It never fails as soon as I open the door to go outside, all of the animals, even the ducks in the pond, have learned the whiney noise the door makes as it opens and closes (note to self: add WD-40 to the shopping list). They all start craning their necks from all areas of the pasture to see what I’m about to do and if it’s feeding time again. It is one of my favorite things and brightens my day every time to hear all of their little voices compiled into one long song. The ducks let out a loud laughter-type-of-quack, the cows begin mooing fervently, the pigs begin squealing ever-so loudly, and the dogs get wound up playing and knock into me a few times as I make my way to the food buckets.
This evening as I grabbed up the feed buckets and began walking to each pen with grain, I glanced over at the little noises that Laurel and Buttermilk were making as they watched me gather the feed.
It certainly made my day to see the girls hanging out together in the same pen tonight and I just had to steal their picture really quick. They are almost the same size and it’s the cutest thing. Buttermilk gets outcast 99% of the time from Eloise and Oakley, as they are twins, and Buttermilk was from another nanny goat. I’m happy to see her bonding and having a friendship with Laurel and Juniper! Laurel was rubbing her chin all over Buttermilk’s back and loving on her. None of my animals know they’re not all related and I think that is part of the true joy that they just accept each other and welcome the new babies in so well. It’s a full farm family and I couldn’t love all of my girls … and bull … any more!
It is hard to believe it was just one week ago Laurel, Juniper, and Ridgeland joined the farm. Laurel and Juniper are much smaller than Charlstynn, Merigold, Magnolia, and Ridgeland. I’ve kept the two of them in a confined area adjacent to the other highland cows pen until I felt like everyone was well acclimated. They don’t know if yet, but they will get to join the entire fold tomorrow! It’s going to be fun to see them explore all together!
I must say about my tiny goat girls. It has been years since we had pet goats and it has been a learning curve to get used to again! I forgot how much they love to be in the middle of anything you’re working on, they trail behind me as I pour food into all the buckets at each pasture and stop for a bite out of each bucket. They have also made our pool and patio area part of their litter box and it’s slightly horrendous. I have got to get out there with a broom or water hose and clear it all off (Ahem … Hey Siri, remind me to do this asap!!) Today, in fact, I rushed out the door for a quick second and didn’t close the house door behind me. It was later discovered two of the goats had gone through the house and left a surprise for our family in the hallway. Ode to joy. You can’t help but laugh sometimes. I do love how vocal and expressive they are. Chatting with them is always comical and I love how much they pay attention. Despite the learning curves and the fence-work to be done so they can’t hop, skip, and jump out daily … They’ve been a lot of fun to have and have bonded so well without our dogs, pigs, highland cows, and even the ducks! I am so grateful to have all of these sweet animals and each day I get to share with them! It’s never a dull moment and I wouldn’t have it any other way! … muddy boots and all!
In the words of all my mini crew: it’s alright to be little bitty!