We are all well....

I have lost my internet and I fear it is only the beginning. In the mean time, all the animals are well. Mitzy (Red) has joined forces with the other chickens and they are a happy family. Romeo even shares his ladies. Red will steal away for a sneaky moment. But when Romeo realizes whats going on and he will attack. Red will run and I think that is why he attacks us because then we run. Almost every morning Red has jumped at me. It doesn't hurt but I see why he could scares ya. It is frightening to behold. Norah calls him Mohammad Ali and is impressed when he leaves her alone.
Snowball is coming home for the winter. I went to visit her and was dismayed to find her thin and still tied to a tree. The pen I made her was useless as she made a hole and went right under the fence. I asked her owner if she can come home for the winter and he said yes. I'm so over joyed. I'm going to pick her up over the Christmas holiday and bring gifts for the family.
The geese, Goats, pigs, dogs and cats are all doing well. I have to occasionally chase the ducks from the road. Just a couple. Ducks weren't given the smartest gene in pool
Moony, The name I settled on for the barn yard Kitten has become a total terrorist. The injuries I have suffered from this once poor frail baby. Including a scratch to my eye. Bites on my hands and wrist and many sleepless nights. Usually He is so precious and is just starting to meow. A quiet scratching voice.
Getting ready for winter. . I heard it is going to be a cold one. Saw a squirrels nest and it was low. Not much snow. Just very cold. May-be I will just bring them in the house. Like in the old days. Keep warm!

The GOLDEN GOOSE

I have discovered no matter how hard you try, It is impossible to plan for the future. I'm trying to save but when you have 43 animals, Someone is bound to get something and cost you a mint. This time it is Happy Feet our baby goose who is only a year old and usually, so healthy. Suddenly she became different. When I discovered her, She was submerged in a mud puddle and drinking from it. I was by her earlier in the day and she was still in that same spot. I have no idea what is wrong with her. I can't let her just sit in the mud puddle so I picked her up and put her in the pond. She stayed there the rest of the day and night. The next morning, My sweet friend Norah, walked into the pond and retrieved the bird. We drove her to Nicky Brown An avian Vet. in Guelph, I had already procured an appointment the previous day when I discovered her. They told me there was no appointments available but I could leave the bird and they would see her between. I thought Guelph was only about an hour away and was surprised when it was almost 11am. before we got there. They are keeping her for at least 5 days. I called today and was told she is the same. They were waiting for blood and feces test results. Initally The Vet thought lead poisoning but that test came back negative. I don't know. May-be I'm crazy to spend (I won't shock you with the amount) That kind of coinage on a goose but.....Yeah. I am. I could have gone to a fancy dancy restaurant (in Belgium) and had much more fun.
The stray barn kitty, on the other hand is doing great and loves to attack my hands while I sleep. He is almost completely healed and growing. But I don't think he will ever have hair where his battle scars were.
Misty the chicken is officially free. He has formed a relationship with The other silkies and the larger girl, Snow, He will steal the occasional moment with her and amazingly, snow encourages him. But if Romeo the other roster sees them, he will attack him and even chase snow back to his side. That doesn't bother Mitzy at all. He attacks every person that walked into the drive way. I mean there is a corridor where you cannot go with out this Chicken Troll chasing you. Everyone now whats to know where Misty is before they venture into the yard.
Heady is great. He is blind in one eye and smacks into allot of stuff but has his little routine and seems to be perfectly happy. I have stopped locking him up at night. I'm going to scrap his car. He is getting big and hates to be picked up so I do not want to see him upset.
Yet I freaked on my dog lex when he did a head butt into my leg. I thought the damn dog broke my leg and screamed. He doesn't like loud noises and ran. I feel real bad about that. Poor Lex. I feel worse about Happy feet and hope this vet can save her. I'll let you know.

Got a Kitten?

So much has happened! Summer is going so quickly and I can't seem to catch up with the work. We lost both Scarlett and Tiger, Both long term kitty's who had traveled with us from Toronto. Scarlett has been my baby since she and her sister Margaret were born in my closet. For a few days after I kept looking for her forgetting she was gone.
 Macloud had more babies and though I promised to mind my own business and keep away from them, I could not. How can I when I encountered a baby stretched out waiting to dye...die. HAHA! (I'm thinking of him at this moment with dyed hair. down.....Feathers.) No seriously. I picked up the baby and gave him water. He had a head injury. Or something. His eye was torn. Yuck. He was A 1 day old~sooooo i took care of him and he lived. thrives. He keeps away from the big boys though he is only a day younger then their young, he is much smaller in size. Now our goose count was up to fifteen. It fell to 14 with the loss of Lucky. another baby goose. I thought was going to be okay but died Last Friday evening.
 Saturday morning I spotted Coco with a baby duck. The continuation of life. And as it turn.
Thursday, I was Getting hay, Ireland came up to me with a very small kitten that she found in the barn. I told her to ask the farmer if we could have it. He said he doesn't do anything with that cats. Ireland was not letting this kitty out of her grasp and though it smelled awful, I didn't care if she wanted to save the sweet little thing. I wish I had got pictures. He is being a meal for something. He has bite marks, gashes really, mostly around his neck but everywhere, He is only 3-4 weeks old. Very thin, just skin and wounds. Crusty nose and watering eyes can be added to the mix. When I agreed to take the kitty, the farmer tried to give me my money back for the hay. He said, Get something for the animal. I did. The kitty got A Vet, lots of medicine, good food and a comfy bed. I got another job!

Serena died and Mitzi's MAD!

I went into the pen last week and found Serena dying. I think she was hit by a car. Our road is so unforgiving. The chicken normally doesn't venture as far as the road but I suspect she did this time and before noon she was dead. Mitzi stayed with her and on her trying to wake her up. We made a huge bomb fire and tried to put her in it and boy did Mitzi go nuts. He attacked and tried to keep us from his dead chicken. Billy was so frustrated from being attacked that he threw the rooster in the pond. That didn't deter him, in one fluid motion he was out of the pond and on the attack. We all ran. Mitzy cried that night and we all felt so sorry for him. The next day I went out and found him 2 beautiful silky hens. I showed him his new girlfriends and he attacked them. He wanted to hurt them. So now I have a new job. Keeping our new girls who I named Snow and flake, away from this crazy chicken.
   Yesterday, Our family grew even bigger!
I was walking down the stairs to check the mail and looked into the glass enclosure of the goats pen. There was 2 baby geese. They were not there when I fed in the morning. So I guess they just hatched. So cute. This morning one of the babies are limping. So many things can go wrong with newborn babies. I want to catch them and make sure they are safe but after last year, (What a farce) I decided to leave these to their parents protection. There are no more coyote and no one is locked in at night anymore so I don't fear the rats. I think they will be fine! But we have grown even bigger.
5 goats
10 ducks
3 dogs
3 cats
2 pigs
3 chickens
13 geese
39 animals! Yeah, I'm getting rid of all my animals so how did I go from 31 to 39???? I think I missed a few on my last count. I'm not getting anymore and that's final!

It's raining baby birds!

We've had a influx of baby birds! First, Billy bought a boat and moved it to our location and I found a nest of baby birds. Robin fledglings. I fed them over the long weekend and then took them to Judy, A wildlife rehabilitater in Guelph. The next day, Another baby bird fell on my back stairs. I made it a homemade nest and put it near it's own. I also fed him for 2 days and still he died. The very next day, Another baby bird fell out of the same nest. The nest is in our rafters and I can't reach it. I kept him alive. In the 4 days it was with me I watched him grow a few feathers! I fed it dog kibble soaked in water or skim milk. Baby birds are all mouth! It is so cute the way they open their mouth and I just stick a small amount of soft food on a straw and gently blow it down their throat. When they are full, they stop opening their mouth. I got in touch with Mary Catherine, A wildlife rehabilitater in Welland. She kindly accepted the baby and I was so thrilled to relinquishment that chore. They are fed every 20 minutes. A robin bird will fly into a nest up to 400 times in the course of a day to feed her young. Did you know that? I thought they ate rarely! Seems like it's more often then I thought. I have decided to take the wildlife course. It would help to have some knowledge of taking care of all these raining birds.
Wildlife rehabilitater are the only people allowed to handle wildlife in Ontario. They are licensed by the providence but receive no funding for their efforts and must have another source of income to support their dedication to help and release these orphaned and injured animals.
Sadly, I had to put Scarlet to sleep. She was our oldest feline/animal. I look for her every night to come into the house and am sad when I remember, She will not be coming home. Not to this home ever again. Wonder where a cat goes when it dies, Is there a kitty heaven? Or do you think like some, that an animal doesn't have a soul. Does that give us licence to torture animals for our own use? I hear of so many animals subjected to painful research, Slaughter houses are worse but at least their end is in sight and what about the veal industry? Who really supports baby cows being torn from their mother to be raised in seclusion, immobilized while they are made to be anemic and slaughtered young? What about hunting and killing animals when there is a grocery store on almost every corner. Or is that trophy alright? Etc....Etc...Etc... OMG! My heart aches to think of all the animal suffering on this planet. And the Bears....The poor bears. Victimized on every corner of this planet! Fur for a queen, Bile, Baiting, dancing...Why can't we just leave the animals alone? Why can't we all just let them have a life with out human intervention? And if you do intervene, You better be a licenced wildlife personnel.

An attack chicken!

I can not get over Red, Who I call Mitzy. He is incredible! His day begins with a few cock-a-doodles and off he goes down the stairs to hang with Serena for a few hours. Between 11am and 1 pm he will return for an afternoon nap on the couch. Where he will grab a few winks and then off again down the stairs to see if we have any visitors. If we do he will entertain himself attacking them. He loves to attack strangers. No one can believe this tiny chicken has such an attitude. I have to laugh when someone is scared of the chicken. He is so small yet too aggressive. All afternoon he will spend in the yard and just before dusk he will come back up the stairs to go to bed on the computer. Where he will stay all night unless we have the lights on then he is up. This morning I got a late start feeding and though the chicken leaves first thing in the morning he was back by nine AM looking for food. I keep a tray of food for him in the kitchen. I have been thinking of removing it since he usually eats with Serena downstairs.
Rose Marie was here yesterday. She is the kind lady who gave Margaret a home. She said Margaret is doing great with her but not so with her grand kids. She said she has to be careful as Margaret attacks the kids. Margaret has a huge pasture to roam but Rose Marie said she is not aware of her spacious freedom as she stays in a corner. She will learn. I`m so happy for her. She will have a safe forever home.

Smoky is found dead.

I have been missing my cat since the Vet was here. Always someone is absent for their shots, but usually they apear later. I never seen my kitty again. It was the one I rescued from an apartment building where the tenant moved and dumped the cat at the door. We found it yesterday. Dead in a motorhome that we are renovating. It is all open and I suspect that this poor animal was hit on the road and came here to die. I'm very sad. Especially when the guys came in this morning and told me that they seen it 2 weeks ago! I freaked and called them a bunch of clowns. Now they're mad and I couldn't care less! Who leave a dead cat laying around? These clowns that who! I'm so upset that they do not know that I love my animals more then I like them? Actually I don't like them. I think they are idiots! Poor kitty!

Margaret is GONE! but not far.

Finally got rid of that attack goat Margaret. While I was gone with some friends for a few days, A female customer came on to the property and was attacked. I think this was the final straw for Billy who now realised that this goat could get us into some serious problems if she hurt someone. The Goat was taken to Rose Marie who also gave a home to our sheep but at that time she did not want any goats. Thankfully, she has a very large property with many animals and one nasty little goat will get lost among all the business of her day and will hardly be noticed. Thanks Rose Marie! I'll go visit her someday. Someday when I have forgotten how much she hated me.
Some good news! Red, my chicken is making his way outside. He actually climbs down the stairs every morning and hangs with Serena all day and then climbs the stairs at night to go to bed on this computer. Even Rover, my German Sheppard, would not climb those stairs. They are like alley stairs that are see through. which could account for the dog. Now that I think about it, The Doberman, Princess, would not climb those stairs either. But the chicken does, Up and down. The dogs are barking. Someone is at the back door. Oh! It's raining out and the chicken wants in. Here he is! Just came up the back stairs to get in. Now this chicken thinks he's a goat. The goats hate rain too!

A Vet for Margaret!

Finally got the Vet in to kill Margaret. I have put up with that nasty goat long enough. She is getting meaner by the day. If she was a dog, She would be an excellent guard. As it is, She is just crazy.
All the dogs got their shot, All the goats got they nails cut and I also had the vet check Teddy's ears. He seems to be bothered and apparently he has a yeast infection in his ears. The vet gave me some medicine. Treating Teddy should be fun....NOT! He is a very nice goat. He just doesn't like anyone fussing with him.
Margaret also got a manicure too. No she isn't dead. Billy would not let the vet kill her. He said he is going to make her a home and  he did make her a beautiful bed but no fence around it so we will hope that happens soon. In the mean time, I keep away from her except to feed. She is always, food first and as long as you have food, she will be nice, Just for that moment. She really looks pregnant. She is so fat! Like all my animals, They have never missed a meal.

I freed the Roster!

I freed the rooster and he came back. I'm not kidding! I cut the little devil loose. He has been attacking some people and what a hoot to watch. But it is making some complain saying that he is hurting them and others are actually afraid. I got a video of my girl friend terrified! I bet he weighs about the same as a football. Maybe less. I told another friend, When he attacks, be the aggressor. pick him up. He'll run. She took to carrying him around during her visit. She felt it was easier then fighting him off. He needs to go out and be with the other animals.
Summer has officially come to southern Ontario! These last few days have me looking for shorts and tank tops. It's scorching out. Yesterday I even opened the summer cloths chest and thought, "There is no way we can unpack summer cloths in March!" and I closed it. But not before grabbing both Bill and I shorts which I immediately wore. It's beautiful out! And has been for awhile with no end in sight. Right now it is 21C! 21C!!!!! I expect -21C before ever expecting to see plus anything. For the last few days I have been carrying Red, who I call Mitzi, out into the yard to get acquainted with the other fellas. Serena and Red had a battle and I let them go. It lasted seconds before Serena realised Red it not a challenge or a threat and has been looking for him to come out. He is the only other chicken here after all. She tries to follow him but he stays close to Bernie, the Saint Bernard. Ironically, That would be the only guy here that wants to eat him!
Bernie has been tied out in the yard because he bit someone. Orders from the Health Department. They want to see his Rabies Certificate and damned if it isn't expired! I told them they can take the Bernard and do what they want to him. Bill freaked. The Health department told me to get their shots. Of course. So where is Bernie right now? Got me. Haven't seen him since this morning. Doctors coming the 28th to give needles to everyone. And cut the goats nails. Another huge chunk of change.
Well Bernie served his 10 days and is gone. Now Red has no-one to hang out with, besides a big, fat chicken who can kick his but. When I released him this morning and left. Red followed me right back up the stairs into the house. He climbed the stairs! Even my doberman wouldn't use those stairs! Never a dull moment.

Out for a drive

Margaret is out for an afternoon ride/drive, She wants to go, the problem is she has no licence and will not relinquish the front seat either. Lex is ready too, Margaret loves the car and when she gets angry or bored, we just open a car and let her have fun. The problem is that Lex has to go and will hop in there before anyone can.
The date is wrong. Soneday I will learn how to change the date on my camera, I just can't see enough so forgive the misspelling as well. They are from this last year 2011 not 2007.

A new family member!

I took an unexpected turn when I went to Niagara Falls last night. A trip to the casino turned into a ride home for this little, and I do mean little, Rooster I named Red. He is so adorable! I kept him in the house last night and released him first thing this morning with our last chicken, Serena, thinking they would be instant friends. Instead It looked like I just entered a cock fight. OMG! They went at each other like two sumo wrestlers in a ring. I saved him from the girl who is actually twice his size and not to be out done he instead attacked a few ducks and then challenged the geese. What a brave little fella. I needed my coffee and couldn't leave him alone while I went to Timmy's so I packed him back into the house where he is perched on the edge of the Jacuzzi trying to cockle doodle do! May-be I'll take him out a few minutes a day till they all get to know each other. It is getting so cold and he is so small, I may keep him in the house til spring. Today is his first day home. He has all winter to make his acquaintance with this new family. By summer I can believe this guy will be totally in charge!

Lucky I came home!

Flew home on Wednesday and the first thing I did was visit my animals. No water. The hose froze and someone brought it into the house hoping it would dry before the fire. Breakers all switched off so even the animals water dish were frozen. No food, Billy doesn't relaize how much these critters eat. Went out to buy cat food! Then right out to Canadian Tire to buy new hose. Ran the water out and made sure the heaters were on and then got food. Even the pond is frozen. Everyone is safe. I'm home and I'm cold. Damn it's cold in Canada!

Hello from Florida!

Well it's a balmy 75 degrees and beautiful out! I have been visiting my family and thought I'd take a moment to visit my animals. I sure do miss them. Apparently Billy had to feed for the first time ever. He has no idea how but as long as something is in their dish, they'll be fine. I'm so glad I will be coming home soon. Billy said it is frozen out. minus some awful number and I should be glad I'm nice and warm in sunny Florida but I can't wait to see my children. All 40 of them.
I drove to Florida and for the first time in my life, I hit a deer on the highway. It happened so fast! I was in the right lane and he just came from the left and ran right in front of me. I slammed on the brakes and pulled hard to the left but still hit the poor thing. It has been a while and I'm still upset. I keep playing it over and over again in my mind and wished I had made a stop for coffee or delayed my trip by minutes or something. I feel awful bad. It still weighs heavy on my mind. I would never do anything to hurt an animal. Especially a deer. They are so beautiful and majestic. I do not know how anyone could hunt and shoot a animal. One from the wild has such a struggle to sustain their life, raise their family and find food. Compassion is not a consideration among hunter. Why must they hunt anyway? There is a grocery store in almost every neighbourhood so food is not the issue. A disgusting blood sport. I think people should leave the wildlife alone. Enjoy them from a distance, protect them and their environment and try not to run them over like me

Why is this goat crazy?

This is Pepper. He came to us with a pal Salt. Regretably I had to euthanize Salt. He was attacking us and getting mean. I do not allow an animal to live with us if he is mean. We are actually a business with allot of people coming and going and a mean animal is not welcome at all. Pepper suffered having his manhood taken away. I think I would allow this guy to get nasty because of us being mean to him but he has forgiven us and is still a very nice goat. Of course he doesn't trust people and gives everyone that comes near him a very wide berth.
On the other hand, Margaret has been given every luxury this home can provide and she is still mean. She will be nice one day and then snap! She will attack. And she doesn't just buck. She wants to rip you apart with those horns. I released her this morning and was about to take her for a walk when she reared up on her back legs and started a dance that landed a horn in my wrist. I thought the little lady broke my arm. She is so nasty. This coming right after I fed her. Wow! No loyalty in the goat world. What amazes me is that I raised 6 goats and all have such a pleasant attitude. What could have happened to this one? She came from a home with people that really cared where she went and they even came to visit her a few times and made sure she was well. I wish I knew where they were. I'm going to kill her and I'd much rather just give her back to her previous owner. So if you are reading this...COME GET THIS FLIPPEN GOAT!