November 2023

Louise will join our family as a new friend for Jolly next week. We recently had to put our old Fletcher dog to sleep after he had a major stroke. We have all been devasted by his loss but Jolly’s grief is taking over his life. SO, Louise will perk all of us up and hopefully step in to be a good friend for Jolly.

She is 1 year old, a Labrador/hound mix with a ton of energy. She loves all dogs, cats and people- and tennis balls. Lots and lots of tennis balls. She had been returned to the shelter when the family that adopted her could not wear her out. They had two toddlers and Louise was like having two more! She will have plenty of tennis balls, a good bunch of friends and lots of room in our fence yard (1/2 acre) to romp and wear off some of that energy. Welcome Louise!!

June 2022

Jolly! Doesn’t it hurt to sit with your paws curled up like that?? Makes my feet hurt looking at you silly dog.

May 2022

We’ve had some big, sad changes in our life the past few months. Last fall we had to put Teagan to sleep and a few weeks ago Milo. Both had such bad arthritis in their hips that they could not navigate. Not even with our help. I can’t tell you how empty this house feels, even though we do have Jolly and Fletcher. Fletcher is without the guardrails Teagan and Milo provided him his entire life. He is very off-kilter right now. It’s been a few weeks and he is starting to come around so that is good to see. It is such an awful decision to have to make but Teagan and Milo were telling us they were tired. I feel sorry for myself when we have to make that decision for any of our animals. However, it truly is horrible to watch the animals left behind grieve. For now we carry on though. Fletcher and Jolly will keep us busy.

March 30, 2021

Jolly loves me best!

Nov. 2020: Our Noodle- a younger version! She is 15 years old now and moving slowly. She spends her time anywhere Jim goes. He’s ‘hers.’ She is deaf and knows some sign language- when she wants to heed it. She’s pretty sure if she can’t see you, you can’t see her!.

Jolly has left his cast behind and has a good strong leg again! He has grown into a 110 pound dog (at last vet visit). A happy monster living up to his name!

February 3, 2020

Meet Jolly Isaac HIlton Ryan! Our latest Great Pyrenees adoption. I posted his entire story and x-rays of his leg here: read more

He is one year old and full of steam! Watch for more pictures soon!

September 2019

Teagan!

August 2019

Milo and Teagan love a good nap!

Teagan had her summer haircut a few weeks ago! She has some skin issues so we do keep her trimmed up short. It’s more comfy for her in the summer too. Too humid out there!

(Please be sure to scroll through the page, we add lots of new photos and such so don’t miss out!)

We certainly love animals and what household or farm would be complete with out a few dogs? Ha! We have several Great Pyrenees and a Border Collie. None are working dogs in the usual sense but they do have their jobs- besides entertaining us! 

Noodle is our 12 year old Border Collie. She is as busy as can be but was born deaf. We taught her sign language. She does do a little herding with me but only to move the suris out of the back yard when they are done mowing. She keeps a good eye on Jim. He is HER person!

Teagan is a Great Pyrenees. She was a stray some years back and ended up at the shelter Mom walks dogs for. Teagan is wonderful, loves to watch the world from her favorite spot on the back porch during the day then sleep inside at night. She loves me best. Specially when there are noisy storms. I think she is so afraid of them because she was a stray for a while? There could not be a better dog! 

Milo is a Great Pyrenees we went to Southern Illinois to pick up. He was not in a very good situation. He is definitely Jim's dog. Sometimes he needs to be reminded it's ok for us all to live together though. Stinker! He has a funky jaw so his tongue hangs out most of the time. Too cute for his own good right? He spends his time with Teagan watching the world go by from his favorite place in the little pasture. Then he sleeps inside. He is very sweet and I adore him!

And last but certainly not least is Fletcher aka Puppy. He has quite a story! He lived his first months on the streets with his homeless owner. The fellow decided he could not care for the puppy properly so brought him to the shelter Mom volunteers for. Of course who could say no specially me. Hi name was Jim but since my husband's name is Jim that would not work. We kept calling him Puppy then named him Fletcher. SO, he answers to Puppy or Fletcher. Kind of like having a middle name. He loves me best and spends his days anywhere I am. Love it! 

November 2018

Even though our Pyrs spend the night sleeping inside, they are very adamant the bad guys (coyotes and dogs traveling with them) stay on their own side of the fence. They bark and bark, which is what Pyrs do! They love being outside, specially if there is snow to roll and play in. I hope we get snow this winter. We’ve been getting ice instead for about 10 winters now. Took a few spills myself that gave me a few concussions. I do not need repeat! AND I don’t want any of the critters- or Jim- to break bones on the ice either. Here is Milo rolling in snow a few winters ago: (snow angels!)

April 2019

We had a chance to adopt two bottle lambs this winter. It was too cold so they lived inside with us for a bit. Our Pyr Milo is so so attached to them. He watches over the lambs outside and they follow him everywhere he goes. (Thinking the lambs could have some identity issues?!)