The Coco Report | Chickens in the Road

May
14

Coco is doing so much better. (In case you’re new here and don’t know what I’m talking about, Coco went missing–read about it here–for nearly a week after she was hit by a car. It pretty much felt like a miracle when she came back–read here. She was at the animal hospital for two months, and has been home now for a month.)

She was particularly gimpy at first, and her leg still looked bad–mostly because she didn’t have much fur re-growth on that leg yet. It’s looking a lot better now.

In the olden days (pre-injury) she didn’t like to come inside the house. She has never been a house dog. It was almost impossible to get her into the house. It usually involved a lot of pushing, pulling, and fur flying, then watching her run away on the rare occasions I tried to get her in the door. She also had a severe dislike of being leashed at any time for any reason.

Now she’s become such a house dog, I’m not sure she remembers how to work–except for that comforting woof from downstairs in the middle of the night. Then I know. Oh, yes, she is still working.

But now she loves the leash. The second I pick it up, she’s by my side, ready to be leashed and taken outside. (If she was outside and I wanted to put a leash on, I’m not sure this would work in reverse.)

There’s no set schedule for her progress. It will be what it will be, on her time and at her pace. In the beginning, I took her outside for quick bathroom breaks close to the house. Over the weeks, this has progressed to walks further afield around the house and studio and barn yard. She’s still a little gimpy, but stronger. She puts weight on her injured leg and walks on it. She rarely picks it up anymore. Next, I’m planning to start taking her on some hikes on the hillside above the pastures. Longer walks, more exercise.

Maybe she’ll show me where she was those six days.

But probably not. Putting her back to work in the goat yard isn’t on the schedule yet. I’m enjoying her company in the house, and she makes me feel safe. Maybe her new job is guarding me. Though I think eventually she is going to be ready, and eager, to get to work outside. Still, she won’t be ready for that for awhile as we take a slow path to the time needed to strengthen her damaged joint.

Meanwhile, I take her to see the animals on our walks closer to home.

Hello, sheepies.

Hello, babies.

Hello, horsies–

–and donkeys!

Hello, busy chickens.

And big, beautiful cow.

Don’t forget Casper and Chloe!

Hello, sweeties.

Then Coco remembers the Milk Bone waiting inside and says, “It’s time for Judge Judy and my bon bon. I’m sorry you can’t come!”

And we go back inside.

The End.

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19 Responses
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5-14
1:51
am

Thank you so much for writing an update about beautiful & precious Coco. I have been wondering how her recovery is progressing & am glad to learn that she is doing well. She looks so happy in the last photo. Loved all the photos of the other animals. The two baby goats are too, too cute! They look like they’re racing to you with hopes of getting cookies. I think the only animal you missed is Glory Bee. Maybe that bad baby was hiding in the woods.

liz2

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5-14
3:38
am

yes, thanks for the update. Glad she’s progressing, even if it’s slow going. Leash acceptance and other ‘new’ behaviors may be an indication of just how glad she is to be home and with her people after such a traumatic and long separation. (Looks like Casper is eager to indicate how glad he is that Coco is back.)

bonita

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5-14
6:04
am

Thank-you for this post. It was a beautiful start to a dreary Monday! Loved seeing all the old and new faces on the farm.

judydee

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5-14
6:41
am

What a lovely, comforting post to start the week Suzanne. I’m so pleased that Coco is doing so well
Just a thought, is it possible that you take her for a swim somewhere? A friend takes her dog every week to strengthen her legs after an injury, the vet recommeded it as good gentle exercise without putting pressure on her injury.

Rose H

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5-14
6:44
am

So glad she is OK. That is a great picture of her in the kitchen. Do you step over her to cook, or make her leave the room? My dog is not so big, and my kitchen is not so narrow, so I usually just work around her or step over her. This is not such a good idea when she decides to get out of my way while I am mid step.

Julia

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5-14
6:46
am

So wonderful to read and see. I don’t think it is a bad idea at all for her to move her job responsibilities to guarding her people. I personally hope she decides to keep the job! : ) You can always get another GP to help Chloe…

CATRAY44

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5-14
7:02
am

Thank you for updating us and for the beautiful pictures. Glad to see she is doing so much better.

Karen H

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5-14
7:35
am

Terrific news! And so good to see all the wonderful photos of the Giant Puppy. Coco looks happy so maybe her job is being an indoor dog now. I know you much be loving having her closer around all the time. She’s a beauty! Can’t wait to see her in June.

KellyWalkerStudios

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5-14
9:07
am

Look at that GRIN! She’s one happy girl! SO so good to see her looking healthy and happy. And bonus pictures of everyone else! Casper cracks me up in that first pic of him, you can tell he loves his Coco.

Anita

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5-14
9:30
am

It ‘is’ comforting to have a dog inside. She looks very happy and content. But, being Chloe harasses the goats/kids, maybe when it is time, Coco will want her old job back guarding them.

lattelady

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5-14
9:49
am

Maybe her new job should be to watch over you in the house. I know I feel comforted with Heidi camped out on our front porch even though she’s still a puppy and brings her dirt clod collection to bed with her.

twiggityNDgoats

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5-14
11:03
am

There is nothing wrong with her guarding you and Morgan…. except it will cause an increase in broom activity….. Who Cares!!! Your house !!!!

wkf

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5-14
12:27
pm

Thank you for the Coco update! She is so precious to all of us, especially those of us who watched you take her home the first time. What a “little” doll that giant puppy was! She is still so beautiful, actually regal in some of these photos. Her leg looks so much better than the first time you showed it to us!!! Hugs to Coco!

NancyL

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5-14
1:08
pm

I’m so happy to hear that Coco is doing well. Hope you have a wonderful summer on Sassafras Farm.

Sue, a Florida Farm Girl

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5-14
1:36
pm

Just precious, Suzanne …

Maybeth

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5-14
6:01
pm

I’m so glad Coco’s doing so well – thanks for the update. She oops so much like my Mishka that I feel like I’ve been living it along with you. Every time you post a photo I feel like it’s my big white puppy. The picture in the kitchen is precious, Mishka love to lay right in the middle of the walking path, usually blocking a doorway. I thinks it’s his way of keeping track of what his human “flock” is up to and preventing our escape. Hug her for us and have fun this spring when that coat starts to blow inside

gardnerh

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5-15
5:22
am

I know you’re a firm believer that farm animals serve a purpose, have a job. But if she never “worked” a day again in her life, wouldn’t it be ok? She can be a pet, a companion, whatever you want to call her. Like the horses, sometimes just the enjoyment an animal brings is reason enough to have them in our lives. Especially her. Hope recovery continues to go well, wishing you both a great spring time.

kathy

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5-18
8:59
pm

coco looks wonderful and so happy to be home. how old is she now?

bar2a

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5-19
7:03
am

Coco is four years old!

Suzanne McMinn

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