He's eating better than he used to. He's not always hungry for 2 meals a day, but more often than he used to be, and he does eat at least one meal happily, and the 2 about 2/3 of the time.
He's loving, as am I, learning to bring us various things. I'm always thinking to new things to name for him, so that he can pick them up and bring them. Sometimes we just point at things and tell him to pick it up, and he does, even without a name to it.
He's 'friends' with his large herding ball finally. As long as he can put it in a corner (it's too large to pick up.), and he's satisfied the it will stay there, he's happy. Last night we told him to put it in the corner, and he did. 
The cats have not loved the cold. Mamou and Uhura are spending more time in the house. Last night it was supposed to be in the 20's, so I put 8 gallons of heating fuel in the heater. I can't do that often, even if it is cold, at going on $7. a gallon currently. That comes out to over $50. for less than 2 nights, max. The house stayed at 55 degrees with it, but the ambiant temperature was much more comfortable than it's been.
The point is that Uhura, who's been used to sleeping in her cat bed right in front of the heater the past 2 winters, has had no heat to curl up in front of. Last night, though, she looked like she'd won the lottery. She ran to the bed in front of the heater, and stayed there all night! She was one happy cat!
Mamou sleeps with me, but instead of being in a tight ball all night long, he stretched out on the blanket on and off.
I wish that Dandy was at the point to come in the house, but that's not happening yet, and it might not for months. I'm hoping that he's figured out sleeping in the old house. At least it's out of the weather.
Since he's returned, he's not missed a morning meal. And, a couple of days ago he showed up late at night, which he never does. We gave him some food, even though we never like food out at night because of wild animals. As soon as he ate it, we picked up the bowl and brought it in.
Pierre is the same, and on antibiotics, but is happy and friendly as always.
And, Henry is happy and playful as always.
The hens get up late, and go back into their coops early, between the shorter days, and the cold temperatures.
Good news: The woman from the car accident found her missing dog!
Not as good of news: A man who bought a house down the road has dogs running loose.
We spoke to one of the neighbors that's lived here as long as we have the other day, and apparently, someone bought a house down the road. The neighbor said that he's bad news, and shoved another older neighbor, after blocking the road. The neighbor who was shoved is a very small man who never causes any trouble. He's been here more than 20 years.
Apparently, the new man is extremely paranoid and aggressive. And, his dogs run in a pack.
I've been thinking about how to deal with them, should they come up here, either one at a time, or more. I think that we'll try scaring them at first. Maybe some pots/pans hit with metal spoons?
I am concerned because:
A - I do have cats.
B - My hens might bring out prey drive in one or more of them.
And then I realized that Thyri is at the age to play in the yard with an adult. She likes to look at the growing things, say 'Hi!' to the chickens, look through the gravel to find pretty pieces, etc. And, she's not very big. It would be easy for her to get hurt by dogs that ran up while she was here. What if Dh or Ds couldn't stop the dogs in time? Even just jumping at her would be a problem. But, I don't know how friendly they are towards children, especially one they've never seen before.
They could absolutely love children, for all I know. All of my dogs over the years have. But, am I willing to take that chance with dogs that don't act friendly? No.
So, that's the latest. I hope that all of your critters are doing well!
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