Meet Winston our farm dog

The house has been so very quiet these last few weeks. Doing farm chores and the long evenings alone until the SO got home were quiet and sometimes a little scary on the farm without a dog.

So I’ve been perusing all the animal rescues for a dog that would just speak to me. My requirement list included:

·         A dog good with kids, cats, chickens, horses (basically all livestock)

·         A dog that likes to ride in the car/truck

·         Not a yappy /big barker

·         A dog with a presence of dignity about him and also…

·         A unique look

For me a dog is a huge decision because it’s hard work training them up, planning vacations and I really integrate my dog into my whole life.

I finally found an animal shelter that had 4 options on their website I was really interested in. I took a Tuesday off work to do some home projects and also go to the shelter with kiddo to test out the kid friendliness of our dog.

I roped my mom into coming with us so we set off yesterday and the shelter road was sketchy. It was a single lane up a hill past a sketchy building and at the top was a nice looking block building with a ton of dogs and cats loose outside.

Really cool though that they let the animals outside to socialize and hangout! The lady at the front desk was super great about letting me know the history and info on each dog I was interested in.

 my kid is 100% an animal lover as well

As soon as I saw the big border collie mix I stopped and immediately was like woah tell me about this dog. He apparently has never barked since being at the shelter (about a month) and was not jumping up or barking (which is totally understandable in a shelter environment.)

 I got him and 1 other dog out but the other dog was a bit more hyper and I really went with my heart on this decision on which dog to pick.

This dog is beautiful though and will be a great pet as well! Someone go get this dog @ the Taylor county animal shelter in KY

 The big border collie was excited when he came out but non reactive to the animals around him and licked my kiddo.

And surprise, when the shelter worked just randomly said sit the dog SAT. we worked out the details and on the way we went.

 this dog is truly just bones and needs to gain a GOOD 15-20 pounds. His coat is sooo matted

He jumped right up into the truck  and on the ride home I thought “He seems like he would be at home herding sheep on an English farm “ . Hence Winston Churchill popping into my brain and the name Winston was born!

 this dog smells absolutely horrible

We went on a nice long walk around the farm perimeter and then he even fed the horses with me! Was an angel around our cat and the horses! Recalls already with a whistle or a come! Idk if someone has trained this dog or if it’s just his natural inclination but wow I can’t imagine how this dog wound up at the shelter.

 I mean does he not look like he belongs here?!

he jumped right in our UTV and listened so well around the horses

Downsides: he’s definitely NOT house trained or fixed so he really likes trying to hump my poor toddler.

But it really warmed my heart yesterday having a little buddy to hang out with me during farm chores and to see my kiddo being gently walked by this dog (did I also mention this dog doesn't even really pull on the leash like WHAT). I am going to be getting a genetic test on him to see what his mix is. I love mutts! I have a really good feeling this dog is the perfect farm/family dog for the next decade + of our lives.

Happy hump day everyone.

-A