Cold weather

 Well, I can honestly say this Texas weather is something else. It was warm enough not to wear a jacket at all last week and now it’s going to be down in single digits this weekend. I have already started to prepare the animals. I have pine shavings already in the barn and in the shelter where the baby goats are. I added straw to the pig houses. The shop cats have hay and blankets and crates to get in if needed. I still worry since it’s going to be so cold. I hate it but I know they will be fine. The donkeys and goats have already been staying in the barn at night and I know they will be in the barn when it is super cold. I’m ready to get the barn fixed so it will be a little warmer for them. They do have an area that is blocked off so it’s warmer than the open air. This weather makes me a nervous wreck for the animals. I think the ones I’m most concerned about are the shop cats since they aren’t sure of where they are exactly yet, but I’ve fixed it up for them. It will all be okay. 

Rona and Earl

 As I am sure you have seen, we had a grand baby last week. We got to visit with the family over the weekend. It was a great visit. A couple months ago while we were visiting with my daughter and her fiancé, their 2 cats were mentioned. They were thinking of rehoming them since their was a baby coming. They were not ready yet to do that. I told them we would take them and put them in the shop and they could be our barn cats. They said they would think about it. As we left the house yesterday to go see them, we had forgotten the crates we had discussed taking in case they were ready to rehome them. During our visit, it was decided we would take the cats. So, meet Rona and Earl. They have a nice spot in the shop with food and water. They have access to get out of the shop if they want out to roam. So far they are still in the shop. I’m grateful for that so they can learn where they live and get back if they do get out. The have crates in there with hay and blankets since it’s supposed to be very cold here the end of this week and all next week. Meet Rona and Earl. 

Not good.

 The past week has been a little rough for some reason on the dogs. I am not sure what is causing it and I’m not sure what to do about it. One afternoon I came home from work and Ronnie was still gone. I was late coming home and had been to work early that morning. I knew the dogs needed out. I was not prepared for what I came home to. As I walked in the door to the house I heard snarling and growling. I dropped my stuff and ran to where the dogs were. I saw Pepper on her back and Daisy has her by the throat. I am not a big thinker at times like these, I react. I ran in there and pulled Daisy off of Pepper. Surprisingly enough, Pepper didn’t have a scratch on her. I’m sure it is all of her hair. Thank goodness she has the hair. Last night as I was letting them inside, it happened again with me standing right there. Again, I had to pull Daisy off of Pepper. I don’t like that at all. I’m not sure what is happening. They are usually fine. Any ideas?? 

Favorite Rooster

 I have a favorite rooster. Maybe that is wrong that I play favorites but the truth is, I do with them. George is my half blind rooster who has just recently lost a spur or whatever they are called on his feet. George doesn’t hang out much with the rest of the chickens or the other rooster anymore. I don’t know what happened but something did and he is starting to get pushed out. However, in saying that, George is still able to sleep in the same place where they roost. Anyway. Ronnie and I were out feeding yesterday morning and George walked by. I started talking to George, which I do that with all my animals. George started talking back. Ronnie started laughing and I said what’s so funny. He looked at me and said that rooster actually talks back to you. Well, yeah. 

Meet Waldo

 I am shocked at myself for not saying anything about bringing Waldo into the family. When Ronnie and I adopted the twins, Buckwheat and Porkey, they had another pen mate. After we got the twins, the lady we got them from, who I have become friends with told me Waldo was lonely without the other two. Well, we adopted Waldo, too!! He is not too friendly like the other two, but when moving places, that happens. He will get there. We were informed before picking him up that he could jump a 5 foot fence. Our fence was only 4 foot. Ronnie added fencing on top of the existing fence to make the fencing 8 foot. They are in an area where it is close to the house and is well lit. We are glad Waldo is here. All of the babies were excited to see Waldo. It was a sweet thing to watch. 

Interesting sight

 As Ronnie and I were talking a little ride on the tractor around the property tonight, I saw something interesting. Somehow Pete got separated from Noma, Cracker Jack and the goats. He is a young donkey. This little guy was stomping around and kicking. He was clearly upset. Ronnie went over to the gate and opened it for Pete. Pete is still not socialized with humans and I hope he didn’t go through the fence after we left. As Pete was throwing his fit, Noma walked over to the fence to let him know she was still there and he immediately calmed down. Animals are amazing creatures. We can learn from them. That young donkey just needed his mom, not even to be next to her, just to know she was still there. 

Update on Noma and Pete

 I haven’t been able to spend as much time with Noma and Pete lately since Romeo has been sick and having the new baby goats. I hope they don’t feel neglected. This morning, I got up and fed the animals since I couldn’t sleep. The 3 donkeys were in the back pasture by the pigs area. They have been hanging out down there a lot. Noma brayed at me this morning along with Cracker Jack. That in itself is a win in my book. I fed the pigs and those donkeys were not happy because I didn’t give them feed. I went back to the shop and brought back a bag of treats for them. I shook the bag several times and believe it or not, Noma was the one that came over first. She ate out of my hand and I was able to let her while she was standing up. I was on the other side of the fence from her, but regardless, there is progress being made. It may be small steps, but I’m so happy about those small steps. Pete is still really unsure but he came to my hand. He would not take any treats from my hand but he came to it and I was able to touch his nose. I have also noticed that Noma has not been down as much. When she is down, she is able to get back up really well and quickly. Things are headed in the right direction. Patience is the key here.