Nanny: our Livestock Guardian Dog
Nanny is a beautiful rescued Great Pyrenees who showed up as a stray at a local farm. She was just coming into her first heat when we adopted her (phew!) and had all kinds of lovely parasites, matted fur, and an ingrown dewclaw. However, she was wonderfully trusting in letting us alleviate these problems and nurse her back to health. She was born approximately the autumn of 2009, and is just a month or two older than Acala. She is our first livestock guardian dog and is a very different personality from other dogs we've owned. She is independent and really seems to *think* before doing what you ask. However, she is super mellow and very sweet. I am embarrassed to say she walks on a loose leash better than her "trained" sister, Acala! She doesn't hesitate to lean her big ol' head into you to get some love. She and Acala are best buddies. She took naturally to living with and protecting our goats, after Janis showed her who was boss. She has a VERY impressive growl and bark.
Acala: our Farm Collie
Romany's Sweet Acala, BN is an AKC registered Rough Collie and was born December, 2009. She is a wonderful dog!
I am proud to say Acala passed her AKC Canine Good Citizen test in November, 2010, at 11 months of age. She earned her Beginner Novice Obedience title at our first show in January, 2012. She has one leg of three required to earn her Novice obedience title. We took a break from training once the busy spring season began, and we may get back to it again someday.
She is great with kids and cats, safe with chickens, sweet and affectionate, and eager to please. She maintains constant awareness of the subtle cues of whatever person she is with. When the children are playing outside, Acala is always with them and alerts an adult to any injuries or problems. She loves playing with her sister Nanny, ear rubs, belly rubs, and the recall game. She is very affectionate and loves to give kisses to everyone, including "her" cat.
I am proud to say Acala passed her AKC Canine Good Citizen test in November, 2010, at 11 months of age. She earned her Beginner Novice Obedience title at our first show in January, 2012. She has one leg of three required to earn her Novice obedience title. We took a break from training once the busy spring season began, and we may get back to it again someday.
She is great with kids and cats, safe with chickens, sweet and affectionate, and eager to please. She maintains constant awareness of the subtle cues of whatever person she is with. When the children are playing outside, Acala is always with them and alerts an adult to any injuries or problems. She loves playing with her sister Nanny, ear rubs, belly rubs, and the recall game. She is very affectionate and loves to give kisses to everyone, including "her" cat.
Rumblestorm: the best cat
Rumble is a terrific cat, rescued through Nashville Cat Rescue. He was born April 2009. He is super-tolerant (important when living with young humans!), friendly, and has a great purr! He hunts all night, eats breakfast, and comes into the house to sleep all day on our bed. He catches mice, moles, voles, and rabbits (bunnies! ahh!) galore - a skill much prized in our household! He is also surprisingly friendly to the dogs who joined the household after he did. He rubs on their legs, rolls over to invite them to play, and gratefully receives facelicks from his affectionate buddy, Acala. However, the neighbor-dogs cower in his presence.
He was named in the style of the Warrior Cats series of books, which the kids very much enjoyed reading.
He was named in the style of the Warrior Cats series of books, which the kids very much enjoyed reading.
Our Heritage Breed Chickens
We have a flock of 26 friendly chickens, who entertain us with their gentle clucks and antics. They stay in their coop at night and free range during the day. Hens include 4 Speckled Sussex (Casey, Patricia, Sally, and Anne); 4 Easter Eggers (Ducky, Snowy, Puffy, and Cocoa); 4 Welsummers (Khan, Napoleon, Atilla, and Alexandria); 2 Silver-Grey Dorkings (Shaka and Silver); 2 Black Australorps (Jenni and Jemima); 2 olive eggers (Machichi and Gigi); a Cuckoo Marans x Buff Brahma cross (Dorothy); a Plymouth Barred Rock (Rocky); a New Hampshire Red (Flame); a Salmon Faverolle (Buffy); a Buff Brahma (Surya); a Cuckoo Marans (Dotsy); a Blue Cuckoo Marans (Mabel); and a Dominique (Maggie).