On The Farm Raising Kane

Enzo its time to get up!  Enzo opened his eyes and blinked, why its still dark outside we should still be asleep Kane.  Kane barked loudly in Enzo's ear you are a farm dog today and we have chores to do.  A farmers work starts before the sun comes up and doesn't end until the sun sets.  Enzo yawned and stretched and wandered out in the kitchen where Kane's dad had set a bowl of kibble down for Enzo and Kane.  They both emptied their bowls in record time and set out at a run to the fields to start the chores.  First they checked out all the farm equipment making sure that it was all in the proper order and no varmints were hiding there.  Then it was off to the barn to chase the mice out so they would not eat the grain.  Then the next task at hand, Enzo thought was pretty fun since he was a bird dog and that was to chase the pheasants back into the field where they belonged.  Although this seemed a  little backwards to Enzo since he was trained to bring pheasants back it seemed odd to chase them away.  But he obediently did what Kane asked him to do since after all he was a guest on Kane's farm and he made sure that he was a polite guest.  In the distance Enzo watched as Kane's dad drove the tractor in what seemed to him "driving in circles" making furrows into the dusty earth.  Attached to the tractor was something he thought looked like a plow.  Kane caught the quizzical look and said yes Enzo that is a plow.  Dad is getting the ground ready to plant crops.  What is he going to plant asked Enzo.  This time it is wheat, the winter wheat has already been harvested and gone to market so it is time to plant more.  Do you grow toe-maters and taters on your farm asked Enzo?  Toe-Maters asked Kane?  What is that?  Enzo pawed at the ground and said thats what my mom calls tomatoes.  You know that round red fruit that humans put on hamburgers! (Yummmm....Hamburgers...drool fell lightly from both dogs at the mention of hamburgers)!  Yes said Kane I know what you are talking about now!  Come with me and I will show you.  We don't grow them as a crop but just in a small garden, with beans, peas, squash, carrots (ewww...Enzo whispered to Kane, don't tell my mom that you grow carrots, because she can't stand carrots)!  Kane smiled and told Enzo don't worry I won't say a word not even to my dad!  Enzo looked carefully at the beautiful garden with all the vegetables growing then it occurred to Enzo that Kane's garden wasn't in a "box" (a greenhouse) like his garden on the mountain.  Kane how come you don't need a greenhouse for your garden like I do?  Kane puzzled over this one but he said we will ask my dad tonight when he is done plowing.  Do you want to see our potato plants?  Yes said Enzo thinking about his own tater patch that he has planted every year since he was 2.  Kane proudly showed Enzo their potatoes and Enzo's eyes were huge!  The plants were over 2 feet tall and it was only early June.  How did you get them so big?!  Mine are only just coming up and my tomatoes are just baby plants.  Kane suddenly got it!  It has to do with the altitude that you live at Enzo.  You are way up high on the mountain and we are what you call lowlanders.  Our growing season is much longer than yours and summer starts much sooner so our veggies get a head start on yours!  So the mountain is not very good for growing good things to eat, at that thought Enzo looked sad.  Kane said Enzo your mountain has many things that the plains don't.  You can fish, camp and play in the woods.  You have beautiful scenery, mountain streams and very few humans.  Besides you can still grow your garden in a "box"!  Enzo thought for a moment about all the beauty of the mountain but then took another look at Kane's farm.  Beautiful gardens with flowers and veggies.  Flat beautiful landscape where you could see for miles filled with pheasants to play with and even better with the company of his good friend Kane.  

That evening after a big meal Kane, his dad and Enzo sat down in the living room, their eyes heavy from a long days work.  Somewhere there was the sound of a clock ticking and both Kane and Enzo were enjoying the gentle ear rubs from Kane's dad.  Enzo yawned and thought yes life on a farm is good and was so grateful to his friend Kane for inviting him for a visit.  Enzo started to fall asleep but as he did he thought to himself I wonder if I would make a good farm dog?