Dexter started having some leg issues a couple of weeks ago -- his left front leg is kind of gimpy, and though he's been better with treatment, he still thinks he's just fine, of course, and doesn't know what the fuss was about. So we've been trying to make sure he doesn't overdo it, but some habits are hard to break ... like jumping into his favorite basket bed.
Naturally, a little platform to step up on would be the obvious solution, but you'd have to convince the Dachshund that this would be the obvious and best way for a lame boy to get into and out of his basket. But Mr. I'm-Fine-Thank-You would, if it suited his fancy and frame of mind at the time, choose to try and jump into the basket anyway. So Alayne's simple solution was just to turn the basket on its side. This seemed to suit Mr. I'm-Fine-Thank-You just fine.
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Yes, we got the haying done. It was a terrific learning experience, though some "learning" we could have done without -- like struggling with quirky hydraulic fittings on the side delivery rake. Our draft horses, Bill and Bob, did great with the mowing, tedding and raking. Those boys worked really hard and we were so proud of them! After finishing loading one full wagonload of loose hay, Kate and I looked at the 10 acres of mowed hay in windrows spread out before us and realized that trying to put it all up loose was, well, going to cook our goose. So I conceded defeat and had our neighbor, Jim D., bale it for us. That was a lot faster and easier, but left us with 330 bales to pick up out of the field, stack on a trailer, and then unload and stack in the barn that afternoon. That was just the warm-up, though, because every day we unloaded and stacked the hay that Jim was baling on his farm for us. By the end of the week we had over 2,000 bales in the barn.
Loved the doxie pictures as we have 2 long hair miniatures and a disc compromised beautiful long hair sweetheart we are fostering for our son who has a 2 year old and 3 mos old who just couldn't handle the additional care he required. I can understand all your dachshunds as they are such a joy and have so much personality and love to give.
Posted by: Sharyn Frisbie | June 28, 2012 at 10:41 AM
Love my Dexter!!
Posted by: gayle | June 27, 2012 at 09:43 AM
Great photo -- I wanted to run my fingers down Dexter's sides. And turning the basket was an inventive solution -- sometimes the simpliest are the best. I live with a gimpy little rescue Schnauzer -- and know the problems. MGW
Posted by: Melissa | June 26, 2012 at 04:18 PM
That's AWESOME you have that much hay!! I know many rescues would love to have that same set up! But you created it and I know that's a LOT OF HARD WORK! So well done on getting 2200 bales of hay for your rescue at a fraction of the price!
Posted by: Lisa Lashaway | June 26, 2012 at 11:51 AM
Sweet dreams, Dexter, you little cutie pie! (Great idea, Alayne!)
Posted by: Lisa K. - San Diego | June 26, 2012 at 10:41 AM
Well, I guess you won't be running out of hay anytime soon! I swear, I get tired just reading your posts describing all the hard work you all do :)
What a great solution Alayne came up with for Dexter...sometimes the simplest ideas work the best. I just love that little guy!
Posted by: Ann | June 26, 2012 at 04:18 AM
WOW! Sounds like some seriously tough work! Way to go! And way to go Bill and Bob, doing what they love to do!
Posted by: Kate & Luke | June 26, 2012 at 01:18 AM
Wow...bet you hurt like you haven't hurt before! That said, great work, everybody. Isn't it wonderful to have great neighbors?
Dexter...you my friend, have a brilliant mom!
Posted by: Glenda | June 25, 2012 at 07:30 PM
Sorry - much love . But with dogs, mush love will do,too!!!
Posted by: Goofypiper | June 25, 2012 at 06:09 PM
You do so much hard work for so much good. I saw the horses in the driveway when I came to pick up His Highness, Sir Owen. They are so handsome and strong!!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your good works and for saving Suzi and Owen just for me. Mush love from me and all the critters!
Posted by: Goofypiper | June 25, 2012 at 06:08 PM
Great photo! and a good idea to turn the basket on its side. It's hard to explain to a dog that they need to take it easy for a few days...
Posted by: Tonya Allen | June 25, 2012 at 03:04 PM
Wow...that's alotta hay! Hope it lasts a long time.
Hope Kate,you and Alayne, and Bill and Bob did some celebrating after that!
Posted by: Chloe | June 25, 2012 at 02:22 PM
Dexter looks like a little angel. My Lord! You and Kate have to be two of the fittest people around. How much hay do you need for your growing family of critters and will you be able to do a second haying?
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | June 25, 2012 at 01:01 PM
Always love the doxie photos. My favorite. They warm my heart.
Posted by: Barbara Techel | June 25, 2012 at 09:02 AM
Oh my gosh! I am glad you got the hay put up b4 the rain made it's way to you...We've been keeping an eye on the weather here in FL. Glad Alayne came up with an acceptable compromise for Dexter. A win-win for a cute little Doxi.
Posted by: Anne in FL | June 25, 2012 at 08:56 AM
Love Dexter's new sideways bed. He seems to think it's fine, too! Just wondering, how long will the hay last once you have it in the barn. Indefinitely? (until eaten, of course.) Do you have to be sure he stays dry and free of bugs in order for it to continue to be good to be served to the animals? Just wondering. Only farm work I've ever done was gathering eggs.
Posted by: Barbara Ribinski | June 24, 2012 at 10:38 PM
Once again making the best choices!!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | June 24, 2012 at 10:07 PM