FergusonK's journal - Goodbye Java Jewel.

[Ferguson K]

I forgot to add: I officially met the new neighbors today. They have been demo-ing and remodeling all week and I was finally able to walk over and introduce myself in the daytime. They are the same age as John and I, young couple recently married. They're going to get some piglets from us ( our last two from the October litter) next month when they get a pen built. They'll also likely be getting goats and chickens. I told them to let me know and I can point them in the right direction for good breeders.

They have four dogs, two little and two big. Makes me a little nervous because she said the yellow one is a cat killer. Guess we will be upping security in the goat pens before they move in officially, I bet cats aren't the only thing that peak his interest! They seem nice, though, and we filled them in on the people in the community. She was absolutely appalled that our water company is only open 4 hours a day, 4 days a week. She's going to have trouble getting used to living way out here! They're from a larger city about 30 minutes away and are used to being close to everything.

We invited them over for a bonfire after they get moved in. Time will tell. It'll be a few months before they get a dog fence up because they have put all of their savings into the house and getting it move in ready. I am going to loan them my invisible fence, they just have two kennels for the dogs for while they're at work (10x10 kennels).

 

[babsbag]

Makes me a little nervous because she said the yellow one is a cat killer.

I lived next door to two of those for many many years. I lost three cats to them during that time, one was an indoor only kitty that had gotten out for only a few minutes and went over the fence. It was those dogs that made me start keeping my cats inside 24/7. I had always had indoor/outdoor kitties but after those dogs whenever one would not come home for dinner I would literally get sick to my stomach as I looked over the fence expecting the worst. My house became Fort Knox for cats. I had double screens on the windows, bells on the cats, and never left the house without knowing where the cats were.

Now I have the cat killers My house dogs currently live with 3 cats in the house and have always had cats in their house. I don't trust them with kittens, they play too rough, but once the kitty gets to about 4 months there are no problems. Let a cat come over the fence and it is another story. It makes me very sad, but at least I know they are strays and not someone pets as no one around me currently has cats. That makes me feel a teeny tiny bit better.

 

[Ferguson K]

@babsbag I have lost many cats over the years to coyote. I lost one two years ago (Ko-T) to a dog we were fostering, and I have lost them to freak accidents. That was worse than them just not coming home. The finding them and having to bury them.

She said he doesn't actively seek out cats just has a high chase drive, and ours typically stay in our front yard and do not stray outside of our fence because they know they're not safe out there. I just would HATE to have to house Simon, Gator, and P.C. in the house full time. If her dogs start chasing them then I will. The tom cat does not come in the house. I worry about him on nights like tonight when the Coyote are howling and creating lots of rukus.

My biggest fear is her dogs and my goats. We will have goat 101 when they move in.

 

[Ferguson K]

The big pasture that the goats get turned out in is only electric fence, their night pen and the pen they've been crowded in (I say crowded, it's a half acre...) for a month or so is cattle panels and hot wire.

 

[Baymule]

Sounds like I hear fence building in your future..... maybe your new neighbors will split the cost and help put it up. It would be in their best interest to do so.

I have cat killers. Paris HATES cats of all sizes and ages and will kill them. Parker thinks kitties are dog treats and will run from me when he gets one so I don't take it away from him, and he eats it, whole. Can't blame them, for years a cat hoarder lived next to us, at our old house, and there were feral cats ALL over the place. I grew to hate them too, as they sprayed my front porch and the corner of the house which resulted in a lot of stink. Sometimes we couldn't stand to walk in the bedroom that was the corner of the house the cats sprayed.

 

[Ferguson K]

I already told John were about to have a major fence overhaul.

Just priced it. Going to see if we can get them to split costs , going to do the same on the other side with the neighbor who runs cattle.

 

[Ferguson K]

We're tearing down the cattle fencing and putting in 48 in horse fence

 

[Baymule]

We're tearing down the cattle fencing and putting in 48 in horse fence

It just so happens that I know someone who is a manager at my favorite store, Tractor Supply and I bet she can get you a employee discount!!!

 

[Baymule]

If you put in 7' T-posts, it gives you room at the top for barbed wire or hot wire. Maybe barbed wire on top to keep whatever stock they have from necking over the fence and run a hot wire inside, on your side. If the hot wire is on the inside on your side, it might keep neighbors from getting popped by it. People do stupid things.

 

[Mike CHS]

There are a couple of workers in our TSC that tell us we need to clock in since we spend so much time (and $) there.