Cast of Dogs | Chickens in the Road

Nov
30

It was two and a half years ago when we drove to Virginia and brought our Giant Puppy home. Coco is a Great Pyrenees, a livestock guardian dog. We got her to protect the goats.

It was a while before she could protect anything, though. Back then, she fit into a wash tub. That’s hard to imagine now. She barely fits on the porch. And we have a big porch.

It was a long time before we could get her to leave the porch, though. It was a big day. (See Coco Takes a Bow.) It was a big deal, people!!!

Dookie’s reaction: “I go down the stairs all the time and nobody cares.”

See? Dookie CAN be cleaned up! See more of cleaned-up Dookie here.

Dookie in the snow. (I love Dookie in the snow.)

We’ve had Dookie the longest. He is 15 years old. We’ve had him for about four years. He is a farm shih tsu. He is not a citified fancy shih tsu. Well, he was, in his former life, but he is now a farm shih tsu and he loves it. He and Coco became fast friends.

One of my very favorite posts about Coco and Dookie is The Path to the River and A Tale of Two Dogs.

Dookie is a grumpy-cheerful little thing. He is getting older, and he spends more time on the porch than he used to. He is also extremely jealous of every other dog in Coco’s vicinity. Which would be Boomer and Casper.

And that’s not even counting Rat Dog. If you missed An Unfortunate Affair, please, hold on to yourself. You might fall off your chair laughing when you read that one.

We got Boomer, who was originally named Spot, when my oldest son, Ross (the sailor), brought him home from the McDonald’s parking lot. He said he was my Mother’s Day present. Hunh. Boomer disappeared, and then we found him again, and ever after he was called Boomerang, or Boomer for short.

He’s a tiny yet magnificent dog. A hero! (In his own mind.)

(See Boomer’s Magnificent Find.)

We don’t really know where he came from, but he’s ours now. This is my favorite Boomer picture ever. I made it my screensaver a year ago and it STILL IS. (I should probably change that now.)

And then came Casper.

What a mess.

That was, of course, the last time Morgan paid any significant attention to him. Well, she did train him for awhile (and he did improve somewhat), but then SPORTS PRACTICE STARTED. And school. And that was the end of that.

He is the dog that upset all dogdom.

Not to mention chickendom. (See Suspect Arrested in Egg Case.)

Though he’s actually a rather beautiful dog, if you can get past how obnoxious he is.

He requires a lot of petting.

Coco has grown into her role as a livestock guardian dog. She guards whether it’s needed or not. It’s a natural instinct in a Great Pyrenees to sit at night (and during the day) and stare out into the woods and growl in a low tone. And bark regularly. She is letting any potential predators know that she is on duty. Dookie, Boomer, and Casper are her Keystone Kops. People often ask who is Top Dog around here. Without a question, it is Coco. She is the Giant Puppy and the Queen of all she surveys. The other three dogs are in competition for her attention. She is so big, she often doesn’t notice the endless scrabble for her notice.

And that’s okay. She is a Giant Puppy and she has work to do.

These are our four dogs. Heaven help us. Read all my dog stories here.

And find all my “Cast of” post here. (This is also linked in my “About Me” section in the sidebar if you want to find it again.)

More posts you might enjoy:

26 Responses
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11-30
6:30
am

They’re each so unique, love it! I remember when you got Coco! I love her the best, and she reminds me so much of that big sheep dog in the Looney Toones cartoon that would punch in on that time clock on a tree and sit and guard the sheep. Then the wolf would come and clock in and try to steal the sheep. I loved those cartoons and I still get a chuckle everytime I see pictures of her sitting and staring into the woods. So funny.

Patty

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11-30
7:34
am

I know it’s probably not nice to have a favorite, and I love them all, but Boomer is my fave, hands down. He’s just so…spirited looking and adorable.

Miss Becky

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11-30
7:34
am

Did you ever breed Coco? I know you neuter your pets but weren’t you thinking of breeding her at one time? Or have you decided against it? She’s a beautiful dog.

Cheryl LeMay

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11-30
7:43
am

Coco is just so pretty. I just wonder how she stays so white and Dookie stays so dirty?!?! He must have a favorite hill of dirt to roll in daily (or somethin’).

I loved all the dogs when I met them…even Casper the attention needer And Boomer, Mr. Manners.

CindyP

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11-30
7:57
am

Cheryl, I’ve just about decided to not breed her. I’m probably going to have her spayed in the spring, before she goes into heat again.

Suzanne McMinn

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11-30
8:01
am

I love all of your dogs, couldn’t pick a favorite~~!

Cindy

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11-30
8:53
am

Thank you for this post especially, I did ask in one of the recent posts how many dogs you have, now I know.
They are all wonderful, now I can go back and read about all of them. I need a Coco for my little farm. She is probably my fav.if I had to have one, but I just ADORE all your (all dogs)dogs.

Lisabeth Olson

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11-30
9:15
am

so thats 6? dogs and how many cats?? I lost count.

Im Jealous!

Carol

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11-30
9:15
am

They’re all beautiful. We need a Coco as well. But I have to say, Boomer is my kind of dog. I’d take Dookie as well!

Merino Mama

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11-30
9:21
am

I can’t imagine life without dogs! We were city-dwellers with a city Shih Tzu and a city Lahsa-Poo. . . . now they are city dogs trying to learn how to be farm dogs. Our Shih Tzu looks like Dookie does sometimes – right now, he’s a matted mess! But, it’s so funny to see the “adapt” to farm life.
I love your dogs – what an assortment!

Sherie Adams

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11-30
9:24
am

Just like Ellie Mae, I love all your critters. Coco has really turned into the queen of her dominion, and I just adore her court jesters too!

DragonLady

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11-30
9:36
am

Your dogs are all wonderful in their own ways. What became of Blue(bell)? The last I heard, she was having issues with the chickens and some aggressive behavior. Did she have to find a new home?

Urbanite

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11-30
9:46
am

I love your cast of dogs. I would not be able to pick a favorite. They all have their own unique qualities and are all so lovable in their own way.
Thank you for sharing your pups with us!

claudia w

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11-30
9:47
am

Carol, no, just four dogs!

Urbanite, yes, we had to find a new home for Bluebell. She didn’t mix well with chickens.

Suzanne McMinn

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11-30
10:02
am

We had a farm Yorkie. He was bigger and tougher than any Yorkie I have ever seen and probably happier too! As for Casper, he can’t help it, he’s a Lab,they’re naturally obnoxious, and beautiful, and faithful, and fat headed, and stubborn, and absolutely the best dog in the world! Can you tell I’m a Lab mom?

Nancy

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11-30
10:06
am

Love all your pups! There’s nothing better than being able to take a walk in the woods or fields with dogs running and exploring all around you!

texwisgirl

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11-30
10:08
am

Great story! Luv the pooches.

Ramona

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11-30
10:21
am

Yeah! Love hearing about your pupsters!!

leanna

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11-30
10:26
am

Nancy, that’s a perfect lab description! I have four!

Lynne

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11-30
10:30
am

Almost forgot, today is the last day to vote for Suzanne in the photo contest!

(http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/64175/voteable_entries/10797301?order=recency)

Lynne

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11-30
11:31
am

I love all your dogs, but Bommer would be my pick. I have a 13 year old Rat Terrier named Daisy…..she used to be the fastest dog ever……..neighbors clocked her at 35 mph when she was young!

kris morgan

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11-30
1:09
pm

They are all wonderful! Coco is my favorite. It makes me miss both of my Great Pyrs. Best dogs I’ve ever had (other than my Maltese who thought she was a Pyr).

Jennifer Millett

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11-30
3:15
pm

Four dogs makes a handful, but at least they are not lonely. They have each other to keep them company. So, so cute! Yea, for happy farm doggies.

Barbee'

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11-30
5:11
pm

Dogs have such great personalities. My 75 lb black lab mix who once lived a lonely life always outside and ignored by her former owners, my former neighbors, now thinks she is a lapdog who should only go outside to chase squirrels, when she wants to!

DonnaTN

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11-30
8:50
pm

I am such a dog person! My cast of dogs is two chihuahuas: male, 6 lbs, 17 years old, and female, 3 lbs, 15 years old – both black and white and both “fixed”! I have to admit that I have a soft spot in my heart for Doookie. How did he come to your farm (if you have already told us, please direct me to the post).

Lana

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12-19
5:54
am

Beautiful dogs!

The Sprollies 'n' Border Collies

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