The best place in the world to self-isolate

This week’s them in our pet photographer’s 52-week project is Wide Open Spaces, and that is the one thing we have in abundance here at our farm.

I’m losing track of the days, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. COVID-19 has rocked us to the core and has made me even more grateful, if that’s even possible, that we moved from the city to the country last year.

We live on a 46 acre farm, so there is no better place to isolate from the rest of the world. Just Neal and I and our four dogs, four chickens and two ducks, along with all the birds and wildlife that live around here. It’s been a while since I participated in this blog circle, but when I saw this week’s theme was “Wide Open Spaces” I couldn’t not participate.

Before anyone thinks living here is idyllic, well yes and no. Yes on the most part, but we’ve been through incredible times even before this global pandemic hit.

The drought was intense, the bush fires came incredibly close and we were so vulnerable all through the Summer.

Next came the storms, rain and flood where I thought our farmhouse was going to be blown off its foundations or smashed by a flooded gum. Thankfully we came out relatively unscathed apart from some damage to gardens.

Next hit… mosquitoes. Relentless, big, black, fat mosquitoes. We couldn’t go outside without being covered in repellent and even then they found the vulnerabilities where they could bite us… even on the scalp!

Now we have the black flies… they are everywhere! I stalk them through the house with my vacuum cleaner as I’ve found this the most effective way to clear the house of them. The mozzies are still hanging around, although nowhere near the numbers a few weeks back.

Then last week I discovered a new enemy… the seed tick! I found my legs were covered in itchy bites and then learned what was causing them. Google them… they’ll freak you right out!

So yes we have plenty of wide open spaces here at the farm, but the payoff isn’t tiny!

As I said earlier, the positives far outweigh these negatives. I know these past 6 months have been far from normal in many ways so I’m optimistic about the future once we get through to the other side.

Our dogs are loving living here, having the freedom to bark whenever they like without complaints from the neighbours. They also love having us home with them 24/7 apart from when we need to make the trip to town to stock up on supplies.

Throughout this time I’ve been preparing our farm for the amazing times ahead when I can start offering destination photo sessions on our farm for people who appreciate their dogs for who they are and want to celebrate the love they have for them by giving them the best time while I photograph them.

ALL AROUND THE CIRCLE

Thank you for reading!  Head on over to check out Darlene Woodward with Pant the Town Photography serving MA and NH, for Darlene’s take on this topic. Continue clicking the link at the bottom of each post until you end up right back here.

TEENY TINY DOGS AND THEIR STORIES – OUT NOW!

Teeny Tiny Dogs and their Stories Collector’s Edition sold out at the book launch, however, don’t despair, the second edition is now available!

2020 sessions are currently on hold however I’ll be ready to rock and roll when we get through this so make sure you join my pack to be informed when this information is released.