Front And Rear Guards

The Gator has been moth-balled for a week now. The snow is too deep for the low body. Our basic mode of transportation around the farm is the tractor. The loading forks on the front have a pallet strapped on so that we load hay on the pallet to deliver meals to the main herd. The bridge has been so clogged with snow that we have not been able to walk up the slick metal incline.

The dogs have had to adapt to riding on the tractor rather than on their normal home base of the Gator. Usually when we call for them to load up they jump on the back deck of the rotary mower that is attached for stability. I usually ride back there with them and have to contend with a snout or tail interruptions since they are having a great time and want me to join in.

When feeding, I ride on the front loader and by hanging onto the bales as we make our way around the road to the backside of the barn where the outdoor feeders are. Mike lifts me high above the feeders and I cut the bales to drop a slab at a time into the open air mangers. (Did I mention that I don’t care for heights? It doesn’t seem to matter how many times I am lifted up, I white-knuckle my way through each feeding. I always hold onto the firm metal on the tractor side of the loader while feeding with the other hand. Did I mention that I am not very tall? It is a struggle for me to reach the length of the pallet below me while I have the death grip on the header. Did I mention that Mike is a much, much smoother driver than I? That is why I am the one defying gravity during each feeding.)

Since I am already on the front of the tractor for feeding, I usually stay on the pallet for the ride back around the barn, over the river (beautiful, scenic views up here), and get off to open and close the gate at the county road. Butler the dog has taken to riding on the front loader with me once the hay has been fed and stays on there even after I get off to attend to the gate.

Neighbors and travelers on the road have commented about Mike on the tractor taking his farm dogs for a ride as they see the three of them crossing. It is quite a site to see Butler surfing along in the prow position and Jackson at attention in the aft during our feeding schedules.

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