An Eastside Farm Chronicle Update

Things have been pretty hectic around here lately. I realized that I haven't done a follow up to several stories, namely the problem with Callebaut's bloat, the chicken that was attacked by the dogs, and Ginger, my sweet little zipper necked girl.

Callebaut is first. His bloat seems to be under control. Good news. He is on a better quality dog food, following the advice of our vet to only feed our dogs food that lists the meat, not meat by-products, first. Done. We also have cut back on his food 'cause he was a bit on the chunky side. He also has been taking pills, happily because they are embedded in a spoon of peanut butter, that helps with his "motility". He is also not supposed to tank up on water, which he used to do every night, and can only take a good drink two hours after he has eaten. With everything we have done for him, he is now showing off a very shiny coat and a more defined waistline. Actually, he is looking very fine, indeed!

Now Ginger's news...sigh...
Ginger's tumor is malignant. It is squamous cell cancer and it has gone into the blood vessels in the vicinity of the tumor along with her lymph glands. This is not good. I will be taking her back in to our vet in 3 weeks. In 2 weeks I am to begin checking the same location to see if the tumor has grown back. The vet believes a tumor will pop up on or in her somewhere in the near future.
I am incredibly saddened with all of this and I can't help but feel deflated. I just want to spend quality time with her because I don't know how much time we will have together.

The Chicken: Honey West survived the dog attack with fierceness and strength. There is actually a story but I will save it for the next posting.

The Remodeled Hen House: Farmer Jeff and I are still exhausted from the day/night of the remodel. The girls are still adjusting to it and are gifting more eggs! That is very good news! Farmer Jeff has gone back in and added more perches, which will help the girls to get a better night's sleep. They are still wandering aimlessly in the coop when heading off to bed because they have not figured out the sleeping assignments. Once they determine who will sleep where and with whom, life will drift back to normalcy and tranquility.

The Composters: Is this a new subject for the blog? Hm...I think so! Farmer Jeff found 2 big composters on Craigslist and we are now composting all of our green matter from the restaurant! We are most excited by this new achievement. We have discovered the key ingredient for acceleratingly the compost...Chicken Poop! Um...we just happen to have a LOT of chicken poop! We are going to be cranking out compost and then using it in the garden once we have aged it.

Life, on the whole, is good. Living on the farm has really driven home the cycle of life. We see it on a daily basis. I love the new growth, little chicks, flowers, leaves budding. That is the fun part. The slow decline of the garden teaches me that there is nothing I can do to stop it. What I don't want to face is death. It is as much a part of life as...living. Doesn't make it easier.

Think good thoughts about a pussy cat.

Just Think Lovely Thoughts

When I was growing up each of us kids was allowed to pick a record to listen to. My brother, P, always chose Call of the Wild by Louie Prima. My brother, C, always chose Slaughter on 10th Avenue and I always chose the Broadway soundtrack of Peter Pan with Mary Martin.

When Peter Pan first appears in the nursery to the children, he explains that they, too, could fly, "just think lovely thoughts". Today is one of those days that I really need to think lovely thoughts.

As you might remember, Farmer Jeff is away for a few days on his annual boys time away from the wives trip. I am home, on jury duty (yet to be called but patiently waiting), and caring for the animals.

Yesterday the animal food chain almost came undone before my very eyes. Whilst collecting eggs and feeding the scissor-beaked hen, Tyner, our Amazon Hen, Honey West, got out. (She is named after the 1966 TV show with Anne Francis as Honey West...and yes, that is her pet ocelot.)

She got out right in front of the dogs and they decided it was time to re-invent badminton...or to help themselves to a fresh chicken dinner. I was yelling at the dogs like a drill sergeant (or mother) to leave the chicken alone. The chicken would get away from one dog only to be grabbed by the next dog. It was a living nightmare. This went on for several go-rounds. I thought I got the chicken away from them only to have them grab her again. I thought she was dead and at the last minute just pulled her out of their mouths and thrust her into a nesting box.

My poor mother-in-law had just dropped by at this time. She is the only other person, besides Farmer Jeff, that had heard me screaming the day dog India caught and broke the leg of once feral cat, now house cat, Chloe. She helped out by getting the dogs into the house. I went back to check on the chicken and...she was alive! Alive!!! I couldn't believe it! She didn't have any signs of blood, just a lot of feathers missing and wet.

I fixed up a convalescing cage in the garage, complete with heat lamp and dry towels. This morning when I went out to check on her, fulling bracing myself for anything, there she stood, squawking at me in a very indignant manner, demanding to be returned to the coop. I obeyed and back she went. I checked on her today and she seems to be fine. A little ruffled...but that is to be expected!

Now I need you all to help me pray, and think lovely thoughts, for the little dog I hit on the road today. He ran right out in front of me. I did what I could to swerve, but I hit him. I didn't kill him, but he was injured. His owner ran out and grabbed him while I was yelling to him...I am SO SORRY. I have been in his position before, while picking up one of our cats from the road. What can be done at that point. I saw the owner speed off to the vet and I have no idea what happened.

What a strange couple of days this has been.

Just think lovely thoughts.