Snow Birds

To all those that start the trek South or West - I am with you in spirit - Goodness knows it is getting cold up here~ What about the great talent of this family and friends shown in the video. How nice to see kids play real instruments instead of techno. Art lives!

Country Roads

Facilities: Dog Kennels

Here is Gullah: Bloodhound, Buckeye: Coon Hound - Walker/ Pointer Mix, and seen in the "doggie door" is Bucky - Coon Hound Walker, and Robin -  Beagle.

Many people frown at kennels because they are misunderstood.  These have alot of space.  Plus, they get a full run almost daily.  The kennels are indoors and outdoors.  The "doggie doors" serve to shut out the elements, inclement weather, and to shut the dogs in at night to avoid stimulation from such things as nocturnal wildlife - and preserve our priceless peace and quiet.

Since the kennels are very tall and high quality - we do not have to worry about the dogs getting lost or getting sprayed by skunks or porcupines.

Lucky, my first hound rescue, deceased est. age 10

We rotate them into the house frequently for extra TLC.   I spend alot of time in the kennels grooming and petting them when they are not with me otherwise.  The kennels hold 4 dogs each comfortably.  There is another kennel inside the barn with no outdoors access now but the horse barn is an open air facility.  Technically we can house 12 hound dogs - so far we have only housed 10 at one time.

There has never been a flea problem.  The bedding is hay and changed regularly.  Their coats are soft and healthy.  I think partly because of the food and exercise - but also the fact they are outdoors most of the time.  We close them in during the worst snow days and bring them into the living room - one and all - on our frosty nights.  When there is a dog that wants more house time - we give it to them.  They let us know by barking.

where are you going BoBo?

They learn quickly that barking is frowned upon unless it serves the purpose of being a watchdog.  When they howl together - rarely -  I call it "serenading" -  it is short and sweet and sounds very much like a pack of coyotes - only sweet - not scary...

Molly, deceased, est age 14

Some of the dogs we have rescued came right off the streets.  Many times dogs just come to us.  That is the way when you are open to them.  When they get the feeling of safety with strangers,  strays will stay.

We built the concrete slab to make it easier to clean.  The kennels are hosed down into a tiny area that has developed into a marsh like ecosystem.  Hence, there are no odors from their waste.

Spot, deceased, age 13

Alot of people use the underground electrical system to keep their dogs in place - a great invention for some.  For us, the old fashion kennel system works for the number of dogs.   When we leave the farm, the dogs can be cared for easily by our caretaker without having to place them in a kennel.  They are already in the best of them!!!

BoBo, deceased. aged 12

One thing I keep in mind in the care of animals is to allow for their natural habitat with the addition of creature comforts.  

Too often today dogs and cats and horses are given only creature comforts without any access to natural habitat.  Our dogs are allowed to act canine.  

Max, stray, deceased, age unknown

I reflect on the dogs we've rescued and can't help feeling a little proud of the small accomplishment and what it means to give a home to animals we've domesticated that our lost and found. 

Blackie "Maxine", Chow Mix, dec. age 14

 Best of all, it's the people we have helped in caring for their animals - the feeling of peace we imparted in the confidence the dogs would continue to receive tender love and care.

Hound Dogs

For years, we have been a rescue for hound dogs - over 20 dogs have been part of the farm - and currently we have a coon hound - a coon/pointer mix - a beagle - and a blood hound - with another coon hound on the way from New Jersey.

Here you see one of our recently adoptees  - Buckeye, formerly known as DJ - on a full run.

His hind leg muscles have become defined - and he does not like it when he is not running.  Unfortunately, I can't do this all day with him.  We try for once a day.  Sometimes they get twice.  Sometimes, we have to skip a day.

Can you see the muscles?

I've done alot of work in Horse and Hound Rescue - all out of pocket expenses - Gene has contributed greatly also - and our caretaker has been very helpful too!  So many dogs and horses in need of good homes - and so few people to handle them.

Horses and Hounds - happy with room to run!!!

Farmland

In this film, young farmers invite you into their work of farming - it appears to be both a labor of love and in some cases factory farming.  However, over the years as a tiny farmer, I know the amount of work that goes into farming on any scale.  The need for large scale farming has resulted from the increasing population at the same time consumption of animals and poultry.  Many American homes consume beef and chicken and pork daily.  A typical diet is coldcuts for lunch, and chicken or steak for dinner.

When the demands for these products are not met in this country they are imported from China.  The lack of water in some regions of this country is frightening for the future of food production overall.

As a vegetarian, none of my diet requires the killing of an animal.  However, vegetable production is still a huge demand on natural resources.

As a vegetarian, I eat eggs.  The eggs I consume are from tiny farms that let the chickens live beyond the normal chopping block of most farms.  Most farms allow birds just months to live - which increases the profit margin because inputs, namely feed and labor, are so costly.  Also, they produce a more tender bird.  For years we cared for are own small flock of chickens - some of them lived 7 plus years!

As a vegetarian, I also consume dairy products - milk for my coffee and cheese on occasion.  Having milked goats, here again I see the birthing, and the milking, and the making of cheese - because I and the doe are making it happen.  However, I did not like the doe having to give birth each year.  I saw the amount of milk it takes to make a small amount of cheese.  And again, not by us, but the dark side of dairy is that these animals - even after being used as birth mothers and milkers non stop - are given a short time to live before they too are sent to the slaughterhouse.

I cant reconcile any of this because I am such a mush.  I limit my consumption of these goods.  Everyone can choose to limit the consumption of animals and animal products.  In a world where the population is growing rapidly and is so large - resources are limited.

On this note, I did forego children to aid in population control (I receive fulfillment in caring for the many animals I 've rescued).  However ridiculous this may sound, choices we make individually - collectively have an impact.

For example, families can have a small number of children.  Some people have vegetarian Mondays.  Some people choose to  be vegan.  Every little change reverses the strain on our Natural Resources for future generations.