This move was hard on some of my pets. My cat, Owl, disappeared about 2 weeks before the move so he was the first casualty. He was pretty frustrated with me and my busy schedule and he had been wandering more and more. I did not force him to stay in at night because he got his name because he night was the time when he did most of his playing. He was miserable when I kept him in so I let him out even though I knew I could lose him to coyotes. He was a really neat cat that I raised as an orphan when he was found in Debbie’s hay barn at 2 weeks of age. He had to be part siamese with a white coat and tan tips on his ears and tail. Also very blue eyes. His mother had to be the wild, orange tabby that lived in the woods because he has light orange rings on his tail. 

Zorro was my other cat who had also been raised as a 2 week old orphan when he fell between the walls at the clinic and let me pull him through a tiny opening by his head. Zorro was always a bit nervous and he really freaked with the move. I kept him inside for a week but he still bolted when I finally let him out. He insisted on living in the woods but came in for food and would occasionally hang around to let me pet him. One night he came limping in and when I examined him it was obvious he had an abscess. I treated him and made him a bed on my bed in the house. When I went to bed he was a sleeping soundly but the next morning he was gone. He did not come in for food so I suspected he was holed up somewhere to mend. I called and looked for him but no luck. Unfortunately, I found him dead 5 days later just a few yards from the house. I must have walked by him many times when I was looking. I feel he was never happy here and simply wanted to move on to cat heaven. I sure do miss him though. 

Roady was a little titmouse bird that I rescued after he fell from a tree during storm. He also had to be hand fed and he had a head injury so I knew I could never set him free. He would twitch his head constantly but he did finally learn to feed himself. I carried him back and forth with me when I drove to Fischer every day and he kept me entertained with his singing. Once I moved he lived in the portable building and was a happy as could be. Over time, however, I noticed he was loosing weight and having more trouble eating. I had him out of the cage to check him over and he leaped out of my arms and across the desk. Before I could get to him my other cat, CC, pounced on him. I was able to get he off before she damaged him but he was of course, traumatized. I got aconite and rescue remedy and he rallied but 2 days later I found him dead. I feel he was failing and it would have not been long before I lost him to starvation. 

So that is the losses. On the gain side I have a new kitten that showed up after I was only here for a few weeks and he looks just like Owl. He was starved and beat up and spent the first night trying to sleep right on top of my face. He was so glad to find someone to take care of him. He has no fear of people or much of anything else. I have named him Owl 2 and he sleeps well at night so I keep him in. He is a great cat. 

I also have acquired 4 chickens and I am so happy to have them. Only one is laying right now but I am sure the others will pick up after they finish molting. They are a constant source of entertainment for Owl but the chickens are not nearly so enamored with him. 

The other animals that came with me are Tess, my mule, Lady the donkey, Cerise and Remi the horses. CC is my clinic cat and she is happy to be here getting extra attention. I plan to add more chickens and perhaps a milk goat. Will keep you posted. Madalyn