The Lottery Win

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Menagerie.”

I do have a menagerie, all adopted except the chickens. I have 6 dogs, 3 cats, a Blue-headed Pionus parrot, 2 ducks, 20 chickens, 2 lovebirds. They all live together on my farm in Colombia. I brought five animals with me here from the United States, I only have two left now 4 years later. So I adopted more. I can do this because I have help, I have a huge amount of land, and I have the time to give them all the attention they need. My favorite thing to say to them when they first arrive at Villa Migelita is “You just won the lottery!” Unfortunately, in Colombia people do not spay and neuter responsibly so many dogs and cats that live on the street. I wish I could take in more. Someday when I win the lottery I will make a rescue shelter here…until then I will enjoy the animals I have giving them the love they deserve.

Orion is a Dogo Argentino. He looks scary, but is a sweet, gentle giant. He had four owners before I rescued him.

The kitten is a rescue too, named Tommi. He is grown now and is best friends with my new addition Beeja. Beeja was going to be thrown to the streets, so I adopted her.   She has bundles of energy which she runs off on my farm with the other dogs and cats. They accepted her pretty fast. My animals welcome new additions joining their home. Then there is Franchesca whom I brought from the USA when I moved. She was a gift to me from my deceased daughter so she is very special. The white duck is Corazon he is not aware he is a duck, he thinks he is a dog. I always have to shoo him away from the dogs water bowls. He has a huge lake to swim in, but he prefers to be with the other animals or his mate Poco. Then there is Yuki, Nayela, and Bruno Mars. Yuki is a character! He swims like a fish (so does Orion) and goes everywhere with us. He loves everyone. My friend found him digging in trash on the streets of Palmira. Bruno Mars is a rescue from the streets of Cali, Colombia. I got him when my other dog I brought from the States was lost on the streets of Cali. He was a Rat Terrier and so is Bruno Mars. Nayela, she showed up at my doorstep one morning as a tiny puppy and I kept her. I also have Geisha Girl, she is the sibling of Tommi, I had to take her when I visited a neighbor’s farm and saw her beautiful blue eyes. She is a so friendly and always likes to climb and perch precariously on top of things. It is too funny! I call her my acrobat. Then there is Luci the parrot that I rescued when she was barely 3 months, now she is over a year and eats hard-boiled egg because I read it was good for her to have the protein. Everyone who visits asks if that is normal, a bird eating egg? I don’t know but she likes them, along with apples, carrots, lettuce, banana and plantains. Then there is Marley, I left him to the

end because he is so special. I adopted him in the United States and he came here with me. Along with Taz, Colleen , and Cloudy. He is still with me but getting old. He is the love of my life. I get tears thinking he is getting older. All of my animals adore him, he is the gentlest most amazing dog ever! A collie mix, with the beauty and heart of an angel. The chickens give me really lovely eggs which I sell to locals. They are allowed to free range, and live a very nice life. The lovebirds live in an aviary under my kiosko, and there are two. So there you have it. My menagerie.

Come visit me at Villa Migelita, I have some really fun videos of all of my gang, and regularly post their exploits. There is never a dull moment on my farm. Res

Honorable mention needs to be said for my babies I lost. Colleen, Taz, and Cloudy. May they rest in peace over the rainbow bridge.Please come visit me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VillaMigelita