Our days in quarantine begin as they always have, feeding dogs, then enjoying tea in bed while the dogs rollick around the countryside for a while. Roscoe enjoys having a dogless bed, and he was reveling in comfort this morning, when I got this picture. Roscoe told me not to put it on the blog, as it was an unflattering angle, but Nancy (to whom I sent it) pointed out that he was doing an Easter bunny impression, so I felt it had to be posted. It has not been Roscoe’s day!
Jane and I had a nice ride this morning, after rock for the driveway was delivered. Here is the newly rocked road…
There are plenty of birds at the feeders, but I always miss the best shots. Undeterred, I continue to take pictures. It’s a funny thing, the juncos are gone. They appear in November, and we know winter will be close behind them. Then, they stay as the weather warms. We think Spring has arrived, but there is inevitably another cold snap. The juncos knew it was too early to go north. Now, all of a sudden, they are really gone. They never congregate or give any indication of departure, but off they go, and Spring has really arrived.
Midwinter junco 
Goldfinches galore 
Very gold finches in Spring 
Cardinal and flock
I went out to the paddocks to do some clean up this afternoon, and Roscoe came out to join me. I heard a horrible scream, and a gray cat was streaking for home across the grass. Poor Roscoe had touched the electric fence! I felt awful about it, but I am pleased to report that he has recovered his composure and is over the shock. I don’t expect he will be in the paddocks again anytime soon.
Roscoe
Cedar had a good, long adventure with Weedy, and took a nice rest afterwards…
Harry and I went out to sit on the front porch, it was such a beautiful afternoon. We suspected that one of the dogs had rolled in something stinky (we could both smell it – so no Covid yet). I bent down to sniff Weedy, which caused Nettie to take offense. She hates being sniffed, because that leads to baths, and she does not like baths! I wasn’t even smelling her.
Well, Nettie growled, which set Mistletoe off, and a huge dogfight ensued. Bear in mind, Nettie is more than twice the size of Mistletoe. It was very traumatic. Harry gave me his cane, with which I struck them repeatedly, to no avail. At one point, they separated, but Mistletoe went right back at Nettie, ferociously. Finally, I got Mistletoe by the tail and lifted her out of the fray. There was no blood. Nettie maybe had a little cut near her eye. We gave Nettie a trazodone and locked her in an upstairs bedroom. There was a two hour time out, and when Nettie was reintroduced, Mistletoe was extremely bristly and horrible. But a truce was established and a fragile peace reigns again.
When we adopted Nettie from the shelter, she had been there a month. The story was that she had been found in a pool of her own blood after being attacked by other dogs. She had healing puncture wounds when we got her. Now we understand why she was attacked. She is very stroppy and obnoxious. Luckily, Cedar and Weedy just ignore her, for the most part. But Mistletoe is such a terrier! She is up for a fight anytime, even though she is so crippled, she can hardly walk. Harry and I both have PTSD now. All I could think was that we might end up with Covid over a stupid dog fight if we had injuries. Good lord, what a day! I do not know how we ended up with such bad dogs that we love so much!
Harry enjoyed watching TV from the hospital bed for the last time. Tomorrow it is scheduled for pickup. Roscoe is very glad that the purple recliner is not a rental.
Well, that’s another day in quarantine. A little too much excitement today! But we continue to count our blessings, knowing things could have been worse. Hoping everyone is staying safe, avoiding fights and electric fences, and especially avoiding the virus!
Oh my, poor Roscoe. But he looks like he recovered from the shock. And dog fights are so unnerving. I’m glad that a reluctant truce has been established. Vic says that she misses photos of Harry’s knees and I’m glad that he can now wear jeans. I hope that Tuesday is a more relaxed day.
PS, don’t look at the weather forecast for next week.
Of course, Rebecca, the first thing I did was look at the forecast. Cooler weather will allow flowers to linger longer, so I won’t complain…
Oh my! First the picture of Roscoe in bed, unflattering yes, but brought me to laughing out loud! Thank you Roscoe and Anne for the funniest photo yet! Now, next, Harry’s smile rivals yours, Anne. Both of you have a great smile. You could be brother and sister. As to the dog fight. I freeze in fear while witnessing one consequently being unable to do anything. Thank God! I’ve seen so few. Horrible. Poor you and your Nettie and Mistletoe. I hope the fragile truce lasts. The Junco shot is fabulous as well as the Goldfinch convention. Love this blog!
Oh, Jane! Your enthusiasm keeps me going. As for a compliment on smiles – well! that is very high praise coming from a McClaren. Both you and your niece have smiles that light up our lives. You have the same magnificence that way. Beautiful smile genetics, which I hope also provide coronavirus immunity. Stay safe.
Oh dear, dog and cat drama on the same day! Happy to hear no one was seriously wounded, dogfights are the worst. Your morning ride looks marvelous. My mind hears the rhythmic crunches on the new rock. Miss those. Harry looks like Harry, yay ❤️ Thanks for sharing!
Jane Mc Claren has shared your blog with me. We were horse friends years ago when she lived in Minneapolis. As an inner-city resident, it is a pleasure to read about your animal and country filled life! I hope you might let me enjoy a bit of it, too?
Oh, Janet, I am flattered – I do hope you enjoy it. Are we not lucky to know Jane McClaren!? She is so full of life and joy! I am indeed very lucky to live in the country during these physical isolation times. It’s particularly surreal, since life with animals doesn’t change much, while the world outside our little farm gets stranger by the day.