Our Critters

The colors this fall are gorgeous in northeastern Iowa and the surrounding region. This photo, taken the October 8, 2008, is looking south at our horses enjoying the warm morning sun. Sissel, my Norwegian Fjord mare, is rolling on the grass.

Riley Sheamus O'Flanigan joined us in the fall of 2007. He was a scraggly young cat with an ugly abscess on his shoulder, a belly full of worms, and a picket fence for a backbone. As you can see, Riley is quite happy with his new life as a pampered house cat. He's a happy little guy, always looking for attention and fun. I'd swear he knows how to smile!

Ozzie, a young whitetail deer buck, injured a back foot in January 2008. The injury kept him from traveling his home territory with his family herd. He ended up staying in our sheltered valley, often browsing for food behind the house. His family traveled through the area a couple times a day and would spend several hours with him each time. He became a favorite wintertime photo subject.

Our Agnes as a 2 year old -- curious, bold, and cute. I have many "nose shots" of Aggie since she is my self-appointed photography assistant.

A fearless, acrobatic and affectionate kitten, Tish invited herself into my car (and my heart) while I was shopping in nearby Decorah in early 2006. She rode the 30 miles home purring on my shoulders. Why the name "Tish"? Because her calico coloring is a tish of this, a dab of that, and a skosh of something-or-other.

Sundance, Albert, and Cassidy (left to right). The "boys" often make a pile like this for grooming and naps. Dancer and Cassidy have passed on to the Summerlands; they were my quiet, gentle companions for many years.