Thought I would introduce some of the farm animal family this week – something a little lighter and hopefully it will make you smile. This week, meet our canine division.
Canine #1 – Meet Catalina
She is nine years old, greying like so many her age, with a kind heart and a shrill bark. She didn’t really even bark her first few years of life. Just “whoofed” a little bit. Now, when she hears the washing machine thump or someone set a glass down on the counter she tears in to her barking spree.
In 2009, I saw Catalina’s brother while watching a local tv station and recorded the segment to show my husband. A shelter was advertising the litter of pups.
I just wanted to show him how cute he was and did not anticipate getting another dog. Later that day, though, my husband came home with a little, black furry ball that had been abandoned, along with her siblings, at a car wash. She was an adorable puppy. When she got tired, no matter where she was, she plopped down on the floor to sleep. Still to this day, she plops down the same way.
Her happy place is being in the snow – running and running while twirling at the same time.
Catalina loves her toys and will incessantly play.
If one of us is standing at the counter or the stove, she will stand and stare at the floor just in case we drop something. She doesn’t watch us. She just watches the floor.
While talking to her, she will look and continuously cock her head from side to side as if she is trying to understand. I wouldn’t really classify her as brave because when our other dog, Jose, barks, Catalina will do a low bark and run toward the door to get to safety if she’s outside or behind one of us to hide. Protection – not so much.
Canine #2 – Meet Jose
He’s such a gentleman (notice how he crosses his feet – does so each and every time).
He prefers to have his “best side” photographed. If caught off guard, he will quickly turn his head so you can get his best side. He is a handsome pup with a little grey around his chin.
I would say within a month of bringing home Catalina, my husband was driving home and saw a poor, scrawny looking brown puppy along the side of the road. When he got home, he told me about the pup. He gathered some food and went back to where he had seen him but could not find him. Keeping the food in his truck, he hoped to see the poor puppy the next day. When he did, he offered the little guy the food, picked him up, and brought him home.
We were hesitant in believing that he would survive due to his emaciated state. We kept him in the shop/outbuilding so he wouldn’t wander off, but mostly because we wanted him to have a safe place.
Now, though, you can see how he is living the dream.
Nine years later, he is still chasing those deer in his dreams (and sometimes in reality). While dreaming, he will growl, whine, and bark.
He is a devoted sweet dog, and sticks close to my husband whenever he is home. If he sees or hears something he doesn’t like, his hair will rise on his back. I have no doubt he would protect us.
He is afraid, however, of thunder, and has to be as close as possible to one of us during a thunderstorm.
His first few spa days, he did not appreciate the blow drying around his tail, but now has come to look forward to his day away for some pampering. If he is not fed at a time he thinks it should be dinner, he will sit and stare at us – and we know he is trying to mentally persuade us that it is time to feed him. This picture is of him right next to my head and his eyes are saying,
“Hey mom, it’s dinner time”.
Jose and Catalina
Jose and Catalina get along very well. While Catalina loves toys and chews, Jose is somewhat leery of them. However, we cannot leave them alone with a helpless toy because this is what happens. Once Jose figures out that it’s okay to play with the toy, they then have tug-of-war with the toy being the loser.
They have a wrestling match pretty much every evening while we sit at the bar and eat dinner. They each have their own comfy bed in the den and in the master bedroom. Yes, these two have been together since their beginnings. Jose, ever on the watch. Catalina, not so much.
I hope you enjoyed this introduction of our canine division at the family farm. We love animals and are thankful we had the opportunity to rescue these two pups. I would love to hear and/or see pictures of your canine collection, so please share in the comments!
An added bonus: Jose and Catalina’s book recommendation:
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein