Toby The Tough

Toby is one tough dog.  He makes a pretty good guard dog, big and stocky and weighing in at over 80 pounds.  Usually he’s pretty easy going, but this is deceptive.  Just threaten his mama and see what happens!

A couple of years ago we had one of those rotten roosters that likes to spur you.  Or more precisely, he liked to spur ME.  He was smart enough to steer clear of The Farmer, who probably would have wrung his neck after a time or two.

But me, oh yeah, I was fair game.  I mean, this monster would actually hide around the corner of a building, so when the unsuspecting person (me) walked around the corner, he’d jump out and nab me.

One day Toby saw him do it, and this is the result:

See, you don’t mess with mama or you answer to Toby.

So I’ve always wondered what he would do if I walked in the house and a burglar or someone was there.  Well, last week, I sort of got my answer.  No, there wasn’t a burglar, but…

It’s like this.  I’d finished evening chores, and just fed Toby and ready to go in the back door.  Unbeknownst to me, The Cave Geek was getting ready to run the vacuum in the den and heard me come up on the back porch.

What is it with sons thinking it’s positively hysterical to scare their mother out of her wits?  (No comments like “What wits?” allowed!)

I opened the door, and there was this over 6′ tall hulk looming over me shouting.  I think it was something innocuous like “Hi Mom”, but that didn’t register until I’d already jumped out of my skin and screamed.

THAT bought Toby right into the fray.  Fortunately for the smart-aleck Geek person, Toby immediately recognized him and went “Oh, it’s you.  Wanna pet me?”

I was impressed. Toby was eating.  Toby is SERIOUS about his food.  Woe unto any other critter that comes close when he is eating!  Yet he came running when I screamed.

What a good dog.

It’s snowing!

It started snowing here a while ago, and it’s coming down pretty FAST for our part of the world!

This poor cardinal is braving the snow to wait his turn at the feeders.

And there’s snow on the ground around the pond…

But the snow doesn’t keep the sheep from getting out!

And the chickens are standing around under the bird feeders hoping for a treat…

Even Toby likes to play out in the snow!

That’s it for now!  If it keeps snowing like this, I might have to go out in the woods later and get some pictures!

Enjoy your weekend!

Llama Bird Feeder Diner

So what in the world is a Llama Bird Feeder Diner?

Well, this week I looked out in the backyard and saw this:

Our male llama had discovered there were tasty treats in the bird feeder!

The other animals decided snacking from the bird feeder was a most excellent idea, so they wanted to get in on it.

The chickens got to enjoy some tasty treats because as Samson was eating from the bird feeder, he spilled some of the sunflower seeds and cracked corn onto the ground.

Our little goat, Cinnamon, and female llama, Keira, weren’t so lucky.

Samson shoved the little goat away from the feeder, and wouldn’t allow Keira to come near.

Keira hovered in the background, but Samson wasn’t sharing.  The guineas got in on the action, and in the background made more actions of their own by chasing each other around and spooking Keira.

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Llama Samson and the chickens and guinea fowl were all enjoying this extra treat.  Keira was all forlorn because Samson wouldn’t share.

I finally had to go outside and chase them away from the feeder and out of the back yard.  I put a bungee cord across the opening of the gate to keep them out.  Most days it allows farm collie Toby and the chickens to go under the bungee cord and through the gate, but the llamas stay out.

Not this time.

I looked out later and saw Keira standing by the gate, looking wistfully at the bird feeder.  I grabbed my camera, but before I could get it ready, she slipped UNDER the bungee cords!

Of course, there was no doubt if Keira made it, her partner in crime Cinnamon wouldn’t be far behind.

That didn’t mean she was going to get a share of the snacks however!  Kiera wasn’t in the sharing mood either, and threatened to spit at our poor little goat when she tried to get near.

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You will note that Keira one-upped Samson by learning to swing the feeder to shake more food down and out of the holes!

I let her enjoy her taboo treat for a while, then went outside where she could see me.   That’s when she knew she was BUSTED!

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Yes, the criminal was charged with Breaking and Entering, and stealing sustenance from the birds!

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She has been remanded to my custody.

And though it confuses the chickens no end to have one of their routine pathways closed. . .

 
. . . The gate has been slammed shut against further llama misadventures!

Another Rainy Day On The Farm . . .

Seems like we’ve been having a lot of rain lately. . .

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. . .  I think it’s time for some sunshine!

Happy New Year Folks!

A picture is worth a thousand words, so here you have my Happy New Year Wishes, more than a thousand words worth!