Work on the barn resumed today.  They’ve begun roughing in the upstairs area and the stairs that lead to it.

Slowly but surely it’s all taking shape and looking pretty darn cool.

The crew from RAM has been here working every day that the weather has allowed.  Some of the doors were added today and we can now see where the windows will be going in.  The sense of us having a “hobby farm” is growing as the barn goes up.

Today was day #5 of barn “raising”.   The roof and cupolas were yesterday and today’s additions.  It sure is fun to watch it coming to life.

Just hanging out in the kitchen. (Xupe’s on the left.  Woody’s on the right.)

Woody in the little woods out back

Woody (formerly puppy #8) is back for a boarding stay.  He and Xupe and Finley chase after each other at high speeds multiple times each day.  They have got to be burning major calories with all the running and wrestling.  “The boys” even go after their daddy, Chev, occasionally, too.  I’ve seen Chev kick it into gear and run faster than he typically does.  Thankfully, the “kiddy pool” is set up for them all to cool off in.  And, of course, they zonk out in the house and nap, too.  Below they’re watching and wagging their tails at Biff who is outside working in the driveway.

We raised a litter of puppies during the winter and now we’re “raising” a barn.  After lots of sketches and research, our structure’s underway.  These are photos from Day #3.

Finally, after all the cold and all the waiting, spring has fully arrived.  The first wave of dandelions is blooming and the trees are leafing out.  It’s been great to get back into doing things outdoors with the dogs.  Xupe went swimming for the first time today – on his own, back and forth, across one of the ponds.  Up ’til today he’d been wading in up to his chest, but not seeming ready to swim.  Today he just did it.  He swam back and forth to and from the island in the pond along with Finley and Chev.

As of this afternoon 7 of the 120 quail eggs that we’ve been incubating, started hatching.  Biff picked up 30 flight-ready quail for training pups and dogs last Tuesday.  The 120 chicks won’t be ready to fly for another 6 -7 weeks.  If you want to get your pup into birds, give Biff a call and we’ll arrange a time.

Here are the latest shots from Jazzy, keeping warm and dry.  Thanks for sending in all the puppy updates.  They are all looking great!

Just got this update from New York.  It looks like Barley reads the Sunday paper.

Dutch came out to work with birds today (pigeon and chukar), his first time working with birds.  He did great!

He got to revisit his “birthplace” and wrestle with his brother, Xupe.  We were delighted to reconnect with him.  Dutch is a fine looking boy with a great coat.  We heard he conked out in the car on the way home (photo below).