Happy Fall everyone!!
I have lots of stuff to share with you this weekend (good and bad).
I'll start with the bad news...
I have lots of stuff to share with you this weekend (good and bad).
I'll start with the bad news...
As most of you know our little cat Chicklet went missing on Monday evening. We have a daily ritual of locking the cats up at night and free to roam during the day. Chicklet never returned to us on Monday evening for her dinner and there has been no sign of her since, not even a spotting.
We've gone door to door with flyers, called every SPCA and rescue, 311, Facebook, Kijiji, put flyers up around our neighborhood, left food out for her... everything, but nothing.
At this point our heads are in many places. We first off thinking, this feeling is wayyy to familiar. The feeling of the unknown. The same feeling we had when Audrey was sick. It's not a fun feeling. After about day 4 of her missing we start to think realistically. Yes, we want her to come home but we have to prepare ourselves for the worst.
What could have happened to her? Well here's the options at this point...
- Bald eagle swooped her up -> very possible, we see them around a lot but she was also a good hider, so I'm skeptical.
- Coyote or bob cat took her -> possible, though I have not heard or seen any around here others have. But she also went missing during the daytime, so again, I dunno.
- Someone stole her -> yes but shes fearful of strangers so very unlikely.
- She's lost or on an adventure -> maybe? but unlikely... but cats are unpredictable.
- She's chillin' in someone's house -> doubtful, she's friendly but not litter trained so I can't see anyone wanting that
- Hit by a car -> could be, but still we've looked high and low and no body found.
- She was sick and we didn't know and she hid away to pass -> Honestly this one feels the most likely to me based on my knowledge of my own cats behaviour. Our cats are very well fed. Kitcat is a healthy weight but Chicklet was always skinny. I never investigated because I thought that was just the way she was but it's possible something else was underlying there that we didn't know.
At this point all I can pray is that if she's out there alive, that she returns. And that if she's not, that her death was peaceful and not murderous.
Sorry for the early morning morbidity.
It's likely that in the coming few weeks we will get another cat to keep Kitcat out of trouble. if Chicklet returns, then we'll have 3 cats.
We've gone door to door with flyers, called every SPCA and rescue, 311, Facebook, Kijiji, put flyers up around our neighborhood, left food out for her... everything, but nothing.
At this point our heads are in many places. We first off thinking, this feeling is wayyy to familiar. The feeling of the unknown. The same feeling we had when Audrey was sick. It's not a fun feeling. After about day 4 of her missing we start to think realistically. Yes, we want her to come home but we have to prepare ourselves for the worst.
What could have happened to her? Well here's the options at this point...
- Bald eagle swooped her up -> very possible, we see them around a lot but she was also a good hider, so I'm skeptical.
- Coyote or bob cat took her -> possible, though I have not heard or seen any around here others have. But she also went missing during the daytime, so again, I dunno.
- Someone stole her -> yes but shes fearful of strangers so very unlikely.
- She's lost or on an adventure -> maybe? but unlikely... but cats are unpredictable.
- She's chillin' in someone's house -> doubtful, she's friendly but not litter trained so I can't see anyone wanting that
- Hit by a car -> could be, but still we've looked high and low and no body found.
- She was sick and we didn't know and she hid away to pass -> Honestly this one feels the most likely to me based on my knowledge of my own cats behaviour. Our cats are very well fed. Kitcat is a healthy weight but Chicklet was always skinny. I never investigated because I thought that was just the way she was but it's possible something else was underlying there that we didn't know.
At this point all I can pray is that if she's out there alive, that she returns. And that if she's not, that her death was peaceful and not murderous.
Sorry for the early morning morbidity.
It's likely that in the coming few weeks we will get another cat to keep Kitcat out of trouble. if Chicklet returns, then we'll have 3 cats.
Chicklet - Missing since Sept 25 2017.
How about some more cheery news on this beautiful Saturday morning!?
This is sure to put a smile on your face!
This is sure to put a smile on your face!
On September 28th one of our chickens surprised us by hatching 1 little black fluffy chick!
The chick has arrived among the chaos of our missing cat so of course we named this little chick "Chickie" after our cat!
Welcome little one!
The chick has arrived among the chaos of our missing cat so of course we named this little chick "Chickie" after our cat!
Welcome little one!
When life surprises you with a little chick!
Also, as you all probably have seen on Facebook, our Open House a few weeks ago went great!
We had around 45-50 people, lots of hot dogs and popcorn consumed! The animals loved it!
FYI, all the pictures are up on Facebook and in the "Our Farm" page tab on the website!
We had around 45-50 people, lots of hot dogs and popcorn consumed! The animals loved it!
FYI, all the pictures are up on Facebook and in the "Our Farm" page tab on the website!
Oh, and one last thing.... Updates on our next breeding!!
Lucy Moosie Goosie.
We have chosen a stud for Lucy!
Were going to try the good old fashion way this time rather then the surgical implant because we'll save on all the costs and vet visits. AND mostly because I found a great stud dog in Windsor which is a short distance drive from our place.
His name is Timmy and I have done a test breed with them on Poodle Pedigree and their COI was awesome! 10 gen COI was 0.04% !! YAY!
Also Lucy has passed her OFA health tests Hips (good), Elbows (normal), Thyroid (clear), heart (clear).
I also did a few extra genetic testing for Lucy to make sure she doesn't carry some common things that Poodles tend to pass on. There's a million things to test for but this was the recommended start for Standard Poodles.
DM (Degenerative Myelopathy) - CLEAR
Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures - CLEAR
VWD (Von Willebrand Disease I) - CLEAR
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration - CLEAR
We are just waiting for her heat to start... any day now (likely in October)! Last year she went in heat Sept 22 and she seems to follow a similar pattern every year BUT last year she was synced with Audrey's cycle. April 9th was her last one. You do the math.
We have chosen a stud for Lucy!
Were going to try the good old fashion way this time rather then the surgical implant because we'll save on all the costs and vet visits. AND mostly because I found a great stud dog in Windsor which is a short distance drive from our place.
His name is Timmy and I have done a test breed with them on Poodle Pedigree and their COI was awesome! 10 gen COI was 0.04% !! YAY!
Also Lucy has passed her OFA health tests Hips (good), Elbows (normal), Thyroid (clear), heart (clear).
I also did a few extra genetic testing for Lucy to make sure she doesn't carry some common things that Poodles tend to pass on. There's a million things to test for but this was the recommended start for Standard Poodles.
DM (Degenerative Myelopathy) - CLEAR
Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures - CLEAR
VWD (Von Willebrand Disease I) - CLEAR
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration - CLEAR
We are just waiting for her heat to start... any day now (likely in October)! Last year she went in heat Sept 22 and she seems to follow a similar pattern every year BUT last year she was synced with Audrey's cycle. April 9th was her last one. You do the math.
Our chosen Stud - Timmy
We bought 35 bales of hay a few weeks ago. The goat were highly impressed and rarely escape now.
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And Charlie started puppy classes and LOVES it!!
Thanks for reading!
-A
