I finally subscribed to DG!

I just started work again on Monday after 5 mos. w/o a real job. I was fortunate to get a position which I applied for with a local non-profit Belted Galloway farm - see website, it's really a great farm - http://www.aldermere.org/ I will be doing building maintenance on the 49 on-site buildings, plus assisting with the cattle, haying, summer interns, volunteers, 4H program, etc...So, I will have some dispensable income on payday. I sent Dave my money and feel much better now...I will be trying to integrate my poultry passion into this position, as I am already working on a proposal to incorporate poultry as a supplement to the successful beef business they run...Scott

Welcome Scott! There's so much info here I could read for days but it's so much more fun to post and get questions answered. I've learned so much here.

What a great job and we joined DG's on the same day! I am good till April 29, 2009 at 2:43pm! I am also joining all the American clubs of the poultry and other farm animals I keep.
You have a great job!!

Boy am I envious!

Scott, you know those are heritage cattle, you have my dream job, big congrats to you! Now get them started on Buckeyes!

That sounds like a job my husband would love. Outdoors with the livestock on a farm.
Good luck with your new venture Scott.

We have the calf unveiling day coming up next weekend - I've been told it is one of the most exciting events we do all year. There will be 15 other vendors there, from organic apple orchards to organic Boer goat ranchers. Will try to get some photos and upload them here.

I have a black and white border collie named Galloway Sky. We're practically related. LOL

Border Collies Rock!

Congrats Scott.... Sometimes it seems forever till you get throught the have-to's on your list to the want-to's.. before running out of money... so glad you found your way and finally got to join.. we know you wanted to...

Now.. will you have time to make us more chickens, take care of cattle, invent incubators and play online?

I still need to finish the addition on my house and coach my sons little league team before I can invent anything else. I am such an idiot, I won 10 more egg auctions this weekend - now I am in the quail/partridge/guinea-hen biz too. Maybe my wife is right after-all???

Do you have a BC?

This is my boy. his name is Galloway Sky and he turns 9 this year. He is the best dog.

I have a BC--his name is Kipper. He likes to sit on the wall:0)

Liver and white! Beautiful. How old? Mine is a male. Seems funny when I call him "Gally". LOL

Kipper is 4. He was going to be drowned at birth by his breeder because he wasn't black and white---the vet techs rescued him with his 7 siblings (all liver or liver and white) and hand raised them. He is my favorite buddy--very border-line collie:0)

He is beautiful. Didn't the breeder know they come in other colors? DUH! How dumb. Most likely breeding for AKC registry or showing. Don't get me started on that. LOL So glad the pups came in contact with a sensible person before it was too late.

Gally used to stay in the house but he sheds too much. He has never blown his coat. just sheds everyday. We were all hacking up hairballs. Now he stays outside and he loves it. He comes in to visit now and again but he would rather be out. He loves to go hiking in the mountains with me. I love having him with me. Helps keep my stress level down so I don't have so many migraines.

We are presently dogless. When we get another it is down to Jack Russell or BC. My wife is not a big dog person, but my children are. They will most likely get the final vote. We are trying to decide if we want small or medium size now. I understand the JR are very intelligent also?

Jack Russells are a handful! Very intelligent and hyper! I don't own one but one climbed up my 4 ft fence and mated with 3 of my dogs. His name was "Buster" and he impregnated every intact female dog in the neighborhood. His owners tried to keep him in his fenced backyard but he climbed the chainlink fences. I don't know what they ended up doing with him but I haven't seen him around in a long time. Cute dog though. I had a pug/dachshund female at the time and Buster got to her and here's a photo of the pups.

I'd go with the BC. It'll herd the kids around but play with them as long as they want to play. JRs can be a bit hard headed as most terriers can. Cute as buttons but they are tenasious (sp?) and they are diggers.

Scott you should read up on JR's before deciding on one. They're very active dogs. My son has one and I'm not convinced it's the right dog for kids. More like an outdoor type adult. There are some really good web pages on that breed. The BC is a much more patient dog. Less inclined to snap at rough play. I had a BC mix when I was a teenager. Loved that dog. His name was Zero :-) Best dog I ever had.

MollyD

I'd go BC too---keep hearing horror stories about Russels with other animals. A few sites say they are incompatible with every animal except horses. Of course there are exceptions to every generalization. And they are awfully cute.

Of course BCs are no walk in the park either. I adore them, but they definitely have their quirks. Here is a funny cautionary link I found while researching them before getting one. http://www.bcrescue.org/bchorror.html If you just want a pet, or even if you are interested in herding and competiton, try going to BC rescue sites. There are always a lot of dogs, many owner surrenders--almost always because although the dog is absolutely loving and loyal, they are more demanding than the owner expected. Like having a super intelligent, sensitive child. Suppose to be a big difference temperament-wise between the males and females too. Males tend to be more mellow--girls can be absolutely brilliant one day and sulky and unwilling the next. Here is another site about that.http://www.bcrescue.org/whichsex.html

Will you be able to take him to work, Scott?

You can also find rescue dogs and other critters at Petfinder.com

Lana

Lana I just went to that site and it referred me to a list. I did a search for goats and was horrified at how many there are looking for homes. Any idea if these animals have been checked out for health? If they're clean I sure could use a wether here to help with the twins as they get older. I don't want to bring in any diseases but would love to be able to help at least one homeless goat.

MollyD

If they are in a rescue they should have been health checked but just email the rescue to ask. Yes, it is horrifying how many animals are on there looking for homes. Some are in rescues but some are still in shelters and will be put to sleep :(

Lana

Thanks Lana. I'll look into it after I speak with my vet.

MollyD

Holy crap Cat - I read the first six horror stories and didn't finish the rest. I had no idea that BC's were so destructive. My BIL's dog Buddy was mellow, but I only knew him when he was older. I need to do more research...

Yes, mainieac, and you can't come down too hard on them, because they are very, very, sensitive and eager to please. They will run through every behavior they think you might want, before you can explain what it is you really want. And if you yell or get harsh with them they shut down. Poor dears! I love them, but you have to know what you might be getting into. They are suppose to settle down considerably by the time they are 4 and Kipper has never been very destructive....he is a good boy, just a little "intense".

My boy has never been destructive. They are very intelligent and very sensitive and perseptive. They don't need words. They read the expression on your face. They do have a very high work drive and they need a "job". Not a dog you can leave at home for hours on end with nothing to occupy (sp?) their minds. They will make up things to do.
And the results will amaze you. LOL

LOL I still have a record album my Zero attempted to dig into! He must have thought it was a hole in the ground (I had carelessly left it on the floor). His scratch marks are all over it. I can imagine his glee at seeing it spinning!!

MollyD

hole int he ground, ROTFLMBO!