Bandit's New Dog Booties

Bandit's new dog booties. 

First time Bandit, our dog, met the llamas he took off running around the whole corral and he wouldn't stop. He ran and ran around and round occasionally reprimanding the llamas for getting too near the edge. He ran around so many times and so fast that he wore a deep path with a berm. 

Many people might ask why is your dog running around the corral. Bandit is part Border Collie and part Australian Shepherd. I found the best explanation by Tracy J. Libby below. 

"Border Collies have been bred for hundreds of years with a single goal in mind: improved herding ability. Because of this, they are high-drive, high-energy dogs that move faster than the speed of gossip. Unmatched in brains, instinct, and endurance, they can do just about anything—and do it superbly." 

Get to know the Border Collie, a dog breed bordering on brilliant

By Tracy J. Libby https://moderndogmagazine.com/breeds/border-collie

The gravel around the corral was hurting his feet so we tried on a pair of red dog booties that used to belong to our dear Blizzard, a Great Pyrenees. They were a bit big on him but they would do until his new booties came through the mail. We also bought some Paw Guard, a soft wax-like ointment that has healing properties, to put on the pads of his feet. 

Bandit is trying out his new booties.

 

You can see Bandit trying out his new shoes in this short video. 

Bandit did so well we went ahead and put all four booties on him and he ran like the wind ! 

Bandit runs like the wind in his new booties.

Bandit loves his job of "herding" the llamas. He looks forward to it everyday. 

Thank you for visiting, Little Utah Farm

(20,309 page views)

Deborah Moen of
Little Utah Farm

Our Recent Posts: 

Meet Our New Dog Bandit

https://littleutahfarm.blogspot.com/2021/09/meet-our-new-dog-bandit.html

An Early Visit From Jack Frost. 

https://littleutahfarm.blogspot.com/2021/09/an-early-visit-from-jack-frost.html

100 Year summer Rains And Early Autumn Snow

https://littleutahfarm.blogspot.com/2021/11/100-year-summer-rains-and-early-autumn.html

You can purchase this card as is or personalize it with a picture of your own dog. 

Australian Shepherd Dog Blank Folded Holiday Card
by LittleUtahFarm

Spider Migration Over Little Utah Farm

Spider Migration Over 
Little Utah Farm October 29 2021

 Another phenomena happened my way on Little Utah Farm. Of all things a magnificent migration of spiders. I know it sound creepy but it was actually quite beautiful. 

I was outdoors at just the right time to see it. I was walking our cat, Harley McFarley in the garden. I swept my hand through a few webs hanging across the garden gate. I hadn't been through the gate very often since Jack Frost visited. We we walked, Harley and I, onto the gravel yard in front of the barn and noticed a silky strand of web with thick cottony areas floating over the side gate vertically towards me like a ghost. It reached 12 feet high. I watched as it floated by me and across the alfalfa field until it caught on the branch tip of the cottonwood tree on the edge of the property. That was odd.

I continued walking with Harley towards the back pasture and out of the corner of my eye I saw long shiny webs flowing out from the trees and the wires. The sunlight was just right to catch the silky threads. Thoughts of spiders up above me entered my mind and headed for home. I hurried as best I could to the back porch towing a very upset kitty. We reached the porch and before grabbing the door knob I took another look towards the midday sun. It was then I saw an exodus of webs sailing high on the air currents across the sky to the east. I rushed into the house to get my camera.

Husband came home just then. I went out the kitchen door and greeted him under the carport with camera in hand. I pointed to the sky and that was the moment I found the perfect place to video the event. Right under the eves of the house. The sunlight was blocked just enough to help my lens see the fleet of sailing webs traveling east. After shooting the video, I watched a single strand floated above my head with a small spider dangling on the end like a parachute rider coming down to land. The spider made a soft landing on the roof of our carport.

FASCINATING !

I went out to feed the chickens and ducks in the late afternoon. I swiped my hand through a web that draped across my back door. I did not see any more in the sky. The sun had moved west. There were a few souvenir webs draped across the wires and tree tops.

The phenomena left me feeling bitter sweet. What a blessing to have seen it and then I thought of how full of faith or how in tune with nature the spiders are to leave on such a journey not knowing how it ends, to sense just the right time to ride on the air currents and prepare for take off. To know it is time to leave.

Video description:

Spiders migrating . Conditions on October 29 were just right for the spider's journey. These long strands of silk come from spiders that are migrating. It is called "ballooning or kiting" I have my camera zoomed in 25 power. What you see are long strands of silk 10-25 ft floating east across the sky. Some touch down to gate and carport, trees and plants but most were high as clouds. They kept sweeping across the sky like a parade. I did indeed see some adult and juvenile spiders riding these magic carpets. The insects swarming in the foreground would make a nice snack as the spiders drift by. Here is a video I took of the event.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE Here is the link for my video:

https://youtu.be/uUjmJJIDrmk

OR

Watch here on this blog Be sure to make it full screen.

Thank you for visiting Little Utah Farm

 20,173 page views

Deborah Moen
of Little Utah Farm

Recent Posts:

100 Year summer Rains And Early Autumn Snow

https://littleutahfarm.blogspot.com/2021/11/100-year-summer-rains-and-early-autumn.html

An Early Visit From Jack Frost. 

https://littleutahfarm.blogspot.com/2021/09/an-early-visit-from-jack-frost.html

Meet Our New Dog Bandit

https://littleutahfarm.blogspot.com/2021/09/meet-our-new-dog-bhtml:andit.

100 Year Summer Rains and Early Autumn Snow

 

100 year flood in Cedar City, Utah
August 18,2021

In summer we had a few 100 year rains that flooded the town and surrounding farm fields. The waters breached the irrigation ditches as culverts and drains blocked with boulders and debris diverted the water away from its normal destination. Tons of mud, clay and silts covered the home properties and farm fields with a foot of clay, mud and silt. All that rain soaked deep into the ground and the trees and plants drank it up. 

. 

Early Autumn Snow on Little Utah Farm

An early autumn snow hit in the first week of October and left us 10" of snow. The leaves hadn't even begun to turn color yet . The snow was heavy on the branches lush with green leaves and bowed down to the ground. We got some long poles and tapped the branches on all our trees to release the snow. 

Our Crabapple Tree
BEFORE we tapped the snow off the branches

Our Crabapple Tree
AFTER we tapped the snow off the branches.

We could hear branches snapping and cracking  all around the area.  It snowed all day but the temperatures rose so the snow began to soften and fall from the roof and high branches. 

Early Autumn Snow on Little Utah Farm

It took only 2 days for the snow to recede uncovering rich green grass and green canopy of leaves. 

The weather warmed in the weeks ahead and we have been enjoying the sunshine and spending time outdoors.  

Thank you for visiting Little Utah Farm

(20,301 page views)

Deborah Moen
of Little Utah Farm

An Early Visit From Jack Frost by Little Utah Farm 

An Early Visit From Jack Frost

Jack Frost came early in September. 

I had already gotten into bed that night and remembered word of a hard freeze. " My garden !" I sprang out of bed, grabbed my lantern off the night stand and some blankets from the hall closet, slipped on my sloggers and out I went to tent my beautiful plants. 

 I laid down the blankets near the dried corn stalks. With the help of my  lantern, I found long sticks and poles to make tents over the plants.  The white poles were easy to find as they reflected in the moonlight near the barn. I made the tents so the blankets would not touch the plants as that can cause them to freeze. 

 It was already 34 degrees and the temperature was dropping fast. I was so concerned about my plants I did not feel the cold.  I quickly cut my zinnias and sunflowers to make arrangements for the kitchen table. I put them in a bucket along with some tomatoes and bell peppers. I took in the hanging baskets of coleus and impatiens and put the basket of sweet potato vines in the dog house. Before I left the garden I took a good long look at my tented flowers and plants then went inside.  I went to bed knowing I did the best I could. I said a prayer, and snuggled under the warm comforter and drifted off to sleep. 

The next morning I lifted the blankets.

The next morning. Tented plants after Jack Frost visited.

The next morning I went out to see my garden.  I took the wet frosty blankets off and saw everything had survived. 

In the days to come Jack Frosts revisited and finally my garden let go. Some are sleeping underground in the roots and some have transformed into spirits of memories. Such a lovely garden this year I am glad I took photos and videos of it. 

Thank you for visiting Little Utah Farm

(20, 300 page views)

Deborah Moen
of Little Utah Farm

 

Meet Our New Dog, Bandit

 

Bandit came to Little Utah Farm
August 22, 2021

Dogs never live as long as we want them to. The years go by so fast. It was Walker's time to leave us. He passed into Spirit 2 months ago. It seems like yesterday, He had an upset stomach and he got up from the lawn trotted over to the apple tree, laid down and he was gone. It was swift and peaceful. Walker was 13  and was diagnosed with Leukemia. You would never know it by looking at him. He was energetic, loving , and h was a beautiful Australian Shepherd.  

Our beloved Walker (Windwalker)  

The earth is never the same when someone we love passes away. All family members people and animals, big and small, were affected by the absence of Walker.  It is a very heavy feeling that most everyone has experienced. When you have 20-16 pets you can come to an acceptance that this is a part of life. 

Then came Bandit. Bandit belonged to a family that lived 50 miles away. A friend sent us his photo through an Aussie Rescue and we fell in love. The family who owned him felt it was best for Bandit to go to a loving home where he had more space, more room to frolic. 

It was obvious he was loved and well taken care of. We spent time out in the backyard. The ducks and hens quickly retreated into the coop. Kollie, a Border Collie didn't know what to make of this new dog. She growled at first but in a short while she calmed down and herded him around where we were sitting. We talked and we told Bandit's fsmily that we would love to have Bandit. 

We got to kept him for a few hours after that first meeting without his family there. The tension between the 2 dogs became calm. Bandit even had dinner with us and that went well. They came to pick him up and we made plans to have Bandit brought to our home in a few days. In this way the whole family would have a chance to say family to say good-bye. 

Bandit came to us on Sunday, August 22. We were exited to see him. We all sat in the backyard and talked while the dogs played. The ducks and hens even came out of the coop. It all went well. We all felt  the sadness and the gladness. 

MEETING THE CATS

Up to this point Bandit had not met the cats. His first glimpse went like the scene in the movie, ET when the little girl opened up the closet and saw the alien. They both screamed. I closed the door of the bedroom where I let him get a peek at the cats and Bandit looked up at me with wild eyes. What the heck was that?  That didn't go so well. I was a bit worried how they would be able to live in the same house together. 

Paul slept in the living room with the dogs and I slept in the bedroom with the cats, door closed. 

The process of desensitizing Bandit and the cats went well. We put a leash on Bandit and let the cats out. Slowly but surely with patience we got him used to their presence. His comfort zone was 20 ft at first. Every time he looked at the cats we directed his attention away and gave him a treat. Little by little with that method we went from 20 ft. to 15 ft. to 10 ft, and finally 5 ft. and less without any concern. There was interest but he never became aggressive, just fearful yapping. Diverting his attention with a treat worked really well.  

Black Hawk our youngest cat eventually came to love him. Black Hawk really missed cuddling with Walker and welcomed his new friend, Bandit. Harley McFarley our older cat,  was very leery as because in the past he had been attacked by dogs twice and used up 2 lives recuperating. In time, perhaps he will trust his new family member. 

 Things are going well. We walk Kollie and Bandit almost everyday. We are taking him to obedience training and also have taken him out to our Juniper Forest on leash for a walk. 

We have a video of Bandit's first few weeks. Here is the link. https://youtu.be/sSlPe65R9iQ

Or watch the video, Bandit's First Week here. 

Read how we found our youngest cat Black Hawk. 

Black Hawk Finds A Home On Little Utah Farm 

Thank you for visiting Little Utah Farm

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Deborah Moen
Of Little Utah Farm


Little Utah Farm Store is selling this folded card with Bandit on it. Or personalize it by taking Bandit off and put on a picture of your own pet. There is always a discount offered so look for the code and include it at checkout. 

Australian Shepherd Dog Blank Folded Holiday Card
by LittleUtahFarm

A Farmgirl's Experience Is The Greatest Teacher

 

Sparrows on icy winter branches  Photo by Deborah Moen
Little Utah Farm

The temps have been dropping down from 20 to 6 degrees between 4 am and 7 am the past few days. I made my mind up before going to sleep that I would get up early to turn on the heat lamp in the coop.



I got up at 5 am got my warm clothes on and filled the water buckets, with warm water, in the kitchen sink. I stepped out into the new snow. It was so beautiful outside. Everything was enveloped in an icy fog. I made my way to the coop. I had my crampons on. I felt confident in the new snow which was on top of last weeks snow which turned to ice.

Yak Trax
They are awesome !

I took off the blue tarp I had clamped across the front of the coop to stop the wind and snow from entering. I noticed one of the latches were unhitched by the strong winds last night.

I unlatched the door with gloved hands because flesh can stick to freezing metal. The freshly filled water bucket was set inside the coop, the heat lamp was turned on, and the feed was replenished, along with some very desired dried boon worms, and sunflower seeds.



The bucket of water I had in there was frozen solid so I removed it and set it where the sun would help the ice to melt. My ducks and hens have a small insulated room where they roost. There was not so much as a quack or a peep while I was in there except for Fae, our white Plymouth Rock hen who came out and began eating. She looked great, unscathed by the bitter cold.

I shoveled the paths and cleared the corral along the fence so the llamas could eat their hay. The green hay looked so beautiful against the white snow. My hair was frozen and I had white frost where my breath had flowed in and out. 

Overhead I saw the ravens flying from the west. I could see their under wings were frosted with ice. 

Raven's wings were frosted with ice.

I so enjoyed my time out in the snow. As I opened the gate to walk back into the house, I looked back at the at the rising sun and low clouds which hung along the foot of the mountains. 

I looked back as I opened the gate and felt so thankful.
Deborah Moen Little Utah Farm

I can not express enough what living on this little farm has taught me about caring for our animals. It has opened my heart for other living things besides myself. It has made me strong and capable of doing things I did not know I could do.



Changing from a City Girl to a Farm Girl is not easy at first but you learn by doing. All the books about farming and animal care can help but it is the experience that is the greatest teacher.

Deborah Moen 
of Little Utah Farm

I thank you for visiting, Little Utah Farm
Until next time,
Believe in your dreams
They do come true.

Its Spring! Lambing Has Begun !

The Lambing begins in spring when they transport the pregnant ewes from the warmer winter areas to the sheep ranch. Photo by Deborah Moen of Little Utah Farm

The Lambing has begun!

I heard the rattling of the big diesel trucks and stock trailers barreling down the dusty lane towards the sheep ranch. It is just a few doors down. I knew the sheep had arrived and I rushed to grab my camera. I ran  as fast as my legs could go to the ranch to see the sheep unload. My was heart beating fast as I whispered an affirmation to myself, “The sheep are here".

The trucks stopped out in the back field and the drivers opened the back doors to let out the pregnant ewes. I ran to the mound of red clay dirt by the old fence to get a better look.

The ewes leaped off the truck to get some spring grass. The man who owned the ranch was there watching them unload and spoke in a John Wayne-like voice, with a hand on his hip and thumb in his right pocket, “Come on ladies” 


The sheep bells that hung from their collars clanged as they ran over to the tall haystack behind the barn.  They were hungry after their journey. Actually sheep are always hungry. I smiled knowing that within weeks the lambs would be born right here in my own backyard. And soon I would hear their young bleating cries. 

I was practically floating on the way home and took I a shortcut, running through the irrigation ditch that runs near our little farm. I 
 got pricked by the wild rose bushes and whacked in the face by long willow branches. No matter, I was so filled with breathless joy it didn't phase me.

 At home I sat with my husband and animals soaking up the warm bright sun. A beautiful hawk circled overhead and we saw a large V of seagulls, of all things, flying north.

What an amazing and memorable day ! 

Thank you for visiting Little Utah Farm 

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Until Next time here is a quote: 

 “To my mind, the life of a lamb is no less precious than that of a human being.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

Deborah Moen of Little Utah Farm

This is one of the baby lambs just a day or two old. Look at his sweet face. I have photographed him and put the image on a greeting card. Card comes in semi-gloss which we recommend for beauty and sturdiness. The card text inside is Happy Spring ! but you can personalize it with your own message. 

Adorable Lamb Folded Greeting Card
by LittleUtahFarm

Best Oven Cleaner I Ever Made

 

Here is the recipe. 

You can make your own oven cleaner. And you can use it to clean your tub, those slippery greasy silicon baking mats, and more! It is safe because it is only dish soap, vinegar, lemon juice and water. Don't be fooled by it's  simplicity, this stuff works. I am going to give you the recipe. But first take a look at this.

Here is my oven before and after

                                           BEFORE

This is our oven before picture. 

                                          AFTER

Best Oven Cleaner I ever Made

BEST OVEN CLEANER I EVER MADE

RECIPE

Mix together in a spray bottle:

• 1/4 Cup of dish soap ( I used Dawn dish soap)
• 1 Cup of vinegar ( white or apple cider)
• 1 Cup of lemon juice
• 1 1.4 Cup of water. 

1. Spray this concoction on 
2. wait 20 minutes ( I waited over night)
3. If you do an overnighter, before you begin, spray lightly with water to moisten
4. then wipe. Most of the grime and browned area wipes off. 
5. Caked on stubborn spots come off easily with a steel pad.  Just test your oven in a small area to see if it scratches. Mine did not scratch.

That is all. When I went looking for a commercial oven cleaner to buy in town, there were none to be found. I ran across this recipe and tried it out. This will be my general and heavy duty cleaner from now on. 

LITTLE UTAH FARM SHOP

Did you know we had a store on Zazzle. Our images of our garden, animals, the moon, radical weather, and vintage tractors are printed on many products such as greeting cards, mugs, t-shirts, blankets, and more. You can customize these also.

Now take our neighbor, Amanda, for instance. This is a calf with attitude. She comes on a pillow, throw blanket, lunch box and just about anything you want to transfer her onto. She is a favorite. Moo !

Amanda: Jersey Calf Pillow
by LittleUtahFarm

Water For Wild Birds In Winter

 

Water For Wild Birds In Winter
Little Utah Farm
Photo by Deborah Moen


Feeding birds is also a form of prayer Pope Pius Xll

Yesterday it was 6:30 am and the outdoor thermometer reads 20 degrees. 

The little birds are hopping on the ice in the bird bath and some are sipping at the edges hoping to get a drink. 

The  night brought 4 " of snow. 

Water for wild birds in winter.
Deborahslittlegems.blogspot.com
Photo by Deborah Moen

I heat up a pan of water on the stove. While the water is heating I put on my shoes and a coat. When the water is warmed I take it outdoors. The birds see me coming and fly away. I pour the warm water over the ice and it begins to melt. I rather enjoy feeling the cold hard ice under the warm water. 

Water for wild birds in winter.
Photo by Deborah Moen
deborahslittlegems.blogspot.com

I can even slip my fingers under the edge and pull up the whole circle of. I have discovered if I break off a piece, I can use the rounded edge to scoop out the old water and debris. I fill it with the remainder of warm water and make my way back inside. 

The birds come back one by one lining up around the edges. It does my heart good to see them sipping and enjoying a nice drink of clean water. 

We give the birds water and they give us such pleasure watching them drink and take baths. We get lots of different birds. 

• house finches
• doves
• house sparrows
• golden finches
• robins
• northern flickers
• starlings

Soon the orioles and hummingbirds, western king birds, and sometimes a red winged blackbird will come by. In spring we get out the feeders and fill them with homemade sugar water. 

Little Utah Farm is a small oasis for wildlife. It is rewarding to provide fresh clean water for our wild birds in the winter. 

11 Birds on a Bird Bath

Thank you for visiting Little Utah Farm

19,529 page views

Deborah Moen
of Little Utah Farm

Caring for wild birds feels like a prayer.

Is written inside our 11 Birds Sitting On A Bird Bath greeting Card.

You can customize this card to put your own text in. Card comes in different sizes and we recommend using Semi Gloss Paper.  

 

11 Birds On A Bird Bath Greeting Card
by LittleUtahFarm