Buttercup is hugely preggers, and not wanting to come for milking anymore, so by getting Dolly back (she's been away since December 30, 2012) I can continue to supply milk to our herd-share owners. Will start drying Buttercup up, so that she can use her nutrients for the coming calf and not into milk production. Hopefully she births in March - not sure if it will be a Scottish Highland / Jersey cross calf, or pure Jersey as we had Midnight and Jnr Burger both in the field with her. This next year I hope to put up another 3-sided shelter or two, then we can separate the boys from the girls so that we control the breeding.
The puppies were better in the car, although Jack is still the howler ! He seems exactly as his daddy, who also howled a lot. I put him on my lap, with his head tucked under my chin, and he still whimpers. On the way back he curled up with another boy puppy and went to sleep, 3 others were sleeping in the box I put in the back, and one was tucked on top of the console. One little girl gets car sick like Anni did, I traveled with empty tummies so there was no upchucking, but she was drooling big-time and was really unhappy.
Our bull, Brownie, is a good looking boy. I always give him something to eat, today it was some corn, and he comes when I call. Dolly not so much, I had to climb over the fence and go fetch her, but got her into the trailer quite easily, Randy slammed the ramp shut, then went past the garage for fuel, TSC just to say hi with the puppies, and home. The other cows seemed pleased to have her back, all sniffing and rubbing. Let's see how milking goes tonight. Randy said she was very good with milking at his place, just hope she doesn't forget how we do it here. Won't milk Buttercup tonight, will partially milk her tomorrow morning, and then again for 2 or 3 mornings, only partially until she dries up. Don't want her to get mastitis.
Dolly pooped up the trailer, and I couldn't get the ramp door closed again after scraping hard and soft poop. It's extremely heavy, so will go out now again and try again. Had to come and feed the puppies and now they are all sleeping.
Did some paperwork yesterday, inputting receipts for 2012 into the computer, and doing the filing once I'd finished with them. Need to work an ongoing system that works and is relatively easy to keep up.
Spent some good quality time with Herbie yesterday and today, I like being married to him, he's a good guy. Spoilt me by doing all the chores these past 3 days, I've only helped here and there, and done the cooking, inside cleanups and the laundry.
Need to talk to Salle to arrange to hand Jack over. Then just 5 puppies still to be sold, wish me luck, as we need the money for feed for all the other animals.
Found the puppy deworming medication, it had fallen on the floor of the front passenger seat of the truck, Herbie found it yesterday.