We have two ponds on the property. One 3/4 acre pond outside the fenced in yard, and a 12x20 garden pond inside the fenced in yard. The small pond is a little over 3 feet deep, and houses goldfish and whatever Mother Nature lets in. Frogs, snakes and turtles, mainly. Right now, it has 2 inches of ice on it, but today it WAS 48 degrees out. With a fenced in yard, we let the 4 dogs out on demand. Our old lady, Misty, is just 10, but time has not been kind to her. She's creaky and slow, and a bit overweight. Tonight, we let the 4 "kids" out to potty, and Misty appeared to be barking at the horses (a favorite pastime of all the dogs.

Annette, in bathing suit (for going in the hot tub), slippers and a bathrobe, called the dogs in. Gus, Gracie, and Bear came in. Misty was still barking. Annette yelled to her to come in, but no Misty. So she grabbed a flashlight and headed across the yard, into the snow. Matt, my 17 yr old heard the commotion, and fearing Misty was stuck in a fence, followed his mother across the lawn. Suddenly, I heard Annette yell "Misty's in the pond, and she broke through the ice!" Matt, ignoring everything he's ever been taught about water rescue in icy conditions and knowing the pond is only 3 or so feet deep, took OFF his shoes, and giant stomped his way in to the pod, smashing the ice under his feet, til he made it to Misty. By then, he was up to his waist in ice and water. He grabbed Misty and dragged her out of the pond.

 We got Misty into a warm tub, and got her warmed up, then dried off. Right now, she's laying on her dog beds, covered with a blanket and towels, with an electric heater pointed at her.

Yup, Fun on the Farm. Yee-freaking Haw.