The Crew’s Favourite “City Mouse” pays a Visit

The crew entertained their good friend Gordon from Toronto who was able to spend some time with us on a visit that brought him to Alberta on a business trip to Calgary.

Gordon and "Cybelle" The Diva of the Crew snuggling by the fire

Gordon is no stranger to the crew. He has met my first two crew members Macc and Cybelle back when I lived in Ontario, and met the newest members  Ash and Rook on business trips that brought him out to the west. Gordon and I figure we must know each other for more than 18 years now – we met as young editors in the publishing business  and although, we are miles apart still keep a great friendship.  

I decided to invite a few friends to celebrate a winter feast with my Toronto buddy. Catherine who is raising free-range Cornish Giant chickens brought one of her birds for a scrumptious dinner. The hen was already killed, plucked and deliciously cooked, of course, before it was presented at the dinner table. My rancher friend Denise who raises Black Angus cattle was also able to come and be apart of a great winter feast. 

Some rambling pics with our great “city mouse” and "country mice" friends at the Raven Ranch. It was really cold and gray outside so we opted for some indoor shots.

"Hat Trick" Me and my buds Gordon & Denise. Since we wear a lot of toques in Alberta, we got Gordon into the spirit of modelling some of the Alberta designs. My hat, and the one Denise is sporting, are both designed by my good friend Catherine. Gordon's fur flap is the one I wear when the weather dips down into -30C temps. 

Gordon captures a dramatic pic of me and my Rook "the Masked Marvel"  by the fire.

What's a winter toque feast without some goofy pics with my buddies Gordon and Catherine:-)

me and my big hammy boy

Since Miss Ash would not settle down for a half-decent pic, I found this photo of her and her city mouse friend from a fall visit to the ranch.

And a Few nostalgic pics from the memory vault of our City Mouse friend with the Crew on the ranch last fall with warmer temperatures:-)

A Thanksgiving Day Feast with The Canaan Crew & Friends

Yesterday, the Crew and I enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving Day feast on the ranch with our friends, Catherine, Denise and Terry. Some of our friends could not make it do to schedules so we wanted to share a few photos. The weather and the feast was absolutely perfect, and as usual, the crew was on hand to entertain their guests. The meal was delicious! Catherine prepared the beautiful bird and Denise's homemade pumpkin pie was to "die for!"

Our dear Toronto friend Gordon could not make it out this year, so we had to include a pic from last year's festivities of Gordon and his pal Rookie. It was getting too dark for a photo opp with our friend Terry and the crew, but Denise managed to get one pic of him driving onto the ranch with Rook escorting his truck onto the homefront:-) 

To my family and friends - Happy Thanksgiving!

Miss Cybelle takes a moment out of her busy schedule to pose and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. The wine is in honour of our "Lulu B. Bovines" - aptly named by my friend Catherine who said the wine was hardy, robust and well-balanced like my Angus brigade:-) 

Me and my young Rookie watching the October sunset. My hat was beautifully knitted by my friend Catherine  - I love it!

The Rookster and his pal Catherine - Rook garners any opportunity for a snuggle

Rook gives some Canaan kisses to his rancher gal-pal Denise who also raises his favourite cattle, black Angus:-)

One of our bulls - Master Pendelton pays us a visit up at the yard

Pendelton loves a good scratch while I have my morning cup of coffee

me and my ranch pooch

Rook says " I need more  snuggle time with Auntie Catherine

Our feast: turkey and stuffing, cranberry sauce, brussel sprouts, homemade pumpkin pie. and home-grown carrots and potatoes from Denise's garden

Miss easy breezy cover girl Ash says "ok enough posing, can I have my treat now!"

Young Master Rook prepares to greet his pal Terry

Our Good friend Gordon from Toronto with the young Rookie from our last year's Thanksgiving Day celebration on the ranch. 

Rook and Catherine doing their introspective pose:-) 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

The Entertainers - More Visitors Meet “The Crew”

April continues to be a busy month for visitors coming to meet the crew. Today Janessa and Shawn from Red Deer, Alberta (our closest city to our ranch in Raven) came out to meet their first Canaan Dogs in person. They have been researching this rare breed and were excited to finally meet the ancient biblical dog from Israel that has brought so much to my life.

We could not have asked for better weather. Sunny and warm with a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius! It was a great day and the crew enjoyed entertaining their guests on their land.

Below are some pics from today with the crew and their Red Deer visitors.

Miss Ash gives some Canaan kisses to Janessa

Master Rook enjoys some pats from Shawn

Miss Cybelle shows off her "salute" trick for her guests

Janessa and Shawn with crew members Rook & Ash - yes, Rook decided he would capitalize on his goofball antics today:-)

Rook and Janessa

Ash decided that Janessa needed a little window wiping on her shades

Rook tries to garner any opportunity he can get for a bit more attention:-)

Rook tells Janessa a  joke:-) He can be such a ham!

Janessa gives some treats to the desert dogs of Raven

Ash And Janessa 

The inspector - Rook asks Janessa if he can inspect their truck

And at the end of the day, this is what the crew decided to do while I continued my never-ending clean-up of bones in the yard. 

To view "The Crew" with more April visitors Click Here

“Visitors” Meet “The Crew”

Easter weekend was "hopping" busy!

The dynamic duo "Rook & Ash"

On Saturday “the crew” entertained some visitors. They always enjoy meeting new people, showing off their tricks and getting lots of attention.

Our visitors, Andrea and Ryan from Chilliwack, British Columbia made a trip out to the range to meet the desert dogs of Raven, AB in “the fur”.  It was a great day for both humans and "the crew". My card filled up on my camera so no pics of Miss Cybelle who was also very excited to meet the visitors. 

Below are some pics of Ash and Rook entertaining their guests on their homefront. Andrea and Ryan are hoping to add a desert pup to their family in the future. They also seem to be really interested in tracking and agility! To learn more about "Tracking", visit The Crew's posts by Clicking Here.

Master Rook greets his visitors with style and grace

Ryan and Rook

Rook says "yes, you are free to admire my handsome"ness":-) 

Ash says "nice to meet you"

Andrea and Ryan get ready for a walk with crew members "Ash and Rook"

Ryan is ready for a hike with the crew

Ryan tries to "catch a Canaan"

Ash and Rook give some Canaan Kisses to Andrea

Ryan and Ash  - Ash had just had a dip in one of our sloughs

A few more Canaan Kisses for Andrea

Ryan And Rook off for a run!

Some Canaan snuggle time - Rook and Andrea

The Crew shows how obedient they can be with our guests