… And They All Danced

Sometimes even a Mighty Cairn Terrier farm dog like me needs to take a little break.

Each and every day, start to finish, my concern for all of the farm creatures great and small is the very first and last thought on my mind. Dawn and dusk are the most prevalent times of a day when trouble will start and end one way or another for livestock on a farm.

I must always be alert for these are the hunting hours of our livestock’s most dreaded predators. So, although I choose what I call my “break away” moments carefully … I do take them. Even I need a little sunshine sometimes, you know those moments when you lay on your back, paws up and drift off into the wonders of a billowy-clouded sky? Best times of all, best times, ahhh, just to let the world go away …
I’m going to take one of those moments right now. Trotting down to the Beaverdam Creek as the sun sets, I am headed to get myself lost into the magical serenade of what I call the “vernal pool wilds.” … Continue Reading

Fields of Athenry Farm Lost and Found

As a working farm dog some days are beautifully satisfying and then other days are just weepy heartaches. March is the perfect example of the unexpected time of year I am about to describe; you know – the in-like-a-lion-out-like-a lamb month of March?

For example; it was just early yesterday evening when I dutifully trotted down to the barnyard checking on our new baby lambs one more time before the sun set. The sky spitted ice, winds were billowing up from the Beaver dam Creek and the snow began to fall. Really, I asked? It is almost Easter! But, being the great protector of all things large and small on the farm, I shook off my wiry Cairn Terrier coat and deftly rounded up the lambs and stray ducklings, guiding them into the barn isle and under the brand new warming lamps. Here, in the protection of that barn, the babies would be kept sheltered from the unexpected weather. I was as satisfied as could be, knowing that all of my little vulnerable ones were safe and warm no matter what the night might bring. I trotted home to the big white farmhouse. … Continue Reading

Taming the Leprechaun in Me

Hi there, it’s me, the Mighty Cairn Terrier Sushi. We’re coming on early spring here at Fields of Athenry Farm. Baby lambs are bouncing around in the sun, doing happily frivolous things. But, that’s not where my head is right now, certainly not feeling frivolous, more like down in the dumps and unloved.

You see, one of the “other” farm dogs, that stage-stealing bullmastiff Clover, is down at the barn primping and preening herself – quite frankly, I think she is acting more like a duck! – All in preparation for her upcoming birthday. She was born on Saint Patrick’s Day, one of my master Mrs. B’s favorite holidays of the year, and, a really big birthday bash is being planned for her here at the farm.

I mean, really? The dog isn’t even Irish! She’s English for goodness sake and for weeks on end it’s been Clover this and Clover that. The dog can do no wrong. It is so annoying. And, that’s when it hits me. Sushi, I say to myself, you’re of Irish descent, you know … and Saint Patrick’s Day is coming up … and since you are in a rather mischievous mood … why not morph yourself into a silly little leprechaun and play some kind of practical birthday joke on Clover?

I am giddy at the thought of a good practical joke on her queenship! It must be something fun. Ahhhhhh, I got it, me as a leprechaun, doing something very mischievous to the queen bee. Fun, fun, fun. (And, it’s just a joke, after all … right?)

And, so, I scheme. I scheme in my small but very inventive Cairn Terrier head and come upon a decidedly Irish idea – perfect for Saint Patrick’s Day. I decide to dye one of those cute little lambs green, and blame it on Clover. It’s such a brilliant idea my mood is almost instantly elevated and so I set out for the house and that special basket Mr. B keeps all of those big chalk crayons – the perfect weapon of choice as when they get wet and gooey, mixed with a little green Easter egg coloring, they will paint a little lamb green as green can be! My plan is just divine! Everyone knows it is Clover who watches over the lambs. I can hardly stand my brilliance. Her glorified days are over!

Gnarly Gander, our stately farm goose, intercepts me on the way to the house. “Sushi, you look funny, like you might be down, but at the same time, you might be up to something? “Are you all right?” Gnarly says with a touch of concern. Gnarly’ s compassion touched me, but I was still in my part angry part mischievous mood and so I said “Go away Gnarly Gander, I don’t feel like talking to you or anybody else!” “Sushi; what’s wrong little man?” Gnarly asked. “I’ll tell you what’s wrong!” I snapped. “Everything is all about Clover. No one notices me anymore. I feel invisible. Mrs. B is dotting on that Irish imposter and Clover is down at the barn primping and preening and I just can’t stand it!” “Awe, Sushi,” said Gnarly, “You know Mrs. B and everyone loves you; but more than that, Clover is crazy about you! Just the other day Clover lay with me in the warm sun and reminisced how wonderful it was doing guard duty with you for the entire farm. She rolled on her back, carrying on about that time you alerted her to the hawk aiming to steal Lady Miss Gracious for his chicken dinner. She went on story after story about how grand you two work together – you, fast on those four little legs, and she with the brawn. What a perfect team you are together. It was so much togetherness Sushi about you two; I had to duck my head into Quackery Pond.

Well, that did it. I looked at Gnarly Gander, a glint of tear in my eye and said, “You know, when one of us is down, here on the farm, another one of us always knows how to lift us up, remind us we are part of a plan, part of a family. Thanks, Gnarly, for reminding me of that. It’s not about one of us, it’s about all of us. I think I’ll go back to the barn and surprise Clover. We have some birthday party planning to do!”

– All my love, Sushi.

What is Your Favorite 2013 Word?

Greeting from me, the Mighty Carin Terrier Sushi. Wasn’t 2012 a lovely year? Full of trials and tribulations for sure … but lovely none-the less.

In a slight break from tradition, as we embrace the New Year, the farm furry, proud – and sometimes boisterous – gang decided to share their favorite words with you – words that will guide them to greatness and all things good in 2013.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WORD? Do you have one? If so, e-mail me at my master’s address, Elaine@FieldsofAthenryFarm.com. With utmost respect, LOVE and admiration for your character, I will make a story out of those words for our February Tails From The Barnyard column, dedicated to all of my favorite Valentines – YOU!

Now, the words that will guide us to greatness and all things good in 2013 are …
From me, Sushi, the Brave and Mighty Cair Terrier: “Obedient”
– Clover The Bullmastiff: “Loyalty”
– Nellie the Border Collie: “Patience”
– Tiki & Puka, the farm Chihuhauas : “Joyful”
– Hokie and Mountie, the barn cats: “Respect” … Continue Reading

What a Beautifully Bright Year

It’s me again Sushi, the brave and mighty Cairn Terrier.

Oh, to ride to the cry of the hound on a crisp winter day. Oh, to ride on a grand horse through vast Virginia farmland. Oh, to settle in by a running creek of clear waters and soak in the beauty of the hills.

A year has come and almost gone. Winter, spring, summer, fall. November is over, December is here and a full moon lights up the hills as I lay here on the front porch of the big white farmhouse. Nights are growing colder and right now it is 32 degrees, a slight breeze and getting chillier.

I jumped down off the farm porch and headed towards the ancient pine trees to make my place for the night and to keep watch for those nasty red fox, the sly ones. (Mrs. B. has her last 100 baby ducklings growing out for the winter season and I can tell you, she is not interested in feeding the fox population.) … Continue Reading

An Image in the Sky for Thanksgiving

It’s October 28 and hurricane Sandy is headed our way. Memories of July’s summer storms are still fresh in my mind. 100 degrees plus temperatures and six days without power or water. We lost animals. Mr. and Mrs. B’s oldest daughter was in a very serious car crash and it seemed as though one thing after another kept pushing the farm and its staff’s resolve. Mr. and Mrs. B flew to their daughter’s side in Chicago while Bernie and Laino picked up the slack, working 24/7.

One day at a time, one customer at a time, just do your best; keep pushing through, one mistake at a time and one chore at a time.

That is what I, the Mighty Carrin Terrier, Sushi kept telling myself. Do whatever we need to do to keep our wonderful customers happy. Do the best we can, and when we think we have done our best, try harder. This is Mrs. B’s philosophy. Oh, and yes, you must be able to laugh at yourself. Mrs. B says if she can’t laugh at herself for sure one or all of her five daughters will do it for her! … Continue Reading

All of the Barnyard (and Wild!) Animals

I am Sushi, a small but mighty Cairn Terrier, I live my life to hunt foxes that prowl about the woods surrounding Fields of Athenry Farm. You see, it is my born and bred duty to protect and defend the poultry and fowl from the Sly Ones.

I have been told when telling a story not to have too many different characters, no one can keep track. But, I ask you, how in the world can I tell a story about Fields of Athenry Farm without including all of us animals that make this farm so unique and special? I am going to buck the rules of storytelling because this story cannot be told without all of my friends! … Continue Reading

Back to School Kindness

Now … you all must remember … Fields of Athenry’s Sammy the Bull and Miss Ashley, the lady cow with the big baby brown eyes and long eye lashes that just drove Sammy the Bull crazy in love? This past year they had a baby bull boy, little Sammy Junior, the spitting image of his mother. Beautiful Angus bull calf, just one thing wrong though, when little Sammy Junior went to call his mama or papa, his “moo” would start with a sta sta sta stutter!

Wow, you just have no idea how on a farm, when born into a herd of cattle, how tough it can be with other little bull boys if you have a sta sta sta stutter in your moo. I noticed how little Sammy started to hang his head in shame as the other young bull boys would snicker and moo at him. He began to stay all to himself. And, he never swished his tail or romped with glee anymore. He seemed very lonely. … Continue Reading

Coming Home

Before the school year starts it is my master Mrs. B’s tradition to have a fun family gathering around the grill one last time for the summer.

The cool evening breeze was settling in. Bernie and Laino (farm daughters) where down by the fields near the Beaver Dam Creek putting their ponies away for the night. Mr. B was working the grill and good smells began to fill the air. Mrs. B, family and friends filled the tables with yummy treats to compliment the dinner. Before I knew it, we all gathered round Grandfather under the story tree. I love family times like this because you never know what kind of a whopper of a story Grandfather will come up with! … Continue Reading

Merdog …

It’s me again, Sushi the brave and mighty Cairn Terrier. Right now I am down in the dumps. I don’t like this vacation business, no siree, I don’t like it at all. I miss my family, and I just don’t understand why I can’t go on this thing they call beach week? I want to go see an ocean some day. I wonder what lives in the sea.

“Hey diddle dee dee and diddle dee dum … a mermaid’s finger and a mermaid’s tongue. The flip of her scaly tail and a swish of her hair … a wink from her eye and you will die … ”

Aye Tiki, that’s a creep tune. What is a mermaid anyway? … Continue Reading

Father of the Year

It is I, Sushi, the small but mighty Cairn Terrier. Do you have a Father of the Year?

June is the month we celebrate our Fathers. You know “Fathers Day” really is not just one day or one month out of the year. Fathers are a life time thing – or should be. My Father use to say to me “I will be your Father until the day I die and beyond that too! So don’t mess up because I will be watching you!” and boy did he mean it. … Continue Reading

Buck Wheat! Buck Wheat! Buck Wheat!

Have you ever been to my farm? Fields of Athenry Farm?

I love Sundays. No work, sitting on the patio with my family, grilling steaks, a dog bone or two and just hanging together. Hanging together always means a belly scritch – yes belly scritches – as we dogs love belly scritches not belly scratches! There is a big difference you know. Just ask a dog and he or she will tell you in the way they roll over belly up for a good old fashioned scritch. … Continue Reading

Ahhh … Spring! But Wait!

What I love most about spring are the smiles and laughter around the barnyard. Chasing fireflies just for the fun of it, digging worms and getting our paws as muddy as mud could be, and listening to Freddy Frog and Tommy Toad singing amphibious songs by the light of the moon. Children giving me free body massages and pieces of cheese!

Yum, and oh yes – spring, spring, spring means daffodils poking their yellow heads from the ground followed by the tulips and plush mossy green earth that the leprechauns love to play in. … Continue Reading

Sushi Tales for March

Hi there, it’s me, the Mighty Cairn Terrier Sushi.

It is a cool but sunny spring day here at Fields of Athenry … little baby lambs bouncing around in the sun under my watchful eye … Mrs. B., my master, greeting farm guests and doing what she does best – attending to every detail of this beautiful farm and farm shop life. But despite the daily spring gala ‘round here, I’m kinda feeling a little invisible. I mean, do you ever feel like a prune? Right now I feel like a prune! … Continue Reading