South Carolina

[Moonchild]

Jackie B. :

Got the ultrasound pics yesterday!!!!!And holy cow it's a boy! Still can't believe how, er, much you can see at 12 weeks. Whit Cleveland Blackwell is measuring 13 weeks though so my due date is July 4th. Oh geeze.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/57425_whit.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/57425_whits_a_boy.jpg

Thank Goodness "Cleatus the Fetus" is now off the table for names

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!​

 

[huckleberryfarm]

We now have 3 three-year old Great Pyrenees at the farm. Rufus, Snookums and Keeper ( names came with them!). They are so sweet.

I'd heard from so many people how great this breed is but Cole wouldn't listen. We got our puppy and believed but he is still small to battle anything big. A farm in NC was reducing their flocks and had too many LGD. They decided to sell three and we couldn't pass them up. They are sheep, goat, cat, guinea, chicken-friendly. They are litter mates. Cole picked them up today (an 8-hour round trip). My children were a bit shocked when they jumped out of the car. They are pretty big! It took about 10 seconds until everyone was in love.

We have Snookums ( a boy) in with our puppy. They are in the pasture with our original goats and sheep (and the new lambs). Rufus and Keeper are in with the babydoll sheep. Our hope is to have Rufus as a yard dog. I saw him in full mode tonight when a crane suddenly swooped down into the pasture. Oh, the teeth! He immediately went from a docile big baby to a ferocious and scary beast. Dear me! I wouldn't mess with him!

For those of you with Great Pyrs... I have a question. All three of these did the same thing and we're trying to figure it out. At different times, we walked each one around the fence of the pasture they'll be in. Each one picked a separate spot (where the fencing was a little high at the bottom), scraped up nearby dirt with their paw, and then used their nose to push that dirt under the fence, basically covering up the space. Is this normal? The girl did it first and we thought we were seeing things. But both boys did it too in different pastures. Are they that smart or is this something they were taught? After the gap was full of dirt, they moved on. I swear they were filling in places that a predator could squeeze under!

These gentle giants already have a place in my heart. All three of them will lift up their paw and poke it at me when they want to be pet. They are so easy! They follow you around, stop when you stop, but are quick to run off if something doesn't feel right. Cole said he might sleep well for the first time in months! I'm so happy to be protected (people and animals!).

 

[rtda4]

Susanne these gentle gaints have a place in my heart. They are very protective of animals and people. The only thing I have to watch for is when my goats are birthing, the dogs want to take the babies from the mother and clean it up. Sometimes the mother will reject the baby after that. I have two and would not take anything for them. We sleep well at night knowing they are keeping watch.

 

[Moonchild]

Quote:
Great Pics!!!!! Dogs are awesome!

BUT those babydoll sheep are THE CUTIEST THINGS EVER!!!!!!!!!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Each one picked a separate spot (where the fencing was a little high at the bottom), scraped up nearby dirt with their paw, and then used their nose to push that dirt under the fence, basically covering up the space. Is this normal? The girl did it first and we thought we were seeing things. But both boys did it too in different pastures. Are they that smart or is this something they were taught? After the gap was full of dirt, they moved on. I swear they were filling in places that a predator could squeeze under!

This is one way they mark with their scent glands. Their paws have glands as well as their noses and their saliva leaves a scent that will keep predators away. These dogs were raised with animals they were supposed to protect, not as family dogs which will usually mess up this trait.

I am so thrilled you all have gotten the protection for your farm that will keep those nasty predators away from your wonderful stock! Your new LGDs are awesome and I know you all will sleep better at night now. I am so tickled for you all and everyone looks happy with the new family members even if they are real working dogs. You all are very lucky to have gotten 3 more and from the same farm. Good going!

Love the size difference of the big one near the new sheep. Awesome!

Cole looks very proud and happy. HE will sleep better now, too!

 

[Patsy29332]

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WOW they are great!!! You are so lucky!

 

[gvilledh]

Susanne, I am just falling in love more in love with your farm.I was just telling my daughter about it. She is going to Charleston tomorrow for a few days, so I told her if she sees Rainbow Row to just imagine a row of chicken coops in the same colors. She just shook her head at me as if I've lost my mind again! I am so glad you have the dogs to protect everyone now. I'm sure you will all sleep better tonight.
Have you got plans drawn up for the new house? I'm sure you will be excited when you start seeing walls going up.

 

[Patsy29332]

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DITTO! I love Susannes' rainbow row too...I think maybe that is why...I grew up in Charleston and it seems so nostalgic to me...I am thinking of creating "western world" LOL

 

[Joycats]

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[Jackie B.]

Quote:
Thank Goodness "Cleatus the Fetus" is now off the table for names

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!

Bah ha ha ha I thought it was kinda catchy