On my grandparents farm, they always had a farm dog. I was just 3 or 4 and playing alone at the farm. A rooster that jumped on my back and the farm dog Doc chased away that mean rooster. When the attack was over, I went in the farmhouse and told my parents and grandparents that "Doc saved me"
I don't remember any dogs ever coming in the house. They lived outside, ate scraps left from the evening meal and earned their keep by watching over the land and farm animals.
This is Grandpa, why he was on a bicycle is a mystery, but that is definitely a farm dog getting in the picture.
I'm not sure who this baby is, it might be my mom. Whoever it is, they sure seem to like the dog.
My mom, Uncle Bill is wearing a cowboy hat and is kind of behind her and the dog.
Uncle Jarvis with one of his much-loved bird dogs.
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Nice photographs of those faithful companions. I once knew a farmer who had Collies. Neither of them would enter the house. They slept on old mats in wooden kennels, near the farm gate. It was as if they had chosen the way they wanted to live.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't be a farm without a good ole dog around! Enjoyed the pictures.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a farm without a dog or two -- around here (western NC) it's often a Border Collie or some such cow herding dog, maybe a pack of hounds, and a fiest dog (small terrier-type) for the house.
ReplyDeleteGreat story and photos. I grew up on a farm in Oklahoma too, and dogs were always there. We loved them and treated them well, but they also never came inside. I often wonder what my grandparents would think of all the care and expense I give for my indoor dog today.
ReplyDeleteI love stories about dogs. They are certainly part of the family, even if they do sleep outside all the time--looking out for any mean rooter that might want to attack us.
ReplyDeleteThese are all terrific, but that last one is wonderful - you can tell by the dog's face that it was much-loved.
ReplyDeleteI love the blur of the dog's tail in the photo of your Grandfather on his bicycle. You can tell the dog was wagging his tail. I love that. I call that happy-ass, and my dog has one all of the time. It makes me smile : )
ReplyDeleteLovely post!
a unique theme of farm dogs! Great tale and photos but what happened to the rooster? The stew pot? :-)
ReplyDeleteI love them all. Our farm dog was a special member of the family, It is so neat that you have the history of all of them.
ReplyDeleteWhat's a farm without a dog? Great photos! You can tell they were indeed much loved.
ReplyDeleteDogs and farms and kids just seem to go together.
ReplyDeleteWe lived ina rural setting on a few acres, not really a farm, but a few token farm animals. Our dogs were treated the same way...fed scraps, washed once or twice in the summer, they slept outdoors, though my mom had a soft spot for one dog who was terrified of thunder...she let him in when it stormed. I love the photos ... and Granpa's bread looks so inviting! Glad to find you!
ReplyDeleteLovely post. I have read out your words about the place of farm dogs outside the house to my dog Amy just so that she appreciates how lucky she is.
ReplyDeleteLove the picture of my Daddy (your Grandpa) on the bicycle. He looks content, but he always seemed that way no matter where or what he was doing. The dog I grew up with was Tip, a beautiful collie who would go after the cows for milking whenever Daddy told him to. He lived outside and had really good scraps to eat as Mother was the best cook! These pictures bring back so many precious memories. Mom
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