twenty eighth - tom

So you guys have met our new sheep, our new kitten and now it's time for me to introduce you to our new Maremma pup, Tom. Tom is four months old and the son of a Maremma who was born here on our farm.

Tom lives with and looks after our chooks.

He also lives with his best buddy Bingo the Maremma.

And our four sheep, Mittens, Beanie, Socks and Cardigan.

He doesn't live with Miss Pepper but she certainly does spend a lot of time with him and with the sheep trying to get them to eat a cucumber or grain out of her hands.

Tom loves to run up and down his fence and bark like crazy if anyone he doesn't know comes by.

He's not too sure about the game where Pepper pretends to ride him.

And his favourite thing in the whole world, apart from dinner time, is a big tickle on the tummy.

Welcome Tom and thanks for doing such an awesome job.

And thank you guys for doing an awesome job of reassuring me that we'll be OK in the next stage of our family's life. Your messages were filled with such kindness and understanding and they mean the world to me. Your suggestions of talking books and podcasts and conversations will definitely be taken on board. And your personal stories of how your lives have changed, what's worked for you and what hasn't and your opinions on how best to tackle long commutes have made me feel like we are not alone in this and that it is definitely worthwhile. A little part of me is even getting excited.

I'd love to think that I'll get back to each of you either on my blog or in the message you sent to me, but realistically I may not so please consider this a massive THANK YOU!! You are wonderful and you never fail to hold my hand and walk with me down the track and I appreciate it beyond words. I have a whole blog post in my head about how important my blog and your feedback is to my life and this is a perfect example of how and why. So thank you again.

And goodnight from me and Tom and the rest of the crew here at Daylesford Organics.

We hope you have the sweetest dreams.


xoxox

Jo Jo.

Jo Jo.

The sixth member of our family.

A one year old miniature poodle

So much like a little sheep.

Delivered to us yesterday outside the school gates at quarter to nine.
Much to the delight of the twenty school girls waiting to squeal at and cuddle him.

Ohmygoodness, that fur, those eyes, that tail, that beautiful placid adoring nature.

One and a half years after we lost our Pixie dog.
(I still cry when I reread that post).

Is already loved by the farmer who wondered if he could ever love a little cute dog.

One of seven dogs on our farm but the only dog in our home.

We are already in love.

Welcome Jo Jo.

(I promise to try my hardest not to become a dog blog).

Will you think less of me if I knit him a bonnet?
Did you know there are 57 pages of doggie patterns on Ravelry?
Eeeeeeeeeep!!!!!

bye!

xx

Pixie.

Late yesterday afternoon our beautiful Pixie dog died.

Pixie who was going to turn 12 next month died at the vet's in Bren's arms of unexplained causes.

Pixie who we found in a cardboard box at a market in Stanthorpe in Queensland. The box said free and that any puppies left at the end of the day would be put down the following day. Once we found out that she and I shared the same birthday, it was a done deal.

Pixie was mine and Bren's baby before we had babies.

Pixie who travelled up and down the East coast with us in our combi, often falling asleep under the clutch pedal stopping us from changing gears.

Pixie who has been the best guard dog we could have ever hoped for.

Pixie who was so loyal to us except when it came to Bren's parents. She loved nothing more than a sleep over at their place and a meal of stinky canned food.

Pixie who preferred to sleep in front of her kennel rather than inside.

Pixie who loved chasing and running and driving around in the front seat of Bren's ute and getting a good scratch behind the ear.

Pixie whose name will forever be used and laughed at when the girl's work out their porn names; Pixie Fox.

Pixie who will now sleep forever in her grave under the oldest apple tree on top of our hill.

It is such a sad day in our house today. We will miss you so much Pix! XX