You will see at least one on every farm you go to.
Typically they are the first to greet you. Sometimes friendly and sometimes..well not so much. Much like myself in that regard...lol.
Seemingly part wild and part domestic I speak of course of the farm dog.
They play an important role. They are the 24/7 patrol. They protect livestock from preditors, they alert property owners of intruders and they are a constant companion during the many lonely hours that are spent in a field. A very important part of the farm team that is sometimes taken for granted.
I've been raised alongside dogs. My Grandmother, Granny Greengates was deeply concerned when I was born. It was thought that I was going to be an only child and she thought I would grow up to be selfish. So she assigned a full grown, standard poodle named Nanji from her pack of four dogs to me. I would spend my visits with my Granny working in her extensive gardens helping to weed and such. At tea time, I got one digestive biscuit and a glass of lemonade (two would be being piggy!). I would have to share half with Nanji. As such, she would follow me around all the day, just in case there was more biscuit to be had. We became the best of friends.
The first farm dog I fell in love with was at the Schaap dairy farm when I was in my mid teens. I would walk down the road about a mile, through the front apple orchard to the barn for milking. Slipping silently out of the shadows to greet was their dog. He had no name. Just a German Shepherd cross who had wondered onto the farm and was allowed to stay and was fed table scraps. I patted him. The look of wounded love that filled his eyes in that innocent act was so moving. I don't think he had ever been patted in a friendly way before. He followed me closely all the days. Even in the winter he would follow me home and stay outside, burying himself deep into the snow waiting for me to come back outside. I was not allowed to bring him into our home because he belonged to another.
Then one day, he just wasn't there at the farm anymore. I asked Theo and he just shrugged and said without looking into my eyes, "dog must have just run off"
I found his body the following spring cleaning out the heifer barn with the tractor. From that day forward I have made a point of welcoming every farm dog I have ever met so that they knew they were special. In my heart, when I do that, I am always patting him.
Our current farm dog as most of you who pick up know is Bella. My loyal friend and self assigned guardian. She also loves Wednesdays and looks forward to greeting you all. On her behalf I thank you for your gentle pats and the attention she receives. She always looks into my eyes, tail wagging after you have all gone with an expression that says, "I enjoyed that" :-)
You make her feel special and appreciated.
This week is very late. I have been crashing around in a muddy field digging potatoes. Very nice..a bit small but lovely. There will be a mix of Norlands, Russets and Yukon Gold. This is our Thanksgiving basket so we continue to roll out the winter squash. Butternut is a perennial fave so you will see that as well. We have brought in some things. There are Brussel sprouts in the shares and in the farm store we have available as an extra, Karen's amazing garlic and our own Patty pans for those of you who can't get enough of those :-)
We have two more weeks after this one so if you are looking to stock up this would be your time to do that. A special thank you to all the volunteers that came out to help glean our tomato field. Both Bella and I agree, it was just lovely to have you here :-)
Enjoy your week of preparation for the Thanksgiving feast. It is an honor to be a part of your celebrations.
~Michael
