Pre-Spring

We are in the midst of that sweet and all-too-brief period of pre-spring. That ridiculous snow that no one wanted or asked for last Saturday was gone by Sunday, when the first of these pictures were taken. It has only gotten nicer in the days that followed. The sun is out, the sky is blue, and mowing season has not yet started, giving us a few days with relatively few chores and now an extra hour of daylight in the late afternoon and evenings. Once the mowing starts I'll have another full time job just trying to keep up with the grass and ahead of the weeds, and that won't let up until next September. So days like this are carefree and pure enjoyment.

Today was Puck's first day out in the pasture. I wasn't sure what to expect of him so I attached a 20' nylon line to his collar that he could drag around. I figured that it would at least improve my chances of catching up with him if I had to. He made a perimeter check all around the pasture, adding his mark where needed but not making any serious attempt to get out. The pasture is really a pretty securely fenced area now and he seemed to recognize that. Tilly and others took turns following him around and I wasn't ever too far away on the riding mower.

Bonnie's ears spend a lot of time flopping around when she's in the 

pasture until they finally get turned inside out in "sport mode." 

Shepherds don't have that problem with their ears.

They are always up.

Tilly and Della

Maya enjoys her pasture time once again.

Dane ears flying freely.

Dane ears tucked back in sport mode.

Della and Bonnie

Bonnie and Tilly are sharing Daneland during the days and

are in adjacent crates in the kitchen at night.

Maya and Tilly

Tilly, with Della in the background

Tilly's brindle coat is beautiful.

Tilly is substantially taller, wider, and heavier than Maya.

A gathering in the shade.

Front to back: Bonnie, Tilly, Maya, and Max.

Della and Max

Puck enjoyed himself in the pasture. 

He's been good in the house today and was good in the crate last night.

That's Puck heading off to the lower pasture fence, trailing his long line.

Max with one of his many balls.

Max, Tilly, and Puck patrolling the fence line.