It seemed like a good idea...

You know when you think of something and it seems like a good idea at the time....

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Well since the rat poison episode a few months ago

we've resorted to those nasty sticky traps.

But our rat and mice problem seems to have disappeared.

Though we still had a jumbo, super dooper, Princess Auto,

stick to anything sticky trap set in the barn.

I noticed that someone had biffed said trap outside by the barn door.

It was full of hay and dirt, so I figured it wasn't too sticky anymore.

So I left it there since I was busy. 

I figured that I would get rid of it the next day.

Well time has a way of flying by 

and yesterday it was still there.

And one of our chickens had walked in it.

There it was walking around with this huge trap stuck to it's foot.

Well really it was squawking around with the sticky trap stuck to it's foot.

I thought to myself, "If I could just get close enough...."

I don't think I need to elaborate.

But I will anyway.

Why I thought if I got close enough to the sticky trap to step on it 

and then I could catch the chicken, was a good idea...

I'll never know.

And that's what I did.

It was easy enough to sneak up on the chicken

and WHAM! I slammed my foot on the trap!

I still didn't clue in to what I had done.

I grabbed the chicken and set it free.

My Croc on the other hand

is

not

so

lucky.

It just won't come off.

I broke the larger part off but this part is still there.

But you know what the funny part is? No what I just said wasn't the funny part.

I actually, for a split second, contemplated putting my other foot

 on the other part of the trap to pry off my first foot.  Just for a split second.  

Ok, well long enough to lift up my foot and...think about what I was

about to do.

Sigh....

Well I thought it was a good idea.

Have a Blessed Evening

Lisa

Gotta getta goat...maybe.

The other day, a fellow goat person and I were talking about how people don't realize what it is to have goats.  They think it's like having a dog or a cat.

We were so frustrated about it that I told her, "I think it's time I write a post on my blog about this."

So here goes.

I know I'm probably going to offend someone.

But you know what?! I really don't care.

If it means someone's feelings or a goat's well being then guess where my priorities lie....

goat yoga

First of all.

Before you get a goat read, read,read.

I cannot stress this enough.Talk to other people that have goats.

Then read some more! Research...that's another word for read.

I researched about goats for over a year before I got a goat.
And I still ran into things I had no clue about.

Simple things like what they can and cannot eat. Some regular household veggies will kill your goat.

Visit other goat people to see how they've got things set up. What works and what doesn't.

Secondly...
IF  you are not prepared to spend money on vet bills (and some years it can be a lot!)
Don't get a goat!  Yes I know some things can be done with home remedies and you can talk to other goat people about what they think it is...but the bottom line is,
it doesn't matter how well you take care of your goats, they're bound to get sick and only a good goat vet can help you.

So that means look for a vet that knows goats before you get a goat. Not all large animal vets are good or know goats.  Some of us have learned that the hard way. I've been lucky.
My vet has always been available, but I've heard horror stories from other goat people.
Develop a good relationship with your vet. Our vet is awesome, he trusts us to administer meds without him there and we trust him (and his daughter who's now also a goat vet).

Thirdly...
Not even sure that's a word...oh well
Never, ever tie a goat!!! NEVER!!!!!
I cannot stress this enough.
NEVER!!!!!
Get it?!

A goat that is tied is at risk of being attacked by predators...and I'm not talking wolves, coyotes
           and such..just the neighbourhood dog that got loose can kill or severely maim or                                              hurt your goat...(vet bills)

                          They're houdinis. They can twist themselves enough that they                                                            will either get away or hang themselves. The best thing is to invest in good fencing, electric, wire etc...you'll know soon enough if it's good enough to hold your goats.

Numero 4!

Goats are pack animals.  Don't get just a goat, get two.

Five

Goats are NOT lawnmowers.  They're like deer, they're browsers.  They like things high off the ground.  Sure in the spring when the lush, green grass is first out, they love to chow down on it. But they prefer the leaves off the highest branch on the tree, the bark off the tree or your rose bushes.

Six!

If you go in the barn and it looks like your goat is dying, foaming at the mouth, convulsions or anything like that...don't call your goat friend or someone you know that has a goat.
For the love of all that's holy
CALL THE VET!
He or she will tell you what to do and if it's like around here, he knows who has goats and if they might have what you need in meds if you don't.  At least till he can get to you.
Nine times out of 10 your goat go to person will not have the knowledge to help you. They might want to, but can't, which will make them feel really, really bad.
It's not that we don't like helping our fellow goat person, but like I've said before, we haven't gone to vet school for 7 years. We know some stuff, but what might look like the same thing that happened to my goat, might be something completely different that's happening to yours even though it looks the same.

And lastly...for now

Research what type of goat is right for you...again, research another word for read.
I'm not talking Lamancha, Alpine, Nubian...
I'm talking milking goat, meat goat, fiber goat etc...
If you like going away overnight or just not into getting up an hour earlier in the morning don't get a milking goat. Well really don't get a goat. Just kidding.
 It's just that some goat breeds are more time consuming than others.
Like milking goats for example.
If you're not prepared to milk every day, twice a day...even if you've got a fever of 104 and you're nose is running like a leaky faucet, or there's enough snow on the ground to make the Iditarod champion sleds dogs turn and run...don't get a milking goat!!
If you want more of a pet, look into the miniature breeds.
If there's no way you can eat what you raise, don't get a meat goat.
Ya'll get what I'm saying?!

So I hope that I didn't scare or offend anyone.
I know this list is not complete by any stretch of the imagination but
it's a start. Goat keeping is fun and rewarding..but it's also stressful and can get expensive.

Have a Blessed Day.

Springtime on the Farm

Every year the government puts on Open Farm Day.

We've participated in it twice so far.

But it's in the fall which is all fine and dandy if you're a farm

that raises fruits and vegetables.

But when you raise animals the best time is in the spring when all the baby animals are still around!!

So I decided to put together our very own 

Spring Time on the Farm!

At first I had it planned for end of April.

But the weather was not cooperating and Azelle still was fighting mastitis.

She wasn't feeling up to par, so the last thing I wanted was for her to be disturbed by strangers.

So I planned for mid May.

It was a bit chilly, but there were no flies!

I had a soap making demo and a milking demo. And we talked

to people on how to homestead even if you have a full time job.

The milking demo, people were encouraged to try their hand at it.

We had samples of goats milk, goat's milk fudge and cheese!

There was goat and bunny shaped cookies for the kids!

I sold some soap and we accepted donations for Fort MacMurray.

I think everyone had a great time.

In a matter of 4 hours over 100 people came to our little farm!!!

And parking wasn't too much of an issue like I had originally feared.

My mom manned the soap and food table (next year we need two people for that)

Dave showed people around, as did I,

And my friend Susan was the official keeper of the 4 legged kids!

She said it was the easiest job she ever had.

Walk around with a baby goat on a leash.

Chester in all his glory! Dave changed Christian's name to Chester because his face
 looks like a court jester. So Chester the Jester.

Stuart enjoying one of many peanuts

A little lady milking Caith and doing an excellent job at it!

She even fed the pigs!

By the end of the day we were all pooped!

Especially the little ones.

It was a lot of work, so I'm still thinking if I should make another one next year.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Have a Blessed Day!

Lisa

Canada's Ocean Playground.

I love the ocean.

I cannot live without the ocean.

Especially the ocean on Nova Scotia's shores.

That are, of course, the best.

For a short time I lived in Calgary.

I almost went crazy without the ocean.

Even though I now live inland

I'm never far away from the ocean.

I'm probably a 2 minute drive from the ocean.

Where we camp it's actually right beside the ocean

which is fine by me.

So now every weekend

I get to walk on the beach.

I love beachcombing and beach glass hunting.

I found this old pipe on the beach yesterday.

I think it's pretty cool.

My husband thinks I bring too much junk at home.

He can't understand my obsession with the beach, especially since he's

 not so fond of the beach.

Oh well...he loves me anyway.

Even Simone and Grenouille love the beach.

It gives their sniffers a workout!

The beach is one of my happy places.

Treasures!!! So many treasures!

This humonga bonga piece of driftwood has been on this beach for as long as I can remember.

It keep moving with the tides, storm surges, seasons etc...

One of these days it's going to be moving to my place.

If it can just get closer to the parking lot instead of further.

Hmmmm.....

Oh and guess what I'm going to be doing this fine Sunday afternoon?

Walking on the beach.