I am so tired of the rain!! I know that the rain is good and I’m a few months, we will be begging for it in Arkansas. But, right now, I’m tired of it. I’m so muddy and dirty all the time. My food bowls for the pigs are floating there is so much water and mud. I’m getting stuck and I’m slipping and sliding. If I feel this way, how do they feel?? I’m still able to clean up their poop and get that out of the pens so they aren’t laying in that which can cause illness but this is ridiculous. These poor animals. I’m really hoping we can figure something out for them to be more comfortable but if not, I’m hoping it dries up soon. I just hate it. It’s not good for me or them. I want the best for them and they don’t seem to care too much because they are rooting the mud up and seem to enjoy it. But, I look at it and get upset. May have to move the entire pen for them. I am trying to help them.

Confession time. My husband called last night and asked about all the animals. I thought he was joking. I spend so much time with all of those animals that I thought he was being sarcastic. So I made some sarcastic comment. He said, actually I’m serious. He told me that when I’m at work, he actually goes out and hangs out with the animals.  What?!? There is a chair out by the pigs and apparently he sits out there and gives them attention when I’m gone. I find this to be so awesome. I had no idea. So, I started telling him about the pigs and the all the rain and mud and how miserable they are and I am getting stuck in the mud. He is trying to figure out a way to put in drains to help get rid of the water and help with the mud and if that doesn’t happen, build another pen out of the mud. This makes me so happy. They do have a spot to go in their shelters that is dry and no mud, so I know they are okay but it’s still awful. I sent him pictures and he said that isn’t good and we are going to fix it. Makes me so happy!!!

Over the weekend, I noticed Cracker Jack was having difficulty walking again. It’s rained so much and it’s so muddy, I figured it was caked mud in his hooves. I brought out the lead rope and he didn’t have difficulty anymore. However, I decided to check out his hooves. I got the lead rope on him and got him tied up to work on the hooves. Oh, no, he wasn’t having it. I got one hoof done and he wasn’t going to let me do anymore. He was done. I will have to work on it with Ronnie home. Ronnie is Cracker Jack’s person. Ronnie spoils him with peanuts. I don’t have enough hands on my own to get the hooves done and feed him peanuts. It will be getting done this week. Poor guy is still getting around but he is slow like an old man. Poor guy. He will be better in a few days.

Years ago, I was sewing something and left the needle attached to the thread. Persia found it and swallowed the needle. The emergency vet didn’t believe me. But it was clear on the X-ray. I was going through a divorce and it was an awful time emotionally and financially. I wasn’t going to let my baby die. The vet waited a bit because of shift change to do surgery. By the time they opened her up, the needle had punctured her stomach and was lodged in her muscles by her spine. Long story short, by the time I took her to my regular vet, the needle had worked it’s way out of her body. I actually found it when moving. So weird. Anyway. Ever since then, Persia is still obsessed with needles and string. I really thought it had happened again last night. I searched for a long time for that needle. I was so upset. But... I finally found it!! Persia didn’t repeat history and swallow another needle. What a relief. She is such a handful sometimes but I love her.

I had myself one of my freak out moments today. I’m sure you have read enough of these blogs to know I’m a panicker. I’m not proud of it, but that’s who I am. I was home really late tonight and so all of the animals were upset with me. That’s normal though when I’m late. I fed the donkey and goats and they got over it and ran back to their shelter. The little pigs ate so fast. I know I need to watch them for that. Pork chop was shivering but I felt his body temp and he was okay. It wasn’t to cold and wasn’t warm to the touch. He ran back to the shelter after eating. The other 3 weren’t shivering and their body temp was fine also. I got to the big pig pen and same there. All 3 had a body temp that wouldn’t raise eyebrows. I was standing by Gus and he regurgitated his food. Very little but I panicked. I started googling to make sure he was okay and any symptoms to be watchful of. It wasn’t much and I know he ate fast since I was 2 hours late coming home. Right after that he walked away and went into the shelter. No issues with any of that. I know the weather has been hard on them. It’s 70 degrees one day and 20 degrees the next night. That’s hard on anyone’s body. I will continue to check on them and I have broad spectrum antibiotics on hand here if I need them. Please pray I’m over reacting and he and Pork chop aren’t sick.

Do you remember Carlos?? The goat that I got after being attacked by the bobcat. He came here because his family was scared for his well being. I’ve had him since November. He kept opening up his wound on his ear somehow. The rest of the wounds had healed when he got here. Both of his ears were still scabbed over. He is completely missing one ear and half of the other. Bless his heart. I am happy to say that his ears have healed. He is doing so good here. He is such a sweet thing. Sometimes he does get run off from the hay, but he just goes to another pile. I’m so glad he is doing so well. I had no idea how this would turn out but I was so hopeful. It’s going so well. It’s like he has been here the whole time. Makes my heart happy. The other animals still protect him when sleeping so he gets the warm spots. They all lay around him and in front of him. That’s love. Don’t you wish humans could be like that?? If we all protected each other no matter the circumstances??

I am so ready for spring and all of these animals are, too!! Arkansas doesn’t get as cold as most places and a few weeks ago it was 70 degrees. Now it’s in the 20s at night and only getting in the 40s, maybe. It isn’t slowing these animals down but I know it can’t be pleasant for them. They do have warm, dry places with lots of straw to curl up in but I still hate it. I’m outside in a coat and 2 shirts, a hat and gloves... when I remember the gloves. I can’t take pics with gloves on. Most of the pigs wanted love tonight. The goats and donkey did last night. I check body temps when I go out there for the pigs. I watch for any sign of illness. They haven’t shown any. Body temps are okay. They are all eating, drinking, peeing and pooping. These are all important to watch for. They deserve the best and I’m trying to give it to them. I just hate the cold weather. Doesn’t help that I haven’t been feeling well lately either. I was watching the pigs tonight, I’m so grateful my little ones have put on weight. I was so worried about them when they were smaller. I also have noticed how much hair they have grown since cold weather hit. It’s just amazing to me and I learn something new everyday about them. The goats all curl up together their shelter and Cracker Jack stays in front of them. I’m so grateful my husband extended the lean to and put walls in there. Looking at it, it doesn’t look like it would keep them warm but when you walk to the back of it, it is warmer back there. I’m hoping for a huge barn in the near future so next winter will be easier on them and hopefully I don’t worry as much. Never did I think I would be doing this and it’s tough but the animals are worth it.