This past year was a hard one for us. We lost both of our cats, both of our chickens, and our dog. We have no pets at all on our farm. Which is kind of wrong and I miss each one of them. However, it does make it easier for us to take off and visit the grand kids. But I still have a soft spot in my heart for critters.
The sparrows used to share the chicken feed with our hens. I have some left-over chicken feed in a big metal garbage can so every day or so I still throw some out for the sparrows and their friends. Eat up, birds!
The other day when I lifted the lid off the metal can of chicken feed I was greeted by two little mice. (How two mice can climb into a metal garbage can, that has a lid on it, is another story for another day.) I pulled the can out of the shed and tipped it so the little buggers could get out. One of them got buried by the feed, so I shook it around until he was uncovered and scampered off. Be free, Mickey!
Yesterday I was working in the pasture cleaning up a debris field, pulling up boards that were dumped there a year or so ago. Under one of the boards was a little garter snake. It was not a warm day and the little guy was not moving much. His tongue flickered in and out so I know he was alive but he was pretty cold. I moved him to a safe place in the grass and told him to be safe and smart and stay warm.
Today I spotted mama deer and her yearling twins trotting through my yard. I took off after them waving my arms and yelling, wishing my big black dog, Joe, was still here to help out. He always kept the deer out of my yard and I’m having trouble taking over his job.
My soft spot for critters is only so big.
small happinesses 