last day of Jan

wow, here we are the last day of January. In a few day's what will Mr. Groundhog tell us? I sure hope only six weeks left of this season. I am ready for warmer weather. Yes, I think I may even look forward to, dare I say....muddy dogs ! This winter has been hard on me in many ways. In Dec. not only did I find one of my cat's failing due to her liver giving out. Only 8 years old, but also found my oldest dog, Deigh has a highly aggressive form of Cancer. She went in for surgery mid Dec. and had the tumour removed with clear margin. Sad to say the type of Cancer is a bad one. I am hoping she lives longer than they predict. She has been a wonderful dog. Placed well in the Open class while running in trials and was my go to dog for really tough chores. Had a few of my old timer ewes leave as well. They were 11 or better respectively so I don't feel too bad about them passing.
New Years Eve usually brings thoughts of hope for a better year to come. Mine was shattered into a million sharp painful fragments. My horse Badger who I have owned since he was two , slipped and fell on ice. At 32 years old he just was unable to stand. I think he dislocated or fractured his hip. I knew the day was coming, but New Years Eve? Next to my family he was the longest relationship I have had. 30 years. I really do miss that old man.
On a brighter note, I have started my two eight month old pups on sheep. They both look to be quite natural. I have to say they have so far been the easiest I have ever started. The youngest too. I usually have not start a dog untill 12 months or better.At four months these two hellions were getting into the flock and causing trouble. It really was an issue to baracade the sheep from the dogs. There was a break in the weather and Paul ( my husband ) and I were able to get a small control pen up with some cattle panels. Sorted off my six beginner sheep and at seven months gave them a go. I am getting them on sheep 3 or 4 times a week. I even had them out on the smaller hayfield ( just about two acres ) maybe the third time on sheep " just to see " and thought they looked great.
My trained dogs have gotten little work, but had them out a few times a week or two ago and it looked like the break did them well. Can't say a bad thing about the work they gave me.
As if this was not enough to keep my busy...I bought a little mare ! I just could not pass her up. She is at my friend Nola's farm Ro-No Ranch that  were there at a drop of a hat NewYears Eve to help me with Badger.
Why , oh why, did I even think about this little 5 year old mare named Diamond? Can't say. Horses were my life for more years than not. It is in my blood, the fabric of my being. She was there for a reason, and once she gets me going again I can start to mess around with my monster horse again, Scotty. Monster in size not head. He is a Clyde/ TB cross. Bought him at two and he was just about 15.3 hands. He is now a good
17. h if not taller. Scotty got put on the shelf when the dogs became more important. After years of not riding the thoughts of climbing up on him with weak wobbly legs just made me not bother. Waste of a terrific animal. Well Scotland Yard, you vacation is over.
Well, don't know what caused this ramble. Guessing a good way to delay heading back out to single digit weather. Planning on working pups today and worming sheep, looking at feet to see if any need trimming.
It's bright and blue out there but it is too cold to be out for long.

greetings

well here I go. A blog. Is my life interesting enough to be "blogging" about it? This I am not sure of. I'll give it a try. Quite cold today. Chores were unpleasant this morning. All critters got some extra hay this afternoon to keep the fires burning. Not planning on doing much out there today other than what HAS to be done. Tank heaters will be burning 24/7 the next few days I think. Can't wait to see what the electric bill will be since our rates have increased by %30 Jan 1. Bred sheep are all looking pretty round. Looking to start lambing mid March. Hope the weather strts moderating by then!