Cats
Buddy came from a co-worker who had decided he was just “too much cat for being indoors.” I volunteered to give him a home, and after keeping him inside for a few days of acclimation I completely understand what she meant! Buddy is extremely curious, and given the opportunity, he will climb the clothes in the closet to get to the shelves at the top – and then knock everything off the shelves. Buddy is very sweet and is an excellent companion when all you want to do is curl up in bed and read a book! An avid hunter as well, all the birds and mice on the farm have learned to watch their path!
Junior came to us by accident; I call him “Buddy’s cat” as he befriended Buddy and started dining with him in the barn. At first he was terrified of humans, and he slowly became accustomed to us. One day, out of curiosity, I reached for him while he was eating. His body tensed for a minute until he realized all I wanted to do was pet him. Since that time, he’s become my shadow on the farm. A talkative cat, he loves to be wherever you are and wants to “help” you!
Dogs
Hershey is a 5-year old mix of what we think includes some Corgi (due to her coloring and coat texture) and possibly some Shar pei (due to the shape of her eyes and curled tail). Hershey is full of life and loves to accompany you around the farm. She likes to run off occasionally, so you have to keep an eye (or two!) on her. She loves to please, and is a sensitive gal.
Chester is a 7-year old Dachshund/Chihuahua mix – imagine a stretched out Jack Russell! He is a happy little dog that loves sniffing out the “finer” parts of farm life (chicken droppings, horse manure, goat berries, you get the drift) and loves nothing more than to curl up under a blanket and sleep. Chester, being part-Dachshund has back problems that keep him on bed rest occasionally. He doesn’t complain as it’s an excuse to be lazy!
Goats
Donut (left) and Sweet Roll (right) are half-brothers, La Mancha whethers that were my Christmas gift in 2008. I had been wanting goats for more than 10 years at that point, and they are one of the best gifts I’ve ever received! HB found them at Night Sky Farm, a local goat dairy. After battling with skin problems for most of the 2009 summer, we recently found out that Sweet Roll suffers from Pemphigus foliaceus, an autoimmune disease. We started treatment at the start of January and have high hopes for remission!
Dixie Does Purcell Abba - “Abba” – is a beautiful Alpine doeling, who came to us from the lovely Dixie Does herd in Tennessee. She is expected to kid in late March. Abba, who will turn 1 in March, is the youngest of the does on the farm, and I think she knows it! She’s spunky and loves to play. Her favorite activity is dancing on the milking stand when she gets to come into the milking stall, since I’m working on her to make sure she’s used to it!
Dixie Does Maybeitwas Memphis - “Memphis “- is a lovely 1-year old Alpine doe. Like Abba, she came from the Dixie Does herd and we are fortunate to have her. We feel that she will produce some amazing kids. Memphis is beautiful and curious, but I’m afraid she suffers from something akin to “middle child syndrome” and feels life is unjust to her. She’s smart and spunky, and a rather fun addition to our herd.
Dixie Does Caspian Jacqsonne – “Jacqsonne” – is a lovely 3-year old Alpine doe who also came from the Dixie Does herd. She is the queen of our little herd and the other girls know it. She has birthed two sets of twins, and has a wonderful milking history. On 1/10/10 she aborted 5 fetuses, and while we were sad about that event, we are grateful to still have her healthy. We have started milking her and her production is steadily increasing. She is a loving doe, and beautiful to boot!
Delectable Hills Xenia – “Xenia” – is a 5 year old Toggenburg doe. She is a beautiful light tan with cream-colored markings characteristic of her breed. Xenia is the newest addition to the farm, and is the most temperamental. She is particularly nervous around new people, so we try to limit her exposure to maintain her sanity. 
Her name means “hospitable” in Greek, and I think she tries to live up to her name. Because the other does do not like her, Xenia lives with our wethers, Sweet Roll and Donut.
Horses
HRH Huckleberry – “Huck” – 
is a 10-year old Arabian gelding. We purchased him in February 2009. Huck has been an excellent match for my riding goals and plans. In August 2009 we found out that he had an old back injury, and he’s currently almost halfway through an 8-month rehab plan. I hope to have him back on the trail late summer 2010 and hope to complete a 25-mile endurance ride in the fall. You can follow my horse adventures at my other blog.
Epiphany - “pH” – is an 8-year old Westphalen/Rhineland cross. I hope to breed her to an Arabian stallion to produce a nifty sport horse cross. I’ve known pH since she was a weanling and she’s always been a favorite. She was never broke due to an injury when young, but with her beautiful gaits, compact conformation, and sweet personality I think she’d be a wonderful mother.
Chickens
We have 11 Rhode Island Red hens. When they first arrived, as day old chicks, I had the grand idea of naming each hen after an herb. As the girls grew up I realized I could hardly tell them apart. Instead, when a hen is good I call her Henrietta, and when she’s doing something naughty I call her Marietta. However, a few of the hens have distinguished themselves…
Julia Child received her name because she has a slight warble in her voice, that reminds me of the voice of her namesake.
Pinkie has her name due to the lighter color of her comb.
