TURKISH IMPORT ARRIVES

This is Kara (Turkish for "dark" or "black"), because of the dark mask on his face. Kara, pronounced "CAR-uh," is a 10-month-old male from a village about an hour south of Ankara (capitol city of Turkey). Last month (early January), I made my second trip to Turkey. I was very impressed with this huge boy. He is playful and loving. Seen here in these four pictures from Turkey, he is used to chickens and to sheep flocks that passed by, and at times would mingle with the flocks. I am proud to introduce him as an anticipated breeding male at Shepherds Rest Farm! He will have his first preliminary hip x-rays on March 13 when he is one year old.

KARA'S FIRST DAY IN PASTURE

This was mid-January and Kara's first day in Oregon. He was very tentative and took in all the sights, sounds, and smells quite calmly and slowly. He is a very relaxed dog who loves people and seems very attached to the goats now, at 3 weeks later. He is slow-moving among the herd, holds very still around the goats, likes to stand in the midst of them, but will leave them and bark if he feels there is a threat. He makes it a habit to smell their behinds, and enjoys face-to-face also. He has the deepest bark of all our dogs. Just yesterday he began playing chase with another adult Anatolian female. Three weeks ago, when he arrived, he weighed in at 106 lbs, and measured just a hair under 32" at the shoulder.

KARA IS INTRODUCED TO NEW GOAT KIDS

When the first goat kids were born this year, Kara was taken into the barn to meet the newborns. He was very attentive.

At first, Kara did lots of watching.

Notice the tongue in picture above. Not only did Kara do lots of nose-to-nose (below), but he even licked them! What a good boy!

Since these pictures were taken, Kara has been out in the pasture with 10 Oberhasli dairy goat kids. He lets them climb all over him like a mountain when he is lying down. When he is standing, he is very patient with the kids jumping up on him and using him as a springboard in their play. When he's had enough, he will walk away and go lie down in another place.

ASD's in Boston

December 2007, I had the privilege of meeting Audrey and her Anatolian Shepherd Dogs in Boston, MA. Audrey's friends, who also own Anatolians and look up to Audrey as a respected mentor, joined us. Left to right above: Sheila, Audrey, Karen, and me. We had a good time and lots of laughs.

Hannah, Zoran, and Babe, the Anatolians owned by Audrey, also enjoyed the time. They love attention and good dog movies! Hannah is the beautiful, wise one. Zoran is quite a character, full of spunk. Babe is a gorgeous young thing!

Audrey is an incredible cook when it comes to Mexican food! She lives in a very peaceful and scenic place where the dogs love to play (see below).

TURKEY TRIP September 2007

A shepherd dog as large as a donkey!

Dog above is same dog as the one with the donkey. Below is a 5 month old puppy.

The shepherd of this farm above, including the tin house below, had some beautiful pigeons.

A dwelling made of tin! The housing entrepreneur below (middle of picture) is proud of his work!

The man in black is a true Yoruk shepherd. The flock seen above and below is the flock he is tending. The trees around us were pear trees. Must've been an old orchard.

We stayed two nights in the Oreo Hotel in Kas, a tourist town on the Mediterrean coast.

View from our hotel balcony.

On our way to the highlands.

We arrived in the highlands where 4 shepherd families have their flocks this year. Last year there were 12 families with flocks.

Above is a graveyard garden gone wild in the highlands. Below is some of the plant life in these highlands.

Yoruk Tents in Turkey

A Yoruk puppy that looks like a bear cub! Notice the recently cropped ears!

Turkish Fruit Stands

Can you guess which fruit is being dried in the photo above? Wouldn't see any food being preserved that way here in the States any more, I don't think. The food safety people would have a fit! It's raisins, drying on mats!

I think the fellow relaxing in the shade (photo above) should get an award for his most unique fruitstand.

The most beautiful displays of fruits and vegetables should go to the owners of these stands (photos above and below). These pictures were taken from a moving vehicle or they would be much crisper and clearer.