RIP Billy 2019

13 years old, our much beloved Border Collie, Billy, passed away on 13 August 2019. So missed.

Louise The Poodle RIP

We have left Cedars Fields about a month ago, settled on a new place 200 kms north, on the edge of a locally imposing mountain, next to state forest and national park. The area is beautiful. While our bigger dogs stayed at the kennels, Louise our now 17 year old poodle stayed with us in the caravan. It was hot, she dehydrated, and like Edwina our old Siamese some years ago, went quickly downhill. We had to put her down last Monday. She seemed on the brink of recovery but her last night was clearly in pain, so we did what we didnt want to do. What killed us, to do. All who knew her cried, many like little kids. She was that kind of dog. So, sadly she didnt get to know this new place that well, though she did have a few explores. We picked a sunny spot in a field overlooking the valley and close to the house. We can see her cairn of stones every day. Goodbye dearest pet. Say hi to Bandit, Panda and Edwina in heaven. Bandit will introduce you to Milo. xxxx

Deer oh Dear

An antlered male and female and two little baby deer arrived on our far paddock this morning. As we rang the probable owners, they just crawled easily under the barbed wire cattle fence to go back from whence they came. Never seen them before.

Obituary for our cat, Panda

Poor little guy. Inherited a genetic defect from your long haired mother. Only five. Kidneys failed you. went down hill so quickly. Like in two weeks. A month ago you were still catching rabbits. Last week, now ill, you caught a red-bellied black snake. And killed it. You were a legend. More like our dogs. You swum in the dam. Rolled in the dirt. Laughed at the sky and danced with the dogs.

May you shine through eternal rest. Loves from us.

Swamp Harrier commotions

A fine looking Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans) came to visit midday yesterday. It was soon joined by four fine Eastern Rosella (Platcercus eximius) who we see less often than the Harrier itself, our cat Panda (Felis catus) who was having a drink at the dam, a plucky Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) who sat real close to the Harrier, the ever present pugnacious magpie-lark PeeWee (Grallina cyanleuca) who gave it a right earful I don't mind telling you, and finally our dog Winston (Cannis lupus familiaris) chased it off after the excitement of the Pee Wee screaming, the cat meowing and me standing on the fence railings photographing became too much for him.

The Harrier took it in raptorial calm and perched nearby. Looking at the wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), who all went and hid.

All relevant photos on this YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqpOpnaBGiY

Cedar has departed

Well kind of sad, kind of happy too. O moved north almost two years ago for work. Cedar had settled into being the paddock boss, but with River and Evie gone for sale, she had a little roost to rule. So O has transported her 2000kms and she arrived, annoyed, but well, last week. She, they, are delighted to be in each other's company again and more importantly she is being ridden regularly for the first time in five years. Good news for her and O.

But for Cedars Fields, well it's not quite the same without Cedar. Down to two horses, Kidd and Teddy.

So we're sprucing the place up, starting with the house, but have painted all the post and rail fences. And outlined the dressage arena with telegraph poles.

Photos: Cedar in a bit of a flap about leaving. She knew something was up. Teddy joining in. The blue tarp is the slasher which was taken off the tractor when the Roll Over Protection System fell off!! After the bolts sheared off. But that's another story.

Cows and bull, are gone

Cows have been given to A and S's place down the road, so they join the herd their son Popeye is serving. They had to go. We are on the road for three months on holiday (caravanofcaravan.blogspot.com) and with the dam dry from the drought, them having to cross the pipeline, continued elevated risk of exposure to lead on the pipeline, extra work for P our good friend who is looking after the place while we are away, etc. But poor bull Copper. We had arranged for A to buy him, but he couldn't stand the weaning separation and broke his fences. So sale fell through. We left him at the Rutherford saleyards, hopefully for a live sale. But perhaps not. We are waiting to find out his fate. :-(