I am getting ready to head to Florida for my father's wedding (he's only 81) so I thought I'd send out a quick update before I go.

FORT FLOX 

You've heard of Fort Knox - a facility built to ensure no unauthorized person gets in and that none of the precious gold gets out.  Well, here at Follow Your Dream Farm we have our very own version - Fort Flox.  It is designed to keep my very precious chickens in and any unwanted vermin out.  These measures became necessary after my barn cats held several chicken barbecues and invited their frriends.  I lost 4 birds before I finally decided that I wasn't going to take it any more!  So here are the results (and new pictures of my chicks all grown up!

 Here we have wrapped tin around any tree close enough to the chicken compound for a cat climb the tree and jump over

 We have electric fence that runs all around the bottom but we found that the kitties were jumping up on the post and into the compound - so we wired the post as well as the gate with a way to open the gate without getting zapped.  

Here you have a better shot of the gate wiring.  You can also see the hotwire along the bottom of the fence - there are two strands and one strand runs along the top of the fence all the way around

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 I also wanted you to see the new "in ground swimming hole" we dug for Jonah and Claiare.  Nothing but the best for these girls!  

PEARL

 Our baby is growing up sooooo fast!  She is still pure white - I keeping waiting for the spots to appear.  She allows me approach her and scratch her all over.  Once in a while she will take off tearing around the pasture - like she was on loco weed!  She will run around and around - poor Ruby can only stand there and wait until she blows herself out.  People think of donkeys as sort of clunky but when they run - they are every bit as beautiful as a thoroughbred.  

CATS AND MORE CATS

 So you are probably thinking that the last thing I need is another cat - well, maybe but I have another cat.  A beautiful tortious shell kitty was dumped at my friend's house and of course she thought of me!  What are friends for  Well, of course I could not turn her away - she is the sweetest thing.  Well, I tried putting her down at the barn to meet and greet the other residents - one of them immediately tried to kill her so she is now living in my office and slowly getting acquainted with the other felines in the house.  She loves to be hugged and kissed - I plan on using her as a "therapy kitty."

Here's a picture of what I see every morning when I pull open the shade - 9 or 10 cats waiting for me to escort me to the barn.  How thoughtful!

 GOLDA

I don't have a picture of it - but Golda managed to snake another dead squirrel away from the cats yesterday.  She waits until they kill it and then she goes and grabs it - she sort of likes to mouth it a little but mostly she likes to just keep it as one of her treasures.  Needless to say, that can't happen and I sent the thing flying over the fence for the kitties to fight over.  Runt almost snatched it in midair!

 REBEKAH

Here is a current picture of our girl from Lousiana - I am waiting for her ID badge and will be taking her to the nusring homes with me - alternating with Bailey and of course Miss Kitty 

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ANNABELLE AND PATTILABELLE

Well - Patti has decided that she is not ready to grow up.  Caught her trying to nurse Annabelle and Annabelle letting her do it!!!   

I think that is it for now.  Hope your summer is going well and that this finds you and your loved ones healthy and safe.

Keep all those in nursing homes in your prayers please - there are a whole lot of forgotten folks out there.   

Sharon