Sunday, November 26, 2023

Surprise! We have goats.

Miss Lizzie caught us unprepared for the beginning of kidding season—they usually don't start appearing until late December or January. We admit our fault here, because we allow Walter Becker, our buck, free access to the ladies at all times. We are unable to keep him separated.

You outdid yourself this year, Walter!

Lizzie chose the small barn with no heat to have this guy. He was wet and chilly when we found him, so we brought him inside for a warm bath and dry off.

When we brought him back to the big warm barn, she followed us, but was reluctant to come inside while I was still there.


Then Susan had these 2.


At about the same time, Rosie had these 2.

Karen the Goat Lady explained that the yellow coloring is from the little guy's poo when he was still inside. This pic is from after I cleaned him off with a towel. I didn't want to take him inside for a bath to take him away from her cleaning.

These were all born on Saturday.

The last pic is Rain giving us 2 today.

And Shirley (or Stella?) one of the twins, is out there working on a kid right now.

I'll keep you posted...

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Welcome Sandy/Sweetheart/Jessie


We really didn't plan on getting another dog so soon after Woody left us, it just kind of happened. We are blaming Dr. Julie for sending us a video of a hound at the shelter (where she works) just after she guided us through a very bad week with Woody.

That was too soon, although we did go meet Ms Sylvie just because we could.

And then, later the next week, this young lady reappeared at the shelter after being adopted out for 12 days and getting returned.

Her daddy was a bluetick coonhound, just like the WoodMan. Her mama was a mutt who must be responsible for that Sophie-colored face. I think Sophie and Woody got together in doggie heaven to send "Sandy" to us.

She is very nervous here too. Drooling, panting, refusing to eat dog cookies (and her food) but after 3 days she stopped hiding on the big red dog bed in the dining room. She just figured out that there are other dog beds around the house, and she is getting better at eating as long as we put lots of wet food in her dish.

Cyrus is still trying to figure out what happened here. You can see him reflected in the woodstove watching her every move. So far he has learned she does not like him biting her head like he did with Woody.

This is only her third day. She is much improved, but still needs to work on a few things—like going outside and then actually coming back in—when it is 20° and I am freezing with my 2 coats and gloves on at 4 am. When the sun finally came up, I found I could trap her in the little garden fence and then bring her in on the leash.

We will get there. And she also is learning that her new name is Jessie. Husband needs to work on that too—he keeps calling her Sweetheart. :)

Sunday, November 12, 2023

At peace


Of all the animals in the house, Cyrus seems to be missing Woody the most. His days were pretty much scheduled around the WoodMan's activities. Wake in the morning and go out even if it was still dark. Go outside to do their business together even though Cyrus didn't really need to go out 10 times a day. Beg for food before, during, and after dinner time. The list goes on...

Just when I think Cyrus has settled in and understands that Woody isn't coming back, I came downstairs this morning, and he did his bouncy playful let-me-go-wake-up-Woody dance for just a second or 2. Then he realized he wasn't there.

MonkeyCat is missing his buddy too. He would frequently guide Woody around the house, cutting him off and trying to redirect him just for fun. They also spent a lot of time on the big red dog bed together snoozing.

No one has used the big red dog bed since Monday.

Woody is at peace, but everyone else is still looking to find their own peace.

Monday, November 6, 2023

Rest in peace, WoodMan

Our handsome hound boy joined Lester and Sophie in dog heaven today. He and his huge personality will be welcomed up there I am sure.

Woody was a constant source of entertainment in this house and he will be greatly missed by all of us—animal and human. 

I will post a few more photos on FB for your entertainment as well.

We love you WoodMan!