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”
What a darling! I love the name, and I can see that he is very happily settling in at the farmy.
Oh he is adorable!! I love love love heelers. They make the best farm dogs. As a kid, I had a heeler we named Dog. Original, I know. I miss him so much. He had a special way of sitting next to you and communicating without words. I can’t wait to see how Blue grows and becomes a member of your family. You are blessed to have him!
what a wonderful addition to your perfect managerie! he is such a cutie!
I had a tear in my eye when when I saw Blue’s pic on FB and I just knew! Did I see right in the pics that your Blue is a stumpy tail? I had a Blue too, for 14 years, but her name was Bo and she had very similar markings and the same one eye with white eyelashes and one black, but wasn’t a stumpy. My Bo found me. My then husband was looking at the pick of the litter but my Bo stole first my car keys, then my handbag, and finally my heart. I truly believe your Blue sat up watching, waiting for you to come along 🙂 Earlier we had a family Blue whose name was Jazza, and even earlier than that my Dad as a young boy had a Blue who was also Blue. I swear they are all the same dog just come to us in different lives. I love the look in Blue’s eyes but I have to stop gazing at the pics or I will cry…
How wonderful to have a dog that goes way back through your family.. I did wonder about those eyelashes.. he is the most dependable wee pup I have ever had, he has not wandered at all and is camping quite happily on the verandah.. as long as he can see us through the doors he is fine.. c
They are a spectacular breed of dog, I’m so happy for you 🙂 I love all the Farmy cast but it will be quite special to watch your Blue grow up, and see what he makes of himself. My Bo loved my Dad, and had a special thing of putting her head on his knee, which she did for no-one else. Both Jazza & Bo had the habit of butting their nose into the back of your knee to get your attention. I’ll be interested to see if it’s a breed trait and if your Blue does it.
Awwww… I wish you a happy time together! What a sweet addition to your family…
Homework ahead: hope I can find an image for ‘yellow barked curly willow’ and read up on it ! Absolutely thrilled to bits to ‘join you’ on the farmy! Big hug and thank you!! Did think it was going to be the miniature horse at first glance: beautiful animal! But Little Boy Blue would have ‘talked’ to me too: he is full of soul! Sorry, Tilly and Blue Murphy: you have just been replaced on my desktop too 🙂 ! Wonderful how he settled in . . . must have felt the vibes . . .
it seems they are called gold curly willows here, they are good strong trees too.. ! I am thrilled to have found one for you.. c
OK, done some ‘homework’: perhaps you have not had the time. Go> Mike’s Backyard Nursery [US] and see the fabulous 4 minute video on this beautiful tree – Salix x Matsudana methinks, also oft known as corkscrew willow. They are meant to be supereasy to propagate and super trees for swings for grandkids etc! Just NO nearer than 100 ft from habitation and water mains 🙂 !
Oh, he’s perfect! Little baby Blue.
Is it too late to be included in your tree planting project? I’d be thrilled to contribute financially… I just really like the idea of having a tiny part of a prairie in my name 🙂
I am always so amazed at the SIZE of the place you now live – those huge long-views… Take my breath away.
Don;t worry about the money you can buy me a coffee next time I am in NZ! What kind of tree do you love the most, I am guessing one that has flowers ..I know you love pohutakawas.. c
Flowers… or fruit 🙂
Such a cute puppy!
What a little precious… I always feel sorry for them when they first leave all their brothers and sisters – glad he has your boots for comfort!!!!
I think they panic when they find themselves in an empty flat bed, so the least I can do is make it soft and lumpy.. TonTon was put on babysitting duty and that helped him settle fast. c
Lovely little feller. Now, all you need is a Yeller, and you’re done. Maybe a Corgi for encouraging stubborn cows.
Yet another hardworking, beautiful sweetheart for us all to fall head over Blue Heelers in love with, eh! Great find, my dear!
This was the only one who fit the description! He’s adorable. I’d have a hard time getting the rest of my work done, though.
I love blue… what a great dog you have there… don’t know if you ever looked at my post on an Australian Cattle Dog called Blue… the name and the dog will remain etched into my memories…
If I was ever going to have a dog, it’d be him:)
Oh, I love Little Boy Blue and I can see why you took him home! I love your blog too and so glad I found you. 🙂