The Matriarch and Our John were very right to feel dubious about taking me along on their outing to the Bantam Swap Market at the Fairgrounds. Because right there in a cage in the middle of market madness was Little Boy Blue. I knew he was out there somewhere. So I brought him home.
Now you all know me fairly well, I bet you can guess which of these pictures is the Little Boy before you get to the big reveal at the end of the post!
I think we are safe in assuming it is not the snake! And it looked like the llama was choosing its own master. That pic still makes me laugh!
Yes you are right. Here he is – meet Little Boy Blue.
He is a Blue Heeler, and his parents are working dogs. I had a magnificent name picked for him but when he tucked his tired head in under my chin on the way home I said What’s the matter Little Boy Blue. And his name shot out of my mouth and became his. Nothing else would fit. So there you are in true farmers tradition he is called Blue. All afternoon we practiced with his name and he followed at my heels as I went about my work without missing a beat. Though the sheep scared him straight back across the yard and onto the verandah.
He has a little bed on the verandah with the other dogs. Big Dog has accepted him without question or even much attention. But when I am not looking TonTon has been showing him his teeth. But he will get used to him.
Blue was perfect in the night. I went out and took him down to the toilet twice then gave him a drink of warm milk (I think they wean puppies way too early, this guy is only just 6 weeks old, so he will be getting lots of cows milk and eggs to fatten him up) and after each toilet break he climbed back into his drawer with my boots (puppies are used to sleeping in a tangle – so the soft gumboots that he has been stepping on all day make a reasonable good smelling replacement) was covered in his blankie and without a sound went straight back to sleep. Without a SOUND!
Good morning. What do you think?
The other wonderful discovery yesterday was a lady who grows her own trees at a very reasonable price, she has a backyard nursery close by and we will visit her to discuss plans for the Fellowship Forest. She will help me label them all for you, so each of your trees will have your name or the name you have requested attached. I have two gorgeous yellow barked curly willows so far! One for ViV and one for Eha.
It is raining outside this morning, which is a perfect beginning to a lovely day. Now i am off out to milk my cow, she has another baby to feed! You have a lovely day too! Lovely. Lovely.
love celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
89 responses to “Guess which one is Little Boy Blue”
Oh would you look at that face and those paws. I think little Blue is going to grow into quite a big boy! I love the colour of his coat. He looks very gentle and how lovely that he settled in liek he has always been on the farmy – love it!
Have a beautiful week ahead C.
🙂 Mandy xo
He is rather an extraordinary wee pup, he has immediately found the heels he wants to follow and has cottoned to his bed straight away Plus when he gets a fright he rushes back to the verandah, all these are very good beginnings! c
Oh Celie, he’s lovely. And so good. But I thought you’d choose the llama! Next time?
Thank you for the willow – I love them, and so did my friend Pat.
I shall put Pats name on this lovely willow then, I was going to ask you who you would choose for the first one. It will be planted today, being so nice and cool and damp outside! c
So cute.
He is .. morning rosemary! c
Your new baby looks absolutely adorable. I’m not surprised you took him home with you, only that you left the others behind! I had not heard of Blue Heelers before but now, thanks to the wonders of the internet I know all about these Australian Cattle Dogs. My source says “They do best with a job to do.” I am sure this will not be a problem on the farmy… Thank you again for a wonderfully warm and witty blog.
Blue Heelers need a lot of coaching and like Border Collies they love to be busy with their work. I am hoping he will help on the farm with the animals, Ton is more of a leader than a herder! c
He is so Bluetiful 🙂 Laura
Laugh!! c
Good morning Celi what a cute pup i figured you for a dog lover but that would be selling you short you love all animals enjoy him while he is young SAINTS
Oh dear, I feel another portrait coming on! What a gorgeous wee boy. So glad it’s raining for you and finally it’s raining here too! Well, sleating really but anything wet will do!
Christine
I thought exactly that when I saw that shot christine, I hope The Big Dogs painting has not been lost in the post, or did I misunderstand. No worries at all if you are keeping him, but big worries if he has not arrived and was posted a while ago.. I will send you an email.. c
Perfect name for the little fellow. So cute.
The only real surprise here is that you walked away with only one pup. 🙂 How great is it that he slept through the night? Max kept everyone up for 3 nights.
I woke up, heard the rain outside my window, and thought “Celi got her rain.” A new puppy and a soaking rain. This is going to be a good week. Have a great day!
What a lovely puppy!
For a minute I thought you’d bought a pony! He looks like he’s going to be a wise old dog one day – there’s something in his eyes 😉
So happy Blue is rapidly adapting!!! And that Big Dog has accepted him. Of course Ton Ton will have a bit of a harder time. He won’t have you all to himself anymore. Give all three of them a hug from me! 🙂
What a sweet baby! Little Boy Blue fits him perfectly. He and Ton Ton will be the best of friends in no time. 🙂 ~ April
Oh I love him! Looking forward to seeing him grow up on the Farmy.
You came home with only one new critter? Amazing restraint! Those were some fine geese. And a lovely pony. Blue is a good name for the little fellow. He’ll be helping Ton Ton keep you all in line in no time.
Weren’t those geese tremendous, but I am pushing the garden limit with the peahens so i thought it prudent not to introduce any more large birds.. this year! c
Celi, choose wisely if and when you get geese. You want ones with good temperament! (That means stay away from any variety with nobs on their bills.) It is also best to get them as hatchlings, and let them imprint onto you. They will be kinder to you when it is nesting time. (IMHO) 😉