Patches, Pups and A Calf

Highs and lows happen all the time on a farm I'm learning. Last night, Tootsie gave us ten puppies (she added one after I wrote the blog). Overnight, Patches died from what was either bloat or colic. She was my sweet girl and I'm going to miss her very very much. 

But, life goes on and this morning, Maesie finally delivered her calf. He's a boy and bigger than Rory was at birth. I don't doubt it, I really think Maesie held onto him longer than she was supposed to. He's extremely healthy as is his mom. He's actually more curious of us than Rory was at birth as well. I guess when you are born late, you are more cognitively developed. 

I'm going to give a special tribute to Patches tomorrow. For now, I'm going to celebrate life. 

Tootsie the Mama Bear

I knew she was close, and today was the day. Tootsie Roll has had her puppies! Originally, I thought she was done at seven puppies as she stopped contacting, panting, etc. Nope, I came back later and two more were there! Nine puppies and I'm actually not sure if she's done. She wants to be done, she's tired!

All the pups are predominately black and all are healthy. Since she has more pups than teats, I'm going to have to somehow keep track of who has eaten and who hasn't as best as possible. Again, they're all mostly black and jumble up to each other, so it's difficult to make out who is who. Tootsie is a fabulous mom though, so I'm sure she'll figure it out for me. 

I don't have any favorites, but there are a couple who stand out. One is a chunky one compared to the others, another is a wandering one who keeps thinking Tootsie is hiding more food on her back, and another is the explorer who Mom keeps having to bring back to the fold instead of him/her trying to scale the baby pool they're in. 

I'm so proud of Tootsie! 

Rory's Woes

Gator came by tonight and we were able to somehow capture Rory and get him banded. He took it like a champ, but mama Cíarin was scared to death for her boy. Even Brogan came up at one point to see if he should intervene, but then he saw what was happening and he decided to take his manhood elsewhere. 

At the end of this week, Gator will come back and we'll put some Blue Kote on to help him. I'm just so thankful I'll only ever be steering one bull. All others born on the farm will be sold intact. That's not a joy I wish to do again. 

I'm also going to have to figure out something for Patches. She bloats real easily after we get a heavy rain like what happened this morning. Other than hay and the water trough, she doesn't have access to anything that should cause bloat. Does she just open her mouth and guzzle the rain as it falls? At least now I know to keep bloat blocks on hand in the future. I'll have to pick them up tomorrow. 

Another Thing

Every time I think Wonderland is getting to the completion part, more things pop up. A plumber has to come out to check the water heater, the front door needs to be replaced and the bathroom door needs to be planed. Curtains still need to be hung and little decorating touches still need to be added, but it'll happen when it's time. 

The doors aren't really a surprise. When the house was brought back up to level, that particular area was the most out of whack. The water heater is relatively new, but I think when the electrician rewired some things, perhaps that got cut off and the pilot light needs to be relit. I'm getting a licensed plumber out there first to make sure and then go from there. 

Bottom line, the next housing venture I partake upon will be starting from scratch again like the barndo. And yes, I have plans to expand my real estate "empire". My long range goal there is the lake house for short term vacation rental and something in the future for long term rental. I've got lots of plans! 

The completely full lake from the house

Waiting Game

Remember, this is a farm blog primarily and you might learn more than you bargained for when reading. 

There's been a long waiting game going on around here. I've got Maesie ready to calf and Tootsie Roll ready to birth her litter. Well, to me they look ready at any rate. Both are big and round. Both have their mammary glands engorged. And I'm ready for both, but they seem to be happy giving it more time. 

Granted, I'm not the best in tracking these things. When you have so many animals, it gets a little difficult charting when the deed occurred. I thought I knew the ballpark on Maesie, but that passed last month. Now, I'm just winging it as I usually do. Regardless, I'll be having some more babies here soon to cuddle and love on!

My latest piece on perspective. 

Cows drinking water in the distance

Sneaky Cows

My cows will take absolutely any and every opportunity to get into mischief. A week or so ago, the gate was left open and they took that chance to get out. Today, a particularly big gust of wind hit the storage container door open enough that my red headed cows took full advantage. I mean, the wind has to blow just right for it to open, but that's what it did. That door is a pain to close by the way with the latching. 

Inside this magical container is hay bundles. Nevermind there was hay already out for them. Nope, Brogan, Fiona and Flora decided the hidden hay must be tastier. I got out there and shooed them off, but Brogan gave a disgruntled sigh. Never in my life did I think I would be chastising a bull with an attitude, but here we are. At least Fiona took my look of warning and decided not to test me. Flora, of course, acted surprised she was even there like she had just woken up from sleepwalking or something. Y'all have no idea how much personality cows have!

Mineral Tub

The craziest phenomenon yet for the farm has occurred today. The introduction of the mineral tub. Usually, lose minerals have been given to the animals, but the guy at the feed store gave the cows a complimentary mineral tub to try out. I was antsy about trying it as it contains molasses and I've got to be so careful of how much the donkeys eat, but it appears I didn't need to worry. 

See, my cows have big heads with even bigger horns. Even though this is a big tub, only one of my cows could lick from it at a time. One would go up, lick for a few minutes, then walk off. Once that cow had returned to the herd, a different cow would go. They were literally taking turns while also maintaining distance like it was a bathroom break or something. 

At one time, Patches got a brief lick before a cow had walked up. Without any head butting from the cow or any other signal, Patches just calmly strolled away. These are the same animals that kick and head butt each other when they think their portion of hay is tastier! One tub is supposed to feed fifty cows, so far it's looking good. 

Almond Joy