The Riley Factor #49

The Riley Factor March 31, 2010
(All the news from Rock Creek Farm that's fit to print, along with some unfit to print rumors, prognostications and bloviations.)

Fort Plain, NY, March 31 --  As Good Friday and Easter approach, Riley prepares for his first NY dog physical examination, scheduled for this coming Saturday morning at Glen Animal Hospital, located about a half hour drive from Middle-of-Nowhere to Further-Out-There-in-the-

Middle-of-Nowhere.  Assuming a flying-colors passing grade from the doc, the wily Golden Retriever is scheduled for his first surgery, the infamous neutering procedure, in the week following.  Riley is approaching his seven-month birthday, and the time is right.  Riley spent yesterday afternoon out in the pouring rain digging a tunnel (presumably) to China.  After a half hour of toiling, you couldn't tell dog from dirt -- he was covered head to tail in mud, necessitating a hosing-off down in the barn, which Susan eagerly accommodated.  The Herd of Six has been spending most days out in the pasture, grazing as the grass and clover green-up, and has had its grain feeding adjusted to a 50/50 mix of commercially available 12% protein all stock animal feed and cracked wheat, grown right here at Rock Creek Farm -- they love it.  Only young Ari remains on liquid feed, as Zeke graduated to the hay & grain regimen earlier this week.  Ari is on a 50/50 mix of warm raw milk and milk replacer, which he alternately takes eagerly or ignores.  Occasionally, Ari also takes a quart or two of electrolyte solution -- he is still rather small and very cute, probably weighing-in at 75 pounds or so (born March 2).  Susan and Nancy kiss Ari and Zeke good night -- those two calves both love as much attention as they can get.  Inside the farm house, the week has been spent on various maintenance projects, including Nancy & Kore working on the joint compound in the large bedroom in the brick house.  Israel has been on site all week building bookshelves for the library room -- scheduled to be completed today -- so far they look great.  Out in the greenhouse, Susan has hundreds of plants started from seed, including several varieties of tomatoes and peppers, squash, navy beans, green beans, cucumbers, asparagus, onions, melons, corn, all sorts of herbs, and even some tobacco.