Archie - Second Try

I'm re-posting the post from the stormy day (Monday) about Archie. When I was working on the post, Blogger was acting wonky but I kept on, thinking that it would be my last post for several days due to Sandy. Although the post appears on my computer and on others, it doesn't seem to be appearing everywhere. I am keeping the original post because of all the comments.

I don't know how to tell you all this but here goes..... We found Archie, one of our Great Pyrenees Guard Dogs, dead in the woods next to our neighbor's hay field a few weeks ago.  We don't know why he died and never will. We are sad beyond belief. His brother Winston is out of sorts as they have been together since birth. It is not easy to lose a dog, even if Archie had been here only a year.

The Guard Dogs live with our sheep, not in our house at night like our Border Collies. Their job is to keep the coyotes and whatever else lurks in the woods away from our sheep. Guard dogs are not pet dogs but they are farm dogs and members of our farm family. They have to be outside all day and night to keep the critters away. The breed is an ancient one, developed in Asia as livestock guardians and the instinct is keen. They aren't as socialized as our Border Collies but we do talk, walk and visit with them several times a day.

Here is a photo I found of them from last November when they were pups. Such beautiful creatures. 

We buried Archie in the sheep pasture in Bernardston where all The Farmer's family's farm dogs have been buried for decades. Very sad day. 

I struggle with introducing you all to our different animals constantly. Living on a farm, life is different than in the suburbs. Animals are born and pass on more often than most people's pets do. I don't post when we lose a sheep or chicken to a coyote or illness. Our sheep and chckens aren't pets. When I do name animals and introduce them to you, I realize it is dicey because stuff happens. Cats come and go, sheep and chickens meet untimely ends. It happens. But when a dog dies, it is sadder to me. I have always been a dog person and have loved everyone of them although Julia doesn't quite understand this and is quite jealous of every one of our dogs. I tried to keep myself disconnected from Archie and Winston because they aren't pets, they are here to do a job. But I can't help but be sad and cry some tears for this beautiful boy.

 

Winston is adjusting to life as our lone guard dog. He is lapping up my love every time I bring him his nightly kibble or take a walk in the field. We don't plan to get another guard dog at this point. Thank you for all your kind words and for understanding. I wish you all the best as everyone continues to recover from Sandy