Finn is a calico, visiting cat, who resides with Lauren at times, and then with us at times. She's a shared family cat. Finn is curious, adventurous, and a sweet girl who loves to lay on top of the warm dryer when not out catting around. You can find her everywhere! The next door pasture, the garage, on top of the cars, in the barn, or laying on the patio. She's busy, and loves to chase birds and mice. (Our favorite thing for any of our cats to do, please)
Sweet Pea. This little girl was given to me by a co-worker who found out her son was allergic to cats. She too, used to be an inside cat, now living outside (with laundry room access). Sweet Pea has adjusted well to the farm lifestyle and loves lounging mostly. She enjoys a walk up and down the gravel road, but stays close to the house, mostly. She goes to the barn on occasion, but each cat has their "domain". Hers is mostly around the parameter of the house. She's quiet, with a soft meow. She gets along with everyone, and is very easy going.
Smokey, a "Russian Blue" Manx (no tail) was gifted to us by friends. They had gotten him, and found him too aggressive as an indoor cat. So at about 10 weeks old, he moved in with us. He's known for not being all that nice. He has a strong personality, is partial to David, and his favorite place is being the boss of the laundry room. Why? As only 1 of 2 males cats on the premise, the other male cat is Head Cat. Smokey has to tread carefully outside, as he's a target for the Head Cat, July. July is boss of everything outside. So, Smokey can be bossy only in the laundry room, as July does not ever come inside the laundry room area. He's not much for chasing mice and birds. He's mostly found outside on the patio laying on his back, legs in the air, fast asleep. He's cat jewelry. Mostly we just look at him, as he's not one to be touched or petted. He's not the nicest cat you've ever met. We love him just the same. Manx cats are known as dog-cats. Their personalities are very different than other breeds of cats. He's that perfect example of a traditional Manx.
Kitty, who has come into the laundry room for some dinner. Mind you, we have food out in the barn, too. She prefers to eat inside. Kitty used to also be an indoor cat, who was gifted to us years ago by Lauren when she was in college, and thought a cat was what she needed - at the time. Kitty does well outside, and loves to stalk birds. She can do that for hours. She honkers down low (as if the birds can't see her) and patiently watches and waits. She gets the birds too, as she's very fast. She's one of our bigger cats (must be the bird diet). She's sweet, loves to be petted (if she knows you) and meows more than all of our cats put together. She has lots of words.
The next three cats are sisters/brother. We found these cats as 3 week old kittens in an abandoned barn. They were scared and unsure - and hungry. No mama was around, and we coxed them with food quite easily, as they were so very hungry. They are now three wonderful cats who all have very different lifestyles here on the farm.
On bottom (hard to see) is June (i.e. Junie B, June Bug), then May Belle (who Lauren renamed Fi), and on top, is July, Head Cat here.
I'll start with June Bug. She's a Siamese cross, with blue eyes, and has a bob tail. Very unique little girl. She's got the bluest eyes and sweetest soul. She's a little girl, compared to the other cats, with a big heart. She gets along with everyone, goes everywhere on the property, and is likely my favorite cat.
There's always a crazy sister, right? June Bug's sister, Fi (May) is feral, and nothing like her sister. You can't get near her, touch her, and this is her hiding in the corner of the laundry room when I saw her in sneaking a bite to eat out of the cat feeder. She's way to scared to go in the barn and eat. That's just too far, because she lives under the deck out back. She's a odd mix of Siamese with a white nose and white paws. Beautiful for sure. Naturally a wild child. Not like the others.
Although not the best picture I could find, July is the brother of May (Fi) and June. He's a grey and white bada$$ barn cat, for real. This picture was when he was very young, and he's years older now. I just couldn't find an updated picture. Know why? He's always out in the pasture with the sheep and guard dogs, sometimes a bit elusive. He's a Guard Cat. He mingles mainly around the barn, eats in the barn, lives in the barn and is most comfortable with Levi. Levi (Head Guard Dog) snuggles with July, and July adores him. I've never seen anything like it. July is a sturdy boy who tries to keep everyone in their own place. He tries. Mostly, you can find him laying out with Whisper and Levi, near the sheep grazing. That's his thing.
That's six cats, with others coming and going. Why's that? I think because people drop their cats off in the country, and then they show up around our house, barn or garage. We have one long haired black cat (boy/girl, we don't know?) who lives up on a shelf in the Tack Room, eats in the barn, and just showed up one day. We call it a He. We named him Blackie. But then again, there's a short haired black cat that hangs around sometimes, too. LHB (Long hair Blackie let me actually pet him the other day). SHB (Short hair Blackie doesn't let me get that close).
All in all, the cat community is a close knit, get-along group of cats who keep the mice and snakes away - the best they can - each in their own way.
And for the finale, are the house dogs. I'll start with Maybe. Her name should be Happy, as that's what she is most all the time. She's a tail waggering Bichon-King Charles Spaniel mix. That's what we were told 8 years ago when we bought her. I shave her to keeps the burrs off, and since she's so adventurous around the property, it helps keep her clean. Normally, she'd be a long hair dog. When I did let her hair grow, it's the kind of hair that is a magnet for everything. She's low to the ground and her fur would be full of all sorts of things. She and I bond, with a grooming experience now and then, although not a fan of being shaved.
Maybe is the happiest dog, esp when people come to visit. She loves everyone, and not scared of anyone or anything. Most people think she's a puppy, not even realizing she's an older dog. Children love her, as she's wagging her tail and excited to see them. If you're not careful, she'll jump in your car and go home with you.
Her favorite things to do? Go for a walk, ride in the car, go anywhere with us, go to Home Depot and walk around smelling the smells and getting petted, oh, and eating donkey poo. Yeah, that's gross. Maybe will also ride on the mower as we mow for hours in the pasture. She will jump on the scooter, and ride and ride. Anything that moves, she wants to be a part of. Car riding is her #1.
Maybe's side kick is Sugar. We adopted Sugar (our 4 lb nugget) awhile back, as an adult Maltipoo, who came to us with quirks and uncertainty. She's adjusted to farm life, and will roam every part of the property, challenge any animal, and will get down and dirty with the best of them. She rolls in anything disgusting, has an affinity for chicken poo and chicken food.
Her favorite thing to do is have me hold her, pick her up (she allows no one to pick her up but me, not even David), have me carry her around, sleep with me, sit in my lap, or anything that involves her being nearby. She refuses dog food, trusts no one, loves every farm animal, enjoys long walks with Maybe - and recently, running has become her thing, too. I run, she runs.
As the crew (including Tula, Laurens dog over for a visit that day) waits for me to open the front gate, we enjoy miles of long walks and runs together. Maybe and Sugar will sit in the cart awhile, get out and walk or run, then get back in. We spend hours out on the country roads smelling, looking and enjoying being outside. It's like a circus coming down the road, when cars pass us. I just smile and wave. It is the country, and you can do anything out here. And we do.
I'll need to think this through a little more, but I believe you've now meet most everyone. We have reached Farm Nirvana, which is relaxing for everyone involved. Everyone in their place. Until, David said the other day: I think our 6 ewes should all get pregnant and have lambs. Wait, that would double our flock. His eyes light up. Lambs and goat kids are his thing. I love that about him.
We'll see what comes next. No matter what, every day is a joy.
I think David is looking for a new Sam The Ram #2 as we speak.
That's my guy.
Cyndi
