Gentle Gretel

February has been a quiet month for the blog but I assure you that things have been busy around here!  Most of Brian's energies have recently been dedicated to a project that had little to do with starting our goat dairy, but about improving our quality of life in a different way. 

Our 1970's kitchen has been brought into the 21st century and I am hoping it will inspire an improvement in my culinary talents as well!

Our routine has otherwise continued, taking care of all of the animals through this last part of winter, my work at the hospital and the occasional visit from family and friends.  We continue to have a mild weather for this time of year with a few beautiful dustings of snow.

The only difference has been that poor Gretel has gotten sick again.  As we endure visits to the vet and bloodwork and xrays without a proper diagnosis, we are keeping our fingers crossed that she will be ok!

Due to the recent snow and Gretels' illness we have been bringing her inside at night.  Brian has somehow managed to maintain order in our house while finishing the kitchen remodel, and dealing with Arthur, Betty and Gretel under the same roof.  Arthur and Betty are very nervous around Gretel and although Gretel is unsure of her new surroundings inside, she is eager to make friends of our smaller indoor animals.

Bea continues to grow and thrive and both girls are happy when we let Gretel back out in the mornings. Today she woke with lots of energy and is happy to be outside in the sunshine.

Now that Brian's inside projects are coming to an end, he will return his focus to the outside and we will hopefully add to our animal family in the near future!

We Made It!

For months Brian and I anxiously anticipated the spaying of our huge puppies. I am pleased to report that the girls are fully recovered and are happily back outside.  They have resumed their nocturnal ways, barking at night to protect the goats and our property.  They still very much enjoy when we go to visit them. 

The goats are also happy these days, not so much because of the girls' return to the outdoors but because things are starting to turn green.  Maia and Weekend defintely enjoy the larger variety in their diet.

The animals have recently displayed a few new behaviors that keep us laughing.  Gretel has developed the habit of walking the inside perimeter of the dog run, in the small space between the dog house and the fence.  This is characteristic of the Great Pyrenees protective instinct.  Bea tried to do the same once but because she is bigger than Gret, she got stuck and it took some force to get her out! 

The goats spend a lot of their time on the roof of the A-Frame.  They look like tight-rope walkers with their incredible balancing abilities.  We are hoping to build them a bigger playground this summer.

February has brought many beautiful, sunny days and although it's still chilly, it is starting to feel a bit like spring!