Farm Dogs

Since moving to the farm we've had to figure out what to do with the dogs for recreation and potty breaks.  We've been walking them every 3-4 hours.  Neta would walk them in the morning before she left for work and I walked them most of the rest of the time, including right before bed.  We also created a (cheap, simple) fenced area in the backyard for when we just want to give them some fresh air for a longer period of time.  At our last rental house, both dogs managed to find a way out.  Sammie seemed confused and was looking for a way back in.  Lulu Belle ran...and ran...and ran...until she got tired and then came back.

One is looking for freedom.  The other is happy at home.

After moving here the fence worked well for the first couple of weeks.  Eventually Lulu figured out that she could dig a hole, then use her head to lift the fence enough to squeeze out.  She's obviously part rat...or convict...take your pick.  She usually comes back when she's too tired for any more shenanigans.  Sammie knows how good she's got it and stays put, relaxing, watching birds, barking at squirrels and threatening their lives with complete and total evisceration.

It's wasn't much, but it let them run off-leash. Now it sits empty, like Alcatraz - minus tourists.

We'd thought about having a fence built (at some point in the future) to encompass the entire yard directly behind the house all the way to the pine trees, but figured we'd put the dogs to the test and see if they could be trusted running free.  We've got 50 acres so they've got room to roam and explore.  The folks who run the quail farm down the road told us that it wouldn't bother them as there was nothing for the dogs to get into as the quail are contained in houses.  Knowing there was little they could bother of our neighbors, we let them go on a test run.  Lulu took off like a shot, while Sammie hung around for a bit, not really sure about this "freedom" thing.  Eventually she ran off too.

They were both gone for about 10-15 minutes then Sammie came back first ("Are you sure I'm okay to run away like this?").  Lulu came back a few minutes later...in a full out gallop. She may be old (the vet estimates between 8 - 12), but the old girl can still run...like an Olympic sprinter.  Both dogs ran around us, tails wagging for a minute or two, then off Lulu ran again.  This time towards the big pond.  Sammie gave her a good head start, but soon caught up to her.  They were gone for a about 20 mins when Sammie appeared.  Walking slowly, out of breath and finally stopping and laying down.  Freedom will require some getting used to...and building up some stamina.  Lulu eventually came back.  She was wet and dirty, but not smelly.  After drying her off with an old towel she was fine.  First test went well.

Two exhausted dogs!

Last Monday, we tried them again.  Once again, Lulu took off like the dog catcher was chasing her, though this time Sammie did too.  In about 20 mins or so, here comes Lulu, dripping wet from head to tail.  Luckily the ponds aren't stagnant or stinky, just wet and cold.  Sammie came back dry as a bone.  Both dogs were happy, so we let them run around for a while longer.  Eventually Lulu dried off and they again came in and collapsed...dog-tired.

Tuesday, while I was the only one home and working, I let them go again.  This time both dogs came back wet and happy.  Sammie's really starting to get the hang of enjoying "farm life".

Yesterday I let them out around the middle of the afternoon while I continued working.  I would see them run by the window of my office from time to time, Lulu even stopped to look in a couple of times and after about 15-20 mins, she was done and ready to come in.  I brushed the dirt off her and she came in and laid down, her tongue almost dragging the ground.  A few minutes later I saw Sammie when I looked outside...keeping an eye on me.

Keeping an eye on the house.

While we still walk them in the morning and at night, both dogs seem to be getting used to the farm and their freedom.  They don't seem to stray too far, though the quail farm is a favored destination, as I'm sure it's tantalizing for Lulu's instincts as a bird dog.  Once the spring comes I'm sure we'll worry about them encountering critters that could do them harm (snakes, gators, hateful mockingbirds, etc.), but hopefully they'll gain a pretty good sense of danger vs. fun.  We don't worry too much about Lulu as she was a stray that ended up on the farm.  If you remember we found her, living as a "squatter", in this house while it was still under construction.  Sammie was also a stray (abandoned house in NC with her litter of puppies), but we have no idea what environment she grew up in.  Either way, they both seem to be adapting to life as farm dogs and ending the day like this:

Too tired to even eat dinner!
That's her throne - an old fold-up futon in front of my office desk.

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!