My Team is Complete!

When a judge on The Voice has selected 12 singers, he/she makes a production of saying, "My team is complete!"  Today, I can honestly say, I feel that idea - being complete. 

Hang on - there is still lots to do, but Frank and I have been working for three years to bring life back to the farm, try new things, and not to argue too much when we work together!  But, when the guard dogs and the goats arrived yesterday, I had this overwhelming sense of accomplishment and contentment and at this moment, our team is complete!

We only added three goats and two dogs. Why is that a big deal? Such an accomplishment?  Because the plans worked, the work paid off, and this big piece is all done. 

Our new girls, Scout and Phoebe (Akbash Pyrenees) are shy and fierce, all packed into their enormous bodies! These two-year-olds are as big as the goats, but have decided they like being in with the chickens better.  Honestly, they are litter mates who have always been together, and they take their cues from each other. Scout is the leader and was the first to make friends. (Milk Bones help.) Phoebe tries, but can be skittish. Where Scout goes, Phoebe goes. So, no surprise that when they escape - and yes they do - they go together. We finally got them into the pasture with the goats today, but Phoebe got spooked and she put herself thru the gate. In the meantime, Scout goes to rescue her, and they both end up with the chickens again. We'll keep trying...and we'll reinforce the gate!

The goats are another story. They are so curious, checking out the neighbor's horse, watching the buzzards we have in the corn crib, and following us everywhere. They are Boer goats, and they love a weedy pasture! Gidget is bossy, and she might use her horns to "direct" movement. Berni can give a look that makes me want to behave better! Penny, well, she is smaller and usually goes where the other two go. Currently, they are corralled until our pasture fencing is done, but they have plenty to eat and shelter.  Of course I couldn't get them to look at me for a better picture! Yes, same gate the dogs managed to pass thru. 

The inevitable, never-shorter list had some major check offs this week: corral built, building cleaned and prepared, dogs and goats in place!  And even with ticks and hot sun, it was satisfying to bring it all together. The winner is .. US!