I mentioned in my last note that winter came fast and furious this year. Here are a few pictures of our first snow.
As the sun came up the day after our first snow fall, the snow that had collected on the roof of the loafing shed just slid off. It never really melted though, just piled up on the ground.
Star and the goats stayed dry and snug in the loafing shed.
The goats have taken up permanent residence there and have abandoned the chicken coop (to the delight of the chickens I might add).
Here is a goat's eye view of the loafing shed from the inside looking out. The old grass hay bales I stacked have worked really well to provide a barrier from the wind. I will still be putting up walls on three sides of the shed when weather allows. I would also like to put up a hay shed so I don't have to fuss with a tarp.
Max and Gabby couldn't care less about the snow. Max continues to patrol the fence line, as usual, thinking he is keeping the goats inside. Gabby just runs around barking at who knows what! Half of the time I don't think she even knows what she is barking at. I think she just likes to hear herself talk! (thus the name "Gabby")
Max and Gabby stick pretty close to each other now. There hasn't been much conflict between them. Max is actually more interested in playing than Gabby. Gabby doesn't quite trust that Max won't hurt her so she doesn't engage in any play that looks like it will get too rough. Max wants to play rough though and sadly finds outlets. Remember how I thought that
Max saved the little kitten from a water trough?
NOT! The other day I looked out and saw Max having a grand old time tossing something in the air, grabbing it, shaking it then tossing it again. IT was a KITTEN! It's fur was matted with snow balls the size of golf balls, it was soaking wet and limp with exhaustion. It wasn't as bad as the first kitten we found. This one recovered quickly and within the hour was following Max around the house ready to play some more, (
there is something wrong with that!)!
Under the circumstances I am forced to keep the kittens in the house. They don't seem to mind at all, in fact they have made themselves quite comfortable. They want to be my constant companions.
They follow me around "helping" me with
everything I do, from laundry, to getting ready for work, to taking a bath etc, etc, etc. They even think it is their duty to supervise my work on the computer! If it weren't winter I would have them all outside where they belong. Oh well. They will all be leaving for new homes soon and then I will probably miss them.
So, there you have it. Winter is here in all its glory, forcing me to make changes in my daily routine. But I guess that is what winter is about! TTFN :)
