Perched at the top of a snowpile at Joshua's Farm on Dodd Road, Brigitte Ruthman's Livestock Guardian Dog, Buck, keeps a keen eye out for predators of Brigitte's chickens and beef cows and calves.

Brigitte writes: "The vet says his name is Buck Ruthman - has a kind of movie star ring to it. As a livestock guardian dog - Maremma/Pyrennes - Buck's job is to chase off (not kill) predators so he likes the high vantage points to see farther afield. He refuses to climb stairs but loves to climb snowbanks.

"He has no human enemies. He really is a fine fellow and I adore him."