January 23rd and 24th, 2011
by Brian Higgins on 01/29/11
It had been three weeks since my last visit (I missed documenting the first one in January...oops) and I was aching to see my friends again. It is amazing the difference that one week can make! Since we had added some bunnies to our family (Buddy and Rosy) the weekend before, it had not been possible to come up. It worked out in my favor, however, since Sophia had planned a volunteer dinner for the 23rd.
Saturday started out with some cleaning and floor repairs to the Chicken Barn. Between the chicken scratching, the rat tunneling, and the effects of nature, there were large sections along the sides and in the middle that just weren't quite level. This meant hauling wheelbarrows full of gravel and dirt to patch them up. It seems that there were some logistics issues and someone forgot to advise the chickens about this extra work because they seemed a tad annoyed about not being able to come back in as soon as usual. Between the burning in my arms and the burning of chicken eyes peering through the windows, it made for a bit of an uncomfortable situation. After a few hours of work, all was well and apologies were made and accepted.
While I was working on this project, I couldn't help but see my buddies Coco and Melvin. Coco had a bit of a limp on her front leg so she was in the isolation area near the rest of the goats. I could tell that she was wanting to be back with them. She was routinely bleating this desire in the surprisingly warm air. Her calls were being responded to by Noel, the newest edition to the Farm, who was also in isolation pending a clean bill of health. It would be very difficult for any practical person to listen to this and not concede that they are communicating and not just making random noises. I checked in on her from time to time and she looked as lovely as ever.
Melvin was sporting a new haircut. I am sure that it was a lot cooler for him with the bulk of his hair shorn, but I sure hope he didn't pay for his new do (Or at least didn't tip his barber). Lets just say that he reminded me of a goofy "Cowardly Lion" from the Wizard of Oz because he had short hair on his body but a large mane/scruff around his neck. He still had that cute little goat smirk so he was instantly recognizable. His short hair cut also made it easier to see a small abcess on his side which I had the chance to help Mike C. treat. Melvin was a good little patient and I think he understood that we were trying to help him.
After the Chicken Barn work, it was time to help Mike K. with the Rescue Barn pig area totalling. This went pretty smoothly, but once again, someone had forgotten to tell the pigs, most notably Lassen and Mathilda, that it would take a little longer today. As we worked to get their new beds made just right, they worked to try to open the gate and get back in. I think that it was more of a gesture than anything else. These are some big piggies and if they really wanted to get in, they would. As we were finishing loading the tractor with the straw, Elliot and Oliver made an appearance. I had seen then earlier in the pasture, never far from each others' sides and they strolled into the Rescue Barn side by side. They were very fascinated with the tractor, so I sat down and called to them to make sure they were clear so Mike could pull out. Elliot came strolling over first and then Oliver. They are both growing up so fast. While they still have that calf-appearance, it is only a matter of time until they are full-fledged cows. I smiled broadly when Elliot took my whole hand, up to the wrist, in his mouth and started sucking on it. Old habits die hard, and there will be a day when I will sorely miss this one.
Justin (a.k.a. "Squishy") was also checking us out and he received a special visit from Indran who was taking pictures and shooting videos. I was saddened to learn that Sunday would be his last day, but glad to know that I would be working with him and have a chance to say goodbye.
The rest of Saturday was consumed with miscellaneous cleaning and odd-jobs which I will not bore you with here, but which do make a difference for the animals.
Sunday started off with a real event. It was time to introduce Justin to the goat herd. Now by himself Justin looks pretty small, so I was imagining how much smaller he would look next to his new "BFFs" (Hopefully). Indran and I coralled him and I had the honor of holding him on my lap in the front seat of the red van for the drive up to the Sheep and Goat Barn. When we got there, all I could think was, "Don't drop him or let him jump out" as I exited the van and walked through the gate. Everyone on shift was on-hand to see this and Justin didn't disappoint. He worked immediately to establish himself as a tough guy by standing on his rear legs to challenge the larger male goats with head-butts. The sight of his tiny horns bumping against theirs was pretty darn cute. Gradually more and more goats and sheep came over to meet this "New Kid on the Block" (Credits to Kim who made that connection) and he was quite the popular little fellow.
Amidst the rest of the day's cleaning (And a close encounter with a black widow spider that spiked my adrenaline for the afternoon), there were some other notable events. The first was spending some time with Noel. He had gone through a rough patch at the hands of some meth heads who had stuffed him in a car trunk and were apparently planning to eat him, but now he was settling in. He had just been neutered a couple of days ago, but he didn't seem to be holding too much of a grudge. He was sweet and would alternate between nuzzling in my hand and butting my knees (Gently, luckily for me). As I was wrapping up my time cleaning his yard, Fred mentioned that there was a visitor in the Duck pond.
Lo and behold, there was a river otter sitting on the bank. He was minding his own business and didn't seem to mind us watching him or taking his picture. He didn't seem to interested in the ducks, but I remembered reading an article once about river otters attaching and eating a poodle so we did some web research and decided that it would probably be wise to have a "duck lock-down" to be on the safe side. He was still there in the pond when I left, but I am told that this little "exchange student" went back home at the end of the day.
In between and during assignments, I also had the chance to visit with Whitaker, Blossom, Calvin, Ady, Colvin, Wendy, Lassen, Mathilda, Ramona, Kiwi, Fergus, Boe, Daisy, and Indigo.
Whitaker was laying in the pasture and let me pet him and hug him for a bit while Ashley counted the herd. I know that he will miss Indran almost as much as Indran will miss him. Fortunately, he is staying in the Orland area so he will be able to visit him regularly.
Blossom and Calvin devoured a large bowl of grass that I prepared for them. They seem to be quite the couple nowadays; maybe a celebrity inspired name like "Blovin" or "Calsom" is needed to signify their relationship. She is also finally done with her duct tape slippers since the hairy heel warts have finally healed.
I had a chance to pet Ady, Colvin, and Wendy when they congregated around the large water bowl. It is a rare thing for Wendy to let me pet her, so I made the most of it. They are a cute little sheep family.
Lassen, Mathilda, Ramona, Kiwi, and Fergus were a bit of a challenge to get separated for PM produce, but once they saw that food was on the line, they were a bit more cooperative.They had settled into the nice beds we had provided them the day before and hand't really wanted to get up at first.
Boe let me pet her briefly in the Main Office and I told her about our new bunnies.
Indigo seemed to be enjoying his new surroundings since the chicken and turkey hospital hutches had been swapped. Everyone likes a change of scenery from time to time.
I visited with Daisy from a distance since she is still pretty shy, but I am convinced that she knows her name. She is adorable.
With some sore muscles, but a restored heart, I bid my friends a, "See Ya Later" and closed my visit and made my way down the dusty trail to the "real world".
