Fido for the Farm
We are farm-ward bound. We’ve purchased our six acres and are planning our first project for this wintertime in order to be best prepared for spring planting. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done. Before we can even really begin to get ready for crops, we need to fix up the house, plus build another residential building. I’ve been doing a lot of research on post-frame construction for the latter project. I’m really excited, and am spending hours scouring the internet on every conceivable topic.
Of course, what I’m most excited about at this moment is our new dog. Yes, we’re getting a farm dog! I’ve done a lot of research on different breeds, and it sounds like a border collie is the perfect dog for us. They’re great herders, and so friendly with both kids and livestock. Many people say they’re the smartest dogs. Out on the farm, in the middle of nowhere, the dog can run with hardly any hindrance. He can help us in herding the animals (and the children) and will be a good companion in the coldest, dark parts of the year. My grandmother had a border collie known as Charles who was the sweetest dog imaginable when we visited. I’ve always wanted to have a dog, but thought I should have more land first. Well, here’s my chance! New opportunities for so many things….
So I’ve been looking into caring for our new dog. I never even had a puppy as a kid, since my dad felt the same way as I do about keeping a dog in the city (or I guess I feel the same way he does). Since we’re looking at living a sustainable lifestyle, I’m looking into organic or natural dog foods, or even making our own. On the other hand, I’m not so back-to-basics that I have anything against providing the proper medications. I found this site that seems to have good prices. It looks like Heartgard is the will be in orer, plus of course some sort of flea and tick protection, since the farm seems to be a tick paradise.
I can’t wait to have our new collie. It’ll be interesting to see how the kids begin to interact with a dog. They’ve never spent much time around them before. But I think it will go splendidly. They’re very excited, too, and can’t wait for life on the farm. Of course, they have no real idea of the hardships farm life entails, but I know they’ll be up to the challenge. And a new puppy is just the thing to sweeten the first few months. Now to go ahead and buy those dog medications!
