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07/19/09, 11:39 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Washington
Posts: 2,823
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Dear Farm Sitter:
Big visions, Last Rites, and why the dog can't eat tuna.
Anyone else finding themselves writing one of these summer letters?
We're going to the ocean for all of three days, but gosh, it seems like an epic just explain all the "to do's', the "look out fors", the "don't worry abouts" and all the - "that's why thats stacked up over there"
I wonder if I really CAN get away from it all.
LF
Last edited by LFRJ; 07/19/09 at 11:43 PM.
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07/20/09, 01:29 AM
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Love My Manchas!
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: California
Posts: 1,803
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If I was closer Id do it for ya, I love to farm sit  especially in different climates that my own(other than burning hot lol)
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Twillight Skys Regesterd LaMancha Herd  PM me for more info!
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07/20/09, 02:22 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Washington, USA
Posts: 2,900
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Takes long to write the "manual" than it does to take the dang vacation!
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07/20/09, 07:31 AM
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Banned
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: tn
Posts: 4,910
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i can tell you that unless the instructions are short and to the point they won't bother reading them and just toss out more or less the right food to the right critter. if they are all alive when i get back i figure i'm ahead of the game.
ask me how i know this....
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07/20/09, 07:54 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Live in Tennessee but born and raised and forever an Okie!
Posts: 1,478
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Been thru that challenge many times. And its amasing how some of the simplest things can be so hard for others to grasp! I had a hen hatch out while on one trip. I had my daughters family and the neighbors looking an no one could find her nest and bring her and the chicks off. She was in apen in the middle of the yard in a nest box attached to the outside! They had to have walked around it a thousand times!Now I just hope for the best and try not to stress out over it when I leave.
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"Whose woods these are I think I know
His house is in the village tho...."
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07/20/09, 07:59 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Missouri
Posts: 9,208
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When I farmsit, I like very precise, detailed instructions so I have a very good checklist and can sleep soundly knowing all is well........When I go away, I leave very precise, detailed instructions. It takes a long time to write, but it is worth it.
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Emily Dixon
Ozark Jewels
Nubians & Lamanchas
www.ozarkjewels.net
"Remember, no man is a failure, who has friends" -Clarence
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07/20/09, 08:16 AM
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Scotties rule!
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: IL
Posts: 1,614
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I save my list on the computer. When it is time for a new list I can usually just update a few things and it is good to go.
Kathie
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www.littlebitfarm.net
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07/20/09, 08:41 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 11,248
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Quote:
Originally Posted by littlebitfarm
I save my list on the computer. When it is time for a new list I can usually just update a few things and it is good to go.
Kathie
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This is a good idea.
As for long detailed instructions vs. short easy to read, do both. Put the critical instructions in bold and the details in regular type. The farm sitter can work from the bolded headline if all goes well and turn to the details if more info is needed. Best of both worlds.
Also, keep your paragraphs and sentences short. People absorb more information and retain it better if it is in bite-sized pieces.
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07/20/09, 09:08 AM
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I love South Dakota
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 5,265
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We are planning a 10 day trip in January. At least in the winter there is less to deal with as the animals are confined.
Looks like I may want to start working on my "care" list soon LOL!
Cathy
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07/20/09, 09:29 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: MO
Posts: 10,705
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I have farmsat for many people through the years.
Some have an actual BOOK of directions. 
One lady wanted me to weigh the flakes of hay for all her horses {7!}.  She was only gone 3 days.
I usually prefer more of a 'checklist', and to be walked through the routine so I can ask questions.
As someone who owns animals I already know that there is a dynamic (esp @ feedingtime). If you write me a long list, chances are I am not going to read it, or if I do...I will likely still do things my own way. and your animals will LOVE me and be JUST FINE!
Unforseen things can always happen while you are away though. Leave a phone list of all the important #s. Vet, neighbors who are helpful, plumber, etc.
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Cows may not be smarter than People, but some cows are smarter than some people.
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07/20/09, 09:48 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LFRJ
why the dog can't eat tuna.
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Can you explain that to me? Never heard that one, just the one about chocolate. Is this for every dog or just yours?
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07/20/09, 01:25 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Washington
Posts: 2,823
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Just our collie. She can't really have table scraps of any kind. Apparently it sets her pancreas in a whack. A month ago I put some gravy over her dog food - she'd earned it too. The vet bill was $300! (sigh)
As for my opener, "Big visions, Last Rites, and why the dog can't eat tuna.", I was just being silly...sorta.
It did seem though, as I began to write the check list, that I kept having to indulge into the strangest details, and explain all the half done projects ...for example:
- "please don't throw away what looks like a bucket of dried up old weeds, I'm actually saving them for the seed" - or
- "the green duck was brooded up with a chicken and therefore thinks he IS one, which is why he'll be the only duck to insist roosting with the chickens in the coop at night".
You don't realize what an abnormal operation you have going until you try to explain it to someone else.
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