Lambs get a move

We've had a grand day today. Well, to be honest, the weather has been pretty average – wet and windy – BUT we've been moving the lambs about, so I've been busy, busy, busy...which is just how I like it. Oh you just can't beat a good run out. Little Daisy has been nose-to-nose with a lamb that wasn't going the right way and she pretty soon had it turned around – she's finding out just how naughty the lambs can be and has been telling Skye and me just how brave she was. Skye just can't believe that Daisy would happily go out to help with the sheep – she thinks Daisy needs a trip to the vet to make sure she isn't mad. Mind you, I told Skye she wants to be a bit careful – if anyone was going to fail a common sense test she wouldn't have to look too far to find them.

We're spoiling Skye a bit at the moment – she wandered off all absent minded this afternoon in the sheep field and got the wrong side of the electric fence. Anyway, you could hear the howl of indignation when she got a shock off it, but we think she'll live. I think there's more risk of her losing her voice with all the grumbling she's doing. Just give me strength...

Oh well, the cows are settling in nicely now – eating and sleeping their way to Spring. They love it, but thank goodness I've got a large list to work through over Winter. Counting my blessings!

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Cows come in – at a run

Phew, what a windy couple of days we've had – and I'm not just talking about Daisy's bottom either. All my new courage has deserted me with everything heaving about in the wind – moving trees have been the worst though. I hate them. Skye tells me there's nothing to worry about and has always kept me company when I've been out and about – she doesn't ever worry about what might be in the trees and says that nothing is frightening when you've got your teeth sank into it. She always gives me a demonstration which cheers me up. Chomp, chomp, chomp...she's a good friend.

Tupping is going well – must be about half way through now I reckon, which is something to be cheerful about, although I never mention it to Skye who's been really chipper recently with lambs being sold pretty much every week at present. She's ok-ish at maths when she wants to be and thinks there must only be about 3-4 weeks left and is going about with a permanent smile. Mind you, it still doesn't get her out to help with them...

Anyway, today's big news is that the cows are in for the winter. One shout at the gate and they came hammering in. No second invitation needed there, but it has been cold over the past few days and they'll be much happier indoors. They all looked pleased about it and why not – nice and comfy and food in front of them 24 hours a day...I know a greedy little Westie that would think that was heaven.

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Cows brave the weather

Well we've still got the cows out - it's been such nice weather they'd have grumbled like mad if we'd tried to bring them in. We're all set for them now - we've been welding new panels into the shed to make sure they can't escape once they're in and they're all bedded up as well. Just like a comfy version of Fort Knox! No doubt at the first sign of rain they'll be howling to be let in but we gave them some tasty silage yesterday which certainly improved their mood a bit.

Yesterday evening was all go as well. Sheep can be greedy things (I know something else that's small, white and greedy) and they've finished all the grass in the Big Field so I had to move them. It went pretty well (I never mind I they want to be chased about a bit though) and I managed on my own which was just as well as
Skye was looking at dog bed brochures now Daisy has agreed to write her a letter to Santa...I think it could be a long one

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All dry here

Things have been looking up over the last couple of days. For a start, it's been sunny. Oh blissy, bliss bliss. All the mud is drying up and it's a lot more fun pottering about and looking at the sheep when you're not going 'squelch, squelch' all the time. Everything seems happy outside (touch wood) and even Daisy has managed to keep her low profile tummy nice and clean!

But best of all though, we've moved the sheep race inside out of the mud. We spent the whole day sorting through lambs and I've come in looking cleaner than when I went out, so I'm really pleased – no more showers for me – thank goodness. Even Skye was happy and was keen to lend a hand chasing everything about – she's full of surprises that one, but I think it's part of a little plot she and Daisy have hatched to see if they can get a bigger supper by being really useful. Let's see what happens when it rains...

Little chicks are growing fast. I'll get a picture of them tomorrow if I'm lucky – their Mum is starting to let them explore a bit now...nice little things, if a bit stupid

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The Pampered Club

Skye has managed to join the "Pampered Club" today. She and Daisy are the only members, and Skye is VERY pleased to be there but strangely enough managed to get in by being lazy – not coming out with me this morning. Skye reckons she's one step closer to not having to work the sheep anymore, and is looking forward to the odd walk out with Daisy ("only in good weather mind you"), lots of lie ins, and plenty of treats.

Mandy took the Club out for a little walk this morning whilst I was hard at work. That was a narrow escape – I'd much, much rather be working that pottering around a field, but they both seemed very happy with the walk and I suppose it does keep them out of my way. When they got back Daisy was booked in for her winter trim and spruce up – she usually goes with her little troublemaking friend Dougal from Wooler so let's just hope the little devil doesn't get dropped here.

Anyway, a winter trim is something that Skye definitely won't need – she manages to cast her coat very effectively herself – all over the house...maybe we could give her a really close trim. I'm sure I could get my paws on the sheep clippers for ten minutes, and I've seen them working lots of times – it doesn't seem too hard! The kennel would certainly be a lot cleaner and it's still mild outside.

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Curtains for the cows

We've had another damp day here, but all the sheep and cows are doing well, touch wood and the chicks are growing fast. I managed to get a sneaky look at them when Skye had her back turned (she's still looking out for them and would love to get them indoors).

We've been putting up some curtains in the new cattle shed today – green ones. They are meant to keep the worst of the weather out, but I'm a bit doubtful. They look a bit edible to me – a bit too much like grass to put that close to a bunch of bored cows. We'll see...but hopefully they'll last a while because they took a fair bit of putting up (and I should know, as I watched it all while I was having a well-deserved rest in the loader)

Little Daisy has been watching the weather forecast for a bit of cold weather – she wants to be able to wear her new coat and has been disappointed it's been so mild. Skye says she's daft wanting it to get colder (talk about the pot calling the kettle black!) and says she's definitely not looking forward to frosty ground making her toes cold. In fact, she's already spent ages getting her Christmas list together and says she's putting thick socks right at the top – along with a duvet and a sick note that lasts until lambing is finished. Bone idle...

Oh well, soon time to get the lambs back in so that's something to look forward to

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Holiday plans

I'm bored. Bored. Bored. Bored. Skye's not – she's very happy – been lying in her bed all day with a smile on her face. All day today we've had nothing to do. No sheep out, tups happy, cows all fed and bedded, no disasters to sort out, just getting the sheds finished before we bring the rest of the cattle in. Nothing at all for me to do...at...all. In fact, the only excitement we had all day was having to frog-march the hens back in to their new quarters tonight– the dozy devils wanted back in to their old hut. Less common sense than a Westie (only kidding, we all know they've got more...).

Maybe I should take a quick holiday? I had a chat with Skye and Daisy who both said they'd come with me. In fact Skye had some well thumbed brochures tucked away. Trouble is we all want different holidays – Skye wants a comfy place to sleep, nothing to do, lots of food, Daisy wants somewhere with a really good restaurant that serves big portions, and I'm not going anywhere that hasn't got at least 100 times more sheep than people (oh, and no other dogs...or moving trees).

Holiday brochures are rubbish though – fine for Skye and Daisy with lots of symbols to show what they want but I've had a good look and can't find a symbol telling me how many sheep there are. You'd think I wanted something out of the ordinary. Absolutely useless. Maybe I should produce my own...

We've hit another snag – Skye and I haven't got passports, and Daisy hasn't got a clue how to get to the airport. I'll have to put my thinking cap on though - if we're going we'll have to get back before the bad weather sets in (although Skye says she's not that bothered getting back in a rush). But then again, who would look after my sheep while I was away? That's a worry. Maybe the odd quiet day is not so bad after all.

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Chicks

Well, that's the end of a busy couple of days. Yesterday we were sorting through some lambs to go away – and this morning we took them off first thing. It's always a sad day when sheep leave the farm – even lambs. They can be frustrating – well, to be honest, they are frustrating but what would the world be like if there were no sheep? A lot worse in my view, a lot better in Skye's. She's been very pleased today and was hoping that when the trailer came back that another load would be going. She's a bad dog...

Anyway, I must tell you Skye's exciting good news. We've had some chicks born in the hen house. Skye saw them for the first time yesterday and has been asking how she goes about adopting them. Every time the door is opened she's straight over to have a look and would switch places with the hen that's looking after them in a flash. She says if she hadn't flooded our room the other day and got into everyone's bad books she'd have asked if they could have come inside. She remembers that sometimes lambs and even a duck have been inside being looked after and she wants the chicks in – "just for their own sake". We'll see, but she's asked Daisy to create a distraction around the hen house so she can nip in and "rescue" the chicks. I know Mandy's going to be mad if they do it...so Daisy's definitely not going to want that - sorry Skye.

Must get off to bed before Skye drives me daft – she's muttering to herself again...something like "cheep, cheep". Help!

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Hen house chaos

The old bones were creaking a bit this morning – damp and chilly, and the temporary rugs we're (still) sleeping on are not quite as comfy as we've got used to. Princess Lah-de-Dah was late down and teasing Skye about how comfy she was in the upstairs kennel. Poor old Skye, but I soon cheered her up telling her the new beds would be even more comfy (although I'm not sure that's possible really) so she went pottering off to see how she could fit a bigger bed into her room. When I saw her at lunch-time (after a busy morning) she was talking about getting a Westie proof lock for the bedroom door and asking whether I'd ever seen one, and would I know how to fit it...she doesn't ask for much!

Now then, I think I've found animals even more daft than Skye and Daisy. The hens. As you know, we've been slaving away every spare minute fitting them out with a de-luxe hen house – perches, nesting boxes, feeders, windows, special floor, kichen sink...everything on the little wish list they drew up in the summer (except the tv. I'm sure they would squabble about what channel to put it on). Anyway last week we put them into it and today let them have a run out in the yard. Well, it was chaos at bedtime – all milling around looking to get into the old draughty boxes. I had to come over from finishing feeding the cows to see if I could get them over but it was worse than running lambs – just like pushing water uphill, one this way, one that way, oh dear oh dear. So back into their old boxes they went and they had to be carried across to the new hen house. I don't think they'll be out in the yard again until the old boxes are away! Ungrateful little rascals.

Here's a picture of some hens bringing in the wish list.

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Water, water everywhere...yuk

Well, we've had a couple of very busy days here. All the tups went out yesterday. After quite a bit of sorting out I brought all the ewes and gimmers in and we put them into smaller groups each with some tups. That bit took all day and went ok, but I did get into a bit of bother and not all my fault – I mean what a lot of mud there is at present. All over the place, just mud, mud, mud. Anyway, I got a bit grubby. Well, to be honest I got really, really filthy. So dirty that when I got back in, I had to have a shower. Me!! A shower!! The horror of it all - and with Daisy watching my every move jealously. I wouldn't have minded at all if she'd changed places, but no such luck.

After I got out (clean, I must admit), things went from very bad to even worse – if that could be possible. Skye had eaten a plastic stopper on the radiator in our room for some reason (known only to her) and boiling hot water was now spewing out all over the place. They fixed it in the end, but not until both our lovely new beds were absolutely ruined. Skye had already torn hers quite badly a while ago (overuse, I think) but she's in proper disgrace now. Goodness knows if we'll ever get anything as comfortable again so I'm not speaking to her...ever again. Fancy - my lovely bed destroyed. Disaster.

Let's hope we get some long sheepy days to take my mind off it and help me keep my hands away from Skye's throat. Daisy came pottering in and said she thinks an anger management course would help...I'll told her I'd see how well they both manage anger whilst flying over the garden wall if they're not careful. Give me sheep anyday...they've got more common sense than these two

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Bonfire night

Bonfire night – not my favourite day...but fortunately I didn't hear any fireworks this evening. All that banging and whizzing just frightens me – it would frighten everyone surely? We did have a bonfire though and that was quite good fun. Well...it was until I saw the reflection of the fire in the holiday cottage window and startled myself. I must be braver must, must, must – Daisy and Skye had a marvellous time, just barrelling around without a care in the world. In fact, Daisy was enjoying herself so much we nearly had a roast Westie on our hands, she got so close to the flames. As it was we did have a very grubby Westie to deal with but nothing that a bath couldn't deal with.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow – we've been getting all the tup harnesses ready today. Skye says she's going on strike or going off sick, she hasn't decided yet, but she's determined she's not spending the whole day with 'those smelly sheep', and with Daisy looking like a new pin she's clearly not going to be allowed near any mud, so it looks as though I'll be on my own. Good, good I say – bring them on...

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Daisy’s coat

A drippy sort of day today – warm enough but just wet. Wet enough for me to feel sorry for the sheep – but they are sheep so they don't seem to mind at all, in fact quite the opposite. The cows, though, they definitely don't like the wet (but they are looking nice and clean!).

Ho, ho, ho!! Guess what we've seen coming in. Just this evening – Skye and I. A C.O.A.T. To be perfectly accurate, a Daisy size coat. Thank goodness it wasn't my size – I spotted that right away, but Skye was looking a bit more interested, especially once Daisy had hopped into it and started parading around like the Queen of Sheba. She looked a bit more dubious once I pointed out that a coat could only mean one thing – trips out in bad weather. Skye hates the rain almost as much as she hates the mud, but Daisy was really pleased and is now sure she's going to be working out on the farm this winter. Some chance! In fact, there's more chance of her being left to look after the cat's supper than that coat going anywhere near mud, so it's a winter of cosy little walks ahead for her...no, I definitely don't want one of those coats.

Anyway, I know what we're up to tomorrow – I'm sorting sheep out and Daisy and Skye will be parading about in the coat. I'll get a picture for you..

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Easy street

As I thought, my worst fears came true...a day off. Skye has hardly moved all day much to Daisy's annoyance as she wanted her out in the garden to play. Daisy has been in and out of the garden like a supercharged jack-in-a-box. But Skye reckons she's earned her day off and said she doesn't want to waste it!! Me, I reckon she's done just that by wedging herself in next to the boiler all day, but she never listens. Deaf as a post when she chooses to be, but could hear the bonio box being opened at 100 yards...which still puts her some distance behind Daisy in my view. Skye and I both think Daisy's got some sort of food based radar system that warns her whenever any food is moving – we've certainly never got to supper before her...ever.

Anyway, hopefully tomorrow will see the hens hut finished and we can get on with more important, sheep, stuff

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Tup day minus 4

Two days on the trot – I'm feeling a little stiff now to be truthful, but we've finished checking all the ewes now so that's a big step towards getting the tups out at the weekend. Mind you, I wouldn't grumble if we did the same again tomorrow. Skye would though...she only managed to help a little in the morning and didn't want anything to do with sheep in the afternoon – and pottered off muttering something about 'sheep', 'feet', and 'killing me'. I didn't mind though as it left more work for me and poor old Daisy wasn't allowed out to help – far too muddy for her short little legs.

Skye had been very disappointed first thing – she'd heard Daisy talking about the clocks going back at the weekend and now thinks that she missed out on an extra hour in bed because she didn't know about it on the day. We nearly had a rebellion this morning because she refused to get up first thing, but I told her to make sure she got to bed for a couple of hours before supper then she would get more than her extra hour. That cheered her up a lot but confused Daisy, but luckily I managed to give her a little kick to stop her pointing out that that didn't make sense. She'll learn not to upset Skye's applecart...

Anyway, rather disappointingly I think I'm getting a day off tomorrow. Just when you get into a nice routine someone pops up and says you need a rest...no wonder the country is going to the dogs.

Take care