Just In Time!

Cerra, Nolan, Heather and I along with some friendly neighbors got two sections of my loafing shed started earlier this summer. One half of the shed got the roof up but the other half had to wait. Now, HAPPY DAY, we just finished getting the roof on the second half.
When I say "we" I mean Cerra. Cerra has put the roof on the second half of the loafing shed almost single handedly. I helped a little but it was Cerra who was climbing the ladder, drilling the holes, putting up freeze bars between the rafters, and climbing on top of the roof to put up the galvanized sheeting, (yes, I did say ON TOP OF THE ROOF).
So far this project is looking good! All the animals are happy to have a place to get out of the rain and impending snow this winter. Especially Star. All she could do before was stick her head in the door of the chicken coop. Now she fits all the way under the shelter and doesn't have to get her head, or her back, or her feet wet, (that is until she chooses to go roll in the mud).

You may have noticed the heavy mist in the photos. The weather is getting colder and wetter. With heavy rain on the horizon there is no doubt in my mind that we got the roof up just in time! (Not bad for an old lady and a couple of city kids, eh!?) Nolan, Heather and Cerra, thank you is hardly enough. You all have a lot to be proud of :)

Funny Thing About Cats and Chickens

When David commented about Mel and the chickens getting along it reminded me of a story Alan recently told me.

Alan and Ani have been adopted by a stray cat. They call him Mel. Mel is a young, but large, yellow cat. (Herman and Mel pictured to the left) Earlier this summer Mel was very curious about Alan's newly hatched chicks in a not so friendly way. He was thinking they looked like a pretty tasty snack. So Alan went about the task of keeping him out of the chicken coop and protecting the chicks. Time passed and the chicks began growing up.

As the chicks grew Mel showed less and less interest in them, (nearly grown chickens are not nearly as tempting as little new born chicks - probably because they fight back!). So Alan stopped paying such close attention to Mel and his activities with the chickens. Then, just a week or so ago, Alan went into his freshly cleaned coop to collect eggs. There, laying all stretched out a-top the nesting boxes, was Mel. Just below him in the nesting box was a hen going about her business of laying an egg. What a site! (chickens and Mel pictured above) Alan got a big kick out of it and from what I gather the new found friendship between cat and chickens continues.

I know my cats gained a healthy respect of chickens from the get-go. My chickens had no problem putting the cats in their place if they even looked at the chicks they were tending, (and I'm talking hen screeching, fur flying action!). My cats now visit the coop regularly but only to scout out mice or to find a warm corner to snooze in. While they will catch wild birds, (the evidence is everywhere), they do not bother the chickens. They actually hang out together. (rooster, Peaches and Winslow pictured below) It is like the cats know that the chickens are part of their community and are supposed to be here so they make the best of it. I imagine they tell each other, "Why fight 'em when we can join 'em?" I'm not sure what benefit it is to the cats or the chickens but they seem to co-habitate in peace. Funny thing, isn't it? . TTFN :)

Silver Lining

Some say that to every cloud there is a silver lining. When Fanci Pants got hit things were very cloudy for awhile.
Today we got a glimpse of the silver lining in Gabby. Gabby is a border collie and something mix. She was adopted by a young man as a puppy. When he left home to venture out on his own Gabby was left behind with the young man's mother, Connie, who I work with. Gabby and Connie's dog did not see eye to eye. Connie's dog was getting very intolerant of her foolish puppy-like behavior and would snap at her regularly. Living in the city with a small yard there wasn't much chance for Gabby to stay out of the way. Of course Connie is attached more to her own dog than to her son's. She decided for the good of both dogs they should be separated. So...here she is. She is a bright little dog. She is very petite and very polite.

Max was not at all excited to see her. He looked at me with that, "Ah mom...does she have to come?" look - like a little boy trying to get away from the girl next door. Very comical. Max spent most of the afternoon trying to avoid Gabby. When he did run into her he would growl and show his teeth. Gabby, on the other hand, spent most of the afternoon trying to stay next to Max. She would follow him closely and when he would growl she would jump back and lay down as if to say, "Just pretend like I'm not here!" What a riot. At the end of the day the two dogs are staying in the same room without too much friction, as long as Gabby doesn't get in Max's face. Max takes her outside to investigate noises and to take care of other business. I am sure it won't take long for them to become fast friends. TTFN :)