Way back eight years ago we bought this farm. In January of 2003, we started 9 months of demolishing and rebuilding the farmhouse. During that time, we would spend evenings here working. When we were thirsty, we drank the water from our well. On the days that I would finish my job before Erik, I would come over and walk the property - explore the woods and throw sticks for the dogs. One late summer day on a walk, I encountered our now beloved neighbor, Donna. She gave me some history about the farmsteads surrounding ours and the low down on how many children were born at each place. The farm she now lives on belonged to her husbands family. Dan was one of I believe 15 children. She and Dan had five children even though they didn't buy and build a house on the property until their children were all grown. Up the road a bit lived another family that had a dozen children, and so the stories went on. I had recently found out I was pregnant and Donna said, "Be careful . . . there's something in the water around here."
Since purchasing this house and drinking the water, I've conceived four children. Three are alive and well, and the fourth is, as we joke around here, still incubating.
Since we started our goat production herd, we've had about a 99% success rate with our breeding program. (For all you non-farm folk, for an operation that relies soley on ONE billy to get the job done, that's high).
Our most recent fertility success story is that of our beloved Chloe.
As many of you may be readers know, Chloe went into labor Tuesday night and gave birth to SIX wonderfully healthy and robust puppies. I was always under the impression that there typically was a runt in every litter. Not so. Each of these puppies is as roly poly as the next.
"Tubby" is the name we've affectionately given the first born. He is almost completely white with a brown head and a brown spot on his shoulders and another just at the spot where his spine and tail meet. He is our most vocal pup and cries anytime he is separated from his mother or litter mates.
Notice in this picture you cannot find Tubby. That's because his favorite place to sleep is under his Mama's leg. If you lift Chloe's leg up, you'll find him tucked up under there. Funny dog.
The only other one's we've really identified w/ a name are "Brownie" (well, because he is all brown)
And we know this one was our last born because it was interesting that our first born and last born were so similarly colored (minus one spot).
The other three are typical in terms of markings - brown heads, white collar, brown backs & tails with white tips.
Although we've discovered something different about this one than all of the rest.
This is "Dot." She's our only girl.
Six babies and only one female in the litter.
They're all pretty cute though - and the best is watching how they cuddle up with each other when Mama Chloe needs to take a break.
ALL six of the puppies are for sale. If you are interested in one, please contact us. We also highly recommend that you do some research on Border Collies if you are not familiar with the breed. Do your research and then decide if the breed would match your lifestyle and your family dynamic. They are a high energy, high maintenance breed. They are super intelligent, super loving and all around good dogs, but if they are not living a particular lifestyle, their intelligence and EXTREME work ethic will get the better of even the most loving of owners. Remember, these dogs are bred to be herders, and that instinct does not go away just because they are not living on a farm. They will herd small children, birds, and to their demise, tires. I've heard countless stories of Borders "herding" the tires on the family car with a fatality or traumatic injury the result. Even our Chloe, who has ample exercise and "working" time, will attempt to herd the tires of our quad.
I don't mean to scare away potential owners, but I feel it is my duty to warn you about the nature of the breed because I love the breed so much.
Puppies will be ready for visitors in about 10 more days or so.
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