21 January 2014

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch 2014: #3



Everyday Ruralty


QUESTIONS


How many seed catalogs have arrived at your home?

We have received two so far. One is from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. I can't find the other one at the moment and do not remember where it came from.


Will you be learning to do something new this year?

I sure hope so! Right now I'm scrambling to find ways to make money from home because a job outside of the home just won't work for either of us due to health problems.


How many pairs of boots do you own?(This can include casual, dressy, hiking, farm, riding, snow, or any other kind of boot.)

I don't own any boots at all right now. I don't generally wear boots. However, years ago when
our oldest son was a baby, I had a pair of white Victorian-style ankle boots with a shortish heel. I
wrecked them climbing Stone Mountain (Georgia). They looked similar to these boots, but without buttons: Victorian Style Boots Mine had metal guides for the strings instead of buttons.

My very favorite was a pair of brown suede ankle boots that were flat. Someone gave them to me and they were most comfortable ones that I'd ever worn. They came apart and I sewed them back together on several occasions. Finally, they were just too far gone for me to put back together. That was a sad day for me! I haven't found a pair of shoes that I truly enjoy wearing since then.


Valentine's Day is just around the corner. There are decorations in the stores. Do you have anything planned for Valentine's Day?

No, not really. Any time I plan something special for romantic days (Valentine's Day, our anniversary,
etc.) something comes along to wreck the plans. We'll get to that day and see what happens.


Please tell me your favorite breeds of dogs. If you don't like dogs, tell me something about a
favorite animal. (Please. :)


Shep Collage ©2008 Whitney S. E. McClendon

Our favorite dogs have always been mutts. Shep, who was about 18 years old when she died back in 2008, was a German Shepherd/Chow mix. She was a beautiful and sweet, gentle dog. It just wasn't a good idea to mess with her when she was pregnant or to get one of the kids to squawking or laughing
hard. She'd attack if she thought they were being hurt, which my mother-in-law's current husband found out when he tickled one of the girls.






Suzanne & Gus ©1984 David E. McClendon, Sr.

David and I had a dog named Gus back when we first got married. He was a mutt, too, but I don't know what he was mixed from. He had a very rough start of it. He was a tiny little thing. His first night being our puppy he threw up something that looked like his guts. He ended up spending that first night at the vet's office. I don't remember what was wrong, but he was okay and home the next day. The vet said he wouldn't get over 20 pounds. HA! He made it to about 60 pounds before all was said and done! He was very protective of our oldest son and wouldn't let anybody get near him except for me and David. He went hog wild the day our yard worker drove his truck through the fence right near the nursery. Mr. Freeman had a heart attack and lost control of his truck, that is why he went through our fence. He survived that heart attack that day. Gus didn't know what was going on, just that his boy was in apparent danger and he was going to protect his boy. He was a good old dog.



Battly ©2013 Whitney S.E. McClendon

Now, we have two small breed dogs called "designer dogs" instead of mutts. Their names are Battly and Petra. They are Jack Russell terriers mixed with Chihuahua, also known as Jack-Chi. They are yappy little babies, really licky, and really sweet, too.

Petra ©2013 Whitney S.E. McClendon

10 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh Suzanne, your dogs are adorable, they have gorgeous faces. There is nothing wrong with mutts at all, they are not as snobby as some pure breeds.
    I remember when victorian boots were all the fashion.I had a pair too, but they were black
    Great answers..I loved reading them. Thanks for sharing
    Hugs
    Phoebe x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I think that they have sweet faces, too, but my favorite part of them is their ears. I can't resist their little ears. :)

      My boots were pretty much black after climbing the mountain in them. They were scuffed beyond repair. I bet that yours were pretty. Black is one of my favorite colors.

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Have a great week!

      Delete
  2. Your dogs are so cute. It sounds like you have had a few very protective dogs. Our Shepherd is that way. I'm in the same boat you are in with regards to work. We need to get our project going. I have been dealing with health stuff, so forgive me if I haven't done much. I like the images you sent. Will look again and get back to you. Life has been crazy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I had determined when Shep died that we'd never have another dog. The losses are just too hard. Then, these two came along and needed a home, and who could resist those cute ears? :)

      I think that it is great that your Shepherd is protective, too. It is good to have someone that we can count on without question.

      I look forward to hearing from you regarding our project whenever you have time. I just hope that I'll be able to put something great together for you. Life has been crazy here, too.

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Have a great week!

      Delete
  3. Mutts are the best kind of dogs to have because they live longer than full bred dogs. Even if I were to get a lab someday I think it would have to be a mix. I'm running late this week with all of my posts/visits. MLK holiday threw me all off track! Have a good week...what's left of it anyhow!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've heard, too, that mutts are overall healthier than full bred dogs. Shep lived for 18 years. Gus might have lived as long had someone not killed him. :( Out little ones, Battly and Petra, are inside dogs so hopefully they will be here for a good, long time. As feisty as they are, they may even outlast me. haha

      Holidays throw most everything out of whack, that's for sure!

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Have a great week!

      Delete
  4. I agree...mutts make the better pets. Most pure breeds are quite hyper!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. These little ones are pretty hyper, especially Petra. Most of Battly's barking is at Petra, trying to get Petra to stop barking at me. :)

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Have a great week!

      Delete
  5. I love the fact that you shared photos and stories about your dogs. They all sound wonderful :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I am glad that I was able to share them. For whatever reason, the picture of Petra isn't showing up for me anymore. Can the rest of you still see her? I have checked the code for the picture over and over and can't figure out what has happened.

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Have a great week!

      Delete

All comments are moderated to help avoid any problems.

I appreciate your comments and will respond as soon as possible. I respond to all comments here on this blog.

Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment. Have a blessed day!