Going Vegan

I've been eating vegetarian again for about 6 months, finally realizing this is who I really am and that it's okay if Danny wants to eat meat - I don't have to. Over these last 6 months, I have lost over 40 pounds and 10 inches. I am obviously right about who I am :)

Last month, Dan picked up Kathy Freston's Veganist: Lose Weight, Get Healthy, Change the World. So much of what I found in this book rang true to me, from poisons in our food, to the real causes of cancer, and the inhumane treatment of animals. I immediately began rethinking everything I was eating - no longer eating anything made with eggs unless the eggs came from my own coddled hens. Casein became an enemy - causing cancer almost as certainly as bleach will. I even investigated the alcohol we drink - and personal products we are using.

As I started to eat a lot more vegan, I also realized there are some substitutions that don't make sense to me. I have found artificial colors and trans fats in many substitute products. I am certainly still learning this way of life - even having been vegetarian for several years in the 70's-80's, veganism is new to me.

Today I am starting a three week journey into strict veganism. I look at it as an adventure - one that might continue on for the rest of my life. There is a part of me that feels true authenticity can't be found in substitutes. This doesn't mean I won't carry on vegan - but may give up the substitutes altogether.

That said, I'm still looking for a good vegan parmesan cheese ....

Peace

A Good Day

Early morning bird songs fill the air
Knelt down in the early morning dew
Face toward Mother Earth - I am free

A faint click of the inverter signals Father Sun is rounding the oaks
Jingle of tags on collars prove my companions-protectors are with me
Grandmother spider scurries in front of me, snatching bugs as I pull up their cover
Daddy bluebird watches over chattering little ones while mommy catches a bite

Peach, pear, cherry, and hazelnuts rustle in the light breeze while almond sways gently
Barn owls who their good night-end as they settle in -
Second totem, after Wolf, before Raven
Pain reminds me my daily path is not true

Tiny yellow flowers dance like faeries over the lady's mantle
A snap of peppermint floods childhood memories -
Incense and peppermints and strawberry alarm clocks
Pretty red roses remind me of a friend who saved me
Sun-soaked to the core of my soul - I am happy

Charentais flowers unfold their faces toward the sun
Mason bees buzz happily in the tomato forest
A tribe of chipmunks sounds the warning
As hawk settles majestically in the white pine

Cackling hens signal fresh eggs
An old squaw - some say medicine woman - creaks without groaning
Red beet soldiers line up for thinning - the selection process is brutal
Black swallowtail dances effortlessly-carelessly through the air

Strawberries half red, blueberries almost blue
Raspberries are plump with promise
Air heavy with the intoxicating smell of honeysuckle
It must be June at Dharma Dogs Farm

Wanishi
Weli Kishku

Lenape for:
Thank you
Have a Good Day

Happy Spring

If you want to call it that here in central PA. It has been very cold, damp, raining - and yes, we even have had snow in the last few weeks, depending on how high your property is.

This is the weirdest spring for us in a lot of ways. First, there is no real garden planted. Normally, St. Patrick's day would be the day we put in broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and plant onion sets, spinach and peas (not together). Normally, I would put a few lettuce, carrot, and beet seeds out to see when the soil warms enough for them to germinate (that's the time to plant them). But this year, there has been carnage to the vegetable garden. Most of my herb garden is gone - I was happy to see a few stragglers I can rebuild with:

The Lady's Mantle is coming back pretty well.

A few pretty flowers for encouragement

Sure, there's one echinacea making a valiant effort, as well as a yarrow - but most of the gardens have been flattened, muddied, and are barren. What could cause this kind of destruction?

Yea - we still LOVE them and our lives revolve around them :-)

None to fear - there is plenty in the greenhouse gardens to eat:

Kale

Spinach

Endive

Romaine Lettuce

An over-wintered Swiss Chard, and

Chives

In a year where the economy and radiation are both looming threats, we are thankful for our greenhouse. Food costs are increasing at an alarming rate, and pesticides, herbicides, and genetically-modified produce is getting harder and harder to avoid, we encourage everyone to grow at least some of their produce this year. 

Here's to a healthy growing season!

Peace, Love and Laughter,

Dharma Dogs

Wonders of the Natural World

We have an abundance of dragonflies every year, but last weekend while walking around our property, I saw the biggest and most beautiful dragonfly I've seen in many years and I just had to stop and spend some time with it. After all, adult dragonflies only live for about two months and it's getting pretty frosty around here the last few days.

There is a creek (the Conewago) just across the field from us where the dragonflies likely lay their eggs. This one will need to find a mate and get laying soon so the nymphs can spend a cozy winter beneath the water. We'll meet them next spring (sometimes as early as late February).

Peace from Dharma Dogs Farm

What a Wild, Hard, Heartwarming, Heartbreaking Trip of Love

As I write, we are still trying to adjust to having three German Shepherds instead of six, or seven. This has been one of the greatest, and hardest, endeavors we've ever taken on. Not only for us, apparently, as every being in this house, dogs and cat included, collapsed, exhausted, around lunchtime today. The house is full, but feels half empty. It's hard to believe the sweet little beings who were born into our hands just eight weeks ago, are now beautiful puppies ready for their new lives.

We'll never do this again - not because it was hard, it was also a joy - but because our beautiful Jet went through so much that we never meant to put her through. The whole experience will always be with us though - from the tears of joy at five little pups alive and breathing on their own, to tears of sadness at the sudden loss of what we thought was our strongest pup, and now missing the little lives who were so much a part of ours.

As I write, Jet is giving Bella a full bath - christening her into what she knows to be her new life. While Bella is staying with us, she now has no puppies to play with, and perhaps the hardest life of all - living with mom and dad. It's a very strange day here, but a happy one, knowing all of the pups went to wonderful homes where they will be loved and cared for.

Thursday evening, Precious left for her new home where she will have two female German Shepherd dogs to watch over her and teach her.

Friday evening, Gizmo went on to live with his new family, where he will have to other male German Shepherd dogs to watch over and teach him.

And this morning, Bear met a little boy with surprise on his face before a long journey to his new home, where he will have a female German Shepherd dog to watch over and teach him.

It's very very hard to let them go, but we know we cannot give the attention each needs with a family so large.

But let us now formally introduce, Hoover's Curly Lady Bella

What am I supposed to do with this?

Hey, moooooooooom

It's going to take a little adjusting - but I think we'll all be getting back to normal now - whatever that is :)

Bye bye sweet babies - we will hopefully be seeing you all again one day in the not so distant future :)

Peace and much Love,

Dan and Michele

The Puppy News

We have been in shock and sorrow over the last week. You may have noticed we did not post six-week photos. We have actually not looked at the blog in over a week.

The puppies all had a second vet-check and weight taken and received their first shots last Tuesday afternoon. Curly's x-ray showed a very unexpected result. We found that the funny noise he made in his throat which the vet had originally thought was his funny way of learning to pant, was actually a horrible condition known as megaesophagus. Our vet explained to us that this is not common in puppies this age, and that several things could cause the condition, in which the esophagus is stretched, creating pockets where food gets stuck. We researched the condition and could not believe our biggest, most weight-gaining puppy, who ate well every meal and played hard, claiming himself the alpha male from almost day one, could have this condition. We made a decision that we'd like to keep Curly and notified the family who had a deposit on him that the choice was theirs, to cancel, pick another puppy, or keep Curly. They chose another pup and we were happy to keep Curly, who we were going to rename, Thor.

Wednesday morning, after breakfast, Curly began to cough and lay around, uncommon for him. He went back to the vet in late morning and had another x-ray which showed his lungs were full of his food. The vet explained that this is what will eventually happen to a dog with megaesophagus and there was nothing they could do. Our hearts were broken. We held Curly and he showed us nothing but love, though we knew he was in pain. He passed around lunch time on Wednesday and we have been in shock ever since, doing our best to continue as usual for the rest of the pups sake.

All of the other pups were deemed healthy and all have been growing, learning, playing and eating more and more every day. They had their second worming today and are doing really well at housetraining. Each is unique and all are a joy. We suspect the emptiness we feel at the loss of Curly will be increased by the power of four in such a short space of time. We will not mourn the pups moving on to new homes, though. We feel confident they are all going to great new homes. We will miss them, but only mourn the one who has passed.

Now for the 7-week photos of some very special pups - all are spoken for.

Bear

Bella

Gizmo (who has a new name)

Precious

Oskar

Jet

Sweet Curly (Thor)

A Day of Play - and Update

The puppies and big dogs were really happy for a sunny autumn weekend - and so were we! It's amazing how fast these pups are learning. They all know the command 'go potty' really well. They are picking up 'sit' very fast. And a few are awesome already at 'high five' :)

As of this afternoon: 
Red collar male - litter name Gizmo - very affectionate and will make a great one on one protection dog - AVAILABLE

Light Blue collar male - litter name Bear -  SPOKEN FOR

Dark Blue collar male - litter name Curly - SPOKEN FOR

Purple collar female - litter name Oskarette, current name Bella - SPOKEN FOR

Pink collar female - litter name Precious - SPOKEN FOR

Here are some pics:

Our cat, Iggy, isn't allowed outside. The dogs always work together to herd him back into the house. It's pretty impressive how even 5 week old pups work together with the pack to reach a common goal. 

Bad kitty!

Yawn....

Nappy Time

Peace and Love,

Dharma Dogs