Some Weekends Feel Like a Month

There are some weekends that leave you feeling like you've lived three different weeks all at once.

This past weekend was one of those.

Between escaped pigs, goat fencing projects, puppy milestones, farm improvements, and preparations for an upcoming litter, there was hardly a moment to sit down. Looking back on it now, it's easy to laugh at some of it. In the moment, though, we were mostly just trying to keep up.

The Great Pig Escape

The weekend started with what should have been a simple farm chore and quickly turned into something much more entertaining.

Our pigs decided that the grass really was greener on the other side of the fence.

Not only did they break out of their enclosure, but they also found their way into the goat pastures where they proceeded to help themselves to anything they could find. Chicken eggs, duck eggs, feed, and whatever else looked remotely edible were all fair game.

Anyone who has ever tried to move a pig that doesn't want to be moved knows exactly how that story goes.

What should have been a quick fix turned into a lengthy adventure involving patience, persuasion, and more than a few creative attempts to convince them that their own pen was actually the place they wanted to be.

Eventually, everyone made it back where they belonged, but not before reminding us that life on a farm rarely goes according to plan.

A New Little Addition

As if the pigs weren't keeping us busy enough, we also welcomed a new Nigerian Dwarf doeling to the farm: Crooked Wall Farm Piccadilly.

Piccadilly comes to us from Crooked Wall Farm. Her dam is CWF Mdnte Circus, and her sire is Better Wayz Elton’s Tune. We’re excited to have this sweet little doeling here. She brings some fantastic milk genetics with her, which is something we’re really excited about as we continue building our Nigerian Dwarf herd.

Whenever new livestock arrive, it becomes a good opportunity to evaluate every fence, gate, latch, and weak spot on the property. With the recent pig jailbreak still fresh in our minds, we weren’t taking any chances.

The next few days involved a lot of fence checking, reinforcing, and making sure every pasture was secure.

As frustrating as fence work can sometimes be, there’s something satisfying about knowing the animals are safe and where they’re supposed to be.

A New Chapter for Nisha

While we were busy working on fencing, someone else was quietly making some important progress of her own.

Nisha spent her first full night with the goats.

We've been taking our time introducing her to livestock and allowing her to mature at her own pace. Livestock guardian dogs are not created overnight, and every dog develops differently. The goal has always been to build confidence and understanding rather than force the process.

Over the last couple of weeks, we've watched Nisha become calmer, more thoughtful, and increasingly interested in staying close to her goats. What began as curiosity has slowly transformed into responsibility.

When morning came after that first overnight stay, it was clear she was exactly where she wanted to be.

Rather than returning to a separate kennel area, Nisha made it obvious that the goat pasture had become her home.

And so that's where she stays now.

Filling Big Paw Prints

Watching Nisha settle into her role has been incredibly rewarding, but it has also brought back memories of another dog.

Last October, we lost our beloved Turkmen Alabai, Asena.

What started as an ordinary morning quickly became one of the hardest days our farm and kennel has ever experienced. Asena skipped breakfast, something completely out of character for her. Concerned, we brought her to the veterinarian immediately.

She walked into that clinic under her own power.

She didn't come home with us.

The diagnosis was devastating. Organ failure caused by closed pyometra which had progressed far beyond what anyone could have seen from the outside.

The decision to let her go was heartbreaking. Her last breath was taken at 2:37pm.

For two years, Asena had protected livestock on that section of our property. Her presence alone was enough to make predators think twice. Losing her left a hole that couldn't simply be replaced.

Anyone who has owned a truly exceptional livestock guardian dog understands that they are never "just a dog." They become part of the rhythm of daily life. Their absence is felt every single day.

While Nisha will never be Asena, watching her begin to embrace her own role has brought us a tremendous amount of comfort.

Asena - A guardian, a friend, and a dog we'll never forget.

The Ravens Have Taken Notice

One thing we've noticed almost immediately since Nisha moved in with the herd is the change in raven activity.

For the last couple of seasons, ravens have been one of our biggest challenges.

Last year, they wiped out our entire flock of three-month-old turkeys.

This year, they've already taken ducklings and developed a frustrating habit of helping themselves to eggs on a daily basis.

Since Nisha has begun spending her days and nights with the goats, the ravens seem far less comfortable lingering around the pasture.

Whether she's actively patrolling or simply being present, she's sending a message that someone is paying attention now.

It's still early, but we're hopeful that her presence will continue to discourage the unwanted visitors that have caused so much trouble in the past.

Preparing for Puppies

As the farm kept us busy outside, preparations were also underway for the weeks ahead.

Reyka's due date is approaching, which means puppy preparations are in full swing.

I spent part of the weekend getting our existing whelping area ready, organizing supplies, cleaning, and making sure everything is prepared for when the time comes.

No matter how many litters you've raised, there is always a sense of anticipation leading up to whelping. Every litter represents years of planning, health testing, careful breeding decisions, and hope for the future.

We want everything ready long before Reyka decides it's time.

Because if experience has taught us anything, puppies rarely check our schedules first.

Building for the Future

While I focused on puppy preparations, Ed spent much of the weekend continuing work around the property.

Gravel has been going down in the driveway, improving access and helping prepare for the busy months ahead. At the same time, we're getting everything ready for the arrival of our new whelping cabin.

This is a project we've been excited about for quite some time and one that will give us additional flexibility and space as our program continues to grow.

Every improvement we make around the property is done with the same goal in mind: creating the best possible environment for our dogs, livestock, and future puppies.

Finally Turning a Corner

Perhaps the best news of the weekend is that Ed is finally beginning to feel more like himself.

For the past several weeks he's been battling Lyme disease while also dealing with the unpleasant side effects that often come with doxycycline treatment. Between the illness itself and the medication, it's been a rough stretch.

Thankfully, he's recovering well and starting to get his energy back.

Anyone who knows him knows that slowing down has never been one of his strengths, so seeing him feeling better while continuing to tackle projects around the farm has been a welcome sight.

A Hopeful Step for the Future of the Breed

Another piece of news came through over the weekend that felt especially meaningful to us as Yakutian Laika preservation breeders. The AKC Board has voted to remove the previous restriction on registering dogs born in Russia.

For the Yakutian Laika, this is not a small detail. The breed’s history, development, and foundation are closely connected to Russia, and responsible access to those bloodlines may play an important role in the breed’s future here in the United States.

Yakutian Laikas are still rare in this country and remain part of AKC’s Foundation Stock Service. Because of that, genetic diversity, correct breed type, working ability, sound temperament, and health are all pieces that responsible breeders have to think about carefully. The possibility of again registering Russian-born dogs may create more options for breeders who are trying to preserve the breed with intention.

That said, access alone is not enough. Ethical importing, honest evaluation, health testing, temperament, and responsible breeding choices still matter just as much as they always have.

It felt fitting to hear this news during a weekend full of preparation, hard work, and looking ahead. Whether we’re fixing fences, getting ready for puppies, raising young working dogs, or thinking about the future of the Yakutian Laika, it all comes back to the same thing for us: doing right by the animals in our care and the breeds we love.

Why We Love This Life

Looking back, this weekend was exhausting.

We chased pigs, repaired fences, welcomed Piccadilly, prepared for puppies, worked on property improvements, reflected on the loss of a dog we miss deeply, celebrated Nisha stepping into her role, and took in important news for the future of Yakutian Laika preservation.

It was messy, chaotic, emotional, hopeful, and rewarding all at the same time.

In other words, it was a pretty normal weekend at Dark Point.

And honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

ADGA Crooked Wall Farm Piccadilly's first day on the farm.

Nisha observing her goats.

Skittles and her two kids relaxing in the sun.