Beloved

Wyatt, my best friend and beloved companion, died January 17. Although we loved and enjoyed him for over 7 years (he died at 14) I don't feel as if I had enough time with him. He had been noticeably slowing for at least a year and the last few weeks were tough on him. Three days before he passed, Stella's best friend and surrogate mother Nessa passed. Her passing was completely unexpected. She went out for an evening run and came home happy and relaxed. When we woke in the morning, she was no longer with us. These furry family members have enlightened us in such an intimate way. They taught us to love, taught us how to be a pack and left us with a deeper knowledge of the world.

Nessa

2001 - 1/14/2014

 

Wyatt

2000 - 1/17/2014

On how big massive is...

Until recently I was under the belief that my 85 lb. love, Wyatt, was a big dog. I now know that to be a little less then the truth. I'd like to share some photos exhibiting DaVinci's massive size. Is he a lion? A bear? Oh no, he's our new dog.

And yes, our home is this messy. We work outside a lot folks! Do you know how hard it is to clean up after a million kids and animals?!?!?!!? Okay then!

The Seduction of Nissa

As you may or may not know by now, I love animals. I believe it's as instinctual as breathing, finding your partner within fur or feathers. Whilst cruising Craigslist the other day, I happened upon one such creature, destined to be my partner. Her name is Nissa and she's a wonderful old lady. Nissa came to live with us just last night and I'm already in love! She first journeyed to our home because her previous Guardians had to move into a residence that doesn't allow large love bugs like our Nissa here. She at first refused to meet my eyes as I'm sure that I stood for the loss of her beautiful family. No matter how hard I tried, she resisted my advances. Until this morning that is. Every morning I make Wyatt a breakfast of buffalo (or lamb or chicken, depending on what I find at the market), eggs and brown rice, dusted with a powdered vitamin supplement. This morning I made a double dose and attempted to seduce Ms. Nissa. Seduction success! She ate her morning grub even faster then Wyatt, which in and of itself is a feat and for the first time she met my gaze. I could tell you that I heard a choir of angels in that moment and I wouldn't be fibbin. Though a little closer to reality would be to say that I felt complete.
Nissa is a wonderful being and we're so darn glad that the fates have decided that she could spend her golden years with us. Welcome Nissa!

Kitties, Kitties and then some more Kitties

Awww man, I'm so bad! I just can't help myself! We've taken kitties before and found them new homes when they needed them and we've been good and never kept a kitty. I don't think we're doing so good this time.

Our first set of kitties in need was 9 years ago, with Che Guevara and Gael Garcia Bernal's mom. She had a liter of 2 boys and 2 girls behind my grandma's trash can. Okay, we kept the two boys but in subsequent rescues we didn't keep any! There was a stray and her 5 kittens about 6 years ago and then again 4 years ago with a mama named Bast and her litter of 7. Well, okay, that's where Daniel came from. But we didn't keep the other 6!

There was also a random kitty here or there, sometimes we fostered for the Southwest Washington Humane Society, sometimes we just helped a friend and their neighborhood stray.

This time though, we're just not having such luck. Not that people haven't wanted them, they're just to adorable to pass along. Our good friend Danielle befriended a neighborhood wild child cat named Jade, whom then promptly gave birth to 6 adorable kittens. Long story short, we ended up with 4 kittens and a mama this last Monday. Our intention was of course to find these beautiful little babies good homes and keep Mama Jade, as she's a great mouser.

What was that folks say about intentions? Anyhow, looks like three of these babies, promptly named Grey Paw, Frida Kahlo and Matt, are going to make their home with us as well. Damn! I can't help but hum the tune to Another One Bites The Dust. Intentions that is.

The Spirit of the Blue Moon Urban Homestead

In addition to our lovely outdoor mini farm, we share our home with a few cuddlies.



This is Gael Garcia Bernal, so named after one of the most handsome and talented actors of our generation. As you can see, he takes after his namesake in appearance! Absolutely adorable!!!








This is Daniel. Daniel is 2 years old and the son of a stray we picked up for a little while. Daniel is extremely playful and only really enjoys the company of Joshua, Jason and Stella. Daniel got in a fight recently with another cat while we were away on vacation in Death Valley and needed surgery on his face for an abscess that formed. We're so glad he's okay!


This is Che Guevara. I'm sure you thought you knew that Che was killed years ago, as a revolutionary gorilla fighter in South America. It is not so! Well, he was killed but he was then born again into our little Che. Che is 6 years old and is my little sweet pea. Bernal is Che's brother and the two have a love hate relationship. He loves everyone and will randomly jump on people for some lovin. He especially loves cuddling with Stella Moon at bedtime.




Now these two little beasties are Simon and Theodore. They love sunflower seeds and being left alone, although they're starting to warm up to Stella because she insists on holding them everyday. They've never bitten anyone and give us nice bedding for our compost!

Now this inquisitive little fellow is Stubby. Stubby is so named because another little gerbil we gave home to, that has since become food for Slim, fought with everyone and ate Stubby's tail. Stubby is the friendliest gerbil here at Blue Moon Urban Homestead. This little guy is just down right adorable!

And here, the pièce de résistance... the love of my life (other then my partner Nik and our children, which of course is assumed), Wyatt. We adopted Wyatt awhile ago and he's become my constant companion ever since. He's an 8 or 9 year old yellow lab and he's the best dog ever!!!

Introducing... Slim Shady! Slim is, I believe, a 15 year old ball python. Slim came to us a couple of years ago when a friend of mine went to travel in South America for a year. We offered to foster her because I was deathly afraid of snakes and I correctly surmised that I'd soon get over my irrational fears if I had a lovable snake in my home. She's been family ever since! She's really the greatest snake you'll ever meet!