Sun and straw

We've had enough rain that it's time to deploy the winter mud defense system of wooden pathways around high traffic areas of the yard. But that seems like more of a weekend project. Today I just went to Lowe's and got a couple bales of straw, mostly as entertainment for the puppies. 

It was sunny for a good part of the day so I had the puppies in the dog yard in the afternoon. I brought in a bale of straw and they were all over it even before I cut the twine. The puppies think that anything the giant brings is for them to play with or climb on, and they were not wrong. They had a good time climbing on it, rooting through it, and tearing it apart. It wasn't the nicest straw I've ever had, but it served its purpose and I have a second bale that I'll put into their kennel area tomorrow. It will help with the mud as well.

Then I took them out to the pasture with Bailey and Cheese once again. Cheese has become their favorite big dog because he willingly interacts with them and isn't focused on correction. Bailey is more the disciplinarian. Today I introduced them to Bear as well. Bear is still pretty young, somewhere between Cheese and Bailey. He did very well with the puppies. 

Cheese has been the little brother to Bear and Norman, and now he finds himself in the role of big brother to the three puppies. That's good for his own development and the puppies just adore him.

Late afternoon I took Bailey and Elvis for a three mile hike.