Daily observations of my simple life.

I woke to another early morning sun beginning to rise behind the mountains and clouds.  I put the coffee on and looked out the window. Something was amiss. Cheriki was on the left side of the property and Chocolate and Dolly were outside their pen. I put on my thriftstore bathrobe, my hooded jacket and slipped into my shoes and went out to see what the situation was. In the early morning light the fence was invisible so I couldn't tell if Cheriki was clear out of the property of inside the goat pen.

Out I slogged through the mud to walk the perimeter of the fence. Cheriki ran toward me and was stopped by the goat pen fence. What a relief, she was in the pen and she ran towards me not away. After inspection I could see that a panel had loosened, the nails Frank used weren't long enough to hold up to a leaning horse. I went and got feed and put it in Cheriki's pen and then went and opened up the panel wider. After a little galloping about to show her freedom Cheriki went into her pen and headed for the feed. I closed up the panel and  tied it with haybale twine. Cheriki has gone from a wild mustang to a gentle homebody.

Next I went around to the goat pen and opened the gate, I put grain inside and walked away like I wasn't interested. Dolly and Chocolate went in and I closed the gate. Not bad for an old lady.

Later in the afternoon between rain storms I went out and walked the fence. I wired each fence panel to the fence posts while Cheriki nuzzled my hair as I bent over in my work.  Sage called to me from the other side of the pasture wishing for attention too. I adopted them in September and never dreamed they would become such pets. Sage sticks her nose up for a kiss everytime I go into the chicken pen. It's a real love affair.

My dog is a border collie. They are bred to be herding dogs. She has been with me for several years after I rescued her from the pound. She was for a long time both clingy and stand offish and very obedient. Now that she is secure and well spoiled she is now adjusting to all the other animals. Herding dog?  As I went out to bring the other animals back to their pens she kept throwing herself on my feet, rolling on her back and smiling with this look,"pet me, pet me."  I was really wondering if I would  have to lock her in the house until I got the roundup over.

All the animals back in order, fences mended, I went back in the house to avoid the intermitant downpour. All the pens are like puddles, so much water. I'm glad they all have shelter but it is still very wet and soggy for a desert homestead.

Posted by: cactusandquail at 10:08 | link | comments (3)

Comments:

#1  23 February 2005 - 11:11

 

This is beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

InMyLife

#2  23 February 2005 - 17:38

 

well your creatures must know they've got a good thing -- they didn't go very far and they all came right back in!

limine

#3  23 February 2005 - 18:53

 

Sounds wonderful as always, give little Sage a hug from me.

rustymadgal

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