Man oh man…….I had The Best EVER Backyard Chicken Dog. How can I safely say that he was the best? Simply because he did his job with excellence. Never once did he take a run at the hens. Never once did he shirk his responsibility as protector of the backyard. Never once did a raccoon, fox, hawk or anything enter the backyard when Stanley was out on patrol. Never once!
Many a night, he exhausted himself running along the backyard perimeter making sure that those raccoons stayed high up in the trees on the other side of the fence. Many a day, he sun bathed on the grass or patrolled along worn down snowy paths; always surveying the landscape with eyes and ears on full alert. Through it all, he was my champ.
In the beginning, it was a challenge to train this retriever to accept these new “additions” to our “urban farm”, but after one weekend of intensive backyard schooling, this “bird dog” recognized his role as protector and did it with excellence. Through it all, he always did his job. But, best of all, he gave us more laughs than I could have ever imagined. I never dreamt that a dog could be so funny! Whether it was his howling accompaniment when Endearing Daughter played the harmonica, or his desperate cries for rescue from the cottage swim raft when Dutiful Son had to “paddle” him back in the canoe, Stanley kept us all in “stitches”.
This past week, we said so long to our champion protector. Stanley was the best! Man’s best friend? That title is just not fitting enough. He was more than our “best friend”. He was, and will always remain an integral member of our wonderful family. I hope that you, the reader, are just as fortunate as we have been to have an incredible dog like Stanley. He was the best!
So………so long my good friend. Long may you run. Welcome to your new role as the backyard chicken protector in the sky! You, my champ, are terribly missed. Thank you for doing your job so well, but more importantly, thanks for making us laugh!
If you need to brighten your day or just get a “chuckle”, I encourage you to CLICK HERE and read some of our great “laughs” with Stanley.
City Boy Hens 
Very sorry to hear the news. There isn’t a better dog than an old farm dog!
Thanks Bruce,
He was “my” best!
Regards,
CB
We are missing Stanley for sure but know he is in a better place swimming in lakes and protecting lots of chickens! He will always have a special place in my heart.
Thanks Jo,
We shared some good laughs together with Stanley and memories to come.
Regards,
CB
So sorry for your loss.
Thanks Betty,
Regards,
CB
So sorry for your loss. 😦
Thanks Amanda!
Regards,
CB
I’m so sorry!!! 😦
Thanks Riley!
Regards,
CB
sorry for your loss….I know how difficult it can be to lose a long time companion like that. Bless Stanley in this journey.
HI Doug,
Thanks for your thoughtful comments.
Regards,
CB
It’s so sad to lose a beloved pet; Stanley was the best, in spite of his peccadilloes!
Thanks Marilyn,
He always kept us laughing.
Regards,
CB
So very sorry for your loss. Stanley looks like he was a terrific friend and a great chicken supervisor.
He was the BEST!
Thanks for your kind words.
Regards,
CB
We’re sad to hear about Stanley. No matter how long we have our beloved pets, we don’t think they’re with us long enough. We hope you have lots of chickens to watch over, Stanley.
Hi Terri,
Thanks for your kind words.
Regards,
CB
Aw, Stanley 😦 What a marvelous dog he was! Here’s a virtual hug for you and your family, CB.
Hey Mama,
We’ll gladly take the hug!
Thanks my friend!
CB
This is by far the most confusing time, you just lost a family member, a friend and confidant and it makes you sad. At the same time you have known for a while that this day is coming and that all the pain and suffering is over
Stanley will be missed.
The Hibbit’s
Hi John,
Thanks for your kind message. You are right on the $!
Warm Regards,
CB
I am so sorry for your loss. I am reading through some of the stories in your link and thought you might enjoy Celi’s blog (http://thekitchensgarden.com) down in Illinois, she runs a sustainable farm and has a mutt whom she calls Boo Nanny (he is a male) and like Stanley, he protects and guards the baby animals (first it was the runt of a kitty litter (Marmalade), about a month ago, it was a little lamb (Marcel) whose Mamma died while giving birth and almost didn’t make it, and most recently Tima, a KuneKune piglet (cutest thing ever). Her posts are usually short with lots of beautiful photos and they give us a very candid window into rural Illinois farm life (incidentally, she is a New Zealander married to an American!)
Hi Eva,
Thanks for your comments and recommendation. I will “explore” in the very near future.
Regards,
CB
sorry don’t know what happened, but to finish what I was saying , Luke opened each present himself. He chased squirrels all the time too! But the gentle giant would the baby eat out of his bowl, because he loved children or anybody for that matter. this year a crocus came up on his grave all by itself. haven’t had a crocus on the farm in over ten years. We thank God for all the years we had with Luke. ciao
don’t know what happened to the first half of my email, but guess I hit a button and off it went in the universe somewhere. But I originally wrote about our dog Luke who also was a yellow lab and lived until he was 13 1/2. We had a birthday party for him at 13years old and he opened up each present. Our hearts still ache for him. we are so very sorry for your loss. : (
its me again, Luke looked so much like Stanley, we could tell them apart but bet others could not. We have so many stories about him too.
Hi Rosz,
Thanks for your kind comments.
We too, will have lots of great memories of Stanley.
Thanks for the “follow”.
Regards,
CB
hope you received all of our message, I had hit some button on the laptop which I’m not use to and off the message went. my husband and I were remembering once about 3 yrs ago, my granddaughter was at the kitchen table coloring and began to yell ,” Luke’s got a chicken, my back was to her as I was doing dishes and I turned quick and jumped over Luke to run outside and scream at Luke to let it go and began to chase it and then realized it was a coyote running off with the red hen, it also dawned on me that Luke was in the house because I just nearly tripped over him to get outside. We all had a good laugh at silly Nona but were sad at the loss of the hen. Luke preferred to be where ever we were. So we happened to be in, but I don’t think he would of run after the coyote except to play with it. It’s been almost a year since we lost him, not ready yet for another. We’ll let the Good Lord decide if and when we get another. Because he would be very hard to beat that’s for sure. Forgot to mention that the coyote looked so much like Luke same yellow lab coloring but far enough away that til I got closer realized a bit smaller. ciao
Hi Rosz,
Nice story & great memory!
Thanks for taking the time.
Regards,
CB
Just read your post about Stanley. I’m so sorry. There’s nothing like the love of a dog. It’s pure unconditional love. May he rest in peace. And may Peace be with you.
Hi Lyn,
Very nice “comment” to end my day!
Thank you for your kindness.
Regards,
CB
It’s so hard to loose a friend and pet…I’m so glad that you gave him a good home and a great life. He was lucky to have you too. Thanks for sharing on The HomeAcre Hop! I hope you can join us again tomorrow 🙂
Thanks Lisa
We had a black Lab who was the best garden buddy and family friend – ever! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy
HI K.
Thanks for the opportunity.
Regards,
CB
Thanks for sharing this story on Mostly Homemade Mondays. I hope you join us again next week.
Kelli @ The Sustainable Couple
So sorry – we had a marvelous Black Lab – great garden buddy and family companion. Truly missed! I am delighted that you shared with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy