Mistaken

 Funny things happen around here all the time. This is not one of those times. Ronnie was in the kitchen and looking out the window. He runs through the house and says there is a big cat outside. He thought it might be a bobcat. I walk out on the porch. I look over and I see Earl. Our cat Earl. Ronnie comes out and I was like, ummm… that’s Earl. He has to take a double look and says, oh, yeah, that is Earl. That definitely could have gone differently. We can laugh about it now. Oh Earl, don’t go out in the field like that. 

Difficult Times

 So, last weekend, I ran back home to see my family since my grandpa has been in the hospital a few times in the last few months. It’s so hard to not be with them, but Ronnie and I have made a good life in Texas. It’s hard though when you make quick decisions, but you have to think about the animals and we both couldn’t go. I know I have several people here that would take care of these animals, but I hate to drop it in someone’s lap as quick as I got out of town. It was a good trip and I’m very glad I went. Ronnie stayed home with the animals. I sure did miss my husband and the animals, but they were all good. The morning I left for a few days, I went around and checked all the animals before I left. I may sound crazy, but they are like my children. I had a good time but I am glad to be home with the animals. Keep my family in your prayers, my grandpa is back in the hospital. Hopefully he will be released soon. 

Smart Donkey

 We had Cracker Jack in the pen a few days, then one day, he tried to break out. He didn’t try, he did. I wasn’t here, but Ronnie said he was feeding and Jeb was on one side and the hen with her babies were coming toward him on the other side as he went into the gate. He had no where to move, so Cracker Jack just slid right by him. I don’t like Cracker Jack being in the pen, but we were doing it so he would have the fans on him to keep the flies away from him and so we could spray him more often. He sure didn’t want to be in there, so he got out. He is probably the smartest animal on this farm. I do believe he is the oldest as well. I think he is about 18 years old now. We will keep doing what we can to keep the flies off of him, but we do live in West Texas. 

Vet Visit

 Allergies have been going on something fierce around here for Cracker Jack. Poor guy. It’s only gotten worse. He has been so itchy and scratching on everything, including barbed wire. He has been torn up by all the scratching. I have felt horrible for him. I called the vet out. Cracker Jack had to get in the pen with the cows, he hated that but it was necessary. The vet came out to assess him. I could not believe what she told me. Cracker Jack is allergic to flies. She gave it a name but I don’t remember it. The only thing she could do was give steroids but we decided against that due to him already being overweight and the possibility of the steroids making him lame. I’m not going to do that to him. We got the spray for him to help with the flies. She also had an allergy pills called into the pharmacy. That was an experience, going into the pharmacy for my donkey’s pills. I’m lucky the girl that was there knew what I was talking about with the meds. I had no clue what the name was under or the birthdate but we got it figured out. Cracker Jack hates to be sprayed but he is healing up, slowly but he is. I mean, who would have thought our donkey was allergic to flies. Luckily he is getting better. 

Chick update

 For those of you that do not know, Suzie Q and Edith hatched out 8 chicks. They are the cutest things running around here. I definitely don’t want to get too close to them since me, Earl, and Jeb have all been attacked by at least one of the hens. The poor little goats have been attacked by them also come to think of it. Those mommas are protective of those babies. So far all 8 of them are still doing well and I hope it stays that way. The mommas are taking them all over the place and none of the other animals have tried to bother them. It’s kind of funny when the chicks get on one side of the fencing and the hen is on the other. They go crazy. They are eating well as far as I can see. They are growing so fast. It’s amazing to watch them in their natural habitat. I know we raised a bunch of chicks earlier this year, but this is different. They have their mommas to teach them. I’m sure they will not be that friendly since the hens are not, but what’s 8 more chickens. They are fun to have out here and I enjoy watching them. I do hope they do okay out here. 

Smiling Pig

 Russ has been a tough pig to get used to being here with us. He has been here for over a year. He was good at the other house, but pigs are smart and I think they hold a grudge sometimes. The move has been hard on all of them. Russ is finally getting over it. I went out the other day to check on the pigs and all of them were at the fence. Russ had the biggest smile on his face. He was so cute. That face, that smile, I sure have not seen that smile in awhile. It warmed my heart to see it. He has had a rough time in his life and I’m glad he is starting to come around again. 

Another injured chicken

 A few weeks ago, yes I’m behind again, I walked out to the cow pen to feed them. I noticed the rooster, Junior was injured. I have no idea how. He was limping badly but he was still eating and trying to get around. Poor guy was looking miserable. This went on for a few days, but he never stop trying. He was staying in with the cows to heal. He didn’t get out of that pen for days, maybe a week. He finally got better and is now back to normal. I do hate when one of them isn’t feeling well since I don’t know what is wrong. Luckily, he is still doing fine now.