Kimberly J Egan
Bio
Welcome to LoupGarou/Conri Terriers and Not 1040 Farm! I try to write about what I know best: my dogs and my homestead. I'm currently working on a series of articles introducing my readers to some of my animals, as well as to my daily life!
Stories (106)
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Disbudding Dairy Goats
Every year, when goat kids start emerging and running around the pastures, homesteaders are faced with the eternal question: do I disbud that adorable little fuzzy bouncy ball or do I let it grow horns? There's absolutely no doubt that this question is one of the most divisive in raising dairy goats and even more contentious than the "vaccination vs. no vaccines" and "mixed loose minerals vs. mineral bars" questions, which seem to rank a close second and third. Kidding time is now upon us and will remain with us until the middle of May or so, which explains why I only peek in on my goat-related pages, websites, and lists during the first part of the year. I like goats, not goat-related arguments.
By Kimberly J Egan10 months ago in Petlife
In Memory: Cowboy
If you've been reading my stories long enough, you'll remember that February 2024 was a difficult time for me. I lost my precious Little Bit and beautiful Joy, as well as FriendCat Emma. At that time, I expressed concern for our other oldsters, Copper, Cowboy, and Leela. Of those three, only one is left, my little "LoupGarou You Geaux Girl," known by her puppy name of "Leela." Copper, it astounds me to say, has been gone for six months already. Sadly, I also have to report that Cowboy has gone on to his reward.
By Kimberly J Egan11 months ago in Petlife
"It's Cold! You Need to Bring Your Dog Inside!"
Groundhog Day has come and gone. Now, try not to be too jealous but we're starting to see warm temperatures here again in Southwest Mississippi. Our high tomorrow is expected to be 73° F (22.8° C), with our average temperatures for the next week being in the 60s. Yes, we've got a couple more weeks during which we historically feature one more winter blast, but Dan and I are already starting tomato seeds in flats and finalizing our plans for our spring gardens. It's easy to forget that some people are still fighting the cold and actually expect more snow to stick on the ground. For that reason, I found myself taken aback by a recent post I saw on social media: "If you're cold, they're cold! Bring them inside!"
By Kimberly J Egan11 months ago in Petlife
BuckyBoo? WetherBoo?
Almost a year ago now, Sunshine had her very first litter of kids. Sadly, I had gone out earlier in the day and had returned to find three kids that had expired, all crowded into the hay rack where she had given birth. Sunshine was inconsolable, bleating in distress. By some miracle, I heard the soft answering bleats of another, very chilled but live, buckling. Sunshine spent every ounce of maternal energy that she would have spent on four kids on that little singleton. I christened him "BuckyBoo," a placeholder name that I tend to give when the probability is that the kid will be sold or otherwise no longer in my herd after a time. I didn't want to give him a "good" name, lest I get attached.
By Kimberly J Egan11 months ago in Petlife
Let Me Tell You . . .
I remember how much I loved staying home from school when I was a little girl. Sniffles, fever, coughing (and the associated cough medicine!) were no problem! (Cue the sentimental music) I'd get to stay in bed and read or crochet all day. There would be a glass of water by my bedside, with maybe a plate of cheese or peanut butter Ritz crackers. I remember emerging from my room only to refill my glass or use the bathroom, or maybe catch an episode of Let's Make a Deal, the $10,000 Pyramid, or The Price is Right. It was even better when my grandmother came out to stay for the day, because she would make me hot soup and tea with lemon or some Junket or tapioca pudding if my stomach was upset. With her there, I could bundle up in blankets on the couch and maybe even have a fire while I watched the birds outside the window. After a few days, I'd emerge from my cocoon, healthy, refreshed, and ready to face the world again. (Record scratch)
By Kimberly J Egan12 months ago in Petlife
I'm a Winner!
And So, it Begins . . . It's not pretty, but it gets the job done and helps me focus on a general story path. I'm what they call a "Plantster" in NaNoWriMo-speak. I like to think that I will have everything planned to the n-th degree but will eventually give it all up and fly by the seat of my pants. What can I say? It's the way I roll.
By Kimberly J Eganabout a year ago in Writers
Another Milestone!
Just Five Months! Unbelievably, it took about two years to reach a total of 50 Vocal posts and only another five months to make it to 75! I'm not certain if that means that I'm writing faster or if I have more to write about or if I'm simply less selective about my topics. Regardless, onward and upward. Maybe we can reach a full 100 by my birthday in March.
By Kimberly J Eganabout a year ago in Journal
Fate? Rooster Roo Retribution?
Prescience Last week, I looked at Badger as he sat in his crate. We stared at each other, locking eyes for a few seconds. We were both groggy, as the whole lot of us here were just waking up at 5:15 a.m. But as I looked at him and he looked back, something seemed not quite right. His left eye looked a bit out of sorts, as though it was even more buggy than normal. Now, Badger's nickname is "Mr. Buggy Eyes" for a reason. His eye protrude more than a little, showing a white ring around them much of the time. This feature of his has given more than one "dog person" pause, as they think that he has "whale eyes" and is going to go off the rails at any second. All the same, last week, the left one of those buggy eyes seemed just a little buggier.
By Kimberly J Eganabout a year ago in Petlife
Badger's Bad Afternoon
I recently wrote what I felt was a humorous story about Artoo chasing the cats. I still get a chuckle from the memory of Little Brown batting him on the head every time he jumped up at her while she sat on the ex-pen. Both were having a grand old time, knowing that neither had designs to hurt the other. Anyone who has read that story knows that I would never allow any animal to threaten or harm another one, as long as I could see the potential for damage. That's why Badger is in one of two covered ex-pens during his outside excursions, unless he is on leash or in the training ring. Unlike Artoo, who is allowed free roam of the grounds even when I'm not outside, Badger cannot be trusted.
By Kimberly J Eganabout a year ago in Petlife
A Good Morning!
Someday very soon, I'm going to write an "Introducing" article about Artoo. He's a fun and funny dog, who hasn't had much of a chance to live up to his potential. I promise, Artoo, that day is coming. And, when he gets those much-deserved accolades, I will write all about it! But, until then, let me tell you about his morning.
By Kimberly J Eganabout a year ago in Petlife
The House of Usher
Kasey shivered with the cold, her slippered feet softly marching a path across the tile floor as she paced in front of the propane heater. The puppy she held nestled in tightly against her chest, taking tiny gasping breaths. The puppy was just two weeks old and had been fighting an upper respiratory condition for almost a third of its short life.
By Kimberly J Eganabout a year ago in Fiction
