Middleofnowhere, Georgia

We got a phone call this morning from Middleofnowhere, Georgia. It was Dub's daughter L giving us an update on what's happening on their little farm/ranch/home.

As some of you already know, L, husband M, son W (13) and daughter G (5) live on a bunch of acres in a lovely home and have animals - LOTS of animals. One dog, at least 8 cats, maybe 15 pigs, 30 goats, about a zillion chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, 2 rabbits (soon to be many, many more), 2 pet rats, a miniature bull and I don't know what else they may have picked up lately.

Last week one of the goats had a baby prematurely and just walked away from it. This isn't gonna happen - not with L and G around. The mom and daughter team got rags and cleaned up the little kid (with help from Buddy, the dog), fixed a bottle and started feeding it.

This little thing is about the size of a small puppy - no hair at all - can't even stand up yet - and here they are hugging, petting, loving and feeding it like a baby.

Yesterday while L and G were outside feeding all the critters, they laid the baby goat out in the sun to get some fresh air and maybe nibble on a little grass. Buddy, the guard dog - who thinks everything within the property belongs to him - LOVES that little goat. Ya have to watch him constantly because one day he's going to lick it to death!

All is calm on the farm, the feeding is going just like always - and then Buddy fires up with the barking and growling. Holy cow - he's having a fit. G, having her typical 'I am 5 year old girl' fit goes running - - as she's closest to Buddy. This child knows no fear!

Now we have G and Buddy both running - barking, yelling, waving, jumping - WHEW - that was a close call. Was it a snake? A hawk? A coyote? Oh, no - - one of those deadly, attack turkeys got too close to the baby goat and Buddy's feminine side kicked in.

As G went back to feeding the pigs, Buddy curled up around the tiny goat and they both took a nap.