Adopt Clyde a Doberman Mix Dog @WaysideWaifs in #KCMO

This handsome fellow is Clyde.  He's a 6 year old Doberman Pinscher / Hound mix who was rescued from a hoarding situation in New York.  Somehow he found himself at Wayside Waifs animal shelter in Kansas City, Missouri, where he's now looking for a loving forever home.

Here's Clyde's adoption story:

Hey everyone. My name is Clyde, and boy do I have a story to tell you all. So just pull up a chair, relax and let me tell you the story of a boy named Clyde.

I came to Wayside after some of my human friends rescued me from a hoarding situation in New York. So I have come a long way to find my new home, and I cannot wait to me my new family. Now you may be thinking I should be partnered with someone named Bonnie, but that is a different story and mine is much better.

I am a 6 year old Doberman Pinscher/Hound mix. Yes I am a little older, but that makes all my stories so much better. I can be a little shy at first when I meet people, but once I warm up I sure do like to get lots of love. Don't let that fool you as I am not a homebody. I love to get out, sniff, walk, run and when I am comfortable with everyone I just would like to play. 

Now, my story keeps going on as well. I can get along with other dogs and small humans, but I just need to meet them first. I just want to make sure that we all get along so our story won't end. I do know how to sit and love to get treats, but I can always learn new things as well. Also I may need to be refreshed on my house training, but that won't be a problem. I just want a new chapter and any new stories I can write, I am ready to do with you. 

I have a new lease on life and a new chance to write a new chapter in my life. I would love that chapter to include my new family. Will you be the happy ending I have always been looking for? Come see me and let's find out.

Smiles and wags,  Clyde

For more information about Clyde

contact Wayside Waifs at  816-761-8151.  

Clyde's animal ID number is 24721237

Wayside Waifs is Kansas City’s largest no-kill animal shelter.   They are an independent, 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit humane society and animal welfare organization established in 1944.  Wayside Waifs is committed to finding homes for all adoptable pets. Wayside is the largest pet adoption center in Kansas City, placing over 5,400 animals each year in loving forever homes. Wayside does not euthanize adoptable animals, and there are no time limits for animals in our care. Only animals suffering from significant medical issues or those that pose a danger are humanely euthanized. Wayside Waifs is proud to be a part of Kansas City's no-kill community.  

Talking Dogs blog is participating in the Tuesday's Tails blog hop hosted by Dogs N Pawz and Talking Dogs. This is the blog hop that features shelter pets.  Find a pet at your local animal shelter or rescue and join us!

Tuesday's Tails blog hop participants can post any day of the week and link up with a fresh blog hop linky every Tuesday.  Though targeted at adoptable pets, we also welcome blog posts regarding pet adoption, rescue organizations and adoption events. Fetch the Tuesday's Tails Facebook page and give us a like and if you're participating in the blog hop, post your featured pets! Please help spread the word about these beautiful animals via social media and let's find them forever homes!

Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry. 

Adopt Clyde: Black Australian Cattle Dog

Oh, what a sweetie!  Clyde is a black Australian Cattle Dog mixed breed dog available at the Humane Society of Missouri.  Clyde is a neutered male and is about 5 years old.  As you can see in the video, he is a sweetheart.

If you have room in your life for another dog, consider Clyde.  He's a black dog that needs a forever home.

For more information about this dog, contact the HSMO animal shelter in St Louis at 314-951-1562.  Clyde's identification number is A506084

National Mule Day | Monday Mischief

I owe an apology to mules and mule lovers.  National Mule Day was October 26.  Unfortunately, I was too busy celebrating Pit Bull dogs (National Pit Bull Awareness Day) to celebrate mules.  However, in the spirit of better late than never and, as a fan of all equine, especially mules, I've decided to do some celebrating today.

National Mule Day marks the arrival of a special Spanish donkey to our country.

In addition to being a passionate American Foxhound dog breeder, George Washington is often called the "father of the American mule."  According to Our White House here's how the story goes:

In 1785, when King Charles III of Spain heard that General Washington, at home in Mount Vernon, was looking for the finest jackasses in the world to mate with his mares to create “super mules,” he sent Washington two of his best Spanish donkeys.

Only one survived the cross-Atlantic journey, landing safely in Boston. With meticulous care, Washington personally planned its arrival at Mount Vernon, making sure that his mares had lived a celibate existence so that they would warmly welcome their “foreign affair.” The regal jackass—Washington named him Royal Gift—was not at all pleased with the proffered country bumpkins and made no attempt to seal the deal.  

As frustrated as the poor mares, the creative Mr. Washington decided to trick Royal Gift.  He used a female donkey to capture the attention of the Spanish jackass, then, at just the right moment, pulled a switch substituting the femme fatale donkey with one of his Virginian mares. 

The ploy worked and by 1799 there were fifty-seven new mules at Mount Vernon. Washington farmed them out across the country to improve the nation’s stock and as a result many of the best mules today can trace their lineage back to old Royal Gift and George Washington’s mares.

Our mammoth jack, Mr. Jones

For those not in the know, mules are the result of breeding a male donkey (jack) to a female horse.   When a female donkey (jennet) is bred with a male horse (stallion) the result is a hinny.   Male mules are called horse mules or johns;  female mules are called mare mules or mollies.

Our john mule, Clyde meeting Spanky

Stubborn like a mule?  I prefer: smart as a mule.  While a horse's first impulse is to flee from danger, a mule will often freeze and refuse to move when danger is sensed.  Mule (and donkeys) will think about the situation and figure out the safest response.  Frankly, the mules I've known are often smarter than a lot of people I've met!

Yep, that's me driving a four-up of mules:  Molly, Nellie, Frank and Jesse

There's probably more mischief ahead... I really need to feature a mule song on Dog Song Saturday!

Thank you to Snoopy’s Dog Blog, Alfie’s Blog, and My Brown Newfies for hosting Monday Mischief!   

Autumn Reflections - Mule Style | Wordless Wednesday

Our mules Bonnie and Clyde

If winter is slumber,

spring is birth,

and summer is life...

then autumn rounds out to be reflection.

~ Mitchell Burgess


In honor of National Mule Day

Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry

Making Hay While the Sun Shines | Wordless Wednesday

 Making hay while the sun shines
with our mules, Bonnie & Clyde (above) and 
Belgian draft horses, Tim & Tom (below.)

Adopt Hansel a #Hound #Pitbull #Puppy @WaysideWaifs in #KCMO

Though I like to think puppies and young dogs find forever homes quickly, the sad truth is that they don't always.  This fellow at Wayside Waifs animal shelter caught my eye and I couldn't resist featuring him and giving him some social media promotion.

That face! Those ears!  What a cutie patootie!

Meet Hansel.  This adorable fellow is a hound / pit bull mix.  At only 9 months he's got lots of fun, puppy energy and the perfect age for training. 

Here's Hansel's adoption message:

Hi, my name is Hansel and I hope you have a trail of bread crumbs leading to your house. You see, I'm a nine-month-old boy who once was lost but now I'm found, well, at least temporarily. What I'm really searching for is my "Forever Home" and then I really will be found. I'm a sweet and cuddly, 46-pound, brown-and-tan Pit Bull Terrier mix with the sweetest face ever.

I'm still a puppy so I've got lots of energy and I love to PLAY. And like some little kids, I like to gobble my food so I could use some training to slow me down a bit at my food bowl and to curb my enthusiasm a bit when I see you want to be with me! Woo hoo-let's go! Training me should be easy because I am treat motivated but because I'm such an enthusiastic boy, I would be better with children five and older. I love being outside running and walking with you. A happy and carefree big puppy, I simply exude with enthusiasm for life.

 A happy-go-lucky young man, I'm such a handsome boy with a personality plus looking for a home. I just know you're looking for me-the one and only Hansel. I must meet all new family members, including canines, before going home. That will be fun, like most everything in my life! My bags are packed. When did you say you were going to pick me up? You won't be sorry. Love, Hansel

Take a look at Hansel's adoption video

 (and his wonderful smile) and then 

contact Wayside Waifs at  816-761-8151.  

Hansel's animal ID number is 24645699

Some good news!    

Clyde and Honey have been adopted!

Wayside Waifs is Kansas City’s largest no-kill animal shelter.   They are an independent, 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit humane society and animal welfare organization established in 1944.  Wayside Waifs is committed to finding homes for all adoptable pets. Wayside is the largest pet adoption center in Kansas City, placing over 5,400 animals each year in loving forever homes. Wayside does not euthanize adoptable animals, and there are no time limits for animals in our care. Only animals suffering from significant medical issues or thnose that pose a danger are humanely euthanized. Wayside Waifs is proud to be a part of Kansas City's no-kill community.  

Talking Dogs blog is participating in the Tuesday's Tails blog hop hosted by Dogs N Pawz and Talking Dogs. This is the blog hop that features shelter pets.  Find a pet at your local animal shelter or rescue and join us!

Tuesday's Tails blog hop participants can post any day of the week and link up with a fresh blog hop linky every Tuesday.  Though targeted at adoptable pets, we also welcome blog posts regarding pet adoption, rescue organizations and adoption events. Fetch the Tuesday's Tails Facebook page and give us a like and if you're participating in the blog hop, post your featured pets! Please help spread the word about these beautiful animals via social media and let's find them forever homes!

Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.  

Threshing with Draft Horses: A Farm Story

Folks who farm with horses tend to be drawn to one another.  Though there are many reasons to get together, threshing time is one of the most enjoyable.

When we lived on our old farm, we were fortunate to be a part of an annual threshing gathering.  It was a lot of hard, sweaty work.  It included a pretty fabulous potluck lunch.  And it was great fun.

This is not a part of some kind of organized event or demonstration for some kind of group, club, what have you.  Rather, it's a gathering of like minded friends who spend the day harvesting oats and baling oat straw in preparation for winter;  a by-invitation-only happening.  By-standers and gawkers not welcome - held on private property with very good farm insurance.

As you look at the photos, you may wonder: where are the women?  They're up at the house with the little kids, visiting and dealing with the food.  Not me.  I'm out there with the guys.  The lone woman who works horses.

I've come across women who enjoy driving horses, but few who work them.  

At any rate, here's a bit of a photo story of harvesting oats our way. 

It all begins in the fall with plowing.  Shown above is the dog daddy plowing one of our valley fields with our mules Bonnie and Clyde, plus Tom, one of our Belgian draft horses.  There's such a drag on the plow, that a 3-up is best when plowing fallowed land such as this.

To prepare the seed bed requires harrowing.  Shown above is yours truly working with Tim and Tom.

Unfortunately, I've found no photos to show you seed planting.  The old farmer's guideline is to get your oats in the ground before St Patrick's Day.  An early start is important and seed should be drilled as soon as the soil can be worked.

Harvest time - July.  Here you see the binder at work.  The binder cuts the oats and binds them into shocks.  Yes, we're cheating with the tractor.












The oat sheaves are then gathered and shocked - stacked to dry out and cure.  The sheaves are standing with the grain end up and a sheaf fanned out on top to deflect moisture.  When they've cured enough - usually only a few days in the hot summer sun - it's time for threshing.

All that hot, sweaty, itchy, back breaking work to build the shocks...  only to be torn apart a few days later!  

The shocks are broken apart and the sheaves - bound bunches of oats - are gathered onto wagons.  Shown above:  Andy is preparing to pitch a sheaf onto the wagon.  There's a method to stacking the sheaves to built a nice wagon load that is safe and secure.

Higher and higher... the load of oats grows.

Here are Tim and Tom with a nicely built wagon load of oat sheaves.

A bit of a line up.  Mules in the center are Mollie and Nellie.  Tim and Tim are on the right.

 Another photo line up of full wagons waiting to line up at the thresher.  Equine include Belgian draft horses, Haflinger draft horses, and mules. 

Forking the oat sheaves off at the threshing machine.  

The thresher separates the grain from the stalks.  The wagon you see right in front of the thresher is collecting the oats grain from an auger.  The stalks are coming out of the thresher on the left, augered into a huge pile.  Those stalks will then be baled into oat straw.  This particular threshing machine is belt driven and powered by a small gasoline engine attached to the thresher.
 

Shown above is a steam engine which we've also used to power a threshing machine.

Hard work?  Yes.  However, the fun and fellowship greatly outweighed the sore muscles, sunburn, and perspiration.

For me, threshing is a strong tie to my roots and my love of working with my animals as a team.   And the fellowship with like minded friends and their equine can't be beat.