Bye Bye Chopper

Its hard to believe that within seven days of our little dog Biddy passing away, poor old Chop' is now gone as well.

A few months ago I took Chopper to the vet as he was getting very slow and appeared to be in alot of pain when he moved. After xrays and scans and a rather large vet bill we were told Chopper had arthritis of the spine, which was also fussing together. His hip socket had also 'had it', all in all his life spent hunting had taken its toll on his body.

Chopper had been put into semi retirement when Cody brought him home about a year ago and he quickly went form being an outside hunting dog to a pampered, inside on the couch pet. Chop had the most beautiful nature, and eyes that you could not help but fall in love with.

Anyway, the vet recommended that Chopper be put to sleep as there was nothing at all that could be done for him, except to be kept on painkillers. So, me being me said I would try the painkiller option. The painkillers gave Chop a reasonable quality of life, until Friday when his back leg stopped working, but today both legs failed Chop. He was a pitiful sight tiring to walk, it really was so heartbreaking. I knew the kindest thing I could do for Chopper was to take him to the vet and do what maybe should have been done some time ago.

So tonight, Chopper lays buried on a nearby hillside beside Biddy. A hill side that was their favorite hunting ground, according to Cody, and we are left with a bank full of memories, empty food bowls and much sadness in our hearts.

We love you Chop.

May brighter times lay ahead!

Bye bye Biddy

Today was a somber day at our house. Cody was in yet another Pig Hunting competition this weekend so was out hunting with mates into the wee small hours of the morning.

We awoke this morning to the sad news that our beloved Bid had been killed by a pig.

Bid was Cody's pride and joy, and like all of the animals that venture into our life, was a much loved pet by all of us. She has spent the afternoon's tucked up on bed with Andrew these past few weeks,while Andrew has been recovering from a pressure area.

This is not a great photo, but it gives a pretty good picture of the close bond between Cody and his dogs. Bid is dog whose face is up against Cody's.

This is Bid in her early days...last year. She had a very short life Bid only made it to 14 months of age.

Here is our Biddy again, (photo taken just last weekend) doing what she loved , hunting.
Even with the protection of her wide neck safely collar, and her tracking collar (that insured she would never be lost in the wilderness) a pig still managed to stick its tusk deep enough into her throat to kill her.

Bye bye Biddy. We will all miss you xoxo

What goes around comes around!!

Here I am finally finding some time to update!
Life is racing by so, so fast at the moment that I can hardly keep up! Since I was here last, life has been busy in my crafting world, my work hours have been doubled (which is not as huge a deal as it sounds). The tables were turned on our hunter (yucky photos coming up)! Hannah is on a plane back to Germany, as I sit here typing. She has gone home for a four week visit before she settles back into life here for a two year stint. Aimee is home for her four week holiday from Uni, her exams have been sat and she has fingers crossed, hoping for a pass. Oh, and Cody has changed occupations, he is now working on a high country farm, close to home, and yes he is still living at home.

Check out his leg below! Last weekend he was going to be mustering but snow in the high country put an end to this at 5am Sunday morning, so instead of going to work Cody headed off with two dogs on a hunting mission. About two hours latter he hobbled into our bedroom , and I was woken by......

" Ive been stuck by a pig" Well, I have not lept out of bed so fast in a long time!
Lucky for Cody the pig only put a tusk through his leg! It was not a pretty sight thought. I took these photos about 10 minutes after he come home, before Hannah helped retrieve his catch and drove him to A& E at Oamaru hospital.

His leg was swollen big time! Its still nasty and very red so I'm keeping a close eye on it.

Tusk hole!! I have always said "what goes around comes around" !!

Cody refused to go to hospital until he returned and retrieved his catch. Well, until he had Hannah retrieve his catch, as his leg was not up to carrying poor Mr Pig out!

Will nothing put a stop to this boys love for hunting?!!

On the 21st of Febuary Cody went to Tekapo and took part in the Water ski Clubs competition day, I think I mentioned it in an earlier post. Well Yesterday I was reading the newsletter, that comes via email, and I saw that Cody won the men's slalom event...now wouldn't you think he would have told me!!!!

I have pinched a few photos of the day from face book....

Cody had a go at skiing with two of the 'top guns'. Looks like hes about to be beheaded here!
hmmm.... looks kind of scary to me!

Way to go Cody on winning the trophy!!

Look at the cute house guest we had in the weekend...

...well, we had two cute guests really, puppy's owner is none other than Cody's girl friend Shenae
I think Cody may be talking to the wee guy about hunting!!!!!!

Flying high

Our dear eldest son has a new love......so today my dad and I huffed and puffed our way up the hill to see this 'love' in action.

(that's my house down there...with the red roof)

my mum and dad are our neighbours...and that is their back yard...spot my dads grape vines there on the left.... this is what we found at the top of the hill....

Cody, with his new love.... it's a kite thing, that is meant to be used on the lake, or in the sea
at the moment Cody is enjoying 'flying' on dry land. there looks to be quite an art to this contraption!
up up and away!

We all think Cody is a little crazy!!

Out in the sticks

While Andrew and I were busy in the weekend with all of the glitz and glam of the school ball, Cody was out doing what he loves best. He and his hunting mate took some great photos, so I thought i'd share a few with you...

I do not get the attraction to hunting, but just take a look at that view, I can see why the boys love it out here.

This is Chopper, isn't he looking regal against this wonderful backdrop! Cody and crew!

This is Dan with his catch (I just have to laugh at his long johns).

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions,

perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.

Let him step to the music

which he hears..." Henry David Thoreau

We are feeling a little sad

This weekend one of Cody's hunting Buddy's was out hunting, by himself, slipped in the snow and fell to his death...so sad, such a nice young lad. Tragic things happen everyday don't they, you don't really give these things alot of thought until they happen a little closer to home. Anyway my heart cries for the years this eighteen year old lad has lost and for his family.

Snow and Mothers day

Winter has arrived early I think! Our days are grey, frosty and drizzly of late. Awesome weather for a scrapper!! I am not complaining.

Yesterday I was treated well for mothers day, for a short while at least!! Camden brought me in a savory muffin, fresh picked grapes, which he went out to pick in the rain--so he told me--- and a tepid coffee, I slept longer than Camden had allowed for.

Aimee gave me some very lovely salad servers that I had been eyeing up in the shop during the school holidays, and Cody brought me home dinner..... take a look at it ....

...he went for miles to find it for me....

... a close up of dinner!!! Hmmmm... BOYS!!