Turkey Time

The turkeys die this saturday coming. They're nearly 16 weeks old, and its time before they get too big and wont fit in the freezer or worst in the roast pan. Its been an interesting venture being a back yard turkey farmer. Yes i still have my bird phobia, though its tiggered more by smaller flighty or unpredictable birds. Now that they dont jump at me i find the turkeys and i get along better. All in all i say I've had a pretty successful summer fattening them up, we haven't even killed them and mom is talking about next year. We shall see how the kill and butchering goes this weekend before we make any plans.

Future advice

I just read this article on Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ferrett-steinmetz/dear-daughter-i-hope-you-have-awesome-sex_b_3755185.html. It's basically a letter from a father to a daughter about life, growing up, discovering yourself, sex, and the hopes the father or any parent may have for their kids.

I've save the words to hopefully recall upon and use in the future, when I need to pass on some advice or just express my hopes.

With Hope They Waited

Over 3 years ago now, a man was killed in a fire just north of my home town. With him lived alot of dogs, most were the unwanted pets of others that he would take in and care for. When news of his death hit the animal welfare rescues and groups, many volunteers banded together to help the now orphaned dogs.

The author of this book, Marilyn Dickie, was one of the kind hearted people that adopted one of the many dogs we rescued. Upon hearing about the journey these dogs have gone through she took it upon herself to compile a memoir of the rescue of the dogs from Mile 26.

I am delighted to have had the opportunity to house many of the rescues at my kennel as they were being transported to shelters across Ontario. Marilyn asked a couple of us "angels" to write a little something about our part in the events that unfolded; so I am also happy that I will be forever published in my four pages in this book.

If anyone would like a copy you can email withhopetheywaited@hotmail.com with your name, address, and number of copies you would like. Books are 20.00 each plus shipping. Payments can be made by cheque or e-transfer -which can be arranged once contact has been made with the mentioned email. 100% of the profits are being donated back to non-profit animal rescues in Ontario.

(disclaimer updated aug 18 2013: books by email are 20.00, I had posted that they we're 15.00 as that is what is quoted on the last page of the book on how to order more copies; Marilyn asked me to change this post to the "correct" price. I appologize for any confusion as I was just taking the info that was printed in the book.)

Truths

Thought it would be fun to post some truths.

1. I‘m not a fan of the dark. Especially if i‘m alone.

2. I hate living alone, yet I enjoy the quiet and freedom it gives me.

3. Birds freak me out. The turkeys are not helping me get over that fact.

4. I love living in the country.

5. I would have no problems living as a farmers wife. Cooking and feeding the family and farm hands. Early morning chores and gardening, etc...

6. I have no desires to have biological children. I would love and will either foster or adopt children within the next 5 years or so.

7. I am a great friend. Many of my friends I‘ve had since high school or before.

8. I am fiercely independent and have a hard time accepting help or asking for help.

Rehab

So another issue to my declining blog posts is that the manager at my store decided that it would be a good time to go to rehab. I don't have all the details but stress, drugs and a messy life are all to blame. Shes being moved from the local detox centre to some kind of centre -that will focus more on councelling and getting her life together. I wish her all the best at figuring things out.

I on the other hand have been cannon-pulted into the managers job on top of my regular grooming job. Holy! is what I say about that. I've been working 12 hr days trying to straighten out her mess and learn how our computer system works with inventory and invoices and whatnot. I enjoy the work but all I really want to do is groom. Time will tell if she comes back to work or not; she is lucky that the store owner is a tad forgiving in that respect and she has a job to come back to. If she returns I have a feeling that there will be some awkwardness between us employees and her. How do you build trust with a person who just left you out to dry???

Last Chance to RUN!

This past weekend I was honoured to be the dudette(maid) of honour at my best friend of 20+ years' wedding. She was the last of my high school friends other than myself to tie the knot.

This cutie pie is the groomsman's step daughter she is a barrel of fun and energy. We didn't have a rehersal so all we told her is that her job was to carry a sign and walk to where the groom was standing. The first thing she did when we put her on the porch to get ready is yell the grooms name to find out where he was. It was precious. Then as she got closer to groom and people could read her sign there was nothing but laughter -the groom didn't know she would have this sign it was a surprise from the bride. It was great to start the wedding off on a fun light note.

 

It was just a gorgeous day, hot hot hot and sunny.

This is a sneak peek of one of the pics the photographer took, she works with the bride and just completed her photography course at college.

 Another one of the sneak peek pictures.

 Making it good and legal and official.

 

 

 

This picture captures the bride and groom perfectly. This was taken the day of the wedding later in the evening. It was a laid back backyard bbq wedding complete with a smores bar. They had matching t-shirts (the black ones) that has Mario and Princess Peach with the words game over under and then their wedding date. The groom had to change into the zombie t-shirt after the whole wedding party and a few friends conspired to throw him in the pool.

 

I was glad to be part of festivities, it was a great wedding.



Royal Tour

A big thank you to Royal Canin and their educational trip/conference/tour! My tour to visit the Royal Canin factory and distribution centre was fantastic. Not to mention it was an all paid trip. They spared no expense. I got my own king suite at the hotel, vouchers to eat at the hotel's fancy restaurant, transportation costs covered, and after a day of learning more about their products we were treated to a wine tour and fantastic meal at Rockway Winery.

I am impressed with Royal Canin's "sales pitch" as well, its more of a we're going to inform you about what dogs and cats need in their food nutrition wise and de-bunk how pet food in general is advertised and sold and let you form your own opinions on what you promote to your customers. It was pretty similar to some of the topics that got covered when I took my grooming course.

I was impressed with the cleanliness of both the warehouse and factory. I was also very impressed with their systems of quality control. It was also interesting to hear the history of the company and hearing about their research facilities. And as an added bonus they're very environmentally friendly!

I'm not entirely convinced that my dogs should be eating their food, mainly because their price point is still quite high, but atleast I know why its a premium pet food now.