followed by an exceptionally good Cesar salad (lovely romaine at Pete's and shaved parm from an aged block kept in the back of the fridge for just such a salad).  Then there was garlic bread (again the lovely french loaf form Jonathon's was featured prominently) and fresh spaghetti with Lee's sauce.  Life is not all that bad. 

Cool sunny days are a favourite

It was a cool day - perfect for setting blossoms and for lots of Airedale activity.  Trapper Ken managed yet another striped, furry friend in his live trap.  Chuffed that the trap has 'paid for itself' - an equation that perhaps only our engineer understands - this fellow, too, has been moved  deep in the woods of Hants county.  Rumour has it that another is lined up for the road trip . . .  Our Ken perseveres.  With any luck at all, this could be this year's summer project.  June was in residence, keeping a lid on things as Lee managed the puppy nursery and Our Ken bonded with the wildlife as he went to a Board meeting in Truro.  With the reduction in resident raccoons, the suet is actually allowed to stay among the feeders, much to the enjoyment of the early morning woodpeckers.  Lee is working on the list of folks interested in the Airedale litter, understanding that there may not be enough puppies to add one to each family interested.  The candles are almost full on the chestnut tree and resplendent in their number. The tree will be buzzing for a few days as every bee in the county arrives to admire the central point of the front yard.   Lilacs are blooming throughout the property, a backdrop to the late tulips and opening ferns.  Berries are in full flower and haying is occurring on the neighbouring farms.  It is a lovely time of year. 

The kennel is perking along nicely.  Old bailey has heard that Faye is returning from the wild west so is packing her suitcase.  Faye will be pleased at her increased ability to move about.  Naomi and Moses are thriving, enjoying the big yard and settled nicely.  Coby and Gabe are great pals, playing adolescent Airedale games and checking out the competition - whether in the next yard, flying overhead or at the fruit stand across the road.  Barrett departed with a wave and a woo to Trebia.  Scarlett arrived. 

Patti enjoyed June's company on her wanders around the yard.  Her appetite was perked up and the bowl of food on offer met her exacting standards at dinner time.  Piper is improving, has an increased activity level and a more consistent reproach for Lee as she remains downstairs when she should be in the bedroom.  She is not likely to easily forgive these slights and cares absolutely nothing about the nursery.  The Airedale litter is doing well - becoming more active and enjoying any and all attention on offer.  Marguerite is a focused and patient mother, pacing herself nicely with this significant family.  There will be a move to the whelping room in her future - at the point the smaller of the females adds a bit more girth. 

Dinner was a Chantelle favourite- back ribs.  Added to this half day affair were potatoes and onions, sweet corn casserole and snap peas (as someone at the table noted that she doesn't like beans but these are good! . . .)  The chocolate chip cookies have officially disappeared.  Time to reposition.