Animal Crackers - Celebrating Libbie

Howdy - 

 This is a hard one to write ... But I am going to try and make this a celebration instead of sad. This week we lost the leader of our family. Miss Libbie. 

 

There is a huge hole in our hearts. But it was time. She was old, Hubby figured it out. 15 years, 4 months and 4 days old. She was blind and the last few months pretty slow but still in charge. 

Hubby and I have been really talking about our favorite memories of her. Like the day we met her. 

 We drove almost 4 hours to "look" at a Miniature Aussie. Got there late in the evening knocked on the door and said we were excited to see her Miniatures... The lady looked funny at us and said oh I'm sorry all my Mini's are sold all I have now is a couple of Toy Aussies. TOY? Flashes of Paris Hilton and dressing up dogs.... I wasn't sure about that. They came around the corner with her.... tiny thing in one hand. I'm not sure... we were use to full size Border Colllies. But I looked over at Hubby and I knew we were buying a puppy. He was totally in love.  And honestly as soon as I held her... so was I. 

We had to wait a couple more weeks until we could bring her home. But the day we picked her up, we knew she was meant to be a member of her family. This next photo is one of my all time favorite photos..... My Manly Man and his new dog.

Beautiful Little girl as a puppy and as she grew up. 

 While she was still a puppy, despite me saying I would never dress up my dog.... we came across a Halloween costume and I just couldn't help myself. It lasted about 30 seconds. And she was not happy with me at all! 

 

She had it off and away from me in less than a minute and spent the rest of the day giving me this same look. I never put her through that again. It was just degrading for a dog of her standing! 

 And the puppies she gave us... oh my! She and Autie really did make beautiful babies. 

 

She was a good Momma. Not the most gentle and cuddling Momma all the time. But Autie was there to back her up and do the cuddling. But she did her job and was good with the puppies. All three litters she had. 

From day one she was in charge of us all. And ran the house. Well and ran the animals outside too.

We never let her out with the goats or donkeys but even with a fence between them she ran them mentally and physically. 

She watched over them... even when she lost her sight. She knew where everyone was and would sit outside and listen to them all. 

 

Another of my favorite photos... Her leading Autie around the yard. He was never allowed to run ahead of her, but always stayed right by her side.

Now they are together again I suppose on the other side of that Rainbow Bridge they talk about. 

I will miss her so much just as we do Autie. 

We will always love you Libbie!

Hugs and - have a blessed weekend.

Animal Crackers - Beautiful Big Eyes

Howdy - 

 Little kitty and Beautiful Big Eyes! Ferrari -

She was a timid little thing as a kitten. But she has grown into her own and now stands up to her siblings and dishes it out as well. One of her favorite things is to stretch out long in my lap in the evenings. As long as she beats her brother Bubba there at least. 

Came home the other day to find the goats sunning and eating breakfast - Mallory doing it in style using her breakfast as a bed of course.

Goats are really funny - they love laying in their hay. 

I snapped another photo of Thelma and Lizzy next to each other. These two look like twins big time! We really have to stop and look right at them to tell the difference.

 

 

But in reality they are only 1/2 sisters. Same Daddy - Different Mommas. They hang together quite often. Both are such pretty goats. And love coloring and the blue eyes! 

 

Speaking of beautiful big eyes! As always my little co-photographer each week. Moxie roams with me all around to say hi to everyone. At times she wanders into pens checks out things. But she always catches up quick and is right there with me. 

 

Love this blessing dog! She was abandoned from a neighbor that moved away many years ago and we happily took her in and have loved her from day one. 

The three stooges got a new hay bin this last week. They are loving it. Why bend over to eat when you don't have too! And this time so far they are leaving it in place and not knocking it over! Which is why they lost it for a while.

Another doggie photo this week. I had snapped this one a while back and it popped up and I realized it had to be showed. Love that Libbie and Chica get along so well. And lately they even have been sharing the one big doggie bed. I think Chica is making sure to be right there with Libbie as much as she can.

You think she knows how old her Mom is? In reality Chica isn't a spring chicken. But she knows her Momma's health is not perfect and keeps a watch on her. Sweet daughter - 

Hope you enjoyed - and we all hope you have a very blessed weekend! 

HUGS and

Animal Crackers - Duh Nuh Duh Nuh...

Howdy - 

Well here she comes ready or not! LOL

You can't tell by the photo but she was trotting... This girl cracks me up! Miss Juliet - the "BIG" girl in the ladies pen. My class clown. Always front and center and always the pushiest! And always one of the funniest! 

Now I had to show another photo of her... She is one of my "suckers" She gets her drink of water and then walks around with her tongue sticking out slurping or sucking on the water in her mouth. 

 

 

Not for just a few seconds. But like 5 minutes! She is not being rude... it is just her drinking style! LOL

 

Miss Hannah, Juliet's little BFF shadow. She was pushing as hard as she could against the fence trying to get my attention. 

And she got lots of lovings.. all up and down this sweet girl. She is such a pretty sweet girl. I love that she is so friendly!

Looked up and saw all the other girls - They were loving the shade of the big oak tree. Not one girl was out of the shadow of the trees... Such a nice day to enjoy sun and they were all under the tree. 

Oh well they were happy and that is all that matters. Right?

Walking back to the house Chipmunk was banging on the fence to get me to come over. As long as he doesn't bang to hard and hit me like Domino enjoys doing I am good with having a little chat through the fence.

Chip really is a sweetheart - he doesn't try and hurt me ever. He just wants me to scratch that spot between his horns and the top of his nose. Other than that I don't touch much more... Male Goat.. ewe stinky smell! Ha! 

Last photo is of my little old lady Libbie. She has finally given in and agreeing to wear the diapers! We have been dealing with her issues of not making it to the back door or out the back door. And well honestly not being able to wait for us to get to the back door.

But hey she is 105 now in dog years. So she is really doing pretty well. Blind, loosing her hearing and a bit of incontinence at her age is kind of expected I suppose. She still gets around pretty well, and eats very well. Old but still in control Miss Libbie! And despite damaging her dignity she is really pretty cute in these tiny little diapers. They come in Pink and Blue ... I like the pink ones on her best. :0) 

Hope you have an Animal Crackers smile this week - enjoyed some time with us we are thrilled you visit each week! 

HUGS and

Animal Crackers - Happy New Year, Goodbye Gracie

Howdy - 

Well this week I had planned a year in review to show off some of my favorite photos of the year. But I think first of all I have to show one of my favorite photos - and say goodbye to Miss Gracie. 

I had chose this as a favorite photo from this year - I love my super model so much and her wonderful smile. Sadly we have had to say goodbye to her this holiday week. Perfectly normal week with her, smiling and running over for attention. Then she went to sleep one night and passed quietly. I am so going to miss this girl! My Special Super Model! But sadly it is going to be a rough year with a group of our goats. All now over the age of 12... and older. Its extremely hard - but we have been so blessed with this group of girls and they have been so fun and healthy - just a joy in our lives. Gracie we will miss you so much! Beautiful and Full of personality!

Now to the review of the year - and a few of my favorite photos we have snapped! 

 

We truly are blessed to have the life we have. These animals give so much joy. Now I am even more blessed that Hubby does pretty much all of the work for our fur kids - I just get the job of loving on them and occasionally getting the call to run out and hold something or someone while he is working.

These animals warm my heart and we love sharing them with you each week. I do hope that they bring you joy as well. We look forward to more furry love to share in 2024! 

Happy New Year - 

HUGS and

Animal Crackers - Beautiful Sky for Photographs!

Howdy - 

More photos from last weeks outing. It was such a gorgeous day and everyone was looking for their photo to be taken, and a stunning blue sky for background!

Alvin is such a handsome man to capture a photo of! 

Stinky... dirty and all, but very sweet and friendly. Not like Domino who is rude, obnoxious and just mean most of the time! Alvin is calm and sweet. Getting old, but still a looker! 

Darlene was right on my heels while out by Alvin's pen, She has a private pen that is right next to him. She wanted attention too. I payed lots of attention. Lots of rubs and scratches. But actually she was more interested in head butting and pushing me to tell "Dad" that is was past time for her Old Lady Feed! LOL I swear she can tell time!

And speaking of telling time... Little Dude is way off! Sunrise and Sunset. That is when he is suppose to scream. OH MY this little guy starts at like 4:30 in the morning - goes non stop until 8 or 9 am then starts up again about 5pm and goes until it is pitch dark. For a little guy he has a healthy set of lungs! 

While out snapping the photo of Little Dude I tried to get a photo of the "chicks" that are now all grown up. And finally starting to lay a few eggs! I love that old lady Guinea is perfectly happy roaming all in with the chickens now. We have some really gorgeous colors in this last batch of chickens. 

 

 

As I started back towards the house I found  Thelma chillin' in the shade just enjoying the weather. Pretty lady.

Then I saw on the other end of their pen Lizzie. Well I guess she needed extra shade for her head? LOL

That hut is up off the ground to keep the ants out of it, and to make it cooler. But under seems to work well too.

 Libbie seemed to know I was coming.. sniffing the air, enjoying the sunshine. Blind and Deaf but still a beauty queen. I can't believe she is right at 15 years old.

Sat down at my computer to upload my photos... somebody was staring at me... with big eyes.

Such a gorgeous kitty cat. Her eyes always seem enormous! She has become so friendly and loves to cuddle more and more. Many evenings I have Bubba on one side of my lap and Ferrari on the other. 

Hope you enjoyed again this week my fur children. And I do hope you have a big Animal Crackers smile! 

Have a blessed weekend - 

HUGS and -

Animal Crackers - Morning Hugs

Howdy - 

This week I went out to snap my photos. No hurry to beat Hubby out before he feeds breakfast. He went fishing - so I was the one out checking and making sure all was good. He did leave lots of food for them for his one day fishing. But I still had to go out and say good morning and check on everyone. But it was nice for the fur children to actually look at me and have interest in me not keeping a watch for breakfast - LOL 

I found Cocoa and Valentine with a little Donkey Hugs going on. I was just two seconds late for the full hug. But still an adorable Mother Son photo right?

Snapped a great shot of Jorge and all his whiskers... LOTS and LOTS of whiskers.

Funny boy - And yes he has lots more whiskers than other ... its his thing I guess. ha! 

Sweet Pea must have enjoyed eating all night - and now was using what was left as a cozy bed.

She is a pretty girl isn't she. Love her little side grin!

 I had to snap this photo of my little old girl Libbie - Bath time! She is pretty good at bath time. Well other than sitting down constantly. 

Makes it hard to wash the back half. But I guess as an older girl she gets tired of standing and sits. Sweet silly ole' girl! 

Now I mentioned that Hubby brought in food for everyone. Wasn't just for his fishing trip. We are trying to make sure they all have plenty to eat. Usually we bring in large round bales in the end of October. But due to the heat and lack of any rain it is time to bring in the big bales as our square bales are running low too soon. 

 The men really were enjoying it and started in right away. The ladies in the back.. their bale is now over 1/2 gone in only a few days. If it is there they will eat - 24/7. The guys get full and walk away. Guess it is a woman/man difference. 

Last photo this week Hubby sent me last week - His outdoor kittens are getting big - Three of them have decided to stick in the back yard and around the house. Safe, Hubby puts food and water, and they have lots to play on and with. 

This photo was through the back window - All three boys decided to nap on the Hay cart. It was really a warm or HOT night - still in the high 90's after dark. That hay cart must have been nice, letting the breeze all around them. 

Hope you have a smile this week - All the fur children are happy you visit them each week. 

HUGS and -