All is well and a busy day is upon us. There is a family coming to visit the puppies, folks coming to help us evaluate the litter and a dinner party. Gingerbread is baking and dinner is underway so that the afternoon is freed up for visiting. The adventures of yesterday are behind us - well, perhaps not behind the caffeinated Norwich. She is still a bit ruffled by the surprise of it all. It is a mild day with high winds and a little sun. Much of the remaining snow has melted and the ice rink is forming once again. The forecast is for a quick drop this afternoon so ice is in our immediate future. Our Ken just loves that. The birds, though, are happier. Fewer are at the feeders on these pleasant days and all have reverted to normal size, from their puffed up caricatures of the icy days earlier in the month. The woodpeckers have a firm hold on the suet cages but the swinging feeders are empty - the carnival ride offered must be a bit daunting, even for the Jays. Chantelle is in residence, trimming Charlie and keeping an eye on Viola. That is great for an extra pair of hands to tote puppies and an extra voice to answer Our Ken's constant queries.
The kennel is ticking along. The big yards had the benefit of the snow blower yesterday so all gates are moving freely and the open double pens behind the kennel are clear. Jersey, the Lab, is a great visitor. She loves the kennel; finds the routine agrees with her and food arrives on time. Having sorted out the exercise yard process, she happily follows whoever goes out to take her from the yards to her run, without need of a leash. Just a great girl.
The house crew is well and happy. With a warmer day, Lori prefers to be outside, living in hope that a ball game will materialize if she is just patient enough. Dolly will go to her 'perch' among the trees next to the fern garden and sit on a stump watching the front yard and communing with Phil the pheasant until her name is called. Then it is a jump and run full tilt to the house moment. Piper, of course, is inside on a dog bed, keeping an eye on Lee. Marilla is adjacent to Piper, living in hope that there will be a kitchen disaster that lands on the floor for her ministrations. Billy is simply underfoot and happy about it. His nocturnal adventures have left him a bit tired - because Viola was upstairs, Billy was relegated to a crate in the bedroom so thumped around in it all night to let everyone know that he was not amused. Marguerite remains in the house adjacent to the puppy pen in the den, keeping a close watch on the little ones. She is bemused, however, wondering where her delightful little puppies have gone. While these big puppies are interesting, she does look for her babies when the mood strikes. The babies are adorable and learning skills minute by minute. They carry their food dish once empty and position it precisely. There are puppy games that only puppies understand. Personalities are developing and all respond to people with tilted heads and quizzical expressions that are so unique to the Airedale. It is a fabulous litter.
Dinner was great - a pub-style meal of turkey tenders with dipping sauces, herbed roasted potatoes and a fresh tomato dish with blue cheese, lemon oil and garlic. Finishing with rum cake, life was complete.
The kennel is ticking along. The big yards had the benefit of the snow blower yesterday so all gates are moving freely and the open double pens behind the kennel are clear. Jersey, the Lab, is a great visitor. She loves the kennel; finds the routine agrees with her and food arrives on time. Having sorted out the exercise yard process, she happily follows whoever goes out to take her from the yards to her run, without need of a leash. Just a great girl.
The house crew is well and happy. With a warmer day, Lori prefers to be outside, living in hope that a ball game will materialize if she is just patient enough. Dolly will go to her 'perch' among the trees next to the fern garden and sit on a stump watching the front yard and communing with Phil the pheasant until her name is called. Then it is a jump and run full tilt to the house moment. Piper, of course, is inside on a dog bed, keeping an eye on Lee. Marilla is adjacent to Piper, living in hope that there will be a kitchen disaster that lands on the floor for her ministrations. Billy is simply underfoot and happy about it. His nocturnal adventures have left him a bit tired - because Viola was upstairs, Billy was relegated to a crate in the bedroom so thumped around in it all night to let everyone know that he was not amused. Marguerite remains in the house adjacent to the puppy pen in the den, keeping a close watch on the little ones. She is bemused, however, wondering where her delightful little puppies have gone. While these big puppies are interesting, she does look for her babies when the mood strikes. The babies are adorable and learning skills minute by minute. They carry their food dish once empty and position it precisely. There are puppy games that only puppies understand. Personalities are developing and all respond to people with tilted heads and quizzical expressions that are so unique to the Airedale. It is a fabulous litter.
Dinner was great - a pub-style meal of turkey tenders with dipping sauces, herbed roasted potatoes and a fresh tomato dish with blue cheese, lemon oil and garlic. Finishing with rum cake, life was complete.
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