Even a goat has feelings

I can't get over the the goats. Usually when I cut the them loose they are gone and I mean to the neighbours or further down the street to the tasty scent of the Fireside Restaurant. I can not get them to go back home unless it starts to rain or its bed time. Yesterday when the Vet was treating Bubba, I released the goats but they would not leave him. Bugsy walked out the door and came back. They all stayed right by the pig. And earlier during the fight, The goats we're all agitated, distressed by the violence. I'm always amazed to see a personality emerge from an animal that you will not expect. Curiosity or compassion whatever it was stronger then the possibility of freedom.

Hammy and Bubba got into a fight!

Poor Hammy, He is actually a very gentle pig. He loves his life on our yard and usually nobody bothers him. He stays away from any conflict and plays constantly with the goat Pepper. I have to approach him very slowly because he is so shy. Once he feels I'm not a threat, He will enjoy my attention and pats. Bubba on the other hand has been spoiled all his life. He has an attitude and is very stubborn. Why he wants to constantly bother Hammy is beyond me. We keep them separate but today Bubba wore a hole threw the board that separates them and made an opening wide enough to get his head through. That was enough. They locked onto each other and had a ferocious battle. With guys on each side of the board, we finally pried them apart but it looked like Bubba's lower lip was ripped right off. I called the vet who immediately arrived. After a few shots in the butt,

Bubba finally fell deep enough under that the Doctor could get a good idea what was going on with his injury's. A tusk was ripped off. That's all. Lots of blood from the loss of a tooth. Bubba is sound asleep and will probably have a toothache for a few days. I think I will suffer longer when I get the bill.

Skunkster & Pepper love to lock horns!

The animals are on edge and seem to know something is wrong. It has been a rough month and a discouraging start to winter. Though, I'm far from pessimistic and can only see things getting better from here. I cleaned all the webbs from the barn and unpacked the water heaters. It seems that the outlet has no power and I have to get an electrician to install a new breaker. Hope the bad weather holds off for a little longer.
My poor injured duck is healed and has returned to the pack. He now avoids confrontations and stays mainly with the ladies who stay close to the food dish. He is fine and doing well. Margaret is still in the house though we cut her loose with the geese in the morning and she is off. Unless it rains, then she will seek shelter. She hates the rain. Most goats do. I don't know why.
The date on my camera is wrong. I never set it. Years ago, When I got a new toy, I'd read the instrustion book from start to finish. I can no longer see them and even if I knew where my glasses were, By the time I found them, I've lost the book and when I finally come accross that book months into the future, I've probably lent the camera out to someone who will ultimately lose it.

Dumped on the side of a road!

I often wondered what kind of person would just dump an animal on the side of the road, left defenceless in a foreign area to wander alone. Care not if it found shelter or just became road kill. I really think you must not care about animals to just dump them and leave and not care about what happened.
But to know someone of this caliber is unbelievable! May-be I know allot of people that would do this to an animals. May-be there are many people that are hiding lives or personalities that are offensive to the norm. How many people out there are so phony? Pretending to be nice but behind the facade lurks a stranger that we all hear about yet fear. It makes me sad and SIC! I'm Sic to my stomach to think that there really are people out there that will just dump an animal because they just don't want the responsibility of caring for it anymore.

A sad fall!

I usually love fall. It's my birthday month and I'm getting ready for all the holidays. There is a crisp feel in the air that signals winter is just around the corner. I love the leaves changing colors and blanketing the ground. The crunch of them under your feet. You want to make a pile and dive inside. Comforting food and the wonderful smell of baking, the lights and song. already Christmas music is on the radio. So much joy and happiness. It is easy to forget the herd and all their trauma.
Serena died Monday morning from her bite wound from the dogs on Saturday. I didn't know she was hurt or would have taken her to the Vet as well. The Duck, Judge is okay but stays alone. He is hurt too but I think he's going to be okay.
Margaret the goat is back in the house. I got to make her another pen. She doesn't like too many people and is mean to them. She has to be watched or else. The geese are kept in the house at night so they are all safe and I'm back to locking up all the pens every night! Crap! No freedom in the evenings. But at least I sleep well knowing everyone is safe if just for tonight.

Mitzy is dead

My poor little silky chicken is dead! I killed her by lethal injection, Well not me but the vet. At 6am I woke to the sound of my husband telling me something was wrong with the animals. Sure enough, A neighbors two dog got loose and attacked. They tore a gaping wound in my poor baby. I ran her right to the vet. A duck is also hurt but strong enough to run. I couldn't catch him, The Vet advised euthanasia. I cried and paid the bill. $187.50 Crap. 11-12-11 is starting off bad.

41 degrees and dropping!

Crap! Winter is coming and I can't seem to get ready. Already the water is frozen over in the mornings and this morning at 41, it wasn't as bad as it was a few days ago. The geese are all in the house at night and everyone in the far pen is locked up. We haven't lost anyone since Hawk and Cameo but I'm not taking any chances. Mom cancelled her trip to New Orleans, My Step-father is very sick and in the hospital. Such a tragedy had he been on the road. I'm relieved that I don't have to leave my own herd to baby sit hers. Yet she really needs a vacation and I wish she would still go on her own. I have never seen New Orleans. Okay, From the air but that shouldn't count. I think I will try to go to MadiGras this year. Now that would be fun.
Lets all meet there, Better find a B&B NOW!

The geese came home!

I'm so impressed with the Maclouds! They are finally getting with the program, Last night and the night before, They were ready to come home. Up till then, Everynight we have had to fight the geese to get into the safety of the house. Now they get it! Now they are lined up and ready to come home for the night.