a visit to the cathouse

There have been a few trips to the veterinarian over the past few weeks, the latest being Xena for a gash she got on her leg.  I don't know how it happened, but it did require about 6 stitches.  Once again, she was a brave girl and let the vet do what she had to do.  In return, she got the BEST treats.  Here she is at home, resting after her ordeal.  The black on her forearm are the stitches.

The Burns Lake Vet Clinic is a wonderful place.  As well as offering the best care to all variety of animals they also have a rescue shelter for cats.  Over the few years we've been here we have taken home 5 cats from here.

During the summer, a second  shelter was built and Art generously volunteered his skills as an Electrician to install a light and outlet for a heater.  With the days getting shorter and colder, these are becoming essentials.

While Art was working away, I visited the residents of the other shelter.  There were maybe a total of 10 or 12.  As much fun as it is to go in and play with all those kittens, it is pure torture to leave.  Who can resist these darlings?!

The drive home along Savory Road.  I do love Autumn.

don't eat pig poo

I wouldn't need to tell you that, right?  But it seems that Xena finds it to be a yummy treat.  I don't know about dogs sometimes.

Yesterday we decided to formally introduce the dogs to the pigs.  They've been just dying of curiosity for two weeks now and there's been a lot of whining and nose licking through the bars.  So Xena went first.

 

Once face-to-face she was a little bit nervous.

.... especially when one started chewing on the end of her tail.

So, then it was Cleo's turn.

Both were very good girls.

Today, we let them in the pen sans leashes.  While Cleo made a bee-line for the food trough, Xena found some lovely chewy nuggets.  MMMMmmmmm.

piggies (part 3)... and other stuff

Turns out that pigs like to play.  Did you know that?  So, we gave them a soccer ball. They love it!

Civil Servants ?  No one's servants and rarely civil....

Xena seemed to be worried about me being inside the skid steer. As soon as I opened the door, she jumped in and sat on me.

piggies (part 2)

After keeping the new piglets inside for the first day, it was time to let them explore their outside pen. 

I love this one. It looks like the pigs are giggling and whispering to each other before going over to check out the dogs .... who are DYING of curiosity about these newcomers.

This is how they sleep. Can you see them under the hay?

The pigs and chickens discover each other.

good friends and new piggies (part 1)

Earlier in the summer, RT & Rhoda came to visit and of course their dog Tommy. Tommy and our Xena are "in looooovvvve".

 When they leave, Xena truly seems depressed.

But then Mike and Bubba came to stay while, with their dogs Rusty and Maya. Doggy heaven was restored. Their timing was pretty good because we were just getting ready to bring home two new piglets and needed to build a pen to put them in. Their help was very appreciated.

out of the frying pan

took a drive up the mine road to get a better look

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

coming down over the ridge, Francois Lake at the bottom.  You can see the red of the flames.

east end of Francois Lake, looking south

the mall in Fraser Lake

forest fires

The smoke of the forest fires is particularly bad today. There are 3 or 4 within 50 km of here, but Binta Lake is the one affecting us most. It's hot, it's dry, the air stinks, there's an orange glow to everything and there's no rain in sight for at least a week. Here is a picture of the fire from 2 days ago.

Don't worry, we are in no danger. As the crow flies, it's about 30 km away and would have to cross a VERY large lake to get to us. On this map the blue dot is our house, the red dot is the fire.


View fire - 15aug2010 in a larger map

potatoe balls

Pardon my ignorance, but what the heck are these things growing out of our potatoe plants?Potatoe ball mystery aside, the garden is growing like crazy. And in prep for winter crops, the greenhouse is progressing in leaps and bounds. Yesterday was electrifying .... as it were. I'm sure it won't be long before the neighbours are gossiping about what the new lights are "up on the hill".At any given time, some cat or other can be seen skulking around the yard.Just as I was wondering how Ewie got up on top of the Boler .... he revealed that it really was no big deal.I took this shot of Art writing by candlelight, but accidentally left the shutter open too long. I particularly like the Elton John eyeglasses look.My sister-in-law, Echo, is a beautiful artist and she made these for Art's birthday. She makes the hearts with concrete and then later does calligraphy on them. These quotes are from The Four Agreements.Xena and Kermit. Aren't they just adorable?