A Farmer's Best Friend

A man's best friend.... how about a farmer's best friend...

I know this isn't about cows or dairy farming but really it is. My best friend loved cows and he woke up every morning wanting to be with the girls. 

I had an 11th month old Blue heeler Collie mix and let me tell you, he was the cutest and smartest dog I have ever had! And I have had a lot growing up, my mom has three right now!

He lived the best life he possibly could here on the farm, going outside and coming in as he pleased, lots of love and attention from myself and grandparents, plenty of treats, lots of land to exercise and plenty of ladies to keep company. 

Unfortunately he ran off with my Uncle's dog who was in heat and has been missing for, going on three weeks. This blog is just in dedication to my best friend, Reckless.

He's a smarty; laying in the high moisture corn shed so he doesn't have to lay in the snow :) He was waiting on me to get the milk ready so he could help me feed calves.

His absolute favorite position! He slept like this all the time and I think he was hoping someone would see him and start scratching his belly.

Ain't her purdy?...look at those colors and spots....

He learned really fast how to sit and every time you would call him to you he would sit.
 He was very respectable. 

That look is irresistible! 

Anywhere I went he went. He adventured out to the dry cow
 barn with me and I think he sees something!! He climbed the hay mound and went jumping
in the creek and pouncing through weeds in the pasture all you could see was his white
 tip on his tail waving above the weeds like a flag. 

I received this picture before he was mine but absolutely love this picture.
 He's gorgeous.

And when I mean he goes everywhere I go.... I mean it!
Morning and night he would come to help me feed the calves.
Rain or shine... in this case snow or shine! 

He would lay there for hours as I cleaned out hutches. He just wanted to be every where
and anywhere I was.  Aw look at his ears...

His favorite girls were calves!
He helped them clean up their milk mustaches after breakfast and dinner.
MMMM delicious!! He wasn't allowed to drink the cats milk but I couldn't tell him no
 if he was getting milk this way it was just too cute!!

He looked out for the girls... what more could a farmer ask for!
 Reckless wouldn't and couldn't miss a beat, or a calving!! haha 

Oh what a goof!!! tearing up the grass.
But as long as he is with us he's happy!!

I wish I could have found a picture of his favorite spot where he laid during milking.
He would be in the parlor with me at every milking laying up against the wall under the third milker. 

He was trying to get the last droplets out of this cup.
 He laid here for a while with his nose in this cup... what a dork.

Hey mom, I'm cute right?
Even with one ear up and the other down?
Want to scratch my belly?!

When I would ask him to lay down he would and
 then he would roll over for you to scratch his belly. 

Ooopps don't show Ethan! Reckless's first and last time in my bed. This farm dog was always dirty... he was allowed on his bed but not mine! He loved cuddle times. I always cuddled with him on his bed every night before bed.

He still came to help feed calves from a distance on hot and sunny days!!
But laid in the shade because he's a smarty.

Started at a young age following me in the free stall barn to check on the cows.
 Looks like he's fixated on one.

Passed out puppy on a nice summer day.

His first day to the farm!! He hated car rides drooled a river every time he gets in.
Him and I rode in the bed of the truck. 

Loved his toys!

Memories... these pictures provide me with so many memories this little stinker filled my heart with for 8 short months. Every morning I wake up to go milk the cows I just think he will be waiting outside the front door for me... I go to feed the calves and wait to hear the jingle from his tags but it never comes... Go to bed at night thinking I'd see him waiting for me laying on his bed... I miss him licking my arms if I sleep past 5am knowing I'd be late for milking... I miss having a buddy that enjoys what I do just as much as me; walking through the pastures, playing with the calves, and checking on the cows. 

He was family and my best friend, he brought so much joy to everyone he met. Never begged for food, came running when you called him, he laid and sit, gave high fives and shook hands and stayed and rolled over. Not even a year old but smarter then ever! 

I miss you handsome and pray to God and hope every day that you'll be waiting for me some where. Things have changed a little on the farm since you have been gone. We have two new calves that will never get to be your friend and will have to have milk mustaches longer then if you were here to lick them off, we welcomed five new cows and two new heifers onto the farm that will never understand your patience when bringing in cows from the field, and I moved four heifer calves from the hutches to the heifer barn that won't get the enjoyment of you both running around together in the yard. 

Nothing beats a farm dog; the most happiest kind of dog you'll ever meet. A man's best friend? naaahhhh a Farmer's best friend! My best friend, Reckless.

Love you and miss you Reckle Freckle!! Please come home...

~The Barn Window