Yesterday, Remy was the hero. It is not a story for animal lovers. But it IS a story for those who recognize the value of a farm dog doing a farm dog's job. Remy has alerted to possums on the second floor, from the scent that he could detect, coming down through the old hay chute. Yesterday, he was standing under the old grain vent in the barn ceiling, alert and barking that same signature bark... We had to go to the opposite end of the first floor, open a door, go up rickety stairs, pick through the storage room, and then into the hay loft. A real lose-your-bearings sort of way to get to the spot one floor above where he had detected an intruder. He made a beeline to the correct corner, and sniffed all around the ancient heater that someone else put in 30 years ago. Then into the tiny unusable room hidden behind that heater, where I could hear an almost instant, terrible fight. My thought was "That's much bigger than a possum!", but I did not have my phone to shine a light in there. It ***sounded*** like what I imagined a coon/dog fight would be. I had nothing to help and no way to get in there. He came out a split second later, not with a coon but with a hissing, spitting, clawing black tomcat wrapped around his face, claws engaged and teeth biting through Remy's ear. Literally, the cat was hanging on in a spitting rage, with all teeth and claws em bedded. I recognized it immediately as the intruder that he is. This cat has been seen only a few times, but we've been certain it is hiding out in our barn for about 3 years now. The dogs have run it off a few times, and we thought it was gone... Remy did not let up, even as I tried to pry the cat's mouth away from Remy's eye, with the board that keeps the hay loft doors shut... Remy was whimpering with pain at the same time that he continued trying to pin that enraged cat. They disengaged for just a second, and the cat flew down the stairs and got under the old elevator platform. The lift was disabled years ago by us, because it did not have a safety feature to stop it from crushing anything that might have been under it, as it descended. Dogs can still fit under there, and would become trapped, so I called Remy off. He had to shake himself in order to switch gears, but did come reluctantly to me, and I shut the door to that area. Remy has a bitten leg and a gash in his ear, with bleeding claw or teeth marks around one eye. I do not know the extent of injuries to the big tom cat, but will try to watch for him. He is feral, and will not be friendly if I get my hands on him. After regrouping and shaking off the limp a bit, he circled back to the other end of the barn, where stray cats can squeeze in, and tried to dig through the wall that kept him from getting to the cat under the elevator platform... He was calmer by then and called off several times, as I tested his recall... A good dunk in the water trough probably put all kinds of bacteria into the bite marks, but did make him feel better. Yes, I will be watching to make sure no infection sets in. I had dog antibiotics left from some event in the past, and started him on them right away. Today he is limping, but able to walk on the bitten leg, and no swelling. For that cat having been clinging with all claws and teeth, to Remy's face, I am quite grateful for Remy's thick coat and the short duration of the fight. (Stray cats are not welcome, as they can bring disease, they can injure or run off our own barn cats, and they can set our dogs off on late night barking sprees if there is a cat fight, night after night. But this is the first time one of the dogs engaged in a fight to the death with an angry tomcat...

A little story about a farm dog who has had some beginning training as an agility dog, and how the teamwork that both of us have learned paid off, in a normal farm job... a chicken round-up as a huge storm rolled in. Steady is our first dog to take classes in Tricks, and then Agility. It's mainly so that I have something different than "just" farm work for him, sort of an enrichment class for him and for me to enjoy together. We get to bond as a team while we work through an activity that is unique to him and not the others. It's new to me, and fun, and is introducing both of us to something that we would not try otherwise. Well, some of that agility work (the "working as a team" and the listening part!) really paid off as a tornado watch, complete with plummeting temperatures, black clouds, wind velocity and pelting raindrops threatened our little farm last week. The chickens were still out pecking and scratching as the black clouds rolled in, and thunder rumbled. Steady is not bothered by thunder, and he has been fairly level headed when I might be feeling stressed, so he was the chosen ES to do the job with me. (Chickens sometimes need a bit of help in choosing when it's best to run for cover...) Usually, Steady is boisterous, energetic, and quick to run toward chickens but not really do a "job"... just circling them or trying to force them out of the pig pens. Sometimes singling one out to trot determinedly after, until he is scolded to "Leave it!" and he trots away as if he was doing nothing wrong. LOL... That's confidence for you! This day, though, it was him and me, and the storm was rolling in. I opened the gate for chickens to move through, and said at the same time "Steady, WAIT!". Instead of busting through and going on a full speed tour of the back acre, he waited and was patient. All of the bird-brains clucked their way through the gate and moved along the fence by the sheep pen, looking for worms. "Steady, SLOW"! And he walked next to me instead of dashing ahead of the chickens, or scattering them. With a hand motion, I slowed him the next time as he stepped ahead of me toward a rooster who was showing off about a big worm he had found. He fell back to heel position and watched for what was next. Steady waited on cue at the next gate as the chickens scattered to squeeze through the fence. Then, "wait" again while I opened the gate for the two of us, and then he was able to circle around the flock to bring them toward the open barn door at the south end. A hen and a rooster squawked and flapped their way out of the circle, and back through the gate. Steady made to run after them, but he stopped and looked at me. At heel position, he stepped through the gate next to me and we both waited for the two chickens to realize that the flock went IN, not OUT. And both birds predictably headed toward where their feeble-minded friends had disappeared into the barn. When it was clear the 2 escapees were heading in the right direction, I let Steady finish the job and “bring them in”. Almost at the worst moment, he impulsively leaped through the barn door, toward the flock of chickens who still weren't sure about losing daylight hours by staying in the barn... But on calling "Puppy! Out!", he leaped right back out and no chickens escaped. One on one was the key. Such great focus, and I was glad of all the class hours that we've put in, to learn how to move through an agility course together. If other dogs had been outside with us and the birds had scattered, it could have been a lost cause, and the whole flock could have been drenched in the sudden downpour. If Sunni had been out with us, the competition between the two to run the fastest or make the most fun for each other would have defeated the purpose. This was a great moment for me and for Steady, because... out of all the ES here, he is the one who I trusted around chickens ***the least***. Up until a couple of months ago, I expected to still need to monitor whether he was going to chase, pin, or corner a chicken as he practiced rounding them up and moving them. And now, here he was, acting all grown up and responsible, waiting for direction, and behaving like a VERY GOOD BOY. Way to go, Steady!

At the point of visits and before placement decisions in any litter, I hope I can ask for your grace because this is topic is on my heart at this point with each litter born on our farm.  When we first start talking about applications, and an upcoming litter, I am upfront about not placing puppies based on markings or on color, but on temperament.  The markings of a dog might not make for a lifetime placement. The temperament of a dog will factor in so much more, in any placement of an Evening Song pup. As I watch the litter grow, I am taking note of bossiness, submission, how the pups individually react to loud noises, stress, or commotion, how they react to other dogs, or kids, or being scooped up by an unfamiliar person, or how they might cringe or boldly charge forward as a new area is discovered. If they are content to stay back by my chair, or charge forth with their mother, that comes into consideration.  When you come to visit, I am observing which puppies might be drawn to you, or which puppies are indifferent. Sometimes a pup will snuggle in on your lap or camp out under your chair. A pup who hangs off of a toddler's pant leg despite correction will gain a mental note, as well as the pup who settles nicely next to that same toddler's leg an takes a nap. I play out scenarios in my mind, for different pups in different placements.  There are typically more than one pup in any litter who could be a good match to any given request, IF color and markings are not the deciding factor. In any litter that we place here at Evening Song, temperament will be evaluated as a match for any potential farm or family, before color and markings are taken into account.    I will be honest with you before and again after your visit and during the phone call to discuss things about which pup or pups might be good considerations for what you've described, and also which pups I cannot consider for your farm or family. There will be always some pups who draw every single person in, with their looks and photos and outgoing personalities, but those pups would not do well in all of the potential working or active suburban homes as a permanent placement. The usual process that has worked well in the past, is: Week 4 and 5 are for visits for those who have sent in deposits. Week 6 is for any visits that could not happen earlier, and for the phone calls to each family that has sent a deposit.  I will answer any of your questions, and also discuss different pups.  I'll ask for your first, second, and third choice from the list of pups who seem suited to what you've described in your application and subsequent communication or phone calls.  The same consideration is given to each family, before I settle in to make sense of the pieces of the puzzle. By the end of week 7, (which seems extremely long and tedious for the waiting part) each family has been able to accept or reject the pup that seems best suited to what they've written on their application and noted in visits and phone calls. It is complicated, and exhausting at times, but also very rewarding. I do try to be fair and upfront at every step of this process. I value the relationships that are formed through this process as well, and give as much consideration as possible to each pup, each family, and each placement. It is rare that I've had to give a deposit back, but it is something I offer, as we get into the placement stage. If you ever feel that the right pup for you is not in this litter, or that you are not happy with the pups I'm suggesting based on our communication and visits, please let me know and your check will be returned to you.  Also, if we cannot mutually agree on a pup from the litter, I will return your deposit and not hold it for a future litter. Before the pups are 8 weeks old, usually all have definite placements. If not, it is because I am looking for a fairly specific placement for a pup that is either pick of the litter, or needing an experienced English Shepherd placement. My goal is that each pup has a forever home, a placement that feels right from the time we discuss which puppy is right for you.

First Posted September 2025 When Star had her litter with Remy, in summer of 2022, we knew that one female pup would stay. Trixie was the one, intended to be Jeff's dog and also to continue our breeding program into the next generation. She matured to be a beauty, tall and graceful, gorgeous sable coloring, very in tune with our farm and especially the tree rodents (don't say the word "squirrel" out loud...). She shaped up to be Jeff's constant companion, with great Embark results, but... several hip tests showed that her hip health was not what we had come to expect... Parents with excellent scores, and grandparents in that same excellent range... We had taken hip health for granted! From 2 or 3 generations of "exceptional" hip scores, Trixie drew the short straw. We tested her three different times (PennHip, and twice with OFA), following all the theories about testing too close to a heat cycle, too early, and then just right... in between cycles, after the age of 2). The hip score is something we've gone by for all of the other litters, and could not ignore the writing on the wall for potential of passing on poor hip health to any pups out of Trixie. Trixie's first litter would have been fall 2025. Instead, we made the very difficult decision to spay Trixie, about the same time we made the fairly easy decision to keep Sunni from the Trip and Star litter born in June 2025. Ironically, although we didn't know it when we scheduled the spay appointment, Trixie and Jeff were recovery buddies. Jeff's back was injured in an automobile accident, and he spent about a month working from home, set up to work in the living room rather than the office floor above the garage. Trixie was with her person, as they both maneuvered through the next few weeks of recuperating and healing. Trixie will be quite happy to continue her role as companion to her person, and will not be asked to interrupt that bond by raising a litter or two. The unexpected becomes a blessing as a solution we did not plan. Little Sunni will take her big sister's place as the future of Evening Song, if Sunni's hip health is the "excellent" score that we are striving for. (Update: Sunni's Embark test came back with flying colors, and her PennHip test shows a score of "excellent". If Sunni continues to mature and show great promise, she will be the next daughter of Star to carry litters at Evening Song.)

Here is a little about Star, since she has informed me that she will not be making her appearance on the red carpet as people come to meet her babies. Taffy's second litter included this spunky girl. Someone asked me "Was Star pick of the litter?" And I had to think. In reality, when I stopped to remember, Star chose us. We didn't realize it. She was the one choosing us. Someone told me to choose a calm one, but we decided on Star instead. She was a leader in her litter, making fun games and causing others to join in. I joke that she had Remy wrapped around her little paw, because it was true. So fun to watch. When I had asked Elaine how to choose the pup who would stay, she said "Look for the puppy who sits up and makes eye contact". Star is the expert at that. Whatever we were doing, she was keeping her attention on us. I have a photo of her on the back step, watching us through the door, as the other puppies napped or played. When her sister Wisp was being visited, I asked Sue W if she would test my theory, and see if Star seemed right for them rather than Wisp. No... Star was not engaging with anyone else, except for us. She was just wired that way. Another friend was interested in one of the two females who were left, and we checked this theory again. Kitty (now Ellie) was right for them. Star was ours. So, as the littermates left for their new homes, Star was the one who stayed. This is where we made a mistake, and did not follow our own advice. As the siblings' world grew larger and the owners took the advice to socialize their puppies, Star's world grew smaller as littermates left. We did not take her to puppy class right away, and her farm home was not expanded on. Star romped and played with best-bud Remy, and honed her amazing stealth and speed skills as she outsmarted him, every morning. She learned the farm work with her mother, Taffy, , but took on more of a "court jester" role, with her humorous antics causing us to laugh. Taffy was queen, so Star found a different role. Star did eventually pass STAR Puppy class, and was one night away from getting her Canine Good Citizen award. But we missed that last class, and did not go back for the certificate. She was shy in class, and the instructor helped us a lot in knowing how to encourage. Taffy took the class by storm, once she knew the expectation. Star needed quiet praise and soft encouragement. Star would have excelled in agility if she had had the confidence built up for being in new situations and not on the farm. Every morning, we had a little routine where she did some made-up agility tricks as we walked through chores. She is incredibly smart, with a very eager-to-please personality, and very bonded to the people in her circle. With that 2017 litter, like with others, we worked on having the pups sit at our feet with eyes looking up towards us. Star does that without ever stopping to think, 8 years later. Star with her prized frisbee. Around age 3, Star really started to shine. When I took her out by herself, she could do all of the jobs that Taffy usually did. When it was Star's turn to be in charge, she did so quite willingly. Star had been learning even as Taffy claimed the jobs, and knew what was needed. This comes to mind, from 2022. Star's litter was new. She had just delivered the last pup about an hour before. I was teaching her one year old daughter Trixie how to move the sheep when Star came out for a breather. Star, seeing her daughter  not getting it! , took charge, bustled the sheep to where they needed to be, then made a beeline back to the door to be let in for her newborn litter. I laughed out loud. Star is a loving, bonded to us, very intelligent English Shepherd. She loves our family members and adores the grandkids. She is not usually thrilled to have visitors and we watch for when she needs time away from noisy activities. Our vet said once "Laura! You are showing your suburban roots every time you yell for your dogs to be quiet when people arrive!". He was right. I thought dogs needed to be quiet and welcome everyone. But farm dogs, with few visitors, are meant to bark and sound the alarm. Star does that. My regret is that we did not expand her world outside of our farm, but! She is perfect here, and definitely prefers being at home. (Not so different from her owner)   For a Star puppy, my advice is... socialize them . Don't let your home or farm be their only outlet. Take them to class and don't stop at just puppy class. Expand their world. Keep their world open to more than just the home or farm. It might be that dog parks are not for them, because dogs there do not follow any rules (many English Shepherds do not enjoy dog parks). Remind the pup that people and dogs outside of your usual circle are OK, and that they can feel comfortable because they are with you. The pups usually do quite well in class, within their family circle, and they impress their owners with intelligence and sometimes humorous wit. They also need socialization with both people and other dogs, within reason (and this might not include dog parks), and will thrive as the bond grows between themselves and their owners.  Star will never have patience a dog park. She would absolutely hate the commotion and fun being had there, with dogs who had no idea of rules. With her best bud Remy, she was free to stalk and dash and outmaneuver, even with teeth flashing, and no other dogs could clumsily try to join in. Hopefully this gives you a glimpse into the life and personality of Miss Star, who I have also jokingly called “Princess” for almost eight years now.

The first puppy adventure was had by Miss Starla (not any sort of official name, it is just what I exclaimed when I found her). Mama Star has been increasingly ready to stop lounging around while puppies nurse, and wanting to re-enter society and be closer to me. This is totally normal for her, and she is like a speeding freight train, barreling back through the house and past any of the other dogs, if any of the pups makes a peep while she is away. As it happened this morning, Star must have been nursing and then heard me opening a fresh loaf of sourdough... The morning routine is, each of the dogs sits nicely and we practice "wait" (I hold a bread cube in my fist, and they can sniff once but then must stop nosing or trying to nibble until I open my hand). Star is very keen on getting that tiny treat each morning. She was at the baby gate with Steady and Trixie, while Remy and Taffy were on their side in the kitchen with me, all waiting eagerly for the crumb of bread. But a puppy was crying in the bedroom, and Star was torn. Wait for bread? Go back to puppy? Wait for bread? GO BACK TO PUPPY! (Come back for bread) Needing to investigate, because now Star was looking at me expectantly, I left my own breakfast and checked on the babies with Star. There was Starla, the shaded sable female, outside of the whelping box. I literally exclaimed with this made up nickname coming from nowhere: "Why Miss Starla!!! What do you think you are DOING out here"... The only way this could happen, is... she was latched on when Star leaped up, and held on until Star was out of the box. I must say, it did not surprise me at all, that this was the pup who would seek excitement this early. Little girl, it is too early for your adventures.