Kitten Update and More

Each of our animals has its own unique personality -

different from every other animal.

And yet, each and every animal on the farm has a sweet and friendly temperament.

It's next to impossible to pick a favorite animal.

I am closer (on a soul level) to some than to others,

but each and every one of them, feathered and furred, are most precious to me.

One of our most unusual characters is Bobby.

Bobby cat is more dog than cat.

He has lived here on the farm longer than most of the other animals.

This is his dominion.

He prefers our company - 

so much so, that it is not unusual for Bobby to accompany us on a walk.

Most days he rides along in the gator for chores.

He visits with all of the animals -

rubbing himself on them, acting as if they are his best buddy.

If the farm animals could elect a Mayor of the Farm, 

it would definitely be Bobby!

I've shared photos of Bobby with the pigs many times in the past...

lying on top of the pigs, or beside them.

For some reason he has a rather strong affection for Ginger and MaryAnn.

(Who could blame him!) 

If only Bobby could teach the new barn kittens how to act.

Oh my, these three may never become tame.

Several times, every day, we take them out and play with them...

and each time they look us in the eyes, plaster back their ears and hiss in our faces.

Every. Single. Time.

I guess that when generations of cats have been ferrel,

their offspring is so genetically ferrel, it's hard to tame them.

After all, there is an adaptive advantage to being wary when you are wild.

The plan with these three is to keep them sequestered in the barn

until they are old enough to neuter.

After neutering, we will give them their freedom,

in hopes that they continue to call the barn home.

If not... at least they won't be out creating more ferrel kitties.

I suspect they will stay around the barn...

for the free room and board...

just maybe not for the hugs.

TomTom will tell you... barn life is a great life!

Yesterday was Farrier Day.

Everyone has lovely feet, trimmed bridal paths...

and all of the dirt brushed out of their furry coats.

If only they would stay that way!

If Ollie could talk, I'm pretty sure he'd be saying,

"Help! They're torturing me!"

as he stands there with a wild look in his eyes.

I'm not sure if I ever showed you...

Ollie has one brown eye 

and one blue eye.

Even Ollie, who used to be the most challenging of all our animals,

has softened into a sweetheart over the years.

(Maybe there's hope for the kittens, after all!)