The Lord provides in life whether you have the eyes to see it or not. Luke provided us with so much over the years. The pets in our lives tend to define the little moments between the big ones. Giving us reason to pause and soak it in. Looking back at pictures this couldn't be more true. He was the perfect dog at the perfect time for our family. Always on watch and ready to serve. The past few years as we busied with family he eagerly took a slower and more reserved role in our lives as his age started to show and he had no desire to be bothered with babies or kids leaving those duties for our younger dog. As a farmer, I've dealt with some pretty tough losses through the years, but nothing compares. Seeing videos of Luke make me think he's still here, looking out the window for him to come running back home or waiting to hear a bark to be let back in. I post this tribute selfishly for me as a reminder of his best years with hope he barks, wanting to come back home.

The last walk to do farm chores with our OG farm dog. 14 good strong years. I got him when he was about 6 months old, a rescue from someone who found him tied to a tree and abandoned as a puppy, living off of tree bark and bugs. He took to farm life quickly, respecting the fence and farm animals and reluctantly allowing animals that needed a little TLC to shadow his every move. Luke was much harder to break of his desire to chase cats, but even that waned over the years. That hunting instinct helped reduce the groundhog pressure on the farm, where even in his old age and busted mouth he managed to catch and kill some massive pasture rats. He also holds a special place in family lore for catching a squirrel that clung to life on his collar, leaving Luke bewildered and not knowing what to do next. In his prime he would pull your arm right out of its socket, carrying anyone up even the steepest of mountains on family hikes. Despite his unknown breed composition and poor start to life nobody ever questioned the Husky in his heart with strength like that and paws worthy of a true beast. Luke will truly be missed. Make your next pet a rescue. 🧡

The Earth seems to be warning us that we need to wake up and get our own six covered. Nobody is coming to save you. View quoted note →

What's your biggest blocker to improving your personal/family self-resilience? Food? Water? Energy? Other? #asknostr

I finally started making a few shorts this week as I teach myself new video editing software. Full video here:

Self-reliance looks more and more desirable by the day. We'll be doubling down here at the Homestead with focus locked in on building self-reliant pioneers. We're making big plans to build intentionally in this direction.