A Poe story with a happy ending -
Left in Woodlawn cemetery on a cold winter night this one week old goat's luck didn't look very good. But the good souls working the night shift found him and brought him back to maintenance where they fed him and kept him warm. The little baby goat just waited - not sure what was to be.
Luckily, we received a call from my friend who works at the cemetery. We quickly went to get him and decided that Poe after Edgar Allan would be just perfect. And unlike the author's many stories, we were determined Poe's would have a happy ending.
Yet, we knew that goats need other goats as they are playful and social. So we searched for someone who had baby goats (not easy to find in January). We found a place north of us that had three boy goats scheduled to be sold for meat. The woman told me, "Pick which ever one you want." Driving up to get Poe a friend - I felt a heavy heart come over me knowing which ever two I left behind would be sent to slaughter.
So I guess you know what happened - Poe got three friends--James Joyce, Yates, and Dickens. Now we call them the Literary Goats!
Left in Woodlawn cemetery on a cold winter night this one week old goat's luck didn't look very good. But the good souls working the night shift found him and brought him back to maintenance where they fed him and kept him warm. The little baby goat just waited - not sure what was to be.
Luckily, we received a call from my friend who works at the cemetery. We quickly went to get him and decided that Poe after Edgar Allan would be just perfect. And unlike the author's many stories, we were determined Poe's would have a happy ending.
Yet, we knew that goats need other goats as they are playful and social. So we searched for someone who had baby goats (not easy to find in January). We found a place north of us that had three boy goats scheduled to be sold for meat. The woman told me, "Pick which ever one you want." Driving up to get Poe a friend - I felt a heavy heart come over me knowing which ever two I left behind would be sent to slaughter.
So I guess you know what happened - Poe got three friends--James Joyce, Yates, and Dickens. Now we call them the Literary Goats!
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Babydoll sheep are here!
I've always wanted sheep. They're sweet nature, they're peaceful manner in which they graze, everything about them makes me happy. It took a lot of convincing to get my husband to agree to sheep - and then it was only under some duress. The expansion on the property, another shelter...and another llama to guard. But Samson and Delilah arrived in May and much to my surprise - they were deathly scared of me. It took a bunch of mornings sitting in a chair feeding them by hand for them to finally realize i wasn't some big scary person who would hurt them. Now when they see me they scream "MAAAAA" and I love it.
Bernie has been another experience. I found this llama to guard the sheep from a gentleman in New Jersey. My experience with Luke has been so easy, that I expected this llama to be the same. Wrong...Bernie is very timid of me. He's unhappy being without other llamas and has not adjusted well to his new home. The good folks at GALA (Llama association - which I highly recommend joining if you own a llama) is putting me in contact with someone to help with Bernie. We'll get him settled for sure - that might mean another llama and if that's the case, I'm just fine with that. As the saying goes...you're only as happy as your saddest child - and here at Harvest Moon Sanctuary we can add animal to that as well.
Bernie has been another experience. I found this llama to guard the sheep from a gentleman in New Jersey. My experience with Luke has been so easy, that I expected this llama to be the same. Wrong...Bernie is very timid of me. He's unhappy being without other llamas and has not adjusted well to his new home. The good folks at GALA (Llama association - which I highly recommend joining if you own a llama) is putting me in contact with someone to help with Bernie. We'll get him settled for sure - that might mean another llama and if that's the case, I'm just fine with that. As the saying goes...you're only as happy as your saddest child - and here at Harvest Moon Sanctuary we can add animal to that as well.
QUACK!
And after another harsh winter came the spring and with the renewed sense of hope came something new to our sanctuary - ducks. After having chickens for years I thought I would slide right into ducks rather easily. I was wrong. After having owned two Newfoundlands I thought nothing could be messier. I was again wrong. And after night of worrying if I was taking on more than I should getting ducks....I have found I absolutely love them. While I am still teaching them I'm a friend, they had no problem making friends with the paint roller tray of water and then on to the kiddy pool. We are still learning about each other. Their house is coming, new fences are on their way to keep them safe from the raccoons that also, despite our objections, continue to board rent free here.
Each animal brings a new understanding of the life that binds us all. And while we may not be big, may not be able to save all the animals on our planet, we can do a little to make sure we make a difference in the lives we touch.
And after another harsh winter came the spring and with the renewed sense of hope came something new to our sanctuary - ducks. After having chickens for years I thought I would slide right into ducks rather easily. I was wrong. After having owned two Newfoundlands I thought nothing could be messier. I was again wrong. And after night of worrying if I was taking on more than I should getting ducks....I have found I absolutely love them. While I am still teaching them I'm a friend, they had no problem making friends with the paint roller tray of water and then on to the kiddy pool. We are still learning about each other. Their house is coming, new fences are on their way to keep them safe from the raccoons that also, despite our objections, continue to board rent free here.
Each animal brings a new understanding of the life that binds us all. And while we may not be big, may not be able to save all the animals on our planet, we can do a little to make sure we make a difference in the lives we touch.
BABIES, BABIES, BABIES!
After such a hard winter there is nothing better than the sound and sight of babies. These little fellows were tucked away in the goat's house - mom picked a good spot, both warm and dry. Their mouths wide open, ready for food. Mom's work is never done!
In the pond, hundreds of tadpoles are swimming around, their tiny prehistoric shapes remind us of how simple life starts for some.
We already have small apples appearing on the fruit trees, flowers are exploding in beautiful colors, the baby chicks are growing, Alaska our Newf is loving her home, and the world is good inside Harvest Moon Sanctuary.
After such a hard winter there is nothing better than the sound and sight of babies. These little fellows were tucked away in the goat's house - mom picked a good spot, both warm and dry. Their mouths wide open, ready for food. Mom's work is never done!
In the pond, hundreds of tadpoles are swimming around, their tiny prehistoric shapes remind us of how simple life starts for some.
We already have small apples appearing on the fruit trees, flowers are exploding in beautiful colors, the baby chicks are growing, Alaska our Newf is loving her home, and the world is good inside Harvest Moon Sanctuary.
Sunshine on my shoulder.....
Meet our newest edition to our lovebird family, born April 15th. We acquired the parents about a year ago, at that time did not know they were a boy and girl. A couple of months ago, I bought them a big tent for their cage, as they love to snuggle at night. Well, a month ago we saw eggs and then soon after we spotted a naked baby, the size of a golf ball. The parents have been working non-stop since she hatched (actually we are not sure it's a girl but I call her she) and the other day she made her grand appearance.
Thinking of getting a bird ? There are many birds that need your help - Always adopt first
Here are some links to bird rescue facilities:
Wings of love Bird Haven
Feathered Friend Family
Avian Protection Society
Owning birds are a commitment. They need daily care. Please read about the bird you are thinking of getting before you do to make sure you have the time and resources for them.
Thinking of getting a bird ? There are many birds that need your help - Always adopt first
Here are some links to bird rescue facilities:
Wings of love Bird Haven
Feathered Friend Family
Avian Protection Society
Owning birds are a commitment. They need daily care. Please read about the bird you are thinking of getting before you do to make sure you have the time and resources for them.
The goats are coming!
Some things just happen. It started with me signing up to sponsor a goat at Rainbeau Ridge Farms, which meant being there when the goat gave birth. I waited and waited and sure enough the moment I was walking out the door for my husband's 50th surprise party, I received the call Gwen was in labor. So I missed that but when I went to see the babies (all three!) the next day, I fell in love. So in came the goat house, up went the fence, and here came the goats.
Goat are friendly, smart animals. They should be in herds (2 or more), in fact, most livestock should be kept with others. Years ago farmers would often get a goat to keep their horses company. Sometimes when they were racing the next day, the competition would sneak in and steal the goat. This would cause the horse to become very agitated as they do not like to be alone. The horse would often not do well in the race and thus came the term, "get his goat."
I'm looking forward to having these three join our family and I expect they will teach me more than I will them
Goat are friendly, smart animals. They should be in herds (2 or more), in fact, most livestock should be kept with others. Years ago farmers would often get a goat to keep their horses company. Sometimes when they were racing the next day, the competition would sneak in and steal the goat. This would cause the horse to become very agitated as they do not like to be alone. The horse would often not do well in the race and thus came the term, "get his goat."
I'm looking forward to having these three join our family and I expect they will teach me more than I will them