What farm would be complete with out barn cats and working dogs? Here at Maranatha Farm we have both. They help us in our work and are our companions and faithful friends. So on this page we'll tell you about the ones who live here and brighten our daily chores with their company and sometimes funny antics.
Barn Cats:
Cats have been an important part of the farm life from the time mankind first had to grow crops of grain to eat. Barn cats help kill mice and rats that would eat up the grain and hay. They also help to protect us because mice and rats can bring germs that cause people and other farm animals to get sick.
Mother cats are called queens and the fathers are called tom cats. Baby cats are called kittens or sometimes kits. Below are some pictures of our momma cat C.C. and her family:
Mother cats are called queens and the fathers are called tom cats. Baby cats are called kittens or sometimes kits. Below are some pictures of our momma cat C.C. and her family:
Farm Dogs:
Farm dogs are our friends and helpers. Dogs perform many important jobs on farms today as well as live with farm families as special companions. Some of the dogs on our farm are working dogs. That means they do special jobs and are not just here to be pets. They help us with the farm work. How do dogs work? Some dogs are protectors or guardians. They keep away wild animals that would try to eat our livestock, or people who would try to steal things from the farm or our house. Some dogs are helpers because they help herd livestock. So if we need to get the cows or goats back where they should be the dogs are trained to help the farmer move them back where the livestock belong. Some farm dogs help the farmer when he or she goes hunting. Some kinds of farm dogs help to keep rodent numbers down just like cats help. In some places in the world dogs are also used to pull carts or sleds. Dogs are smart and they are faithful friends and companions.
Livestock Guardian Dogs:
Narsil is our guardian dog. She lives with the goats 24 hours a day. She watches over them in the barn and if they go out in the pasture she goes with them. She is a very Big dog and weighs over 100lbs. She scares away coyotes and other predators that would try to kill and eat our goats. She is brave but as you can see from the picture she is also gentle. Here you can see her cuddling with some of the baby goats.
Herd Dogs:
Collies are herding dogs. They help to move sheep, cattle, and goats. We have two on our farm that we saved from being put to sleep when the people who had them before decided that they did not want them anymore. They love to herd the goats and would do it none stop if we let them. This one in the picture is called Munchkin and she is our son Hezekiah's dog. Collies are remarkable to watch as they herd sheep or other farm animals. They can learn many hand and voice commands. Maybe some time you will be able to see a demonstration at a local fair of how these dogs can work for farmers.
Hunting Dogs:
B.B. or Bugle Boy is our daughter, Shiloh's special dog. He is a Blue Tick Beagle. Beagles are hounds which are hunting dogs. Beagles have been bred to hunt rabbits but we don't hunt with B.B. They have an extra strong sense of smell and can follow the sent of rabbits through the woods and fields. Beagles have beautiful musical barks, which when they are on the trail of rabbits, they sound off like a bugle. They are intelligent dogs and B. B. has learned many tricks and voice commands that Shiloh has taught him. He is a fearless fellow and when the coyotes come in close to the barn area he will be one of the first to sound the alarm and help Narsil to chase them off.
A Good Ol' Friend:
Solomon was our guardian dog before we got Narsil. He was a Labrador Retriever X Doberman Pincer dog we had born on our farm. He was a good and faithful companion and bravely guarded our home and barn for 14 years. Labs are hunting dogs that help hunters retrieve ( bring back to them)ducks and geese from the water. They are smart and are also trained to be seeing eye dogs. Dobermans are wonderful guard and police dogs. "Solly" had qualities from both breeds. Sadly he passed away in the spring of 2011 with cancer.