Farm dogs don’t just live on the farm—they run it. You think you own them, but really they’re middle management with four legs. They clock in at dawn, patrol the fence lines, herd the animals, and glare at you when you’re moving too slow. Unlike barn cats, who work in silence and shadow, farm dogs are all volume and visibility. They’re the enforcers. Coyotes, strangers, delivery trucks—they handle the negotiations, usually with teeth. They’re also the sheep psychologists, coaxing stubborn animals with quiet pressure until they fall in line. A good farm dog makes you look competent; a bad farm dog gets you trampled by your own herd. Their loyalty isn’t the Hallmark-card kind—it’s pragmatic, hardwired, absolute. Rain, sleet, snow—they’re in the mud with you, covered in burrs, still working. They don’t need a contract. Their paycheck is a whistle, a pat, maybe scraps from the table. And they’ll die for the job, no questions asked. And of course, some breeds have union seniority in this fi...

  There’s a special kind of beauty in a rescue dog—the kind that says, “I’ve been through it… and I still love with my whole heart.” You can see it in their eyes: the resilience, the softness that survived the storm, the cautious hope that maybe this time is forever. They don’t love you because they have to. They love you because they chose to, despite everything. And that, my friend, is the kind of love that wrecks you in the best way.

  I love these dogs so much I can't get over it. I love all pups because they are all special and unique in their own ways and they give us more than we can ever return. I have breeds I tend to be drawn to German Shepherds, Poodley Dogs, Mixed Rescues...but I saw this dog and did my research and I am officially obsessed. They make me smile and my heart just knew I needed a Dandie Dinmont duo. I have written to breeders and clubs and I will wait for as long as it takes for my puppies. I don't care. Those big heads with huge eyes and hair puffs...I can't. I just can't resist. Prepare yourselves because when I get them I will show you and show you and show you and show you. They are a rare breed so maybe if I do a social media page for my Dandies and my other beloved pups interacting people will fall in love like I have. I am usually one for rescue and I will always continue except with these. They are too rare to find as rescues, so I will pay and hopefully rescue this br...

    Because not every good boy gets a second chance. We’re losing them. Not just the coral reefs, the bookstores, or the ability to sit in silence at a red light without checking your phone — but actual dog breeds. Noble, goofy, gallant, stubborn, snuggly creatures who once roamed castles, fields, and couches alike. Many of these rare breeds are on the brink of extinction. They didn’t get a TikTok handler, a quirky rebrand, or a PR miracle like the Frenchie. And now? They’re quietly fading into history.   Why Are Dog Breeds Disappearing?   Urbanization : Farm dogs and working dogs don’t thrive in condos.
 Trendy Breeds : Social media turned the dog market into a popularity contest.
 Specialization : Some breeds had one job — and that job no longer exists.
 Low Litters & High Costs : Rare breeds often have small gene pools and expensive care needs.
 “Designer” Dogs : Doodles and miniatures grabbed the spotlight, pushing heritage breeds into obscurity.   Breed...

If you're reading this, you're probably a dog person. Or at the very least, a person who suspects a dog might be the only one capable of reaching that quiet, hurt place inside you and saying, "You're not alone. I'm here." Emotional Support Dogs aren't just pets. They're balm, they're medicine, they're four-legged miracles trained in love and presence. And the best part? You don’t always need to train them — some just show up ready to do the job, whether you paid for a certificate or not. Let’s be clear: Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are different from service dogs. They don’t need to perform a specific task like guiding the blind or detecting seizures. Instead, they support your emotional health through their very presence, and that can be life-altering. Many people get a letter from a licensed therapist or psychiatrist to certify their ESA, but the bond — that unspoken language of love — often arrives long before the paperwork. So who needs...

  When we find abandoned kittens to take to a rescue, my dogs act like excited lunatics. They walk around and sniff and try to play or cuddle. My cat couldn't care less. She's like Ugh I am a childless renegade don't be looking at me to love it. Boy cat is okay to be next to it and groom it. Bird yells at it and then marches away. But the dogs are the true Ambassadors de Casa Fleur. Except for Neurotic Poodle. She studies it and then runs away. She will peek around corners and then run up and down the halls. Why? Why does she run around the halls and up and down stairs? Beats me. I have no idea why she reacts that way. Oh yes, because she is neurotic! The sad moment for the pups, especially our other GS, is when the kitten is washed, de-fleed and ready to either join the outdoor barn cats if it is feral-ish or off to get adopted. He sits and looks out of the window like Mama, WHY? Can't the baby stay? They miss the cuddle bunnies probably, but we aren't ready for mo...

 

 

  I argue that dogs are the most beautiful to their owners and people, but I find it interesting to look at breeds and learn about their pasts, known behaviors, and traits.  Post your beauties and thoughts. 

  Not Abbie, but look at that face? Abbie is the cutest puppy sweetie. Welcome to the Manor, Abbie! You make me smile daily, and I am happy to watch you grow. You are lucky to have such a devoted Daddy. You found each other, and it is obviously a love match. I look forward to the day when you get to play with Scout, our other very special mini Aussie. I love this breed, and I love your new baby. 

  I love my dogs to distraction, and when they know I am down or stressed, one in particular, a mix of who knows and who cares breed, cuddles me, strokes my hair, and will not leave my side. She does this with everyone, thinking it is her job. We nicknamed her LoveyDovey because she is a bundle of love. She had a very rough start, abused and starved by a cruel "owner," a rescuer I know just stole her and ran off with her. She couldn't bear to walk by that house on her way to work and see this poor young pup be mistreated anymore. Operation Save Her (as I call it) was unleashed, and she just dognapped her. None of us is sorry. That guy didn't deserve her. Neighbors had reported him several times, we found out, but nothing had been done, so my friend took action. It isn't the best idea, but sometimes it is the only idea. She thanks us daily for her loving home, but she gives so much more than we could ever give back. She's getting old now, but it hasn't stop...

Hi Pecker Puppy Lovers!  In the past several months, my life has been chaotic, with no time to breathe. I missed writing for you all, and I missed this weekly article so much. It is close to my heart. I decided to do my best and at least get something up, even if it is a simple video, so dog lovers have a spot to show off their lovely pups. I can't always promise in-depth articles, but I can promise to do my best. Also, losing Octavian devastated me to my core, and I am recovering from the grief and some mild depression as a result. I ached and hurt so much. It was like losing a human child for me, as acute as if I had given birth to him myself. The pack mourned losing their leader and was slow to elect a new one. We may get more pups. Our house is nothing without 5 pups with us.  So share your memes, photos, vids and all the pup stuff you can. 

 

As with most nature shows highlighting wild animals, there are moments of watching the animals hunting. That is a big part of their lives and the cycle of life in the wild. If those moments are too hard, this isn't for you. But if you like to study wolves, their behavior, and some silly moments, you may appreciate this mini "documentary". Whatever one might think of the BBC, they excel at nature studies, and these moments are no different,  Wolves are a special part of my husband's family lore and one of our favorite animals in the world. We call ourselves like a wolf family: Mates for life, a tight-knit unit who will always fight for each other and stay close. That is the mission and the hope.  When we were in Montana, the howling of wolves at night made me smile, calling to each other, and I imagined taking names to make sure everything was as it should be. 

One of the healthiest things a family can do is offer children pets to grow up with and love. We had them growing up, and my children do too. There are so many moments of awww and affirmation that true love does exist between animals and humans. We let them be around them when they were infants and always introduced a new baby so they could sniff and realize someone new was home. Tavi took an extra special interest and thought it was his job to babysit and be our right hand with the kids. The other dogs would follow his lead, bringing tears to my heart to watch their love grow. Sometimes, the dogs think that the kids are there solely for them and will watch over us when we scold them and then follow them to their rooms to comfort them. I have never seen my kids hurt, get rough, or yell at the pets, even when they are little. They even comfort them when a pet needs correction or gets into something they know they shouldn't. The bond is strong, and when we lose them, Tavi in particul...

  Kitten Lady is one of my favorite channels to watch because of all the good she does, and I wish I could have afforded a kit out like hers back when I used to foster and rescue. I had a timeline that I would do it again this year, but life has a way of going sideways, and it takes lots of time to devote to pregnant mamas and their babies. I live vicariously through Kitten Lady and those of you who are kind enough to share your lovable pets with the manor.  I have no idea why my text got effed up, but I fixed it. Well, there was a particular thirsty cat so...maybe she didn't like me talking about the pups. 

I apologize profusely. Life has been so hectic that I can't even catch my breath. So here is a little something, and I expect plenty of smoochy poochies. This 1904 Silent Movie, The Dog Factory, is reflective of the times and dog handling in films. The pups can be hyper at times.

I love silent films, especially the ones with animals in them. I wanted to share one with this fantastic star dog, Shep. 

 

"A dog saved her owner – who hurt his leg at home in rural Washington state, fell, and couldn’t get up for hours – by walking to a road, sitting in the middle of it until a local sheriff’s deputy stopped, and leading the officer to him, according to authorities. Gita’s ability to be “a good girl and true hero” in her 84-year-old owner’s moment of need after his injury at their cabin on 25 September led to her “saving his life that day”, the Stevens county sheriff’s office said in a statement. “The loyalty and heroism of our furry friends never cease to amaze us,” the agency added. Gita, 13, had sat down in the middle of a road when a Stevens county deputy first encountered her. The deputy tried to get the dog into his patrol cruiser so he could then look for her owner, but she wouldn’t get in. The deputy subsequently left the dog where she was and checked homes within a mile of the area, but he could not find her owner, the sheriff’s office said. The sheriff’s office said the depu...