Isobelle Golightly the Beautiful Goat

Strange Weather We're Having

2012-02-06T18:55:00.000-05:00

This is ME last year on this date! It was very cold and snowy. Today it was nearly 50 degrees F. and it was sunny. Great for basking!

We like this weather but we do get a little worried because it's not natural. The plants need to sleep under the snow and the bears should be hibernating. There are skunks around looking for some love too. Usually there aren't that many but everyskunk in the neighborhood is out because it's so mild.

My lady says it's been very nice because the water buckets haven't frozen in weeks! Very unusual. She's in for it by the end of the week because nighttime temperatures are supposed to only be about ten degrees F. Brrrrr. I'm glad I kept my fur on!

xoxoxo

It's Number's Birthday!

2012-01-31T18:03:00.000-05:00

Hi! It's ME! Today we had special treats! It's Number's birthday!

Thoroughbreds have an official birthday of January 1st but today is Numsy's REAL birthday

Nigel and Nozzy are wishing they could play with my maa maa Narcissa but she's smart and stays under the table.

Sarah is thinking that there may be peppermints for supper!

Gimli's pretty happy because he lives in Number Bumber's stall at night so he knows he might get extra treats.

Nigel was sure he'd get treats ahead of everyone else.

And here is the birthday boy! He's eleven years old. He wanted to know why my lady was taking his picture!

Happy Birthday Boy!

Gim wants to know where the treats are. Hurry up lady!

I want my treats NOW! Gimme treats!

Are they over there?

Durin and Dayel want their birthday treat! My lady has to reach waaay across the stall to give Dayel his treat because he's up on the back ledge. Durin is a piggy and Dayel likes to get out of the way!

Happy Birthday Number Bumber! Thanks for the birthday mints!

Run, Rabbit, Run!

2012-01-29T15:38:00.000-05:00

Tee hee hee hee. My lady says Wickery would stomp that rabbit! I would too!

Warning. You will ALL be singing that song. hee hee hee

One Year Ago Today

2012-01-16T17:21:00.000-05:00

My lady met Kezia and she came home to live with us! Happy Anniversary Kezia!

Princess Sheep! Humph!

2012-01-10T16:05:00.000-05:00

Humph! I'm not pleased. LOOK at what Tuuli gets to eat and how it is presented twice a day!

What in the Great Goat Gods is that all about? Lady...I want to know.

Dear Isobelle...

As you know Tuuli was very ill as a lamb and she didn't have any appetite.

Her appetite has gotten a bit better but I really wanted to try to encourage her to eat more. I didn't know which food she liked the best. Did she like the sweet sheep feed, or the cracked corn, or the oats? I split them up like this so I could find out what she likes to eat best. It turns out she likes them all but she doesn't like the food all jumbled up together.

Hmmm....well....OK...stupid Princess Sheep...but what about that BREAD?

Well, Isobelle dear, Tuuli needs extra treats to make her plump like you, and she won't eat it if the crusts are on.

What do you do with those yummy crusts?

I give them to the chicken ladies.

Won't you save some of those yummy crusts for ME? I'm so thin and needy.

Sure you are dearheart. Perhaps.

A Special Announcement...with Sheep

2012-01-09T07:27:00.001-05:00

I want to know why this couldn't be a Special Announcement....with Isobelle. Humph.

My lady said it's because the photographer (our friend Elisabeth) is kind of afraid of us goats but she's not afraid of the sheep.

My lady has taken a big step. Months ago she was very unhappy with her weight and how she felt. It was awful. In order to save money she was eating all the wrong things. She's been on diets before and did OK but was never happy, was always hungry and always gained the weight back.

Then she found Take Shape for Life.

She looked into it thoroughly because she told me she doesn't like to just jump into anything. She found a high rate of satisfaction with the program, lots of support and all sorts of great information. And best of all? It wasn't just a diet. It was a plan that was designed to help people get and stay healthy for the rest of their lives.

She tried it. She loved it. It's changed her life. She went from being tired all the time, to energetic and happy and so far has lost 37 pounds!

She was so pleased with the program that she's become a free health coach. She now helps people get started on their own program and coaches them. It's free. She doesn't sell product, which she wouldn't like to do, and it's not at all about pressuring people into something they don't want to do. No way. She wouldn't be a health coach if that is what it was.

It's about information. It's about health. It's fun and it's so rewarding to see people also losing their weight and becoming healthy.

She needed some photographs for this so she chose Tuuli and Wickery as companions. No fancy portrait shots for my lady. That's not who she is. Some folks have asked about her socks... hee hee. She knitted them with Austermann Step yarn she got on sale from Little Knits.

You can see she's very happy with how she feels. She wants to share it.

If you'd like more information on what she has done please email her at

beverlyhiggins@teamtsfl.com

She also has a website: http://www.beverlyhiggins.tsfl.com/

Weight loss is only the beginning.

Join her in the journey towards Optimal Health!

If you send her SPAM I'll fly over your house and poop goat berries down on you! hee hee hee

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T15:11:00.000-05:00

I am a very sharing goat (ahem). Since Wickery designed his own hat for New Years I thought I'd let him have the post for today.

He thinks his hat is quite stunning because it's edible too, but he told my lady that it was itchy and could she please remove it after the photo session?

Little Tuuli is well. Her appetite is better and my lady said she's gained some weight and soon she won't be able to be picked up to be hugged!

Tuuli is a little more comfy with Wickery. He's a lively sheep and that scares her sometimes. She can't play with her crooked legs and he loves to play. He's not mean unless he thinks she is getting more food than he is. Even then he's not very mean (like me). Tee hee.

My lady bought herself a present. It's a glass locket. She put a photograph of Baalin in it, along with some of his wool. It's a nice memorial to a beloved friend.

Wishing you health and happiness in the coming year. xoxoxo

Yours,

Izzle

A Happy Solstice and Merry Yule to All!

2011-12-22T14:53:00.001-05:00

My lady likes it when she can find this photograph of me from when I was about nine months old. Tee hee.

Wishing you all a very happy and peaceful Solstice and a very Merry Yuletide Season!

I'm going to name everyone, including the chickens and those pesky dogs...here I go! Isobelle Golightly, Narcissa, Gimli, Durin, Dayel, Number, Nozzy, Nigel, Sarah, Wickery, Tuuli, Molly, Mildred, Dimity, Felicity, Ethel, Lucy, Poot, Marguerite, Cordelia, Winifred, June, Blanche, Bette, Johanna, Imogen, Thistle, Ting-a-Ling, Kezia, Stanley the frog, Lindir and Tinuviel the canaries, the parakeets and the finches and my lady! Weeee!

A little progress

2011-12-21T16:55:00.000-05:00

Tuuli still wants her maa or her Baa back. She's afraid of Wickery.

Wickery is a good boy but he does like to bump Tuuli out of the way and she doesn't want to go near him. It poured rain today and when my lady came home from work it was a lovely, dry Wick in the dome and a very wet, muddy and bedraggled Tuuli out in the rain!

Tonight my lady fed them their grain separately. Wickery only gets a little and Tuuli needs more. Then she put them both in the dome for the night.

Poor Tuuli only wanted to get out! She maaa-ed and she pawed at the door, then she ran around to try to get out of Wickery's way. There are four hay piles in there so that Wick will settle and not want to bump Tuuli around. Phew. This is hard.

My lady says that Wick is a good boy and is only being a young sheep but poor Tuuli is taking it hard. Early days yet so my lady is sure Tuuli will become more comfy. My lady mentioned having to put up a lean-to outside so if during the day Tuuli won't go in the dome she'll have some shelter!

My lady found Agatha's sister Dorothy Maud dead in the coop today. Agatha was killed by a fox over the summer, along with Priscilla, Irene, Fleur, Angus and Mrs. Brown.

A very peaceful and blessed Solstice to everyone. My lady returned Dorothy to the forest as a solstice gift to the wild creatures. Sometimes she does that when it feels right. It felt right today.

Blessed be....from ME! xoxoxo

Wickery joins Tuuli

2011-12-20T17:21:00.000-05:00

Welcome young Wickery! He is an Icelandic wether that has had a nice upbringing. Wick taught young people at a school how to take care of sheep and he knows everything about teaching them how to lead and how to trim his hooves and how to give him injections.

He's a friendly fellow, and he talks to my lady and likes wool massages and scrubbies. Dr. Wilson will love how tame he is.

Tuuli is not so sure. She wants to come in the house with her maa. Wickery is quite pushy with the food and has butted Tuuli and chased her around a little bit...but it's normal kind of stuff and not like rampant Ms. ThunderBum.

Here Wick meets Thistle. Thistle is getting a little better at greeting sheep, although he's naughty if my lady wants to go in with them and he stays out.

The weather called for freezing rain so my lady put Tuuli and Wickery in the dome together and put the gate up. They have several piles of hay. Wickery was trying to keep all the hay for himself. I think it will be a long night for Tuuli. Wick had lots of sheep and pig friends to sleep with at night so he's used to fighting for a spot at the feeder. We hope he will learn that he's not got to be piggy (tee hee) at the feeder and will share with Tuuli. He sure did eat a lot of hay today! My lady brought up some regular 2nd cutting so that he wouldn't stuff himself on the leafy good hay.

Welcome Wickery! You'd better behave yourself tonight with little Tuuli!

It's Not Working

2011-12-16T18:04:00.000-05:00

Oh dear. The new ewe, whom my lady has named Cora Elfriede ThunderBum, is NOT liking Tuuli.

It goes beyond normal bossiness and Cora goes out of her way to seek and attack little Tuuli, who hides behind the dome. My lady kept Tuuli in the dome today, safe behind a fence. When she got home from work she went out and let Tuuli out and sat on her bench.

Cora was leery of my lady but did what she could to get around her to slam into Tuuli. My lady even had to push Cora away.

My lady says she's a beautiful ewe and is intelligent and responsive and clearly she communicates with my lady. My lady likes her a lot. She is even more friendly and trusting to my lady, after only one day. Cora even said hello early this morning and that's the only sound we've heard her make. She just won't accept Tuuli.

My lady has notified the shelter but is seeing what tomorrow brings. She's going to try Tuuli out again and sit on her bench again.

Cora may have to return to the shelter. That's not a bad thing, necessarily. It's a nice place with pastures to roam and lots of friends. Cora wouldn't have the personal attention but she's well cared for there, given shots and food and her hooves trimmed and she's sheared in the spring.

My lady did have someone offer an Icelandic wether the same age as Tuuli if Cora has to go back.

Tuuli and my lady really miss Baalin. Very, very much.

Friend or Foe?

2011-12-15T17:37:00.001-05:00

Tuuli's new companion arrived today from the animal shelter! Here she is!

Their meeting went well.

But now Ms. Ewe is chasing Tuuli around! Tuuli is in the dome now so that she can get some peace. My lady said there is going to be trouble if Ms Doesn't Have a Name Yet keeps picking on Tuuli. I heard my lady mutter something about Boompa ewe, Big Bertha, and ThunderBum. Tee hee hee.

ThunderBum had better settle down and be friendly!

A Friend?

2011-12-11T13:45:00.001-05:00

My lady went to see sheep today! This is the little Shetland ewe that thought my lady might be interesting!

She's about four years old and is kind of shy and the most submissive sheep in her little Shetland herd. The shelter staff member said that she was surprised when this ewe came up to my lady. They had grain which was the reason they came up in the first place, but this ewe stuck around a bit and looked my lady over.

There were some really pretty colored ewes in the herd that interested my lady but they were not interested in her! Pending approval this lady should be coming home to Tuuli...hopefully soon!

I thought about what some of you nice blogger folks said about putting one of us goats up with Tuuli. I would eat her alive....muahahahaaaaaa! We are kind of mean and butt each other really hard sometimes. Most of the time we get along but I get kind of cranky with my food. My lady said we are too rough of a crowd to subject Tuuli to one of us.

So, we are hopeful here again. No one can replace Baa but this lovely ewe will be welcome and loved.

I wanted to say thank you to Judith! I can't leave comments on your blog but I read overthere everytime you post. My computer won't let me post comments unless the comment box is a pop up window, rather than embedded. Harumph! My lady would have loved to come allllll the way around the world to see you and pick up a sheep! Weeee!

Finding a Friend for Tuuli

2011-12-10T15:50:00.000-05:00

This is more difficult than you might think! Tuuli is very distressed. My lady said she paws the fence and even bites the fence. She wants a friend. My lady is still very upset about Baa. She's got a red nose and her eyes are all red too. She gave us all extra hugs and kisses and said she loved us very much.

Last night my lady and her friend Amy were scouring the Internet and calling people locally to see if anyone had anything. No luck yet. There are some fancy and expensive sheep out there but we don't need that.

LOOK at this monster sheep THING! That's a Jacob sheep he's standing behind. In his advertisement it says that he is 41 inches tall at the withers. That's six inches taller than NIGEL! My lady got to giggling thinking about a great big sheep like that. As big as a pony but with a dolly face. hee hee hee

He is not a candidate. Phew. My lady is taking a drive to the local animal shelter tomorrow. They have sheep that may be small enough and they are well cared for. They have to approve our home though and my lady worries that it's not fancy enough here and we have too much mud. The sheep won't be in the mud but the shelter people might not like it.

And this is reason number one why my lady doesn't have nice furniture. This is Thistle after rearranging the couch pillows. My lady calls his fur this time of year his "Burl Ives look". Tee hee. Thistle was sure that she was in trouble but he got a kiss and a cuddle. Silly lady.

Sleep Well Baalin

2011-12-09T14:14:00.000-05:00

Baalin

April 2011 - December 2011

Baalin

2011-12-08T14:07:00.000-05:00

Baalin went to see Dr. Wilson today. At his HOUSE! My lady said she found Baalin down in his hut and distressed and very cold. She bundled him up in the comforter from her bed and they zoomed out of the driveway and away up the road.

Baalin perked up during the warm car ride and Dr. Wilson said he'd try once more to make Baalin better. It may not work. The report came back from the laboratory and both lambs are infested with that coccidiosis thing (three kinds), tapeworms and strongyles and also giardia.

Dr. Wilson thinks Baa just couldn't handle the stress of being dewormed and even though the person that my lady got them from said she had dewormed the lambs I guess it was too little and too late.

Baa got his treatment and then was bundled back in the comforter for the ride home. My lady had to drive with one hand on him all the time because he'd become worried if it wasn't right there.

He looks pretty comfy.

Here he is saying, "Hi Maa".

His eyes look better, don't they?

Here he is back at home and ready to go out with Tuuli.

My lady got a snuzzle.

Dr. warned my lady to wash her hands often because the giardia can pass around. She did a laugh and when he looked at her she told him it was too late for that. She's been kissing those lambs for weeks and weeks. Ooops. She's not stopping now either. She'd better not pass those giardias to ME. Humph.

Baa is in his dome home with lots of straw to prop him up. My lady had to stay home from work so she could check on him every half hour to give him propped up or on his feet and to give him some water. She said he didn't look good at last check.

She really likes him. Her eyes are all red.

Dr. Wilson's Sheep Verdict....

2011-12-03T14:42:00.000-05:00

Dr. Wilson was out to see the lambs on Thursday! He waved to me as he went by the barn! I love him.

My lady has been very worried about the lambs because in the two months they have been here they haven't gained any weight.

The first thing Dr. Wilson said when he met them was, "gee...their very friendly".

He said normally his sheep patients take off bounding and leaping to get as far away from him as they can! Baalin and Tuuli came trotting towards him and gave him gentle sniffs.

Dr. listened to their hearts and lungs and checked them over. He felt Tuuli has multiple birth defects in her skeletal structure. He wasn't too sure about Baalin as having had joint ill. He said it looked more like broken legs. Ooo!

He took some fecal samples. Tuuli didn't like this and scampered away as soon as that was done (but she forgave him and came back in a few minutes). Baalin stood in front of Dr. Wilson and gazed at him intently as he was examining his friend. This made Dr. Wilson smile. Baalin is very cute.

Baalin and Tuuli then got a vitamin booster shot and some medicine for coccidiosis. Baalin got some goop for my lady to put in his eye, which has an ulcer in it. The poopers went to the clinic to be tested and may lady has to give the cocci syrup for five days.

Dr. Wilson is hoping that it is the coccidia that is causing the unthriftiness and lack of condition in the lambs. He also told my lady to find the darkest green and leafiest alfalfa as she could find. I'd like some of that but Dr. Wilson said no... I was too F. A. T. I wish he would understand I'm 1/2 Boer and just big boned.

My lady was relieved and hopeful that the lambs will be OK. Dr. Wilson said if their systems were compromised as babies then they may not live very long or ever recover like a well lamb would but he understands that my lady really likes them and wants to give them every chance as long as they are comfortable. That Baalin gets to be picked up and cuddled. I remember when I was small enough that my lady would do that with me! Dr. Wilson smiled when my lady told him she was making special home made bread for them. He said that Tuuli could have more of that than Baalin because he knew of two wethers that developed urinary calculi from eating too much bread. He said their situation was unique in that their owner was only feeding them bread and not much else, but he was concerned that Baalin not get too much rich bread. Baalin loves his bread but my lady will just have to ration it.

The photos below are what happens when my lady tries to get photos of the sheep. Tee hee.

The Dome Home

2011-11-29T15:51:00.000-05:00

Finally the lady got batteries for her camera! Here is a photo of the dome home that the sheep got! Isn't it nice? It has a thing on the top that can open to let air circulate and it's designed to hold the sunlight (if the sun ever shines again). It's designed for calves so my lady had to make a straw ramp on the inside and outside of the door so that the wee sheep could climb in and out!

They like their home!

One sunny day my lady sat with the sheep amongst the leaves...wait....LEAVES? There are LEAVES up there in that back yard? I want to go up there!

Baalin is cute! Dr. Wilson is coming out to see him in a few days because Baalin isn't gaining any weight and is a little weak.

Here is pretty Tuuli. She is a very nice ewe. I suppose I wouldn't butt them if I was to meet them...maybe.

My lady saw me and Sarah having an itching contest. Hmmm - that's not quite the word my lady used. I think it had a "B" in front of that itch. Sarah and I were giving each other nasty looks back and forth. My lady made us stop it because she said one of us was going to get kicked. I think that was ME. Tee hee.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T11:54:00.000-05:00

I have my blaze orange on today. The hunters are out in force. Sigh. Each time there was a BOOM across the road my lady would jump out of her boots and swear. Naughty lady.

It's a lovely day today, with warm sun, calm winds and blue skies. Many goat kisses and happy thoughts to all my blogging friends.

xoxoxoxo

We got a new water tub today!

2011-11-12T13:23:00.001-05:00

Nigel and Nozzy (mostly Nozzy) have ruined the muck skip that my lady has used to hold our water. They bite it, paw it, tip it, toss it around and stick their feet in it. Look what it looked like this morning!

Off my lady went to the feed store, where she picked up this tub. She looked at the rubbery ones but she KNOWS that Nozzy can't resist those so she got a tougher one. Look at it already. The water has only been in it a few minutes and Nozzy and Nigel already stuck their feet into it.

The hay man said he was going to run out of our second cutting hay so he brought some bales of first cutting for us to try. We. Won't. Eat. It. None of us. My lady isn't happy.

Here I am today. It's nice and dry out in our play area.

Here is my maa maa Narcissa! She was hoping that there were treats!

Number was looking especially handsome today. Everytime he sees my lady he says things that sound like a rumbly "huh huh huh huh". My lady seems to like this. I always say, "meh" but maybe I should try the "huh huh huh". I'm not sure I can make that sound.

Nozzy and Nigel wouldn't go far enough away to have their picture taken.

There were more photographs but the blogger thing wouldn't load them. Soon there will be an adventure for my lady to go and get the Polydome hut for the lambs! She has to borrow a friend and a truck and drive about an hour each way to get it.

Happy goat kisses to everyone.

Muckety Muck and a Sunny Day

2011-10-23T13:03:00.000-04:00

Hello! Hi! MEH! It's ME!

This is one of the times of the year when it's really muddy here. My lady usually has the tractor man from up the road over to scoop all the muck and mud out of the paddock but this year it's not in the budget. She said it's two hundred dollars for him to do it.

It's yucky and she doesn't like it and we're not too crazy about it but we'd rather have nice things to eat than a clean paddock, I guess.

Nigel and Nozzy are always playing. ALL the time!

Nozzy is a little plump! My lady says he's really a nice little horse and he loves to be cuddled and held. Today he was being naughty and chasing us goats around a bit but my lady told him no and he stopped and went to bother Nigel instead. Tee hee.

Here is Nigel having a snack.

Look what those naughty mini boys have done! They dug a hole! They dig at it and throw rocks out of it and they really like when it fills with water!

Number says there are flies out today, but we haven't seen any.

Gimli is sticking by Sarah because Nozzy was bothering him. Sarah doesn't like mini horse boy shennanigans!

ME! I'm peeking!

I know that if I run to the picnic table my lady will follow me and give me extra attention! Look at my nasty muddy feet! Yuck!

My noble Boer profile.

My lady and I had a meeting of the minds. That was nice. We stood there touching for ever such a nice long time.

Here is the driveway. Usually the tractor man moves those muck piles back and evens them out when he comes each year. My lady has to do this by hand this year. She says yuck.

Tuuli and Baalin are doing very well! Here they want my lady to come in and give them hugs. She really likes to sit with them as they are so gentle and soft.

I'm going to go ruminate in the sunshine and think about trying to lay an egg again. I'm sure that when I manage to lay an egg and hatch out a wee goatling that I will be ~~such a spectacle~~ so famous that it will make my lady enough money to clean the muck out of the paddock! Weeeee!

Gimli is a Surprise!

2011-10-07T14:58:00.000-04:00

What's this? Gimli is back down at the barn! He has made an amazing recovery!

He still is blind in the left eye and he's not as agile and quick as he used to be but he recovered so well that he started to pick on the lambs and was too rough for them! Here my lady was worried Gimli would be picked on! Humph! Not Gimli!

My lady laughed and told us that now she had two very special pet sheep that she didn't need to get after all! She thinks though, that Gimli was helped on his recovery by being up at the house and being able to boss something around.

Here are Baalin and Tuuli in the people part of the yard with Kezia. Tuuli is asking my lady, "is there something sniffing my butt?" That's Kezia!

Kezia LOVES the lambs. She can be trusted with them too. You can really see Baalin's crooked legs here. My lady is worried about him. She ordered some special herbal remedy for joint health and arthritis pain. Baalin doesn't appear uncomfortable but she can't help but believe that he isn't feeling pain.

They got to walk around in the yard eating anything they wanted to! HEY! How come I don't get to do that? Well, Isobelle dear, you would if you would walk on the lead! says the lady.

He's kind of cute, isn't he? Baalin loves to be held and cuddled. Tuuli does too. They aren't going anywhere. Why am I not surprised?

Welcome New Friends

2011-09-30T16:40:00.000-04:00

It was a pleasant day for a drive to pick up Gimli's friends!

It's a farm that specializes in Finn sheep.

Ram lamb bums!

Beautiful ram.

And here they are! Gimli's new friends!

Some of the flock. They were all very friendly and came trotting up to give gentle nose sniffs.

Here is an Icelandic sheep.

When we got home my lady's friend Amy helped get Gimli up to the house. He did NOT want to walk up the hill so they put him in the cart!

He checked out the temporary living arrangements.

Hi new friends!

The lambs were more interested in eating grass.

Gimli isn't too happy.

The sheep are so quiet that Gimli takes some courage from their calmness. My lady named the little ewe Tuuli, which means "lively". The wee boy doesn't have a name yet. My lady told a friend that he should be named after a dwarf in the Hobbit...one called Balin, although she would spell it Baalin. Tee hee.

The lambs check out the huts.

Gimli says, "lady, I want to go back down to the barn".

We shall see how Gimli does for the rest of the afternoon.

I heard a rumor!

2011-09-29T13:03:00.000-04:00

I heard my lady talking to Gimli this morning.

She said that since Number has stepped on his little friend TWICE when my lady was present, and the LaMancha boys are being very mean, that Gimli has to go back up to the back yard.

She said that some new friends were coming to keep Gimli company. She is going to drive to get them tomorrow. They are.....gasp....SHEEP!

I sure hope they are very ugly and she doesn't want to spend a lot of time with them. She told me that she wouldn't have to get sheep if my maa maa and I would be more gentle with Gimli. Then we could have moved up to the back yard with him. My maa maa and I get really buttie when food is involved (especially ME) and we can't be attacking Gimli like she's seen us do in the past.

OK. But Sheep, lady?

She told me that the sheep will be more gentle than the average goat and Gimli needs that right now. Besides, these are special needs sheep too. One has a lame leg from being ill as a lamb and the other had a broken leg as a lamb and cannot be bred. Their owner was worried because her farmer husband told her that they were going to have to be slaughtered at the end of October if no pet home could be found.

My lady is such a sucker. She especially wants them because they needed a pet home. They are Finnsheep. One is white and the other black/brown. My lady is having dreams of lovely wool.

My lady said I'll probably not meet them but I can talk to them from the barn...just not too loudly so the neighbors won't complain (like they do when my maa maa is in season). Tee hee hee hee hee

xoxoxo from ME.

The Determined Goat

2011-09-27T14:36:00.000-04:00

As many of you can guess we goats are very determined people.

This is my determined face. Intriguing isn't it? You'd give way to anything I wanted wouldn't you?

Gimli decided that he didn't want to live up at the house. He was OK all day until the chickens went to bed and then my lady saw him trying to leap the back yard fence. Because he's been ill he's not able to leap like he used to, but he didn't know that! He kept trying and falling down.

Then Gimli decided that wasn't working so he started to run at the goat panels and throw himself on them. Bash! Crash! Thump!

My lady was afraid he was going to hurt himself or actually succeed in getting over the fence. That wouldn't be good in the dark. So she hooked a lead on him and opened the gate. He pulled her through the yard and down the driveway, although he did fall a couple of times. We heard his little feet trotting down the driveway with my lady saying, "Careful! Slow Down!"

Gim just wanted to be with his family. When they got to the gate we all came running over. Number especially was very glad to see his friend and talked to him and snuffled him all over.

My lady is worried because Gimli is partially blind and can't get out of the way. But he's determined. Very determined. He told her that he'd rather be down there in danger than up at the house safe. She was going to get a sheep for him but now is worried that if he didn't like the sheep then she'd have to get another sheep for the sheep! She really can't afford any more animals right now but was going to get a companion for Gimli if it would have worked.

Now she just has to get those pesky LaMancha brothers, Durin and Dayel Elessedil, to quit picking on Gimli. They are bullies to us all.

Here is some video of Gimli on Sunday when he was in the backyard. If you listen you can hear him making his piggy grunt a couple of times.

Gimli Moves on UP!

2011-09-25T13:57:00.001-04:00

Hello. I'm Gimli, son of Gloin. The very brave dwarf. I've been locked in a stall for almost two whole weeks. I wasn't feeling that well. I saw Dr. Wilson, who kind of scares me - I'll admit that. He gave me all sorts of shots and did strange things to me to check my neurological functions. He also just HAS to check me for that dratted pizzle rot. I hate that part of the exam!

I'm feeling pretty good, although I can't see out of my left eye and I'm kind of weak and wobbly. It it had been the old me I would have jumped out of this stall in a tick!

That lady came and got me out of the stall and we went out the paddock and up the driveway. She had to drag me part of the way through the ucky mucky paddock. I didn't like that! She didn't like it either but I couldn't pick up my feet and kept falling over. I got dirty.

Where am I now?

Hallooooo! It's kind of big up here.

I'm a little nervous.

Say lady, you're going to stay out here with me, right?

Oooh! Leaves. Thank you.

Say, there are some tasty leaves on the ground too.

What the great goat gods is that?

Oh. Chickens. I've seen those before. Hi ladies!

My hut is up here! That's comforting. I'll go in and check things out.

This is familiar. Whew.

I dunno lady, where are my friends?

Are you going to leave me up here? Alone?

Just going to get hay, straw and water Gimli.

I found some raspberry leaves!

Well darn. There is that horrible dog.

I don't like that dog. I butted the fence really hard to tell him to leave me alone.

I suppose as long as he stays out there it's OK.

I kind of like that lady now that I'm up here by myself. I keep calling to her. She says I'm going to get a friend soon. I sure hope so. I may be a brave little goat but I don't like to be alone.

You're going to sleep outside with me tonight, aren't you lady? I'll make room in my house.

Gimli is Improving

2011-09-19T14:31:00.000-04:00

My lady is so boring. She has to use another old photograph because she still doesn't have new camera batteries. Here is Gimli on his first day with us. I was little and we still had grass in our paddock! Those were the days!

Gimli greeted my lady this morning with a little "bleh". He doesn't say "maaa". I don't either. I say, "MEH". See? I invented "meh".

Gimli is tottery but he stood on his hind legs to look out of the stall! My lady was very pleased. She'd like to get him out of there into the sunshine for a bit but Dr. Wilson said two weeks. Then he'll probably have to go live up in the backyard instead of with us. My lady said we are too rough.

Last night my lady sat with Gimli and gave him LOTS of carrots and mints. I was MAD. I figured out I could stand up and reach over the top of the stall wall and ~~pound~~ tap my lady on her head! Got her attention that's for sure. She gave me a MINT. I don't know why but she said, "Good thing I love you, Isobelle."

Of course she does.....who wouldn't?

Gimli Update

2011-09-16T15:35:00.000-04:00

There really isn't any change with my friend Gimli. He's getting those shots three times a day and he's still in the stall. He's not able to walk well and has to stand with his legs wide. My lady says he's still eating and he was very happy to get carrot treats last night and today she gave him peppermints!

I beat my hoof on the stall door! I wanted some peppermints too! She did give me ONE. Humph.

She said Gimli looks very, very cute and was letting her rub and skritch him a lot. Then he lay down and looked at her with his big blue eyes. He still can't see out of the left eye. She's worried but time will tell.

Gimli is Sick

2011-09-14T19:01:00.000-04:00

I haven't had a blog lately because my silly lady needs to buy batteries for her camera. I chose these photos from the ones she has on her computer.

Our friend Gimli is very ill.

We saw our nice friend Dr. Wilson today, who came out to see Gimli. My lady noticed that Gimli wasn't picking up his feet well and has been watching him for a few days. She thought his pupils in his eyes were dilated too. Today he was very staggery so the doctor was called.

Dr. Wilson loves goats. He's not too fond of annoying mini horses. Tee hee. He examined Gimli, who fought to flee. He thought Gimli might have a brain worm for which there is latin name that I'm not going to say, or Thiamine deficiency or possibly goat polio. Gimli didn't have a fever and other indications gave Dr. Wilson the idea it was either the worm or the Thiamine thingy. He said Gimli has lost sight in his left eye.

He gave Gimli all sorts of shots. And then he gave my lady a great big bag of stuff to give to Gimli. I asked if I could have some but she told me it wasn't treats, but needles and medicine. Yuck.

Dr. says that Gimli is a fighter and that he hopes that he will recover. We do too. My lady loves Gimli.

If you don't remember his story I'll tell it to you again. Gimli came from a farm where he had been a 4-H goat for a girl. They didn't treat him very well and chased him and locked him into things. He wasn't friendly and was very scared. When my lady went to see him they had him locked in a feed bin and his neck was all bloody from being chased by the dogs there.

Here is Gimli the first day he met me and my maa maa. He was scared.

Slowly he came to like it here and to trust our lady. She can rub and skritch him now, which he likes. He still does not like it if he thinks he's going to be caught. He's very smart.

My lady says he's a special goat. When Number came here to live there weren't any other horses. Number didn't say he minded but he was kind of low. Gimli went over to him and made friends.

From that day on Gimli stayed in Number's stall at night - his choice. Number watched Dr. Wilson treat Gimli today. He wanted to make sure his friend was taken care of OK.

Gimli was a little worse tonight when my lady gave him his shots. Dr. said tomorrow morning would tell. I told Gimli I'd give him one of my peppermints if he would get better.

Sleep Well, Constance

2011-08-21T16:19:00.000-04:00

Dear Constance of http://disasterfilm.blogspot.com/2011/08/you-give-your-heart-to-dog-to-tear.html

has suddenly passed away. She and her dog friends and her man, John were walking in their village of Trelawnyd in Wales and she simply stopped, looked up at her beloved friend, and died.

Constance was everything her photograph implies. She was beautiful. She was loving. She had a heart like Queen Boudica and would run into battle if needed. She would lay contentedly by the hearth or on the davenport or any other comfy space. She loved trying to catch goldfish at John's brother's pond. She was all that and everything to John.

Please think of him today.

All Clear for POUNCING!

2011-08-04T14:25:00.000-04:00

Kezia got a great report from the doctor today and her staples were removed. She is now all clear for play and pouncing, which is what she really wanted to do in the photos below.

Watch out Thistle and Ting-a-Ling! hee hee hee hee No more playpen for Kezia!

Gone to the Dogs

2011-08-02T07:43:00.000-04:00

Geez - this blog really has gone to the dogs. Someday it will be MY blog again and all you will see is Goat GOAT GOAT!

Kezia gets her staples out of her hip in a few days. She feels really good.

She feels REALLY GOOD.

My lady has noticed that her little jaw seems to be protruding a bit more and her lower teeth are showing just a bit. Oh dear. She's still cute.

Thistle is being attacked and Kezia is going for the jugular. He looks concerned, doesn't he? Tee hee.

Thistle will be nine years old this Sunday.

Ting seems very happy. She's been here about two years now and after her early life as a puppy mill dog she's really changed. She now plays and enjoys life.

Next post... GOATS!

Recovering

2011-07-23T12:55:00.000-04:00

Kezia is recovering from her bone operation on her right leg. Here she is in her playpen with her Comfy Cone on. My lady wants to know why the people who make this cone put reflective fabric around the edge? Weird.

Keezy is weak behind and needs her soft sling to get around outside but today really wanted my lady to play with her. She gets her ice and therapy twice a day until her staples come out of her hip area.

Everyone at the hospital really likes Kezia. They all smile and want to kiss her when they see her.

I think I should go visit this hospital as a goat of mercy. Do you think they would all smile and want to kiss me? Tee hee hee.

Surgery Day for Kezia

2011-07-20T04:46:00.000-04:00

Hi! Hello! Maaa! It's ME! It's been quiet here on the farm with all of us waiting for Kezia's second surgery day, which is today. She's still sleeping...it's only 4:30 in the morning.

Here I am in all my gorgeousness. Dr. Wilson, my friend, my handsome veterinarian, said I was FAT.

I tried to tell him that I was half BOER and that we are supposed to be round and soft and snuggly but he didn't believe me! Humph.

He said that Dayel, who is shown here shoving ME off the picnic table, was almost perfect weight.

Well, poo! He's a LaMancha and they are weird looking. Look at all those angles and bony hips! Not for me!

Here is Kezia! We are worried. We know that the doctors will do their best but it's an awful lot for a wee dog to go through - and not even a year old!

In the garden the daylillies are blooming. I told my lady that I should taste them so that I could tell her if they were really worth growing but she said no.

Here is "Dear Ruth" from Grace Gardens in Penn Yan, NY

Hey...these aren't daylillies! They are Claire's orchids which she left with my lady when she moved to Nova Scotia! Aren't those beautiful flowers?

This is a big flower that my lady has had for a while. She doesn't know the name of this one. I think there should be a great big white daylily with the name of ISOBELLE! hmmmm.

Here are some of the young parakeets. These two are brother and sister, born last year. Cute. They look all skinny because they don't like that camera pointed at them.

Here are two sisters.

Here is one of last year's children from Humphrey Bogart and Gloria Swanson.

Hope it's going to be a good day! It's going to be really, really hot with lots of FLIES.

Kezia news...repeat with right leg - note added

2011-07-07T14:29:00.002-04:00

Kezia had her appointment with the specialist today. It's bad news. Her right leg needs the same operation as the left.

The doctor said (with obvious excitement and doctorish happiness) that it's very rare to have this condition in both legs. Kezia's in a fair amount of pain and the doctor made her scream when he palpated the leg.

My lady has a call in to her regular doctor as she preferred to have the new set of required xrays done there. The specialist is an hour away and requires the pet to be dropped off at seven a.m. and not to be picked up 'till late afternoon. Regular doctor is 1/2 hour away.

The xrays will be done and surgery scheduled.

My lady said she almost made it out of the exam room without crying but didn't quite make it. She said that although the doctor won't give her a discount for making her cry he did give her a tissue. Sniff.

He said that the good news is that the left leg has done really well and has healed perfectly.

A note from Isobelle's Lady, Dear friends,

I don't quite know how to say this but I very much appreciates the magnificent effort that occurred for Kezia's last surgery. The sales of lovely goat coats and soap and jewelry and the gifts towards the first surgery were so unexpected and appreciated.

I in no way wish any of you to feel that you need to contribute towards this second surgery. That would be too much of a burden to you and yours. This second surgery will go onto the credit card with the first one and be paid off a wee little bit at a time.

Thank you all again for the first wonderful and generous gifts of blessings, good wishes and donations. I will never forget it.

Sunday Afternoon Snuggles

2011-06-26T16:18:00.000-04:00

Kezia is having a snuggle on the couch.

Here she shows us her noble profile.

She can be very cute and she gets lots of kisses!

She's recovering very nicely, my lady hopes! She's walking on the leg and trots on it, although when she wants to zoom she does a funny bunny hop! She still gets sore after a walk but my lady is encouraging her to use her legs by trotting and gaining some muscle. They don't go far but Kezia really likes it. Thistle and Ting go to!

Chicken Hugs

2011-06-20T07:32:00.000-04:00

Agatha is back in with the other girls (and Angus) but she still likes to hang out with my lady and get picked up for a cuddle.

Her illness gives her a permanent head tilt but she's doing very well.

Yesterday my lady thought Agatha was dead. She looked out the back door and saw her sprawled out in the sunshine with her legs all straight and stuck out and her head tilted into the dirt. She didn't move. My lady put on her shoes and ran out...no movement...

She said, "Agatha?" !!! Agatha lifted her head and said, "What?" tee hee.

ME!

2011-06-13T20:20:00.000-04:00

Hello! Hi! Hi! It's ME!

Finally a blog all for lovely ME. Here I am tonight with my maaa. My lady noticed I had grass stains on my shoulder.

She asked me how I got those stains. I'm not telling. She asked, "did you try to shimmy under the fence Isobelle"? Not me! I wouldn't do that...cough cough. "Were you wrestling with the boys?" Welllll...maybe. I'm not going to say. Mystery is good for my lady. Keep her guessing. heh heh

Wow, lady. That is one unflattering photograph there of me. I look like a camelhuffalump.

Here I am in my boudoir. I've had my meal and it's time for ME time! Scrubbies!

Ahhh - behind the horns! Great!

You wanna kiss?

We have to hongi first. I love that! Did you know that the hongi is the traditional greeting for the Maori of Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud? It is! It's a gentle exchanging of breath.

Then a KISSSSS. Ahhhh.

I like my lady to spread some leafy hay greens on top of a bale of hay.

Mmmm mmm, snuffle, graplemuztheshmmmmm...What? Oh! Sorry - I love my greens.

So nice to have a blog about ME. Thank you lady! xoxoxoxo

Kezia Update

2011-06-10T18:20:00.000-04:00

I'm going to go on strike. Here is Kezia again. Sigh. I guess SOME DAY this blog will be about ME FOR WHOM IT WAS NAMED???? RIGHT LADY????

Here she is getting up and looking like a little panther! My lady was pleased that she is using the leg a little more.

She's growing up too.

Playing with what used to be a round ball. Thistle popped it. Figures.

The hair isn't growing back very well! She looks like she's standing well but she's not putting a lot of weight on that leg yet. She has developed GEOOMUNGUS chest muscles to support her back end.

Here is Angus with Felicity, one of Claire's big girls.

And this is June. She's still trying to grow in her feathers from when Jolyon ravished her repeatedly.

Thistle. Who is having to go back in for more tests because he's still itchy. I guess my lady will figure out some day that I've put itching powder in his comforter. Tee heee hee hee.

An apology, dear bloggers!

2011-06-07T17:37:00.000-04:00

I've been having a heck of a time trying to put comments on the blogs that I follow! Some will post and some will not. The darned commenty thing needs to have a goat in charge!

I wanted you to know that I do read your blogs daily and really to want to comment but I've been kicked out time and again for a couple of weeks now. Some are not affected, like Millie's blog and Pricilla's blog. Maybe because they are goats? hee hee

My lady wanted to post one of her favorite photos of ME. Don't I look sweet?

And here is Number Bumber relaxing. I tell you, my lady has some WEIRD nicknames for us. She will even call me Swizzle Stick or Swiz sometimes! Geepers!

Staples are OUT!

2011-06-02T15:06:00.000-04:00

Just a short note to say that Kezia got her staples out today and received a very good report! The doctor said to continue her range of motion exercises and she can now be recovery collar-free and have normal playtime! Woo hoo!

Photos to follow.

Improvement!

2011-05-24T14:28:00.000-04:00

Kezia is feeling better! This makes therapy sessions interesting!

She wants to play!

She wants to be silly!

She wants to wave to all her supporters!

She wants to RAWR! Tee hee

She wants to look really, really cute!

She's still not wanting to step on the leg, but that's to be expected. My lady is very glad she's feeling happy and not trembly and sore!

Therapy

2011-05-22T15:47:00.000-04:00

My lady has started right in with Kezia's therapy sessions. The doctor said that if she doesn't do them correctly that Kezia could lose the leg later on! That is very scary!

Here is Kezia during her cryotherapy. I think that means my lady holds Kezia and cries but she told me it was an ice pack that she holds on the surgery area for 20 minutes three times a day.

Kezia reads the instructions and tells my lady what to do.

Big surgery scar! It's healing well though.

During the treatment. My lady has ordered a soft cone thingy.

Keezy doesn't look too happy. She's getting her sore leg and hip stretched and moved.

She was spayed too so she has a sore stomach!

This is what my lady sees when she looks down!

The saddest face.

Here's ME eating! Aren't you glad?

And here is beautiful Mildred the Magnificent! She is the farm talker. Mildred has a comb like a rooster but is a hen! Sometimes she will give a great big crow that sounds really funny! She is the president of the Anti-Chicken Wing Eaters Society. Tee hee. She has minions.

My lady says thank you for all your kind wishes of good will for Kezia!

Welcome Home Kezia!!

2011-05-21T15:10:00.000-04:00

She's home!

Aah! The air of home smells good and the sun feels nice!

All fixed!

All the people at the hospital really liked Kezia. She has that way about her.

They said they called her "the little monkey". Tee hee.

My lady now has to do a LOT of therapy with her. For five days Kezia gets to have a lovely cool ice pack on her three times a day for twenty minutes. Then three times a day she has her hip range of motion exercises, her hip stretches and her standing weight shifts.

She has to be kept very quiet and aside from her physical therapy and her potty breaks she has to remain in her crate or her playpen. Today she's happy with that.

Ting-a-Ling and Thistle aren't allowed to bother her for the two weeks so that means separate potty breaks and everything.

We are all very glad that she is home. My lady loves her very much.

I guess some odd day I'll have a blog All. About. ME. Maybe if I laid an egg I'd get a blog about me. Or if I flew. Maybe I have to think of something to get my lady's attention. Hmmmm. I'll think on it.

xoxoxoxoxo

Surgery Update

2011-05-20T15:18:00.000-04:00

The doctor phoned and said that Kezia is out of surgery and in the recovery room! He is going to call again this evening to give us another update and hopefully my lady can go pick up our little friend tomorrow afternoon!

Tomorrow is the BiG DaY!

2011-05-19T16:32:00.000-04:00

LOOOK at all of the eggs the hen ladies have laid! This was only five day's worth. Tee hee. My lady has a lot of happy friends now.

Tomorrow is Kezia's big day. She goes in very early to await her surgery for her "female o'stick to me" as Lucky Nickel, my goatie friend says.

Here Kezia is giving the camera somewhat of a hairy eyeball as she didn't know why my lady was pointing it at her so early in the morning.

OK lady, now I'm getting PEEVED. My lady didn't take any photographs of ME today so she went back in time and found one of me when I was about four months old! Talk about unflattering! Watch it lady, you do have to come down to the barn in an hour. Tee hee hee.

Kindness

2011-05-15T16:55:00.000-04:00

I'm delaying my ALL ABOUT ME blog because today my blog is about some very special people and their kindness!

As most of you have read, Kezia has had a problem with her left hip. She and my lady went in Thursday to the specialist and Kezia stayed for hours and the doctor took xrays. He found what he had suspected; Kezia has marked deterioration of her femur bone. She needs to have her femoral ostectomy and it's going to cost upwards of three thousand dollars.

Here is were the kindness of people (and goats) comes in.

Texan makes really cute little goatie coats. I'm too big to fit into them, darn it, but they are for wee goats who have just been born and who need some extra warmth. You can see them on her blog. Aren't they cute? The polka dotted one is especially nice! She is kindly selling them this month and donating the proceeds to Kezia to help with surgical costs!

http://texan.blogspot.com/2011/05/okay-here-they-are.html

Also helping is Pricilla and her lady, who together make marvelous soap!

http://pricillaspeaks.blogspot.com/

Ms. Texan also mentions our friend Claire of Whispering Acres and Claire is very busy moving into her very own blueberry and wine farm!

My lady has some things for sale too, but they are big to ship. She is selling all of her horse equipment and strapwork not necessary for Number to have as a retired horse, and that includes her Tristan dressage saddle and matching Courbette bridle, her Victoria side saddle and matching bridle and all the kerfuffle that goes with having worked at a saddlery shop for six years. The side saddle comes with all strapwork and girth and a carrying case. She'll have a list made soon.

Then she's selling her Hobie Mirage pedal powered kayak. This is a big, stable boat and is very fast. She has a Thule rack that can be sold separately to go with the boat.

She has a ProFit treadmill. This is BIG. It has an adjustable incline and several programmed exercises into it. It can be hooked up to a computer for more ~~torture~~ exercise programs.

There may be other things, of course, but these are the biggest.

Kezia's surgery appointment is May 20th. Doctor is going to spay her at the same time as both he and our regular vet think one big surgery will be better than two separate ones. My lady is worried.

We want to thank Ms. Texan and Pricilla and her lady and Claire for their kindness and support. We have met some lovely people through this blogging world.

Many thanks from me and my lady. xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Hooray! It's about Time!

2011-05-10T18:05:00.000-04:00

It's such an important occasion that I will hold off my blog about ME to tell you that Thomas has arrived at his new home with John in Trelawnyd, Wales!

http://disasterfilm.blogspot.com/2011/05/thomas.html

Thomas is very handsome, even though he is not a BOER. He does have some lovely wattles going there. I wonder if I were to hold my breath if I could pop out some wattles? hee hee hee

I've been telling John to get a goat ~~or ten~~ for quite a while now and I hope he will be pleased with Thomas, although I suspect that he has NO IDEA what he's in for in goatie delights! Tee hee.

Congratulations John! Welcome to the wonderful world of goatie domination. Prepare to be amazed!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Happy Mother's Day MAAAA!

2011-05-08T16:27:00.000-04:00

I love my maaa Narcissa.

Happy Day Beautiful Maa MAA!

Kezia AGAIN

2011-05-02T16:19:00.000-04:00

My lady has promised me that this week I will get a blog ALL ABOUT ME. She did spend a lot of time this morning scrubbing me behind my horns and giving me a massage and combing out my fur. That was fun. I also got kisses.

Kezia is a very happy little dog. My lady says she will use the left leg for balance but isn't really putting any weight on it. If my lady puts her hand under the right leg Kezia will push back. If she puts her hand under the left there is no push. Next appointment the 12th.

Here my lady said, "Come". Kezia is silly. She flies over. Thistle says, "yeah, yeah, I'm coming".

With her stick

Thistle loves to sit on the garden swing with my lady. They sit and swing back and forth.

Thistle has to go back to the doctor for more tests. He's just so itchy. He's on grain-free food and gets fish oil and brewer's yeast tabs with garlic and also an anti-itch pill but he's still itchy!

Kezia loves to sit on my lady's lap and chew her "dolly". I remember when I could fit on my lady's lap. If I try that now I knock her over. Tee hee hee

Next post....ALL ABOUT ME. NO DOGS. NO CHICKENS. NO BIG HORSES. NO MINI HORSES. I insist!

The Specialist Delays Kezia's Review

2011-04-25T18:47:00.000-04:00

Remember Kezia when she was a baby? Her eyes were sure BIG. Tee hee.

The veterinary specialist has called and rescheduled Kezia's xrays and review until May 12th. My lady isn't sure that she understands but he's the doctor. She's going to call her nice Dr. to talk it over with her tomorrow.

Kezia doesn't mind but my lady is a little deflated because she prepared a lot for tomorrow.

Kezia Update

2011-04-19T19:17:00.000-04:00

Wee Kezia has another appointment with the specialist on Tuesday the 26th.

He wants to take another set of xrays and hopes to determine that the problem is really going to be the type of surgery that he thinks she needs.

Meanwhile she is happy, playing, sleeping and eating well.

The Caravan of Insanity: Part 2

2011-04-16T17:27:00.000-04:00

Helloo! As you know, Claire, Richard and Lucky Nickel stopped by on their way from Iowa to Nova Scotia, Can of Duck and we were all very happy to see them. Here is the rest of the visit!

It wasn't long before treats appeared! Lucky Nickel brought popcorn and mints!

Number really likes mints. He learned to eat them from his race track days.

My mom is gazing at the treat bag but I'm looking for Lucky Nickel! I want to see if I can make my Boer hair grow curly whirly like hers.

Here I am saying HI to Richard! We liked Richard. He's not sure about animals and forest things and mud and chaos but he loves Claire and therefore is a very good sport about it all. Richard and my lady were standing in the driveway and talking and all of a sudden there was this noise, like a great HOOOT! Richard said, "MY GOD!!!! WHAT WAS THAT?!" He was expecting a kerfoozleump to come thundering out of the woods!

He looked around expectantly and then Claire popped up from behind the car with tissue in her hand. "That was me, silly," she said. Tee hee. She had blown her nose. My lady blows her nose like that. She says it's the Titanic leaving port. Silly lady.

Here is Claire giving Number a kiss. Number is very good about kisses like this, and he LOVES Claire. Some horses you don't want to give kisses to like this.

Numsy thought Richard was great!

Lucky Nickel stayed outside of the fence and Claire came in! We mobbed her!

Here's me saying HI! Hi Claire! XOXOXOXOXO.

I liked to stand close to Claire. So did everyone else!

Lucky Nickel came up to the fence and showed Dayel her dainty foot! Dayel started to run around and show off.

Then Dayel came back and butted the fence! Lucky Nickel thought that was rude.

The mini boys thought she was fascinating.

Here Claire was sharing some mints with my mom and I was being naughty. Don't I look naughty? I didn't want my mom to have any. ALL FOR ME!

Later, Lucky Nickel and Claire held hands.

Lucky Nickel got her diaper put back on! Oh, the indignity!

Here Lucky was kindly telling my lady to stop photographing the putting-on-of-the-diaper!

Claire brought chicken friends! We welcome Verity, Dimity, Felicity, Marguerite, Blanche, Bette, Johanna, Gertrude, Lucy, Ethel and Mrs. Brown! They are laying LOTS of eggs. Marguerite lays an olive green egg!

Kezia got lots of special snuggles from Claire! She also brought plant friends to stay with my lady. The famous Hairy Mary plant, an orchid and lovely succulents (those sound like they need to be eaten) and some cactus! Really pretty!

And then sadly, the Caravan needed to depart! We will miss it! On to Can of Duck for the life on the blueberry farm! My lady said that when the Caravan pulled out she heard Lucky Nickel say, "MAAAAAAAAAAAA". Bye bye Lucky Nickel! Safe travels!!!!!

Sleep Well Brin

2011-04-15T15:23:00.000-04:00

Brin

February 1995 - April 2011

The Caravan of Insanity: Part 1

2011-04-13T13:17:00.000-04:00

I'm really having trouble with this blogger photo thing. It doesn't want to upload more than a few photos so the visit of the Caravan is going to be in parts!

Here I am on Sunday. My lady had told me we were going to have a visit so I watched and watched!

Here comes the Caravan of Insanity! It's at the top of the HILL!

Here is the big part of the caravan parked in front of my house! WOW.

I see! I see! CLAIRE! And someone else!!!!!

Nigel and I were so interested we forgot we were standing next to each other!!!

It's.......LUCKY NICKEL!!!!!!

She's really, really cute!

She was showing us how she tried to take off her t-shirt on the way.

There's much, much more!

Next installment: We receive TREATS and meet RICHARD!

I Need More Storage!

2011-04-11T14:17:00.000-04:00

Well Golly!

I was going to post about the Caravan of Insanity, which came through yesterday, and Google tells me I'm out of photo storage. My lady will have to buy some more in order for you to see all of my funny events!

It may take a few days for the extra five dollars of storage to show up! I'm worth every penny! Tee hee

Until then!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Little Kezia Needs Surgery

2011-04-03T08:26:00.000-04:00

It's kind of sad up at the house. Little Kezia was limping on her left hind leg on Monday last week so my lady took her to the doctor.

Doctor gave her pain medication and they hoped that it was just a strain, but it wasn't

Kezia went back in for xrays on Friday and she has hip dysplasia.

She may even have something more serious. It has to do with the circulation in the area around the bone of the hip and if she has this it's really bad. She needs surgery in either case, it will just be different if it's the circulation thingy.

My lady never had any doubts as to whether she would have the surgery done for Kezia. It's very expensive but the alternative is that Kezia would be in pain. Lots of pain. Because she is so young she has a great chance of a full recovery.

My lady told me a funny story about the day Kezia spent at the doctor's office. She had stayed there to have sedation and xrays.

My lady went to pick her up and as she was waiting in the front reception room a technician came out and said, "Earlier today Kezia was shivering so I took her out of her cage and snuggled her".

Then another technician came out and said, " Kezia looked cold and was shivering so I took her out of her cage and snuggled her". My lady said everyone looked at each other.

Then the doctor came out holding Kezia and said, "Earlier today Kezia was shivering so I took her out of her cage and snuggled her". They all laughed. The doctor said that she even sang to the little dog and wrapped her in her lab coat.

I don't think Kezia had much time in her kennel! Tee hee.

I Have an Idea!

2011-04-01T08:34:00.000-04:00

I was reading my lady's Facebook page and one of her friends posted these photos. I think that's a brilliant idea to have armed goats. Don't you?

There would have to be an ingenious way of pulling the trigger though. Perhaps strings attached to my horns?

Goatdomination!

I would have to have armed minions. Naturally.

Ting-a-Ling could carry a sword like this Peke. I'm not sure I'd want Thistle to be armed though. Kezia could be a parachutist. Tee hee.

Tee hee. xoxoxoxo

Spring in the Valley

2011-03-31T08:34:00.000-04:00

Ho hum. We live in a little hollow but it's at a higher elevation than a lot of places so when it rains elsewhere in the Spring it snows here. Look what happened last night!

My lady says this type of snow is very pretty but annoying because it sticks to everything and there is mud underneath. The manure cart wheels get stuck.

Dragging the cart to empty it.

Here we are having breakfast. My lady was very pleased Nigel and Narcissa (my maa maa) were eating peacefully but one second after she took this photo Nigel charged at my maa and chased her away.

ME.

The trees throughout the valley are covered. Pretty.

The plant stand is decorative!

Uh oh. Time to prop up the chicken coop netting.

That's neat... under the netting.

The picket fence has hats on.

Brin is feeling old this week.

See how she's standing? My lady says that it's because she's not feeling very comfortable in her old bones anymore. She gets pain medication but lately she's been sleeping a lot more and not wanting to stand much.

Kezia is supposed to be taking it easy with her leg but she is zooming around. Doctor told my lady that she has to keep Kezia in her playpen today. Looks like they will be going up to get xrays taken tomorrow.

Brinnie is looking within herself. My lady sees her doing more of this. Then Brin will look up and smile at my lady and do a little happy bounce.

It's not going to be easy to try to decide if Brin needs to go to sleep or not.

Thistle.

Empress Ling is back from the doctors with lots of teeth gone. Here she is showing you that she still has her two pointy bottom teeth. She did very well at the doctors and my lady says she seems brighter. Her teeth were very bad. Kezia is really happy to have Ting-a-Ling back.

Kezia Goes to the Doctor

2011-03-29T11:36:00.000-04:00

Kezia went to the doctor today. My lady said that yesterday she was favoring her left hind leg and this morning didn't want to put any weight on it at all. Uh oh. Remember when I tried to fly off the picnic table and hurt my leg?

Dr. did a full exam. My lady loves this doctor. She is very nice, thorough, knowledgeable and doesn't try to make you spend money on something that isn't necessary. Right now doctor can't find anything wrong by a palpation-type exam (I'm a smart goat - I know that means feeling with her fingers), so Kezia got some pain medication and my lady is supposed to watch her for several days.

If the leg doesn't get better then Kezia has to go back in to the doctor's to stay. She will get sedated and put under the xray machine. The doctor told my lady what it could be. My lady said it sounded like, "blah, blah, ishkabibble, blah, blah, blah". Hee hee. We need to have the doctor write it down next time. It could be a degenerative problem with Kezia's hip and that would require surgery. We don't want that so we're hoping it's just a soft tissue injury, like my flying boo boo.

I'm going to give a goat kiss to Kezia because she's NICE.

Coquette ME

2011-03-27T09:02:00.002-04:00

And...trouble in Blogland! Thanks to texwisgirl who suggested the following: You will see only little squares for my photographs but if you click on the individual square the photo will load. Seems to be a problem with blogger and not just ME. Some of the photos may be duplicated.

My lady called me a "coquette" the other day. I don't speak much French but I know that word means "beautiful goat Isobelle".

I was in my boudoir practising my ballet.

Ahhh. Those back bends are really great for the neck.

Of course, all ballerina goats MUST be given peppermints after their barre work.

It snowed again. A lot. It snowed the day after my lady had her snow tires exchanged for her summer tires. Now she can't get up her driveway. She almost couldn't get OUT of her driveway the other day. She had to shovel tracks for the wheels to go in. The snowblower quit the day before the snowstorm too. The snow isn't melting either. It's been very, very cold.

A friend of my lady gave her some chicken boots!

When she went out into the chicken coop with them on the chickens all came running and pecked at them!

Here is Kezia reclining with Ting-a-Ling in front of the heater. Kezia now weighs about seven pounds.

Thistle says my lady is not allowed to take photographs of other dogs, and that she is not allowed to talk to them, pick them up, play with them or give them treats.

Thistle used this face on our Grampa (Boompa) and it worked. Boompa gave Thistle a lot of attention. Thistle is no dummy.

That Pesky Thistle

2011-03-23T16:30:00.000-04:00

My lady told me she wanted to feature Thistle today. Humph. I. Don't. Like. Thistle.

Thistle is a Jack Russell Terrorist. He was bred to be a working dog and he has a very keen hunting instinct. my lady said he's also very sweet but he's not sweet to us barn critters. My lady keeps us strictly separate, thank goodness.

Thistle has been enjoying Kezia...but only if my lady doesn't hug her too much...then he gets jealous.

It snowed today and Thistle and Kezia were having the zoomies.

Kind of looks like FUN

Below is Eddie. He was my lady's first Jack Russell. He was not a terror. He was a good hunter but was a very sweet dog and he loved everyone.

I hope that next time I will be allowed to put ME up on MY blog. Sheesh. It's time for a goatie revolution here.

Locked in!

2011-03-17T14:40:00.000-04:00

Last night after we were fed our nice grain dinners and been given our evening hay and water my lady kissed us good night and went out the door. Then I heard squishing noises...she was walking out into the pasture. I thought I heard her muttering about some sort of "naughty wild mini horses" and then I heard the gate chain clinking! She closed the gate to the pasture!

It's still quite snowy here but Nigel, Nozzy, Sarah and Number have created mud pit at the back of the pasture. Nigel and Nozzy have created a muddy ring around the rose bushes back there and my lady said she shut the gate so that the big pasture could recover a little bit.

Here we all are in the small paddock. No mud yet because it's still all ice, but covered in hay we spread around so it's not slippery.

The boys aren't too happy. They really enjoy playing Ring Around the Rose Bushes.

Here I am!

Nigels says that if he is to be locked out of the pasture at least treats could be offered.

Durin is king of the table today.

"Come on, lady! Treats!"

Up at the house is Jolyon, the rooster. He's kind of nice looking, isn't he? The chickens still have snow in their paddock and my lady hasn't been able to get the gate open to get the cart in to clean their house.

Here is Jolyon singing. The neighbors 1/2 mile up the road say they can here him quite well! Ooops! He's a good boy and not aggressive. He sometimes picks on Dorothy Maud, the Buff Orp, and when he does it when my lady is in the coop she gives his bum a tweak and he says, "Awk!"

My lady's house. She is waiting to move that snow blower out of the way. We've had two feet of snow in May around here sometimes.

The driveway. Ug.

The snow gauge still says six inches.

Ting, Thistle and Kezia would like a treat for doing potty outside. How come I don't get a treat for pottying outside? What is the big deal about pottying outside? See the dirty wall? Ting likes to rub her face against the light colored wall.

I must pause and send my dear friend Claire at Whispering Acres sincere condolences on her loss of the lovely Kenzie. Dear Kenzie succumbed to complications of her spaying operation. Many kisses to Claire from all of us!

Hay Day!

2011-03-09T08:58:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was bright and sunny. The boys were out in the pasture playing.

I was hoping for a peppermint. Nothing? Humph.

My lady said I was looking especially lovely today.

Durin and Dayel were basking together. I think Durin is looking at an airplane.

My lady had to chop out around the gate so it would open

We needed hay! My lady gets nervous when the hay supply gets low. Me too. I wouldn't want to starve, you know.

Then all of us goats got put into the barn because the hay truck was coming!

Here it is! Yummy yum!

I flirted with the hay guys.

Then my mom flirted with the hay guys.

Nigel and Nozzy were very busy. I'm very glad that my lady got Nozzy for Nigel to play with. This way he doesn't chase ME. He looks awfully fierce but Nozzy is usually the one that starts the play.

Then it was time for naps!

Growing and Shaking

2011-03-02T17:47:00.000-05:00

It's cold here today. The wind blew and it snowed and the big barn door was frozen shut so my lady had to only give us Number's back door to get in out of the wind. She doesn't like that because she likes to have everyone have plenty of exit room and not just one door.

Here is Kezia. She is four months old and six pounds! My lady says she's starting to have an independent streak....she must be part goat.

She gets to cuddle a lot on my lady's lap.

My lady told me about a place called Aotearoa. It is the "Land of the Long White Cloud" and it's waaay far, far away. Further than I could think of walking. I'd have to swim a bit too.

The world calls the place New Zealand and my lady says it's the most beautiful place on earth.

Aotearoa is an island - several islands - and it's right on top of a great big fault in the earth. It rumbles and shakes, has bubbling, boiling mud and hissing hot springs. It has snowy white mountains and icy cold lakes in the south and warm tropical breezes and long sandy beaches in the north. A few weeks ago a great big shake happened in the place you see below. The Canterbury Plains and Christchurch.

The earth shook and man-made things fell over. Great big rocks flew down from hillsides and bounced into homes. People down there are called "Kiwis" after a native bird. They are a tough and kind bunch of people, for the most part, and they are doing their best with their ruined city, destroyed homes and people that were killed.

We are thinking of them here. The city is just north of that claw-like bit of land.

My lady visited Aotearoa many years ago. Below is one of her most favorite places.

It was just a little lake in the middle of a large forest on the South Island but she still remembers the bird calls and the lovely, lovely place.

Let's all think of the people of Aotearoa and wish them well in their recovery after the earth shakes.

Many goat kisses from Isobelle.

It was a loooong night!

2011-02-23T12:23:00.000-05:00

It's another bright and sunnny day here, although cold at only about 20 degrees F. My maa maa and I are taking advantage of the sun and the warm side of the barn. Gimli too!

I'm looking a little rumpled.

I had a looong night.

My maa maa is in the goat dome. She said she needed a nap!

Gimli told my lady what I did!

Hey, this camera angle makes my nose look big. Anyway.... last night I decided to let Durin and Dayel in for a party in my boudoir. I opened the door between us. I had to work pretty hard at it because it's shut with a block of wood that is wedged in tight.

Uh... they came on in when I opened their door and then I remembered....they try to kill me and my maa maa when they are in any closely confined areas with us! I JUMPED (not a small feat) up into the hay, feed and shavings area and they followed ME! Halp! Then they had a great time while I hid in a corner. My maa maa hid in their stall.

My lady opened the door to the barn this morning and heard my maa maa say "MAAAAA". She knew something was wrong and then she saw us where we were not supposed to be.

This is what we did.

Dayel isn't concerned. He's a naughty boy.

The biggest naughty boy, Durin.

We broke the manure fork. My lady had to fix it with twine.

My lady kicked all of us outside. She couldn't open the big barn door. It was frozen shut. We had to stay out until about noon when she was able to push the door open.

I guess I won't try to let the boys in to play for a while. My lady said she's going to rig something up so it's harder for me to open that connecting door!

It was a pretty day!

2011-02-21T12:07:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a very pretty February day! My lady strapped on her snowshoes and went up onto her land for a stroll.

This is the area she tells me I'd be allowed to eat if I would deign to walk with a halter and lead. So far I have resisted all my lady's attempts to walk on that lead. I'm kind of stubborn. hee hee

Although it's grey and windy and snowy again today, yesterday the sun shone and the sky was blue!

The previous day's storm had made interesting snow shapes on the thorn trees.

Snowshoe tracks my lady made.

Mmmm. MMMM. I want to visit this apple tree next fall!

A pretty trail before the tracks!

This is a very old thorn tree and it has a really pretty look to it in the snow.

ME.

The minis have made this trail out to the rose bushes and swale. Number won't go anywhere else. He's kind of a Princess Horse... hee hee

Here is a sleepy Nigel down by the rose bushes. He has a boo boo. Can you see it?

Here comes Nozzy down the mini trail.

Here is Nigel's boo boo. He's got a swollen lump on his face and a little cut. Earlier in the day my lady had seen Nigel and Nozzy really playing like wild things so she thinks he either got bitten, thumped or kicked. He did NOT like my lady looking at it closely and trying to feel the area. This morning it's a little swollen but it appears no damage to his jaw or face has happened other than the cut.

It's about time you paid attention to me, lady!

Oops.... I thought my lady had turned away and she took this photo and caught me giving her the raspberry.

You love me anyway, don't you lady!?

Yes, Isobelle dearheart, I love you very much, raspberry or not. xxxx oooo

Sometimes I'm glad of my boudoir

2011-02-20T09:38:00.000-05:00

The sun is out today and the wind has dropped but yesterday it was very wintery! The wind blew and blew and the "one to three inches" the weather people said would fall did...but so did an additional nine or so inches!

This is our road about five o'clock last night.

The snowblower has a hat on!

The minis all had snow coverings. There fur is insulated so they were still dry underneath.

ME! I'm happy to be in my boudoir, eating some yummy hay!

You can see some spangley snow still on my fur! I'm glad to be inside!

Up at the house here is Ting-a-Ling looking for a treat. She doesn't understand that she is on a reducing plan.

Brin is sometimes asked to be Grandma to Kezia. She's not sure about it. Here she is saying, "get it away from me lady!"

Kezia likes Brin. nom, nom, nom.

Happy Birthday Franklin!

2011-02-19T15:39:00.000-05:00

My friend Franklin, up in Maine, is having a birthday today! He's eleven! Happy Birthday Franklin!

Why I Am Called GoLightly

2011-02-14T12:30:00.000-05:00

Here I am almost two years ago! This photograph is why my lady decided to give me the name of GoLightly! Aren't I moving daintily through the snow? I wasn't even a year old yet in this photograph.

Here is one of my favorite photos from that day. It's Gimli in the lead, my mom Narcissa and me flying behind. Look at my ears! I'm starting to try to fly at an early age!

Many goat kisses to all!

Humph

2011-02-13T09:12:00.000-05:00

I must say I'm not too pleased with my lady. After all, this is my blog and she's been so busy with Kezia that she hasn't been typing out what I want to say!

She says that a lot of the time it's because Kezia is on her lap and she can't type quickly with a puppy on her lap.

So I say, "humph". I'm not going to pay any attention to you, lady. I'm eating my hay.

Here is my bum-end, lady.

I'm off to eat with Number.

Here is Old Brin. Her birthday is this month. She's sixteen.

Ting-a-Ling is most annoyed. She is on a reducing plan. What my lady thought was fluff is actually fat! hee hee.

Here is Ting doing her ballet stretches. She's going to the hair salon this week.

Maybe my lady will be in my better graces this week. Humph.

A Sunny Day!

2011-01-31T14:10:00.001-05:00

It's very cold out today but the sun came out for a little bit so my mom, Narcissa, found her spot to bask.

ME. Aren't I beautiful today? My lady likes when I fluff my coat out.

Nigel and Nozzy are great friends now. They play ALL THE TIME. Thankfully if Nozzy is playing with Nigel then Nigel isn't bothering ME.

See my horns? I'm working on felting some wool. I think it adds quite a bit of dash to my ensemble.

Gimli looks cute today.

Nozzy is preparing to give my lady a kiss. She has to watch out because he loves to give French kisses. Tee hee.

We like how the hills are visible in the winter. It reminds us of how low in the valley we are!

I'm glad my lady came down and spent extra time with us today. She's been very busy with the new puppy. I hear the back door to the house open at midnight and then again at three thirty a.m. some nights. If the back door squeaks, as it does when it's extra cold, the two roosters start to crow from the coop!

A beautiful goat just can't get any sleep around here!

Pricilla suggested the song, Down in the Valley so I've added it here!

Settling In

2011-01-28T11:10:00.000-05:00

Kezia is enjoying her home here.

Thistle is starting to play nicely. Here we have the moment just before Kezia got the zoomies.

Ting-a-Ling is smiling. She plays a little with Kezia but being a puppy mill dog, Ting doesn't know how to play and is learning.

Kezia loves to play.

Some day my lady will get some lovely new photos of ME. I'm tired of puppies!

Welcome Kezia!

2011-01-21T11:56:00.000-05:00

Well, she's not a goat but I'll welcome her to the household! This is Kezia (pronounced kee-zee-ah) and her nickname is Kizzy.

She was from a poor household who have dogs but don't spay or neuter and no one really wanted this little pup, who looks just a little funny. My lady's friend knew right away that my lady would want Kezia.

She's only about 11 weeks old and is a Pekingese/Poodle mix.

Here is Kezia at the rescuer's home with her full sister! What a difference in the family!

My lady thinks it's a little amusing that Kizzy looks a lot like Sarah.

Thistle isn't so sure he likes puppies. My lady is doing a lot of hugs and attention all around to keep everyone happy.

Hee hee. Kizzy didn't like her first time in her play pen. She doesn't mind it now because she's not in it much. She just wasn't sure at first.

Lots of potty breaks!

Welcome Kezia!

Prehistoric Pony Races

2011-01-19T11:32:00.000-05:00

It was so dark this morning that my lady's camera flash kept going off and even then the photographs were dark!

Number challenged everyone to a race. At this point it looks like Sarah is winning, but Number soon gathered himself together and zoomed past her.

Nigel looks like he's going to be last but then in the previous race he ran waaay out and the others didn't. He caught up very quickly.

Here is Number waiting for the others to start racing again. He's feeling playful today, which is why there are no goats in the photographs. When the races are going on we are watching from the safety of the barn.

Lovely Winter's Day

2011-01-12T11:34:00.000-05:00

While snow can be a hardship for our Southern friends, we kind of like it up here. As long as the wind isn't blowing we are normally all happy to go out and eat our meals in the paddock. Last night we received about four inches of fresh snow.

Durin enjoys his meal on top of the picnic table. Gimli eats underneath and Dayel off to the side. There is a lot of rotating around the hay piles while we all try to make sure that each hay pile is no better than the other one.

Nigel and Nozzy have been getting along very well. They even share now and Nigel isn't such a bully.

ME! My lady said that I was looking very distinguished and a superior sort of goat this morning. Naturally!

Num and Nigel decide to eat off the table.

Dayel has his own pile over by the fence.

The forest looked very pretty this morning.

Here is the view of our paddock from up at the house.

Lady Cordelia de Montmorency up at the chicken abode. She is very friendly to my lady now and is always wanting to get fed corn from my lady's hand.

Thistle is the great mousie hunter.

He loves doing this!

What a silly guy! He went to the doctor yesterday and the doctor found a growth on Thistle's chest. It tested out benign so far but it's really fast growing. I hope it's not one of those alienzzz that pop out of dog's chests...tee hee. I don't like Thistle at all but my lady does. She told me not to tease him about his lumps.

Ting would like to go inside for a treat! She will need a path shoveled in a little bit so that she's not trudging around with the snow over her head.

A happy winter's day!

Gardening Ling!

2011-01-10T14:00:00.000-05:00

Ting-a-Ling found some dirt! She was supposed to be out for a potty and instead went under the back stairs and dug a great big hole. She's only outside for a few moments so she really had to work quickly!

She's got dirt in her teeth here...

And here she is asking my lady what is wrong? Dirt? What dirt?

Her tail is wagging here. My lady is glad that the Empress Ling has decided she is an outdoor dog. Last year Ting didn't want to go outside but now she races out with the others and plays. A little dirt is OK.

Hum Drum

2011-01-06T10:20:00.000-05:00

Well, life has sure been hum drum after Claire's visit. All I have got to do is eat, use my horns as a scratcher and hang out with my mom. Sigh.

My lady said that I'm just a wee bit too full of myself since Claire's visit. I butted my mom, and Nozzy and even went after Sarah. That was a mistake.

I went to butt her....ah...well....butt, and she turned and LOOKED at me. Uh oh. I apologized and moved on. My lady told me that Sarah would clean my clock for me if I got too pesky.

Up at the house, Agatha had some time outside where the snow had melted right by the foundation. She enjoyed pecking up the frozen bits of grass and plants and getting some gravel too. My lady doesn't think she will be able to go back out to the coop this winter. She's still too whirly and twirly. That's OK. My lady enjoys her company in the house. My lady said that Agatha does do very strong smelling chicken farts though. Tee hee hee hee.

A Special, Special Visit!!

2011-01-03T17:24:00.000-05:00

We had a special visit today!

Hello? Who are you?

It's Claire! From Whispering Acres http://chooksiniowa.blogspot.com/

Here is my mom meeting Claire! Everyone liked Claire. We could all tell that she loved animals very much. Even Gimli came up and sniffed her hand! He NEVER does that. He's never done that to people other than my lady since he came here. We all felt very comfortable with Claire.

What do you have? MINTS? A MINT BAG?????

OOOOOO! GIMME! ME FIRST!

Nums liked Claire a lot. He didn't care whether she had mints or not. He kept nibbling her hand-made mittens and sniffing her hair and licking her pants. I'm sure she appreciated having to go back on the road all slobbered over.

I wasn't shy! I don't do this for just anyone, you know!

A HUG! YAY! I love Claire!

My lady said I was being rude but Claire didn't mind!

Hi! Hi! Durin and Number had to get in on mobbing this nice lady.

Nigel was being more polite than usual. I think he understood that this was my visitor.

Nigel did get mint and tasted her shoes. Look at Number glancing at my lady. He knew he probably shouldn't be hair-sniffing but he couldn't resist.

Nums says he wants to go live with Claire.

Me too! Me too! I'd go live with Claire!

Thanks so much for stopping on your long, long trip back to Iowa and Lucky Nickel, Claire. Do you think that Valentino will sniff and could tell that I was hugging his lady? Tee hee. We all really appreciated the visit and are looking forward to when we see her again! My lady said she was a kindred spirit!

Portrait of Gimli

2011-01-02T10:41:00.000-05:00

Here is Gimli today. He always looks a little surprised.

My lady had to bend down to get his photograph and Gimli wasn't sure he thought that was a good idea....after all....ladies aren't supposed to fit under picnic tables, are they?? Gimli hopes not!

I'm doing a little ballet. Oooph. As you can see I'm not as svelte as I was in my photograph to the right and it's just a teeny bit harder to do that grand battement!