Today the weather is agreeable. The skies are a cobalt blue with an occasional fluffy cumulus cloud in the distance. The wind is slight. It’s still chilly enough to need a coat, but when you find a good place to sit in the sun, your insides begin to warm and your heart smiles.
As does your mouth. Me and little britches went outside to enjoy it for a while. The chickens were making an awful ruckus earlier in the day and I thought we’d better scout for eggs in case they’re laying willy nilly as they are prone to do.
In case you’re new here, my backyard is home to 5 wonderful chickens, two dogs and an occasional visit by me and my girl, EK.
That’s Drew, wanting his belly rubbed. It’s a dog’s life.
The dogs are sweet, albeit a bit rambunctious. And EK is a bit leery of their wagging tails, licking tongues, and overall ambitious nature.
Our girl dog, Grace, is a heeler/shepherd. A tad on the hyper side, a herder of all chickens, and may I add that she also is in heat. It’s important to the story, trust me.
She loves Emma. She just doesn’t understand her boundaries.
She wants to love on her but outweighs her by about 25 pounds.
Emma is always glad to see the dogs, as long as she’s in someone’s arms, safe and protected. I set her on the ground and told those dogs NO, and allowed the morning to progress. Drew is content chewing on a stick but Grace wants to see EK up close and personal and Emma was happy to see her.
Right until Grace rolled over on her back begging for a belly rub, bumped Emma and made her fall down. I of course, did my parental duty and ran right over to brush away the tears and scold the dog, but not before I snapped a picture or two. Not to worry, she was unscathed.
Time passed. A chicken wandered over, Grace followed.
Emma fretted, but was relieved when Grace herded the chicken along and ignored the need for a belly rub.
It’s okay, Emma. It’s ok.
Later, a new dog entered our backyard through a bad spot in the fence. A small black, high jumping dog.
We had gone inside but spotted him through the window. Was he after the chickens?
Nope. Just Grace.
We (as in J-Dub) ran him off twice, then we (as in J-Dub) fixed the bad spot in the fence.
Who knows. In a few months, the backyard may be home to five wonderful chickens, two dogs, and a passel of puppies.
All wanting their bellies rubbed.
Authors note: I started this post when EK was asleep, then she woke up and sat in my lap here at the computer. I showed her the pictures and she said “Emma” “bock, bock” “Drew” and when she saw Grace she said, “NO, NO, NO”. And then “night night”. She’s so precious.
Angel Wheeler 
A child laughing and a child sleeping – two things I will never tire of hearing or seeing. Loved the pictures and story.
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I love this, too, as I love all of you . . . . and your pictures and posts! I wanted to grab her up and love on her, when she had her sad little face . . . . and looking for you to sympathize with her, and comfort her, in her moment of need. I miss her sooooo much and I’m missing sooooo much! I think her hair will be blonde during the summertime. (Like yours did when you were one).
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Kids and puppy dogs … it just doesn’t get any better than this!! (oh yeah , and the chickens are pretty darn cute also!) Mama is right, her hair does look like it is gonna be “kissed by the sun” blonde. She is beyond adorable (even when she’s crying 🙂 Until next time .. Donna H.
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She IS so precious.
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