Sibe in the Box

Here at Twister Farms, we have 7 paddocks, or separate play areas for the dogs.
One of those areas, we call "down south" because of the way it is situated on the property. In the south paddock, is a covered cement area with 4 runs, and in each of those runs is a platform, and a dog house-just like the runs set up under the lean-to.
At the moment, the runs are not being used yet, as everyone can fit under the lean-to. But, not for much longer, as puppies will be going down south when they are old enough. But, even with the runs not being used, we still use the paddock to put kids in to play.
Last night at playtime, I had Clint and Sarina down south, and all the other kids spread throughout the other paddocks. Most of the paddocks I can see from the back window of the house, and periodically, I take a peek, to make sure everyone is still where they need to be, and everyone is behaving---well, as much as a Siberian can!
I had peeked out occasionally through the evening, and things were cop-acetic.
At one point, I checked out, and did not see Sarina. I stepped outside, and looked and called, still no sight of Sarina. Clint is running along the fence, looking out, and I'm thinking, "Oh no, Sarina got out". But, we have cats that hang around the front, surely we would have heard something. So, I make my way to the paddock, and am still calling Sarina's name. By now, I'm getting a little concerned, that, yes, she did get out. When soon, I hear something coming from one of the doghouses under the cover. Still no sign of Sarina, until she pops her head up--like a Jack-in-the-box.
You see, the doghouses were turned up on their end, open end up. Apparently, Sarina jumped in one, and couldn't get back out again. When I called her name, she popped up again. Then go down, pop back up when I called her name.
I laughed harder than I had laughed in quite some time. It was just so funny to see.
And of course, it's moments like that, that I don't have a camera with me.
One of the many reasons I love this breed!!

1 life gone, 8 to go

Today started off like any other day at the kennel, for about the first 3 minutes.
I had gotten up, and about 5 dogs (out of 10) that sleep in the house at night, wanted to go out right away. I open the door to let them out, not 30 seconds later, I see them chasing something. I thought a rabbit had gotten in the yard, which happens on occasion. Then I heard it. hisssssssssssss!!!!
A cat, from the many that had been "fixed", had gotten into the backyard. The dogs had it trapped in a corner--for about a split second, before it made a mad dash for the nearest tree. Where it sat for the next 2 hours. Meowing. And Meowing. That's right cat, that's how NOT to get the dogs' attention. And the dogs sat under the tree the whole time.
Meanwhile things need to get done. Sit there cat, 'cuz this is the dogs' time now.

After I had gotten the other kids out to play, I went inside to let Mama Emily out and feed the pups. In case you don't follow me on facebook, the pups have started eating real food. Anyway, as I go in to get Em, I can see her laying on the floor of the pen, and I see something black next to her. I thought, oh I guess one of the girls got out of the box. I go and open the gate to the pen, and ALL 3 pups had escaped the confines of the whelping box. They're only 3 weeks and 2 days old. They normally don't all get out of the box until after 4 weeks.
I can tell I am going to have my hands full with this crew.

Back to the cat in the tree. Once I got everyone put up after playtime, I told the cat, she could come down. She just meowed. So, I didn't bother her for about 30 minutes or so, thinking she just needed time to realize the coast was clear to make the escape, which she did. I didn't see her leave, but, I'm hoping she learned a valuable lesson, and won't try coming to the backyard again.