Abbie Jane: Farm Dog

Because life is not centered around my trauma with dogs, let us talk about basketball.  Kate, Hadley, and HD are all currently playing.  LD will not play until January.

Because of the ‘Rona, we cannot watch any of their games in person.  But here is something fun:

They are live streaming games so we can watch them from the comfort of our homes.  So that’s nice.

Here’s HD on the big screen:

So, that’s something.

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Another calf was calved.  But not from Maisy.

It was from one of the cows David bought at auction.  You know.  That wouldn’t calve until February or March?

***

Rio destroyed my Christmas decor, but still found time to pose for a picture.

“Feeling cute.  Might destroy more decor later.”

***

Guess what I learned about myself this week:  I get really attached to my animals.

Also: I loved Abbie with all my heart.

I tried everything I could.  I consulted people, vets, dog trainers, and did research.  Those two dogs could not live together anymore.

We are rehoming Abbie.

You would not believe how hard I have cried.  Every day.  For like a week.  I feel sick from crying.  It is ridiculous.  But she was my favorite.  And she loved us.

Today, she went out with David and the kids for one last session of farm and ranch chores.

I cleaned her kennel out and washed her blankets and collar.  I gathered some things for her and threw in some hot chocolate packets and a bag of mini-marshmallows.

Back when we first got Abbie, she was meant to be HD’s dog.  It was soon very clear that she loved David.

Me:  No fair!  You don’t even talk to her!  How come she loves you the most?!

David let me feel all glum about it for awhile, and then he let me in on his secret.

David:  You know how I have hot chocolate with marshmallows everynight?

Me:  Yes.

David:  I sneak her marshmallows every night.  And now she loves me.

So, I am sending her off to her new family with a supply of hot chocolate and marshmallows, hopeful she will connect quickly with them.

When she came inside, I gave her a bath.

Then she got some last minute snuggles in with everyone.

She is going to a family with 8 kids and no dogs.  This family is very excited to have her and I hope it all works out very well.  We were honest with the family and they know everything about her and why we are rehoming her.  I feel so lucky she is going with them.

But this has been so hard for me, for all of us.  This past month has just been awful with dogs.  The terrible dog fights, the emergency vet trips, the stress, and having to put down Tank a couple of weeks ago.

This is just plain awful.

She was perfect for us.

A faithful companion to each of us.

My heart is sad and my face hurts from crying.

I am going to miss her on our walks to check on the cows.  I am going to miss her excitement about going camping with us.

I am going to miss everything about her.

We were so lucky to have had her.

Something I don’t like to tell people much is that I really want to write a children’s book.  About a year ago, I decided I wanted to write a book about her, because she was so fun to watch on the farm and with David.

Me last night, sobbing like a baby:  But, David!  I was supposed to write a book about her!

David:  You still can.

Me:  Oh, but I won’t.  We all know me.

But maybe someday, I can do it.  Who knows.

I am going to miss her so much.  She was the best dog I ever had.