I recently wrote about how Luke and the Dadz were taking care of me while I’ve been busy getting my business going, and how Dadz and I were taking care of our injured hen, Martha. First, I want to thank everyone who sent good wishes for Martha, she is recovered and back with the flock! We feel she may never be back to completely normal – her eyes seem droopy and she can still be a bit wobbly at times, but the flock has accepted her back and she is doing all the normal things. She seems very happy to be back with her peeps and to free-ranging. She may never lay eggs again, we don’t really know, but we’re simply happy she’s still with us!
It seems that taking care of each other is a common theme around the farm. About a week after that fox attack, we were still keeping everyone inside the coop and pen (“Lockdown!”). Hubby and I were sitting on the couch chatting one evening with Luke between us. Suddenly Luke started growling and was looking out the window towards the coop. We didn’t see it at first, and Luke started shaking, so we knew something was really wrong. Then we saw it – the fox was outside the pen and the birds were squawking. Luke is a smart and sensitive dog, and he knows when something is wrong with the birds!
Because he let us know the fox was there, we were able to take action to deter that fox from coming back, and it must have worked because we have not seen it since. Good job, Luke!
The guinea hens were so grateful, it seems they wanted to return the favor to Luke. You may have also seen the photo I put up of the porcupine that had been hanging around at that same time. I was nervous about it, telling the Dadz that I felt like it was an accident waiting to happen; and one almost did!
Luke and I were on our morning walk, headed back towards the house on the woods trail. Luke’s nose was in overdrive and he wanted to go sniff along the stone wall, so I let him. He kept dragging me closer and closer and then even wanted to start climbing up on the wall. At that moment, I spotted what he smelled – that porcupine was sitting right on the other side of the stone wall!
I quickly grabbed Luke’s harness to hold him back, while yelling “leave it, leave it, leave it!”. OK, I know you’re not supposed to repeat commands to dogs but when you’re in a panic, you forget that! Luke was a very good boy though and came right away with me. Later when my hubby got home from work, I told him about it, and we could see the porcupine still sitting in the same spot hours later!
The birds were still on lockdown at that point, but we decided to let the guinea hens out to roam that evening. They are a bit more predator savvy because they stick together well (most of the time). Now if you read my previous post about the porcupine you might remember I said that I was able to get quite close to that guy, he did not seem much afraid of anything. But I joked to my hubby that maybe the guinea hens would scare it away. They have a way of marching and squawking at things that has scared other creatures away, but I really doubted anything would scare that porcupine.
However, sure enough, a while later I happened to hear the guinea hens carrying on and when I looked out, I saw them down near the garden and they were all flying away from the spot where the porcupine had been! Yup, that porcupine was gone. We have not seen it since!! The guinea hens did indeed return the favor to Luke.
Happily, all that means things have been much quieter around the farm, the birds are back to free-ranging and I am more relaxed when walking Luke, since I don’t have to worry as much about running into Mr. Porcupine.
The Dadz has been hard at work trying to upgrade the chicken run so that the birds can be safely outdoors when both of us are at work. That’s been a little delayed because of the difficult of finding some supplies these days, but hopefully we’ll get that done soon. He was at least able to reinforce the coop windows so they can be left open to give them more fresh air for the times they have to stay inside.
We may have some other farm news to share soon, but I’m going to let that story play out before I clue you in (I don’t want to jinx it). Stay tuned for that and I do still plan to share more photos of my shop, and tell you more about it! Things are still a bit crazy though, since I’m trying to get the gardens going as well as running a new business! I enjoy every minute of it, even if it is a bit hectic at times!
Thank you to our friends at Brian’s Home for hosting the Thankful Thursday blog hop. Please visit them and other blogs through the links below.
Lots of great teamwork keeping each other safe. Fox deterrent, oh, do tell.
That’s top secret info. 🙂
It is wonderful that everyone takes care of everyone else. A porcupine would be scary! I am so glad that Martha is better. The pics from your store are all so great. What a wonderful place you have!!!
Thank you!!
I feel like I’ve escaped to a wonderful place reading this post! I love how everyone is working together to be safe – And Martha being back with her flock is wonderful too! It’s how it should be, for all of us! Enjoy your day!! Take care, and be well!!
It’s so nice to have our own peaceful retreat, especially during these times!
Thank you, and you take care as well. ♥
Girl I sooooooo admire you. You are a true renaissance woman!!!! Happy to hear about Martha’s resilience. Give Luke a special bone/treat for being on the J.O.B. I love how everything is coming together for you! Dreams really do come true. You are so deserving of all this happiness. Please keep writing. I love the stories!
Thank you so much, Cathy!! I intend to, it may just be not quite as often. 🙂
xxoo
Yay for the good news on Martha! Yay for Luke and the Guineas taking care of things! Dadz is doing an awesome job on that pen, as are you with the shop!
Thank you, Lynn! Now if we could just get the darn fencing so he could finish his project!
Foxes and porcupines … oh, my! I love that all species come together in the best kind of family!
There’s lots to watch out for around here, that’s for sure!
So glad to hear Martha continues to do well. It’s really sweet everyone there looks out for one another. Us humans would do well to emulate animals more often especially these days. They seem to know what the right thing to do is important at any given time. Looking forward to the ‘farm news’ as well as how the new business venture is working out. Sending oodles of poodles of best wishes for success.
Things have been a little challenging lately on both fronts; but we persevere! Thank you!
Oh Luke your a great guard dog.
He sure does keep a close eye on things around here!
I am glad everyone protected each other, so sweet.
How wonderful how everyone is looking out for each other!
We’re glad Martha is doing better. Luke…you are a good watch dog…keeping the chickens safe.
He’s dedicated to his jobs around here! 🙂
Happy Thankful Thursday!! We are happy to hear about Martha that she has recovered and is back with the flock. Luke you did such a great job with protecting the birds. Thanks for sharing the photos. Have a fantastic rest of your day.
Wow, amazing both good and scary things happening at your den! Luke is a good helper, and those guinea hens, well, that sure made me giggle! Mr Porcupine must not like the noisy squawking they do, BOL!
Happy to hear Martha is back with her feathery family.
Busy times over there!
They sure are! Yes, those guinea hens can be quite intimidating. We’ve had them scare people walking by the house too! They would never hurt anyone though, they just like to put up a show!
So glad Martha is doing better!! So proud of Luke for protecting his bird brother & sisters and them doing the same for him.
xoxo,
Jenny @ Bell Fur Zoo
Thank you!! xxoo
Such wonderful team work and that was some darn good alerting Luke! I’m sure glad that Martha is back with the others. Thanks for joining our Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
you are a real family… all take care of others… and well done LUke!!! what did the fox say? (uhhh that song is in our head now hahahah)
We think he said “I am OUTTA here!!!” 🙂
What a team! Good news about Martha, and that is one impressive chicken run!
I could not go to work if I didn’t know our birds were safe and secure. ♥
Luke is not only handsome, but he’s a great guard for your property an birds. Well done Luke. I’m glad all is well with your birds and especially Martha. It’s good she’s back with the flock.
Have a fabulous Thankful Thursday. Smooches and love to Luke and a big hug to the mom. ♥
Nice work, Luke. Sounds like lots going on at the farm. No one is bored. Glad to hear Martha is back with the flock too.
There’s never a dull moment around here! 🙂
We are so happy for Martha! You are a good boy, Luke, and a great watchdog. Extra cookies for you!
Absolutely!!!
I am SO happy that Martha has improved so much! Good to see her back with the flock!!
How did I miss the porcupine story? I’ll have to go back and read that one! I love the way the guineas scared the spikey guy away!!
And as to the upgrade of the chicken run, hold on to that man of yours! Is there anything he can’t do?! 😁🥰
He’s pretty useful – most of the time. LOL