Happy New Year!

The year 2023 has come to a close, and I am jumping right on into 2024. We have survived two snowstorms in one week...to say we are tired & exhausted would be a big understatement. I am so thankful that Wade always puts others before himself, especially his family. We have seen some record low temps & windchills and the remainder of the week doesn't look to promising either. Keep all the farmers & ranchers and their livestock in your thoughts this week. It takes all we have to keep up & keep them going.

With the start of the new year, a big change happened in our household... Sydney & Jackson are now dual-enrolled. What that means is that our kids will go to school for certain classes/subjects & the remainder of their schooling will be done at home. Schedule wise, it works out well. Sydney has band 1st period everyday, followed by STEM on A Days and PE on B Days. She is done by 10:00 a.m. with those classes and then heads to the library to work on schoolwork that I have assigned to her as she waits for Jackson to get done.

Jackson's schedule is a little different since he is still in elementary school. He starts his day out with small groups, some reading, followed by recess and specials. For him, his specials change daily with two of the following: PE, Guidance, Art, Music & Handwriting. He is done at 11:20 each day & that leaves us plenty of time to get his schoolwork done that I have laid out.

It has been a learning curve, but I am so thankful for my degrees in Education as well as time that I have spent in the classroom. When Wade started to suggest this, I put it off and just changed the subject. Change is really, really hard for me. I believe so much in public education, that choosing to do something different felt wrong. I knew this...but didn't really realize it...education isn't a one size fits all...it doesn't have to fit all in the same box. As a teacher, I know that each student learns in different ways and honestly...covid changed so much of how we learn and it's always evolving.

Will our kids remain dual-enrolled for a long time? Just the rest of this year? I honestly don't know. Our kids take an active role in what we do here with everything...from learning to weigh the puppies & figure the correct dosage of dewormer to actually administering the deworming. They help with the regular care & feeding of everything here. I have said this multiple times, when the kids are gone & they aren't here to do their chores...it takes so much longer.

In just a few short weeks, the 4-H animals will be filling the barns & spring will be knocking on our doors. I don't know about you but I am dreaming of warm sunshine & green pastures.

Until next time, 

~Elly

What I am Reading & Watching

Giveaway

Winter Litters are here!

Anxious Dog?

Just like humans, dogs can & do experience anxiety. I found two great articles, one from Cornell University and the other from AKC. One thing I want to draw attention to is the following from Cornell:

"Be sure your dog is crate-trained 

Crates can be extremely useful for riding out events that are stressful for your dog. If they are already used to spending time in their crate each day for meals or rest periods, then they will be more comfortable going back into the crate when something potentially upsetting is happening.  "

We use crates as a safe zone. Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Overstimulated? Just over it? What do you do or where do you go? I leave the situation and go for a walk. My kids go to their rooms. Where does your dog go? They need a place they can do that is safe, theirs and no one will bother them. They need resets too.

Bark, Bark, Bark

When I started planning my newsletter, this was not a topic that I was going to address. We are very fortunate that our dogs just aren't barkers, mainly thru training...but a few nights ago Junior just Would. Not. Stop.

I rolled over in bed and said, "Wade, Junior won't stop barking." Fifteen minutes later (well, I was half asleep so I am not sure how long it was), I told Wade again. I then realized that Wade wasn't even there. He was in the basement trying to get the wood stove going again, yes at midnight.

Anyways, when Wade didn't answer me & I realized he wasn't there, I got up and went to the mudroom where Junior sleeps in a kennel. As I was making my way there, I noticed a few black 4 legged objects in my drieway. The whole herd of cattle were out.

How Junior heard them, I have no idea. They weren't running around or mooing, but he somehow knew something was up. Dogs love to communicate with their barks, and I feel that we need to make sure we equip our dogs with the ability to use their voices. We just need to make sure that we do it in a way that benefits both the dog and their owner.

Here are two articles that I found interesting & hope you can use it if you find yourself in a situation where your dog might be a little more vocal.

In case you missed last month's...the new virus

Over the last few weeks, my social media feeds have been buzzing about the new dog virus that is going around. After doing some research, I have two images to share. One is the states that have been recorded with dogs coming down with a respiratory illness. Another is the list of symptoms and what to expect. I also linked two different websites that I feel to be reputable. Call me old school, but something with .org is the best.

In one of the articles, Dr. Kurt Williams, who directs the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory says, "The three choices are: There is not a new disease out there. There is a disease whose incidence is particularly high right now and it's a known agent, or there's truly something new and novel out there." Right now, there is just not enough evidence to jump to any conclusions.

• Watch out for the following symptoms:

  • Chronic mild-moderate tracheobronchitis − a sudden or long-term inflammation of the trachea and bronchial airways, according to Merck Veterinary Manual − lasting 6-8 weeks that is barely or non responsive to antibiotics.

  • Chronic pneumonia not responsive to antibiotics.

  • Acute pneumonia that quickly turns severe sometimes in as little as 24-36 hours.

  • Difficulty or rapid breathing, wheezing, dehydration, fever, nasal or eye discharge, weight loss, loss of appetite and lethargy.

The following are our top tips on how to help keep your furry friend safe:

• Keep up to date on shots and vaccines

• Avoid doggy daycare & boarding if possible

• Avoid dog parks

• Do not allow nose to nose contact

As we continue in the holiday season, just remember that dogs get sick like us. Keep an eye on them closely and watch for any changes in their behavior.

Monat Pet

Get in Touch