Morning Walk

Mopsy enjoys a walk whenever one is on offer. We walked to the creek and then up the road. I must book Mopsy in for a hair cut.  Not long till the weather gets warm although  this Sunday it will be cool again for the Arts Centre Market.

The hawthorn trees are covered in blossom.  Well the trees which have the white blossom are

covered but I'm still waiting for the pink hawthorns to blossom.

Ownership

 Darwin removed his bed from his kennel and he was protecting it from the bossy one.

This is the "innocent" bossy one.  Mopsy has her own bed but if she can claim another all the better.

Animal Life

Mopsy is back after having her last litter of puppies..

She likes a long walk after having a bath.

This is Choc.  He is so gentle and friendly.

The sheep are feeling rather good eating lots of grass.  The shearer needs to be booked for the end of November.



The latest addition.  Well I'm not sure for how long but David found this little hare when he was mowing. The hare is still living here and hasn't found the vegie garden yet.

Which way shall we go???

Brie has been home writing essays which means the dogs have been on lots of walks.  Walking Mopsy and Darwin is an adventure time for them.

They are vaguely thinking of going in the same direction.  So many smells of rabbits, hares and foxes.  And horses have been up the road as well.

 

Mopsy may have found something more interesting over there. 

For a short distance Mopsy and Darwin are walking in the same direction.

I forgot to take a photo of Darwin swimming in the creek.  Next week I'll take a photo before Darwin shakes water all over me.

All Creatures Spiky and .....

Our week of adventures began when Darwin found a snake when walking with David.  Darwin thinks all things that move make for play material.  Luckily no snake bites and we will be very careful where we walk now.

And today we have earth moving works happening.

Darwin is the guard dog. Maybe he will divert me from finding out what is going on in dog world.

This is the echidna, the cause of much barking, interruption to my afternoon of wool dyeing and a cross Mopsy.

An unhappy dog.  I have shut Mopsy out of her yard as she was digging  like crazy.  Firstly I thought she was trying to retrieve a hidden treasure.  Mopsy has many hidden treasures.  The digging frenzy made me then realize there was more to this.  After the snake sighting I became wary as I saw movement under the kennel.  Then I saw the echidna.  The echidna has obviously gone into shock or is just stubborn and won't come out from now a lovely soft earth home.

Still have barking dogs, an echidna on strike and dog yard fence to repair.  I am surprised how far down Mopsy has now dug under her gate trying to get back into her yard.



Hello from Dawin and Mopsy

A boy named Jethro came to visit the farm shop with his Mum.  Jethro was far more interested in meeting and playing with Darwin than looking at wool.  Darwin is a big dog and not used to small children.  This big dog was so gentle, no jumping or silly behaviour.  Jethro and Darwin are best friends forever and Darwin wanted to say hi to Jethro.

Mopsy of course wanted her photo taken.  Well rather she thought we could go for a walk and take the piece of rope a long way away from Darwin.  The ownership of this rope changes many times during one day!

A Walk in the Park

At the weekend David and I decided to take the dogs to the park. They had so much energy and we felt like a walk.  Nature was producing some wonderful colour.  But once the dogs were out of the car there wasn't much of a chance to see anything.

It didn't take Darwin long to find the muddy pool.  For those of you who know Darwin you are not surprised at this.

So this muddy dog expected to get into the wagon to come home.

Further along on our walk we found a pond.  Darwin proudly showed off his swimming skills which have much improved and he even left the ducks to swim in peace.

No mater how much I encouraged Mopsy to join Darwin for a swim she was not swimming on such a cold day.  Sensible girl.

Today Darwin has gone to visit the lovely grooming lady.  He is having a tidy up clip and shampoo.  I was a bit embarrassed he was so muddy but no point washing him twice.

Celebrations this week.

 At the weekend our family celebrated T & A's engagement at a party in Melbourne.  It was a fun party and a joy to see such a happy couple.

Sunday was market day - I had a busy day and must admit I slept on the train coming home.

This photo of Mopsy and a puppy or two was taken by the Portuguese Water Dog breeder Jane.  Mopsy came home yesterday much to the delight of Darwin.  I took both dogs for a walk this morning and there was much excitement.  Mopsy was pleased to leave her puppies.  They have grown up quickly and will be off to their new owners in a couple of weeks.  All the puppies are sold.

Today I'm dyeing fleece, tops and yarn.  It is quite breezy outside so drying will not be a problem. So back to the dye pot.

Puppies at 15 days

Blissful sleep.

So full I can't move.

Please don't wake me

These are some of Mopsy's puppies at 15 days.  Mopsy must be so relieved after feed time when the puppies all collapse into a sound sleep.  Today Mopsy is having a trim, shampoo and pedicure (or is that manicure and pedicure).  Hope she remembers to return to the puppies.

Mopsy plus 10

Well, let me introduce you to Mopsy's new family.  10 puppies were born last Thursday.  All are well and learning to fight for a feed.  There are 6 boys and 4 girls, a bigger litter than I expected.  Guess feeding time is chaotic for Mopsy who is a great mother.

Sukie & Northcote Market

According to my list I am supposed to in the studio making felt shawl pins for the Northcote Market.

I had a lovely afternoon enjoying coffee with Betty. We had to have our Christmas coffee early as Betty has family coming to stay next week.

Before I go to the studio I want you to meet Sukie, one of Mopsy's puppies.

How grown up is she. Sukie is now living in Hong Kong but I haven't told Mopsy. I can imagine the request for a trip OS and then Darwin would think he should go as well. Another puppy has gone to Singapore. A most adventurous family.

The Nine of Us

Well, I wouldn't be surprised if Mopsy decided to leave this lot! Mopsy now demands time off and has a play with the adult dogs. Eyes are open and I guess its nearly time to start exploring.

How cute are these puppies. These three look the most like Mopsy. Love the white paws and white tip on the tail. David and I will go to visit in a week or so.

The Dogs

This is a very pregnant Mopsy. She likes to sit most of the time so I had trouble getting a photo. This morning she was helping David with the problem of fixing the car locks. Last night a failed thief drilled holes in the locks.

Here she is a pretty as ever. Puppies are due in a couple of weeks. No home birth here - Mopsy is going to stay with her breeder.

And the boy! Darwin insisted on having his photo taken. Well I think that was what the noise was all about. Love his pose next to the tree - he was doing the lean on tree very well. Perhaps he hopes to be a model for a magazine. Yes, he does need a brush.

I have some dyed fleece to show you but it is dog dinner time so back later.

A Touch of Frost

There was quite frost on Friday. The sheep didn't seem to mind and were happy eating crunchy grass.
T came up for the weeknd to help with a few chores. We spent Saturday afternoon collecting all the dead wood and made two bonfires. David will probably burn them this afternoon. I have been wanting to have a clean up for ages and felt very satisfied although tired on Saturday night.

This is my yarn drying in the loft. Such a wonderful place to dry the yarn. Friday was a huge dyeing day. The shop needed stocking and I had a few orders for 8 ply. Dyed some semi solids to use with the hand painted yarn.
The market was quiet to start with yesterday and then there was quite a flurry. I must remember to wear more layers next week as it was very cold yesterday. Saturday wasn't too cold here and I hadn't checked the forecast for Sunday. Won't happen next week.

Took Darwin for along walk this morning. I needed the walk and there is never a complaint from a dog. Mopsy is looking pregnant and was slowing down when we got to the top of the hill. The puppies are due early September.

I'm off to Melbourne again this Wednesday. Michele is having chemo in the morning so will meet her at the hospital. Then we'll have lunch and walk Michele's dog Frankie. Must remember to take a photo of Frankie this week.