Hope

Last November our twin goats, Ralphie & Charlie, arrived at the farm.  We had adopted them from a neighboring farm in Eleva.  After a day of acclimating to the older goats, we left them for the night.  As we turned off the barn lights, a meowing began.  Dave & I searched until we found this little cat wedged in fear between the milk house and the pasture.  She wouldn't let us near.  So, not only were we leaving the twins to fend for themselves for the first time that night -- but we were also leaving a small frightened kitten that had found her way to our farm.

The next morning we opened the barn door to find not only Ralphie & Charlie asleep in the hay -- but there was the little cat.  We called her "Hope".  She remained all winter with the goat family in the barn....they kept her warm.  It took us over 2 months to gain her trust. 

Today, she calls the barn home-- and we are certain she believes she is a goat.  And, how surprised we were when she presented us with this present tucked under the stair case...4 little kittens.    From the left in the picture is Chippewa, Shadow (tucked down), Pumpkin and Whisper. 

(Randi -- this picture is for you!)