Dogs are all the things.
They are companions. Guard dogs. Guardian dogs. Farm dogs. Lap dogs. Nagging dogs. Old dogs. What else?
The above shot is of Boo trying very hard not to look annoyed (and failing) as I take TOO LONG to get ready to go outside.
But one job that Boo, (the Blue Heeler crossed with an Australian Cattle dog found in a box at a fair) has taken upon himself is to be the guardian of Wai’s food. He does guard his livestock but guarding Wai’s food is his self appointed job.
He does not mind ducks close to the little old pig but Boo hates roosters. And if they get too close to his pig then he will rise up and glare at them until they dodge away.
I think he has observed their violent and untrustworthy nature. And he is right.
He settles by Wai as Wai eats and (because he is not allowed to attack- unless commanded but that is another story) he raises his lip when a rooster comes too close and glares at them.
This curl of the lip to show the teeth is pretty cool to watch.
And impossible to get on film.
But if they do not move fast enough thats when he will stand up and use size to intimidate them.
See how he is sitting higher here because the ducks are blocking his view of the roosters.
Next he will get up and walk between the roosters and the ducks. Pointedly herding them back. Because Miss C will not let him bite birds (especially after his years ago fight with Mr Flowers though to be fair Mr Flowers did start it) he has to rely on his other skills.
So just quietly, Boo makes his presence known. At feeding time.
Don’t get too close to my pig!
Nelson the rescue rabbit.
Now you see her. Now you don’t!
Yesterday (day three in her new outside hutch) Nelson took herself out of her pink carry cot and settled into the back room which is dark and enclosed and stuffed full of straw. Rabbits are burrow creatures. They actually prefer to have some darkness to retreat to. A rabbit in constant light gets quite stressed.
She lays in the sun for warmth then is happy to disappear back into her back room.
Mission accomplished.
Mr Flowers and the ducks.
I just love the curve of his tail in this shot. Mr Flowers.
The ducks have turned the gardens close to the house into mud with their paddly feet. This morning the mud is frozen solid. Lovely.
I think that the reason that they have had such a safe winter is because they stick close to the house (and the guardian dogs). Literally. So I cannot hold my ruined front garden against them.
Though I am not sure how to recover it. The ducks are not going away.
🌀 Today began at 29℉ ( -1℃) and will rise to 61℉ (16℃) that sounds nice.
We really need some colour on the farmy. Come on warm weather!
Now, where are my dogs. Time to go outside.
Have a lovely day!
🦋 Celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
37 responses to “Nanny Boo the self appointed Guardian Dog”
Boo is my Farmy Favorite. Brilliant loving Guardian Dog!
He is a character but still needs a strong hand. John is not allowed to have Boo out with him it he does chores. He cannot control him: case in point – the fight with Mr Flowers. The training is still constant for Boo. And he is an exceptional dog.
Just today – suddenly – after all these years, I am suddenly able to “like” comments, which I have never been able to do before! Yay!
I hope you can do that on the new site too! We are experimenting with things.
I felt for him the most while you were away.
Yes. Boo spent a lot of time lying by the door while I was away – but he has never been crated in his life so it would have been crueler to make him fly with me.
WaiWai is my favourite. .
Boo is such a beautiful dog with those markings. HE’S colorful for sure! How long will it take for Mr. Flowers to whole forgive you?
I honestly think it will be a good year before Mr Flowers comes close again. I broke our sacred trust. I knew I had to but there you are.
I made a comment and now it’s gone.
I will find it!
It is important to note that it takes a lot of training for a dog like Boo to be safe around all these different animals and birds.
He is trained for 3 minutes 3 times a day (forever – training never stops) and is only allowed out on the farm if he is with me. If I suspect he is getting ideas I send him to find me his leash (I am always losing it) and he is attached to a loop on my trousers. (He actually loves to be attached to me so it is not a punishment – always a good thing).
It is imperative that dogs on a farm are kept under control.
I love your Nanny Dog! It’s a tad rare for a dog to be so calm around fluttery things.
Though he is under command too. He knows not to snap at them.
He is very good. 🙂
Yes he is – bless him.
you are a good team
Good morning Beth! Yes – we are a team – a woman and her dog!!
I never new that Boo was found in a box at a fair. He couldn’t’t have ended up in a better place! Nelson seems to be sorted in her new Summer home.
Yes! Nelson’s home is surrounded by ducks and she sits up there on her hay and watches them sleep. So I think it is a more natural living space!
So nice to see your update! Best wishes to you.
Jeanne Kasten
Good morning Jean! I hope all is well with you!
Dear Nanny Boo!
My duck disappeared – I think he ate all the tadpoles in the pond then went off to find a girlfriend 😉
Ducks – Boo growls. Flighty creatures.
I had a nanny dog too, Charlie. He was a shepherd-malamute on his father’s side and boxer-pit bull on his mother’s and one of the gentlest most loving dogs whom I was given when he was 6 weeks old by a neighbor. He helped take care of the step-grandchildren. He would let us know when the babies needed to be changed, would keep the swing going by sitting next to it and pushing it with his nose, would watch over the little ones while they slept and very much wanted to bathe them but we wouldn’t let him. He was 85 pounds with interesting markings and lived to his 15th birthday. He was a wonderful dog.
That is a beautiful story. I love how he kept the swing going / I have that image in my mind now – it almost peaceful.
How wonderful to have been gifted time with him. 85 pounds is no small beastie!
I love Boo Boo. I am a sucker for any dog, but Boo is special for sure. I love Nelson’s new abode. She seems to be settling in well. We are having a really cold and blustery day here in coastal Maine, but at least the sun is out!
Sun and bluster sounds coastal!
Dog faces are so expressive… the nagging face happens here all the time.
Right? And he gets in that chair – a few inches from my face then looks away. Snort!
Oh, how I love Boo! That sweet face and beautiful eyes! Thanks for the pics. He’s just such a very good guardian!
Dogs are such simple souls, they do what is in them to do, but they also try so hard to please us. Mine is convinced he is the head of the household, and I get SUCH side-eye when we do not take him out with us. We do try, but sometimes places do not welcome doggos, a hard thing to explain to big astonished indignant eyes. He’s fine around our chooks, doesn’t chase random cats (although he will bark off the rude neighbour cat who poops in our front yard), and is a peaceful companion who follows me around the house to ‘supervise’.
I too wondered about the dogs missing their person being gone so long and being sad..I couldn’t travel all last year because I knew it was probably my beloved dog Tilly’s last year with us and I couldn’t leave her and miss what time she had left. She had been my shadow and constant companion for 15 years and there was no way I could leave her as she was declining. I’m sure Nanny Boo is beyond happy that you are back.
I am so sorry to hear about Tilly. But – my grandchildren will always be more important than my dogs. I cannot choose a dog above a child. Boo and Ton are tied to the farm so they are ok when I am away.
Oh Cecilia, my messages seem to be inferring the wrong thing. I didn’t mean you should of stayed home because of your dogs..just that they were probably really missing you and my story of Tilly was completely an aside. I too would of traveled to see my grandchildren..if only I had any.. 😦
Thank you for clearing that up – I do feel that they miss me but at least they are at home with familiar surroundings and familiar companions. No worries.
I am going to ge leaving them again in July and with Ton so old it will be a worry but there are plenty of people here to look after them.