SpiritOfHopeFarm's Page

My website or blog:

http://spiritofhopefarm.tripod.com

Proud pet parent of:

8 horses (more than half are rescued), 3 chickens, 2 kitties, 2 ratties, 1 Dogue de Bordeaux, and 2 human kids

How we met:

Horses: We own a licensed shelter for horses. Most were either dropped off by the state due to lack of care, or were privately rescued. 4 are permanent residents, 1 is a mascot for our humane education program, and the other 3 are awaiting new permanent, loving homes.
Chickens: A local farmer's culls. Hubby brought them home 2 years ago... now known collectively as "the girls."
Cats: One is a shelter kitty, the other from an unwanted litter.
Ratties: They came from a breeder. Rats are great companion animals and are very social and smart. We got them because rats are great ways to introduce small animal care in our humane education program and because sometimes the schools won't let us bring Minnie, our mini-horse mascot!
Dog: Our Dogue de Bordeaux came to us after the passing of our 2 beloved dogs last fall. This Dogue has quickly taken over and pretty much gets what he wants. He is a breeder's cull as well, born with entropion, umbilical hernia (both repaired) and and a heart murmur.

Pet likes:

All of my guys love food and they get plenty of it! They also love attention and to know they are safe. The dog loves to just be with someone and to chew his toys. He's pretty fond of the couch too.

Pet dislikes:

Loud voices, rough hands, late dinners! In the case of the cats, they get particularly vocal if there is not at least half a bowl of kibble maintained at all times!

Pet’s favorite spot:

Horses: Hanging out by the round bales.
Chickens: Anywhere the sun shines or on their roost
Dogue: underfoot
Kitties: on my desk, preferably the keyboard and/or blocking the monitor. Or on my back when I'm sleeping
Ratties: In their hut or on my shoulder

Pet’s favorite toy:

Horses: Eachother's heads
Chickens: the occasional snake
Dogue: His rope bone.
Kitties: The Dogue
Ratties: The Wheeeeeel

Pet’s silliest habit:

Dogue: head butting
Kitties: one likes to chase the mouse on the monitor, one likes to position herself around the dogue's toy to torment him
Horses: One likes to yank halters, fly masks, and blankets off the other horses. He likes the sound of velcro being ripped. One is very vocal and nickers a lot when she is being groomed. One comes up to you and puts his behind to you, not to threaten a kick but to have you scratch his butt.
Chickens: one is very vocal and likes a scratch behind the ears.
Ratties: one twists his head a lot, one is a squinter

Pet’s sweetest moments:

After I was put on bed rest for a back problem for 6 weeks, the cats took turns on the end of my bed or actually laying on my back where the injury was located.

I crack up when my pet:

One of the horses cracks me up because he always has a goofy expression on his face and because he's a general pest to the other two in the paddock with him.

My pet is unique because:

They are all their own personalities, histories, preferences, and quirks. They all are special to us.