My training of "the troops" really has not amounted to much....despite my best efforts - okay, well maybe not my best efforts (its still hot you know) - they continue to do their own thing.  Here Pudge and Peggy share Millie's cubes....its a good thing Millie doesn't seem to mind.

Baby Dumas will be here any time now....9 months is a long time to wait!  In anticipation of his arrival, I have been practicing my nursery rhymes and today, I was reminded of "Three Little Pigs".  These guys love their nightly snack (and Millie now waits nearby in hopes of getting her own bucket of cubes). 

Just like I am trying to "train the troops", TJ spent some time mentoring the younger calves today.  Maybe he'll have more luck than I have....hopefully this little bull listens and follows in TJ's footsteps!

Shiraz and Alice wanted me to dedicate today's post to our friends in Nebraska...they are showing today and our friends Judy, Steve and Jeff will be busy preparing.  Shiraz and Alice may be too old for the show ring but Shiraz retired on top.  Here is her Grand Champion Heifer photo from the 2008 State Fair of Texas.  Good luck to our friends in NE!

Today TJ was moved to the front field and he took some time to check on the young calves.  Its too bad MMH is not going to the State Fair in Dallas (I hear that is because a new member of the family is due around that time!) because those calves look good!  It also means my friend Jeff won't be coming to visit me until next spring....I guess I'll just have to wait for those Nebraska treats until then! 

over the past year, I have made many new friends and even developed my own fan base (at least in my mind!)....anyway, this week, I decided to join someone else's fan club - my friend Taylor Peel!  I don't get to see Taylor very often but I make sure his Nana and Papa keep my updated on a regular basis.  I hear Taylor is very brave and strong....in fact, I am a little jealous of how brave he is because as you know I can be a big wimp!  Hopefully he will come and visit me one day so that I can show him the mini cows but until then, I am nominating myself as King of the Taylor Fan Club!!

These mini herefords are certainly easy keepers - especially in the summer months.  As you can see, Alice and Lizzy (background) appear quite round and they seem to be taking full advantage of eating for 2!!

of dealing with 100 degree+ weather is simple....just stay in the shade, don't move much and watch others work!  The drooling helps too....

with 100 degree+ days, TJ has decided to spend most of his days wading in the pond.  Now its the first place I check....Elvis on the other hand, seems to prefer dry land.

Well, the calves don't quite have the same luxuries as TJ and the main herd...no wading pool for them!  Rosie and crew spend most of their day under to cool shade of the oak trees in their paddock.  It takes some persuading to get them out into the heat but a bucket of cubes always seems to do the trick!