Thursday, April 7, 2011

I'm A Country Girl

I grew up in the suburbs.  I've moved around a lot, but always stayed within the suburbs of St. Louis or Atlanta.  Now that I've moved to a rural area, I recently realized something.  I LOVE living in the country.  I've always been the girl afraid of spiders and bugs and snakes and horses.  That hasn't changed, but the list is increasing.  Now I can add field mice and cows and guinea pigs to the list.  Okay, I'm not really afraid of guinea pigs.  I just wanted to distract you from the fact that I'm afraid of cows.  But in spite of all the scary creatures that live in the country, it feels like a place that I belong. 

Distant log cabin with huge field in the foreground - my house and land
I belong here.
I look out my windows and see nothing but fields and trees. Last night I saw an owl and although it was too dark and far away for a good picture, I took one anyway, because it was an OWL!
Silhouette of an owl in a distant tree

 There are logs for Ziggy to chew.
Ziggy chews on a giant log

There's a small country church to visit.
Small country church with steeple

And of course, there are the cows. Ziggy laid down to observe them while I tried to apologize (from a distance) for scaring them the other day. Then one of the cows proceeded to chase us down the road from the other side of his fence.
 
Ziggy watches the cows

I've heard instructions on what to do when a bear chases you, or a mountain lion chases you. How come there are no instructions on what to do when a cow chases you? And what about when you're driving home from work and one of the cows is standing in the middle of the road? What then? Do you honk? Wait until he moves? Go notify the owner? Moving to the country should really come with an instruction manual. I have a lot to learn, but one thing I'm sure of. All the stress and challenge of buying this place was totally worth it. I am finally home.

21 comments:

Tucker The Crestie said...

It looks beautiful there! Welcome home! :)

Kari in Alaska said...

I am so glad to hear you found a place that makes you feel like you belong :)

Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com

Mollie Jo and Bobo said...

BOL! Now can we call this blog "The life and times of a Country Dog Foster Mom"? Ya'll be country bumpkins soon enough. As per the cows....Take cow treats and when they block the roads lure him over with the treat. Works with goats and horses.

brooke said...

Im with Mollie Jo and Bobo... I think your blog needs a new name now! My Life As A Country Dog Foster Mom. or My Country Life as a Dog (and cat) Foster Mom. My Life as a Dog Foster Country Mom.
hehehe

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

heheehe wait until you look out and see a HORSE in your yard... Or a deer looking in the window.. OR... a skunk
I've had it all on my hill and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Soooo I know how you feel.

No owl.. butt I have a Cooper's Hawk.

JacksDad said...

As long as it's not too far from a bagel store and the grocery store, the country sounds good to me! :)

BerniceK said...

I love this post. I feel the same way. I love going to the Ranch even though it usually means lots of work. I just wish I had a log cabin instead of a mobile home that someone trashed.

Perhaps you should do what I did recently. Read up on the venomous snakes of Missouri. I know Im going to come across one soon so Ill be ready.

Oh and you need a name for your ranch! What's it gonna be? The Dog Foster Ranch?

Cupcake said...

I'm so glad you found where you belong. I can't wait to hear all about the wonderful foster babies you will have at your beautiful place.

Dog Foster Mom said...

Mollie Jo and BoBo (and brooke) - I like the idea of a new name. How about "The Life and Times of a Slightly Crazy Rescue Volunteer and Dog and Cat Foster Mom Who Moved To The Country And Loves It There". Too long?

Bernice - I have no need to study up on snakes, because I treat them all the same way - as the most dangerous creature ever. I should probably study up on canine first aid though in case one of the dogs doesn't see snakes the same way I do. :-) And I love the name Dog Foster Ranch. We've just been calling it "the cabin" but your name is much better!

Kolchak Puggle said...

What a wonderful spot. I think I would fall in love with it too. Except the vermin, it would be perfect if only there were no vermin...

Two Pitties in the City said...

So exciting! And I'm sure all the animals are totally loving it too. I think cows do need to come with manuals, or disclaimers. They used to live across a busy street from us when I was growing up, so our only interactions were intentional.

Anonymous said...

what a nice post. i am glad you found your true home! sometimes i wonder if i would be happier in the country than in the city. but, my hunny is a city mouse, so for now, we're living large :)

Sue said...

It's great to hear that you feel so at home there. You deserve a comfortable place after all the trouble you had finding it.

ForPetsSake said...

This sounds like heaven to me. I hope one day to live in a place where you can still see stars at night, and hear the wind in the grass and trees without the hum of traffic.
I'm really, really happy for you. This must be so nice for your kiddos, too!

meowmeowmans said...

We are so glad everything is working out for you in your new (AWESOME) home! We are so, so happy!!!

Love that there are logs for Ziggy to chew on. : D

Unknown said...

Welcome to the country, I'm so happy that you love it! I know that I love it and so do our dogs. I can't wait for a picture tour!

Donna and the Dogs said...

Wow - I got chased by a deer once, and that was scary enough - I don't know what I would do if an animal the size of a cow chased me!

Glad you are enjoying the peacefulness of your new surroundings. I am very, very jeoulous!

Anonymous said...

Yippee! I am SO very much glad you like your new home! And I am SO very much glad that Ziggy is home (and you did what you knew was right in your heart by trying to keeps his training going in a pawsitive way)! And I am SO very glad you're skeered of cows cuz that means my mom isn't the only weird one in the world!

Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie

Anonymous said...

PeeS. I just read Mollie Jo and Bobo's comment and wanted to know what in the heck are cow treats? Do they sell those in the stores?

Sara said...

Carry an old McDonald's bag with you and flash it at the cow if it gets too close. That'll show 'em.

DebbieLB said...

I love that you have moved to the country! Just remember, dogs are perceived as predators to cows. So they probably don't like your dogs. But they do not dislike you--they should become more tame around your dogs as you continue to walk them on the road near the cows. Just don't ever let the dogs in the pasture with the cows! It is amazing how protective a cow can be!!

Thanks for your question on my blog: Life on a Kansas Cattle Ranch. I look forward to following your blog!