"God said, Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds:livestock creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals." as it was so. (Gen. 1:24)
It is a privilege and joy for me to help care for the animals here at Flint Hill Farm.
An account of some of my critter connections:
My encounter with Stevie, Molly, and Jerry, the Great Pyrenees livestock dogs, was one of instant affection. They guard their charges and land with quiet strength. I am impressed by how stoic they act, only coming alive when danger is suspected. They are quick to greet you in the mornings with silence and a show of their belly, looking for a good rub!
I was so surprised by the gentleness and sweetness of the goats the dogs guard. They come up to you with a nudge of their heads and allow you to pet and physically greet them. They like to nibble you a bit too. They have gotten a bad rap, often associated with demonic things. This may be due in part to the fact that their pupils are rectangular in shape. This gives them an incredible range of vision, which helps to protect them from predators when they are grazing.
Our new silkie chickens are something to look at and respect too! "En Garde!" (Get into position, taking the opening position for action) is my mantra when I go into the shed to feed them. The rooster will protect the hens with fierce loyalty. Isn't nature amazing?
Our gentle giants, or horses, have been fun to get to know. Their size matches their beauty. I love to see them roll on their backs when they turn out to pasture in the morning. There could be many reasons for doing this, and one is because they just feel good!
Lambing and kidding season in the spring is a delight, watching nature and life unfold as the babies are born. The mothers know instinctively what to do, as do their young.
One of the first tasks when I came to the farm was to get a young cow, or calf, used to walking on a lead. I felt daunted at first, not having any experience with farm life before. Quickly, Archie the calf became accustomed to the lead and, later, a yoke. He is no longer small. He has grown in stature and ability, and I have grown too, in knowledge and love for the animals I encounter in my days here at Flint Hill Farm.
Connie Collins
February 2024