When You Get Bucked Off, Get Back In the Saddle

One week and two days after Hurricane Ike made landfall, my house is one of many that's still without power. Everyone here at Big Carms Farm made it through the other side of Ike and now that we're battling the Texas size mosquitos that would make any trophey hunter proud to have one mounted on their wall; my husband and I know that we are blessed.

The night of the storm went like this....

My 13 year old deaf cocker spaniel, Daisy- my 10 year old deaf cat, Spooky - and my husband, Mike decided their best defense was to sleep and snore their way through the storm.

Our great dane, Sully had a past experience with Hurrican Rita before we adopted him and it wasn't a pleasant one. We knew we had to get him in the house as soon as the winds began to pick up. Well this left the goat, Nadean outside for the time being and as Sully would look out the window, Nadean would see him and cry so loud. This left me with the "do I bring her in now or wait" question in my head. Knowing I wasn't yet prepared for a goat in the house I waited until it at least got dark. At 11:30pm - poof lights and power is out, the winds are picking up and the rain is falling. I decided now it's time and as I bundled myself up to go out and brave the storm, my husband awakens to only say "where are you going?", in which I reply "I'm going to get Nadean." Not thinking of the whole situation, I run outside - in the dark - no flashlight. Searching and running through 1 1/2 acres, I finally see a beacon of light coming from the small uncovered part of the window - Mike shining the flashlight into the yard for me like a lighthouse sending the signal to the ship out at sea. I find Nadean, put the dog collar and leash on her and we're off. Once inside the safety of the kitchen, Sully and Nadean, best friends reunited. **This isn't the first time a goat of mine has been in a kitchen to ride out a hurricane. Hurricane Alicia in 1983, my father braved that moment to "save" Tammy. My brother and I loved the fact that the goat was tied to the leg of the kitchen table. Same situation, just a different time. **

Mike, Daisy and Spooky once again back asleep. Landfall was expected between 1-2 in the morning, the time was getting close to that and there was no way I could sleep and neither could Pierre. Pierre, my yellow/orange tabby cat that is truly a lover and not a fighter; couldn't seem to get close enough to me. Laying in my lap wasn't an option, no he preferred the position, that of like a baby being burped. Picture the circus tiger trainer, where the trainer would have the tiger up and across his shoulders - yeah something like that. There he stayed until the next morning.

Both Bunny and Rabbit and all 12 chickens made it through as well. Like I said, we're blessed!