Is what we have technically a farm? We have three ewes/sheep: Belle, Cotton and Eve (she was born New Years Eve). We have three donkeys (full size): Mama (Pumpkin), Papa and their 3 year old son, Baby (Pickles). We have eight chickens (hens): Ginger, Butterscotch, Pebbles, Pepper, Sunshine, Butter, Daisy and Lily. Six of them are laying eggs, while two are not yet of age. No roosters are allowed, per the Sheriff (that's David, my husband). We have few rules around here. But that's one of them. No roosters. We have 8 barn/garage cats: June Bug, July, Kitty, Smokey, Finn, Fi, Preston and Fern. Three of those are boys. They chase mice, and all get along surprisingly well. We have four dogs: 2 LGD (Livestock Guard Dogs) Great Pyrenees Levi (brother), and Whisper (sister). Then, we have our two indoor/outdoor wanna-be farm dogs Bridgette (Weimaraner) and Maybe (King Charles Spaniel). We do have a "visiting"puppy, Tula, who is a beautiful Australian Shepherd that is 6 months old. She is with us until December, when our sweet daughter, Lauren, will be taking her back to live with her. We are enjoying her immensely while we have her with us. And Tula loves ALL the farm animals. And herding them back to their appropriate places.
That brings me back to: Do we technically have a farm? I'm going to say yes. Some call it a Hobby Farm, or a Smallholding. Our production of farm products is primarily eggs, well, it's only eggs. We do not plan on eating the chickens or sheep. They have names, and we don't eat pets. We have a barn that houses the chickens, sheep and LGD's. We recently had a loafing shed built in the back pasture for our 3 donkeys to protect them from the sun, wind, rain or cold - or a combination of those things. They love it. It's a place of their own. They are in charge of guarding the back pasture. And boy, can donkeys guard their territory! They can tear up a coyote in a minute. Donkeys do this by creating a circle around the predator, then start stomping them and biting them. Now granted, our donkeys are kind and sweet to humans, and those animals "they know". So they are perfect pets - and guard animals. We adore them. They love being loved, petted, brushed and even hugged.
So is it a farm? Or a petting zoo? We have had a multitude of visitors (family, friends, co-workers) and have even had a public library "story time" held at our farm. So far, everyone has left with all their fingers in tact. All our animals enjoy visitors. Some more than others, and even a few of our chickens willingly allow others to hold them and carry them around. Belle, one of our sheep, is a fan favorite. She's all about being petted, and you would think she was a dog, rather than a ewe. We bottle fed her starting at Day 1, so she is extremely tolerant of people. We had to buy the other two sheep so that they could teach her how to be a sheep. She thought she was a dog for quite a while.
If you read a previous blog posting, you will know we built a structure for the sheep/LGD. I won't go into all the details that I've covered previously, but it was meant to solve the problem of the sheep eating the dog's food. Just so you know, that didn't solve that problem, and now we have this structure (a modified children's playhouse/2-story) area that the sheep and dogs both love. They love being under it, where there's plenty of room and shade. It's like their own little house with a basement. No one - except Belle - goes up the ramp to go upstairs. But I've come to expect the unexpected. I thought they would ALL go up the ramp to the upstairs portion. Nope. They like it down below. It's become their favorite hangout place in the pasture. It's known as The Belle Tower, and has a sign on it as such.
Have I always lived with so many animals? No, but I've always wanted to. Just ask my mom and dad. It does require a large time commitment, vet visits, hay/feed/food for each animal, cleaning, mowing, lots of petting and providing love to them all, but this "work" is truly a labor of love. The contentment in my life is indescribable. When I'm in the barn, I am in the moment. I'm enjoying what I'm doing at that very minute. My mind is not somewhere else. And trust me, I have a monkey-mind, which, by the way, yoga and moving meditation (running) helps keep "under control". Being in the barn, on the mower, in the pasture, brushing the donkeys, loving on the sheep, gathering eggs, all bring me to one place. And that's in the very moment I'm in. Very few things in life have provided this to me. This contentment is something I get no where else, at least not at this level. It's a place where I don't need to practice mindfulness - it just happens. I'm in the moment, absorbed, with the chatter in my head gone. And completely aware of my surroundings. I let go of my day, my week, my worries - right here on my farm.
So it is a farm. Come see! After all, one of our greatest rewards is sharing it with others.
I've missed blogging, it's been way too long since I have. I promise not to wait so long next time. I appreciate you listening to all my written words, and would write all night if I could. Because where do all these kitty cats sleep and live? Can any of the animals come inside the house? Will our sheep have baby lambs? How will I finish my run across the US? So many questions.
More soon.....Cyndi
