Now I’m not complaining about all the rain we’ve gotten over this summer. I would much rather have mud then forest fires. And the grass in my yard is growing like it’s on steroids.
But all this wet weather has brought about a few conundrums here on the farm.
Like why one horse will stand in the doorway of the barn, barring entry to all the others when there is more than enough for all of them inside. One would think that after sharing the hay piles, day in and day out, they would be more considerate of their herd mates.
The dogs are fine with the rains, except for Molly. She gets cold far too fast and tends to stay in the house while I do chores if the rain is falling too heavily.
Anko and Hinabi think its great fun being out and getting wet. Aydin, on the other hand, seems determined to see how much dirt out of the corral he can track into the house in the form of mud at any given time.
As in the spring, I have gotten handy with the mop and very used to falling asleep to the scent of wet dogs.
Yes, my dogs sleep in my room, some on the bed some on the floor. And in such inclement weather, Gin joins the girls on the towel-covered bed rather then prowling the hay barns looking for mice and birds.
One thing that I have run into this year that has never occurred before … at least not on this farm: I seem to have chickens that are afraid of straw.
Yes, you read that right; afraid of straw … that golden fluffy stuff that they grew up walking on.
And I’m not just talking about when I shake out a new bale to spread it around. That is to be expected. No, there I was, out in the downpour extending their shelter, since they never stop growing, by putting out a thick layer of straw to help provide warmth and a bit of dry bedding. But the crazy birds would rather sit half out of their old house getting wet than go near that straw.
I am only thankful that my turkeys are too young to go outside or they probably would have all drowned by now trying to catch the raindrops as they fall from the sky. Yes, they are that brainless at times. But at least they aren’t afraid of the straw.
What can I say, there is never a dull moment around here.
And since I refuse to go buy rain coats and waterproof booties for my dogs, I guess I will just have to do a lot of mopping and washing of towels until the weather decides to give us our usual dry Yukon summer.
