Dogs: Of Loss and Love
As many of you know, we are a dog family. Willow has been with my parents since 2018. My wife and I adopted our dog, Marty in 2023. And we adopted our baby, Pooka, last November.
A farm feels like a dog is a part of its make up; like a necessity along with a tractor, some chickens, and a fence or two. They easily incorporate themselves in our daily work and evening snuggles. So, when we lose one, it shakes up the rhythm of life and is disorienting.
In the beginning of May, we lost Pooka to a rare allergic reaction. Despite rushing her to the emergency vet and the valiant attempts of the staff, there was nothing they could do. As many of you have experienced yourselves, Kait and I were devastated. It took a few weeks to feel anything like normal and there still is a hole where her cheerful little goofiness lived in our hearts.
But as I said before, we are a dog family, specifically a two dog family, and while we will always miss Pooka, we knew it was only a matter of time till we would be ready for our second dog. We feel lucky that while our dogs’ lives feel so short, we get the benefit of loving them and being loved by them.
So this is an introduction to the dog crew on our farm. The happy faces you see in pictures and the new love Kait and I adopted this past weekend.
Willow
Official Title: Queen Bee, Owner and Operator of the Farm
Job: Welcoming Committee
Many of you are familiar with Willow! She loves to greet customers as they come to pick up their meat. Willow was a stray foxhound/Australian cattle dog/pitty mix from Georgia until she came to our farm. She has traveled to the western United States and to Canada with my parents. Her favorite thing is treeing squirrels and daily walks with my dad around the farm. Willow is the official owner and operator of the farm, she just delegates the task to me because she’s too busy.
Marty Mcfly
Official Title: Morale Booster
Job: Champion Snugglebug
If you see me driving around the farm in my Kubota with a dog practically on my lap, that is Marty! He is my dog and best buddy. Marty is cautious around new people, so he doesn’t meet and greet. His job is taking care of me, which he knocks out of the park. Marty is a champion snuggler and reminds me that naps are sometimes a necessity. He is always there to lick my tears on a bad day and make me smile. Marty is a stray from Tennessee. He is an American bully/Australian Shepherd/Bulldog/Pitty Mix and full time cutie pie. His favorite thing is morning coffee time when we all sit on the couch and he gets belly rubs.
Adora
Official Title: Princess of Power
Job: Therapy dog in training
Meet Adora! Our newest member of our dog family. Adora is a sweet girl who loves people, snuggles, and swimming. She has the calmest personality (when she doesn’t have the zoomies) and is learning to be Kait’s companion in her work as a therapist. We still have a lot of time to get to know her, but she already fits well into our family of humans and dogs alike. We think Adora is a lab/pit mix, but time will tell! She is from Mississippi and was found under a house. Her and her five puppies made the trip to Pennsylvania and were in foster homes with wonderful families. Many of her little family have already found their forever homes.
Interested in adopting a dog? We highly recommend To Love a Canine Rescue, Inc. You can see their adoptable pups online with a description of their personalities. They do a great job of matching you with a pup that fits your home and family. The adoption process is smooth, thorough and they provide great support for their adopting families and foster families. Since the dogs are in foster homes, you can talk to the foster families to learn more about your future family member. Check them out at the link below!
Our Favorite Recipe of the Month: Roasted Whole Chicken
It is chilly this week! February is packing a punch. Soups and chowders are one of my favorite comfort food this time of year. They are easy and give us leftovers for days. This month’s featured recipe uses our country sausage to make a creamy and delicious chowder.
May is the month we start getting whole chickens again from Bent Limb Farm! Not only will our store be stocked with chicken again, but you can also order whole or cut chickens in bulk for the months of May, June, August, and October.
These chickens are raised on pasture and have access to bugs, grass and other delicacies.
The chicken meat is juicy and flavorful, making several meals for the whole family.
Check out the recipe below!
