WHY DO WE HAVE 5 DOGS!!!

Mother Earth News had a wonderful newsletter today on LGD's. Livestock Guardian Dogs, Great Pyrenees! You bet I read the whole newsletter! We have 3 Great Pyrenees, big, huge, white, lovable teddy bear dogs!! Went a lot of years not having dogs cause we had chickens, not all dogs go with chickens. Most dogs to NOT get along with chickens! After several years of research on what dog would go with chickens (really, took a lot of time) we decided on the Great Pyrenees, to guard and protect our feathered friends. We also decided that it would be a hoot to have a Basset Hound because the Pyr. we chose would need a friend.

Pyrs. are not easy to find, Bassets are not easy to find but we eventually found the perfect pair of dogs. One Basset (Gus) 1 Pyr. (Mason). All was well!!!

Mason died on Jan. 28, 2007, we had him for almost 3 months. He had a heart problem which our Vet. had detected and we were keeping watch on it. He just layed down in the garden and died. We were so devistated and had a huge void in our hearts that needed filled, immediately! Found a Pyr. dog in the paper that needed re-homing, our prayers where answered, turned out to be Mason's half sister!!!

Beautiful, gorgeous young female Pyr. with eyes that could melt your heart away!!! (Kenna) However------she was 'encouraged', to CHASE feathered friends, not PROTECT them!! That has been an uphill battle for 3 yrs. but she is sooooo improving!!! Just can't quite trust her yet, but we are confident that day will come.

Letting the breeders of Mason know of the circumstances that we lost him, they 'replaced' Mason with a 7 month male Pyr., what we refer as a 'rescue dog.' OMG----our beloved TazMan- when we first met him, was in very bad condition, physically and mentally. Did not know how this venture would turn out, but he needed lotsa food and lotsa lotsa love. Has had it all since he came to us and is the most loving, precious, loyal, kind hearted soul on the place!

Gracee---female Basset. Got her April 1 (what fools are we???) Thought maybe Gus needed a galfriend, her family was involved in going to Iraq and needed to downsize their animals. Who better to take her than WE! She's ornery, hateful, hates everyone in the whole world, including the other dogs, but loves US with all her heart and soul, so here she will stay! Even Gus can barely tolerate her!!! Hopefully, time will mellow her as it has me!!!

Along comes Mason #2---ya know, I just saw an ad on the local feed store wall of these cute little Pyr. puppies and had to go check them out! Mason #2 was born on Jan. 28 2009, the same day we lost Mason #1, 2 years earlier! Dontcha just think that's a sign??? It was 'love at first sight' he had to be here!! Mason #2 is the 'new kid on the block' and just brought the kid out in Kenna, TazMan and Gus (no hope for Gracee? yeah, there is!). Mason #2 just brought everyone together.

Our Gus (first dog, Basset) has been with us since Oct. 2006. He has matured soooo much. Has become the 'I love to please you dog.' Truly 'Man's Best Friend.' He has developed into such a 'great friend!' Gracee??? time will tell!!! Having dogs takes a lot of time and a lot of patience but the rewards are truly wonderful!!!

Why do we have 5 dogs???? Cause they needed us and we sure need all of them!!!