Residents of Three Pines Farm
We've got quite a few 'kids' on the farm these days. Let me introduce you to the main characters:
The Horses
Drifter
This is Drifter, affectionately known as Tard, or Tardo Joe. Not PC, I know, but if you meet him, you'll understand. His mother was an elderly POA owned by an elderly couple who put a 2-yr old QH stud in with her, thinking he was too young and she was too old. Several months later, they called the vet because they thought she was colicing; surprise! There was baby Drifter. Mama had no milk so they gave him to the vet, who raised him in the office and (story has it) tube fed him for two months, then got him to take a bottle. Once he was grown and trained, they realized he just didn't have the makings of a gaming or cutting horse so they decided to part with him. I was at an auction when I overheard a lady a few rows down talking about a horse she was selling for a friend. When the other lady left, I slid down and made arrangements to go see him. I wasn't in the market for another horse but something just said I needed to go, lol! The first time I saw him, he did this thing where he sticks out his tongue, rolls it, and sucks on it (habit left over from bottle-feeding), and that was it, I knew he was coming home with us! He had a kicking problem and some biting issues that we've worked through, but he still does the tongue thing quite a lot, which I think is hilarious no matter how many times I see it. Anyway, Joe is the smartest little guy; he can open just about any gate latch known to man. He also knows that when I put a bridle on him and ask him if he wants to go play, he sidles up to the fence so I can climb on for a bareback trip. He's my angel and will be with me always. Click HERE to see more of Drifter's photos.
Shiloh
Shiloh was previously a companion to an old blind gelding I had. When Dan crossed the rainbow bridge last year, I decided it was time for Shiloh to get a new job, so I've been working on getting his issues worked out so we can ride. Ever since we've had him, he's been panicky under saddle; I don't know what happened in his past. He's getting much better though, except for his certainty that the goats down the street are carnivorous. Shiloh's the alpha in our little herd. He was such a great friend to Danny that he's earned a forever place with us. Click HERE to see more of Shiloh's photos.
Justin-aka "Baby"
Baby came to us this spring with horrid feet, a bad lice problem, underweight and wormy. He's come a long way since then! Stay tuned for pictures of when he arrived. Click HERE to see Justin's story, or HERE for miscellaneous Justin photos.
Oliver...aka 'Ollie'
Ollie is a weanling mule that came to us in December of '08. We have decided (through no fault of his own) to offer Ollie up for sale. Please see the 'Long Ears, Big Feet' page or email firebird96ta@peoplepc.com for details.
Click HERE for more photos of the horses!
The Cats
Callie
Callie was dumped at our doorstep the day after a 22" snowstorm. She's small but regal, and an excellent hunter. She was also an excellent mother to the litter she was pregnant with when she came to live with us, before we had her spayed. Miss Callie Mama is very photogenic; click HERE for some of her glamour shots.
Muffin
Muffin belonged to a relative who passed away; another family member took her and said she was horrid, that she was tearing up their house trying to get outside. So she came here, and we have the opposite problem! She tears up the screens trying to get in! :)
Click HERE for more kitty pics!
The Dogs
Gurney
Gurney's a Chihuahua/Dachshund mix; recieved from a relative who didn't want her. She's tiny but she's fierce!
Shelby
Shelby's been with me for about twelve years now. She's getting a touch of arthritis and gets stiff some days, but overall she's well. She's the smartest dog I've ever met.
Bailey
Big, loveable idiot; he was a stray the street dept. picked up. He had his hips broken at some point and was still in the later stages of healing when we got him, according to the vet. Also has some teeth issues from a lot of chewing on metal in the past. He isn't much into toys but has a bear and a Barney that have to come to bed with him every night. He also loves to eat his supper right at bedtime and then belch a goodnight to us.
Bosley
Bosley joined us in the fall of 2008. We think he belonged to someone nearby. On July 4th of '08 we met him for the first time when he wandered up to our holiday cookout. Skinny as a rail, I fed him 3 bowls of food and he was still hungry. He came around about once a week until fall; the last time he came to us he was an absolute walking skeleton, could barely open his eyes from the infection, and his ears were bloody and dripping from scratching at the infection there, too. I told Nate that if we let him go again then we'd never see him again; he would surely die soon. So we tied him up and doctored him for a few days before Nathan let him in the house "just to look around"...and here he is! He's gained about 30-35lbs, we've got his ears and eyes cleared up, and he's Bosley's best friend (and a major mama's boy, lol). For Bosley's story and pics, click HERE.
Click HERE for more doggie photos!
Friends,
Loved and Missed
Here are some of our furred and feathered family members who have either found new homes or have crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Tanner-aka "Pony"
Pony came with Baby. His feet were nowhere near as bad as Baby's, but he did have a horrid case of lice as well. He had a nice build for a pony, and he was very friendly. He pestered Tard all day long. If you saw Pony, you saw Baby, as they were never more than 10 feet from each other. We decided to offer him for sale so that I could start working with Baby without interruptions. Click HERE for more of Tanner's photos.
8-6-08 Tanner has moved to his new home. I'll miss you, Po-Po...
Lucky
Lucky went to a great home and is enjoying a lot of time on the trails!
Whistling Pine Valentine...aka 'John'
John came to us in February of '09. A registered Belgian, he measured over 18hh at the shoulder (over 6', for you non-horsey folks).
Ducks
We had several Pekins, Rouens, Khaki Campbells, and Blue/Black/Brown Swedish and Crested Swedish ducks. Pictured is "Rescue Duck", who I scooped off the road on my way home from work after he and several of his flock were hit by a semi. Luckily, RD was only stunned and quickly regained full conciousness after calming down. We were unable to locate the owners of the flock; seems the ducks must have been dumped at a local stripper pit. The ducks were given to a nice, duck-savvy family after we started having coyote issues.
Geese
Sugar, Whitey, Darkey, and Baby. Most original names ever. They went to their new home with the ducks.
Buzz
Buzz, or Bubba, was the King. He contracted FeLV and FIV from some strays that were dumped here, but kept his health until recently. Several years ago, before he contracted the disease, he was out tomcatting around and was "adopted" by some kind people who took him to the neuter scooter; he returned a few days later with one of their paper collars on him and scared to death to leave the house :). Bubba will be greatly missed.
Mason
Mason was found under a bush, sickly and skinny, when his mother was trapped and relocated without him. We had to syringe feed him for a few days but he picked up fast and was running around the house within a couple weeks. He loved to spend hours lounging outside the chick pen, watching. He contracted FeLV from some strays and had to be put down. We'll miss you, little Mace.
Peababy
Hatched from an egg I got on eBay; believe he was a male, but didn't make it to his 2nd year.
Roger Mexico
Roger was the most beautiful guy ever. Click HERE to see more of Roger's photos.