AppleYard Farm is located near  Amsterdam, N.Y., about 30 miles West of the State Capital at Albany and easily accessible via the New York State Thruway Exit #27.

Owned and operated by James T. Hammond
Phone: 518-842-5174

The Home of
English Shepherd Dogs
Mini-Nubian Goats

SHEP REMEMBERS

By James T. Hammond

Shep and I walk more slowly of late,
Neither too sure of our tread.
We step into darkening shadows
Of our December years,
Cautious of mysteries lurking
In the dusky pathways ahead.

Together our time counts most precious,
For in spite of our faltering gait,
Views of those yesterday memories
Seem to focus more clearly our fate.

Recalling the challenge of tempest storms,
Thinking of past winter’s cold
And summer’s torturous heat,
Along with sufferings untold.
Hard working guys, we will forever
Revere those hardy memories of old.
Sinew drawn and tendon strain
For whatever our chores demanding.
Our days were long and our breaths drew short
For whatever the task withstanding.

Shep since a pup and I long ago both bent,
Me now three score half still counting.
Together we have worked this thankless old farm,
Some ovine, bovine, poultry and crops,
Some lingering debts still mounting.

Not much of a place -- ramshackle, rundown,
And might be too humble for some.
But for my dog and me
There is more here you see,
For this old place our home has become.

From Shep’s point of view he would ask
No grander manor from which to preside —
The meadows his fiefdom, the barns his domain,
The fields are his kingdom, green pastures his pride

He is the sentinel, protector, warden,
And readily on call.
Grunting porcine, lowing cattle or blatting ovine
Shep somehow looks after them all.

Nights of pleasure, days of work,
Sweep sweet reveries to the fore.
Shep was a man among ladies
And many gals he was known to  adore.
A handsomer dandy never lived,
As proved by his puppies galore.

How the girls loved, revered and idolized
This strutting, dancing devil!
And proud was he as the lassies by three
Were often seduced to his revel.


To the pups he was just Dad, a wonderful guy,
In spite of his raucous deportment.
His pups would all romp and would dangle in play —
One from his mane, a second his ear, still another his tail.
What a wondrous, glorious assortment.

Never a growl, a whimpered complaint,
While watching his offspring eat off his plate.
Although hungry he may be, his children you see,
Always caused him to patiently wait.

When Shep took command of the field
Neither critter nor creature dared to ignore.
His presence, his bearing, signaled to all
This good English Shepherd’s guidance
Was inherent from centuries before.

No beast afield would dare test,
Nor challenge or attempt to engage,
To cause this farm collies’  payment
Of a reminder's penalty wage.

He was dashing; he was gallant,
Strong, true, intrepid, noble, robust —
He was both fearless and bold.
Spirited, dauntless, and always
A friend you could unquestionably trust.

Search the entire world over
And, I'm sure you will never find
A truer friend or more passionate ally.
None to compare to my standby old chum.
That’s my Shep, this wonderful guy.

But now as we sit in silent shadows out back,
In the tint of the old willow tree,
The evening turns chill and we lingering and will
To lengthen our few moments left.
No more will we run, we can’t play by the creek,
Nor tour into town for a spree.

We will be passing soon, forgotten by most,
Still devoted one to another.
Either refusing to go, for we know it is so,
There will be no one to care for the other.


Copy write: James T. Hammond
jamiebeau@nycap.rr.com
July, 2007



Licensed by the State Of New York:

New York Pet Dealers: PD0057

Pure Bred Kennel: 30455
This page was last updated: July 22, 2008
Welcome to AppleYard

Directions


James T. Hammond
110 Watrobski Drive
Hagaman, New York 12086
Phone: 518-842-5174
Email: jamiebeau@nycap.rr.com

I live East of Amsterdam, NY. Take the New York State Thruway to Exit #27 and then follow Route #30 NORTH across the river into the City. Move to the right hand lane and then follow Route #67 EAST. This will take you up and out of the city. Follow Route #67 EAST out past Manny Corners. Out about three or four miles you will pass by Waite Road and Pine Meadows Trailer Court on the right. Continue until you come to a wide divide in the highway (still #67 East) with a series of yellow painted lines in the center. There you will turn left on Marrow Road and continue to the next intersection. Along the way you will pass by Hammondtown Road and Nadler Road on the left. Continue until you cross a small bridge (Nelson Road) and come to the next Stop Sign. Turn left on go passed Scotch Church Auto Repair. Look for Watrobski Drive which is the next turn on the right. I am the first house on the right. White house with light blue shutters. Dogs in the front yard.

OR
If you are coming up Route 30 North, proceed past the shopping areas of Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Hannaford to the Wallins Corner intersection. Key Bank is on the right. Turn right at the traffic light and proceed out past the Bowling Alley and continue on straight after the next Stop Sign. You will be on Hagaman Avenue. Continue to the "T" at the end and turn right down the hill to the next Stop Sign.Turn Left, barber shop on the corner, and go out past the Church to Fowler Street. Hap Avery repair shop on the corner. Turn right on Fowler Street and continue for one and one-half miles until you see Smoky Hollow Video on the Right Hand Side. Look to the left and you will see Watrobski Drive. Turn left on Watrobski and I am the first house on the Right. White house with blue shutters.