Happy New Year!

It's hard to believe that 2011 is about to close, opening up a whole new year of adventure. Can't wait to see what unfold in the new year! But saying good-by to this last year is going to be hard. It is a year that has been fought with struggle and compromise. A few new arrivals saddened with a major loss to our family. It has been a year of adjustment to secure our safety and satisfy our sense of serenity. Thing are good and everyone seems quite content right now. The McClouds are happy in their day time freedom and still want to come into the house at night. I have been trying to keep them out, Sometimes they just make the decisions around here and that's okay. We are all very flexible.
Margaret is insane. She attack me often with out any reason. I'm thinking of putting her to sleep. I would give her away except she has never been outside and hasn't developed a winter coat. Plus, I can not imagine too many people giving a goat a home with out having her for dinner or seeing her as a breeder. She is so mean, I bet she would eat her young!
I worry about Drucilla and Gwynne. They have taken up with each other since the loss of their own mate. It will be late at night and they stay at the pond. I always see the beast coming over the berm right to the pond. Yet every morning I find them safe. I still worry. They make an usual couple and often hang with Only and Daisey. Who actually have the good sense to get locked in the barn every night.
Winter is here and may-be it is a time of hibernation for all our predators and we will have a nice quiet winter. Let just hope.
Happy New Year!

Found MacDuck dead.

Just when things are at their worse, I find a duck dead. He wasn't there when I released the geese and fed them  breakfast. He is stiff now. It wasn't Judge, the one that was attacked by the dogs either. It was the last MacDuck. He was the last of six although a sister still remains but we just do not recognise her as one of the majestic MacDucks.
I'm so sorry to see this poor duck dead and grieve his fate. I only hope if there is a ducky heaven, he is lounging nice and warm.in a clear pond in the sky.
And then there were 40!
3 dogs, 5 cats, 6 goats, 2 pigs, 11 ducks, 12 geese, and 1 chicken
Was at Minor Bros. where I buy my feed and had to buy a huge bag of hen scratch for this one chicken, I think I have enough food to keep her til next winter, If she lives that long, At this moment, I couldn't care less. I'm so sad. Where my dat gum dog?

A hurricane has blown the whole state of Florida away!

I have hit my all time low. Call it the depths of despair. The depression, which I have never felt has exploded! I don’t recall ever feeling so lonely or forsaken. People I have trusted have betrayed me and the same people I have loved now hate me. My work and efforts have no meaning and the life I have been striving for is gone. I’m so sad. I can only put my face in my hands and cry.

At the very pit of my sorrow, I feel a wet nose softly touch me. There is my faithful companion Lex. His brown eyes are soft and pleading as if he can feel my thoughts and sympathize with my anguish.

My dear departed Grandfather once told me “If you are in trouble, it is not your friends but your family that will be there for you.” I wish I could tell my dear Grandpa, “No! It will be just the dog!” Families take advantage and your friends are only around during good times.  

Only a dog can give you the unconditional love, trust and loyalty that you will never receive from people. A dog will want to see you happy and if you are not he will be with you through the groom and doom. I’m suffering a gloom that the dog can not help but at least it feels good to know he’s there.

It's cold!

Let the geese out this morning and then made a snow man. We have a half foot of snow on the ground. Heard it was going to snow but I really didn't believe. Now I do. I believe that we are going to have a white Christmas. I think I'll go shopping. I'm feeling the Christmas spirit! Jingle bells and LALALA! Hold that thought. I have to go buy straw. I think my pig may be a little cold and I need to get him some warmth. Tried to get him to come into the house but no way. Too white out. Margaret doesn't like the snow either and even took a nose dive trying to get into the hay wagon. OMG! It's freezing out! I wish my toes weren't frozen. Wait a minute! These new boots are rated for -30 and it is barely 0. Just the way my day is going. Finally got the electrician in and he turned the breakers on. That's all. Turned on the breakers! What a clown I am. Well it was nice to know it wasn't anything serious, Now the water is plugged in and we should be set for the winter. Better get that straw before it gets too late.

Rudolph my raindeer

It's Christmas time so I sing "Rudolph the red nose reindeer" to Rudolph My $1500 goat. He is walking better since I've clean out his pen. He's doing very well and so are all the other goats. My pig is better and Serena, the only chicken has taken up a home with the pig Bubba. They seem to have formed a bond.

The dogs and I aren't wondering whats going on with us. We all have mange.
I've had hives for the last 2 months. I thought the dogs caught an allergy from me. Like when your pregnant and your husband is throwing up. I should have known better. As close as I am to my dogs I know that they feel that same kinship with a dish or a bowl full of Roast beef with gravy.
Went to the vet yesterday morning and got the dogs checked. He did a scarping but knew right away that we have mange. Especially when I told him I was itching too. He said "Humans are a dead end host and the mange mite will most likely die with-in a few weeks unless I have a alternate source of infestation. (The dogs)"  He treated Maggie and Lex and sent home medicine (Revolution) for Bernard. Our dogs have never used Revolution so it might work. though all the animals are on advantage. No fleas but a mange mite which is actually a dog scabies. YUCK!

 Paid the vet including the outstanding amount for the pig. Almost $900 Crap!

Lost a goose!

I released the geese this morning and one is missing. I guess the others ate her/him. Kidding! I leave them with so much food and water overnight that I have to power wash the garage floor every morning. What a mess! Geese sure do make the worst mess. And the most noise. I don't know what happened to the goose but I'm not worried. Because the geese aren't worried. If there was a problem, The geese would let me know. They are so incredibly family orientated. They always stay together and will worry about a lost mate.
Yesterday we had our first snow fall. It didn't stay but came down in a blanket to melt on the ground. It was nice to see and looked like the beginning of a snow storm but by late afternoon, the sun was out and the sky had cleared. Though this morning we are frozen solid. I hate winter when I have to wonder how am I going to keep the water from freezing. Oh yeah, I need an electrician, Always something isn't it!
Margaret the goat just came into the house. I always forget to close the back door and damn  if she isn't eating all my ccookies! She can just reach her head over the counter and if something grabs her interest she is up on the counter and cleaning it off. I really have to make her a pen one of these days. Electrician, pen, and I need some more hay. Hey! Something I can handle! I'll go get some hay and you have a great day!