She's Your Dog!!! but..........

I love animals, I always have. I grew up in a non agricultural environment with cats and dogs as pets, and then I married a rancher. I've raised countless doggie lambs I've mothered orphaned calves. We've owned to many dogs to count and it's only fair to say I've loved everyone of them even Gutsy the goat.


But, please don't think I'm irresponsible and cruel when I allow my children the benefit of learning to "Make it" in this life when I give them full responsibility for their own animals. If it's a lamb or a calf the possibility that they will loose the animal to death is quite a bit higher then if they are given a dog or a cat.


We happen to be dog people, and have learned how beneficial cats are when left to defend for themselves. In 15 years I have never had a mouse in my house.


Also understand that the reason we are dog people is not because we love the unbelievable loyalty, fun loving, bouncy, irresistible wagging of the tail personalities of dogs. (though that's a nice benefit) Our dogs are literally considered livestock. We rely on them to help with the herding. They are responsible for helping with the cows, rounding up strays, putting ornery old cows in their place, eating the scraps from lunch, keeping us company when we're out on our own, and even listening to us cuss and holler obscenities (at least some of us) without judging us or thinking ill of us. I would have to say we couldn't make it with out our beloved dogs. And so, we have a dog for every member of the family, almost.

So, the day this batch of puppies was born was a Saturday morning. What a surprise NINE new little puppies that we hadn't even suspected. At least none of us had until two days before when Caib was out feeding his dog, Sandy, and he looked down at her and thought to himself,

"She looks to fat to just be fat."


Of course he didn't tell us that until after all nine puppies were present and accounted for just minutes before He and Braden were leaving with Dad to go to a basketball game in some neighboring community two hours away. So after feeding the rest of us, I filled up a jug of water to take out to my chickens and headed out to water and feed the chickens. I have to admit, I wasn't very excited about having 9 puppies to deal with but, that didn't stop me from deciding to go and peek in on them. When I got to the haystack where the puppies little burrow was I grimaced and stared discouragingly down at the poor wet little helpless things. I could tell that not one of them would survive if I didn't step in and help this first time mother out. But, I have to admit I toyed with the idea of letting nature take it's course. I even called Roger and he told me not to worry about them. So I went back into the house....less then an hour later I walked back out and the situation appeared worse. I couldn't help it I gathered the durn things up and took the whole brood as well as the mother in the house beside the wood stove to help warm them and dry them.


An hour later I took mother and nine healthy little puppies back out to their burrow and left them to fend for themselves That's all the involvement I've had in these little balls of fur. the two littlest didn't survive but now we have 7 bouncing little Australian shepherd mix puppies that are ready to be sold. We'll see how Caib handles this. I told him every penny he earns by selling them is his to keep (Big incentive).
I tell you this simply because There is purpose in animals I can't begin to tell you how much I've learned about becoming "Christ like" Through watching, caring for,and being involved with animals. Especially lambs. I am so grateful that we are given every opportunity in this life to learn to become more then we are. We have been given incredible amounts of trust from a loving Father in Heaven. I'm thankful for His plan that directs us on a path filled with joy if we stick to the path. It floors me to know that he was aware of the mistakes that we would make and that There would be pain and sorrow and suffering that we would all go through and yet in order to improve and learn and become what He knows we can become we had to come here and experience this life.

Therefore........

Caib has seven puppies for sale!

:D