Hope Valley Ranch

10/25/2026

Episode 5 of trying to make taking out the trash less of a chore. 🗑️🙃

Our trash collection company changed, and we ended up with two 96-gallon totes to haul to the curb—1,000 feet away. Finding a manageable way to move them has turned into a whole series.

After a lot of research, we decided to try the Cansporter. Some cheaper models on Amazon had what appeared to be AI-generated images that didn’t accurately represent the products, which made comparing options frustrating.

We also had winter in mind. We wanted to lift the totes off the ground rather than drag them through snow. The Cansporter provides seven inches of clearance, which should help—as long as we’ve plowed! ❄️

Of course, finding something that looks good on paper and getting it to work easily are two different things. As you can see from my struggles, I don’t think we’re quite there yet. 😅

We bought this with our own money. This isn’t sponsored—just sharing the process, including the parts that aren’t going smoothly.

If you want to check it out: https://cansporter.com/

10/24/2026

Buttercup gets a sleepover in the workshop when it’s too cold for her outside. We let her wander around before bedtime, and then we heard Chip chiming in. 😂

Chip has a couple of words in his vocabulary—“hello” and “Mama.” Apparently, he had something to add to Buttercup’s evening update. 🐔🐈❤️

Sound on… what do you hear?

10/21/2026

Michael is neutered, but he still gets a little wound up and needy sometimes. 😂 Personal space? Apparently that’s something we share.

Some days, you just need your mom. And her undivided attention. 🖤🤍 anyone interested in adopting Michael? He’s a great companion. 1yo

He has definitely grown into his name😆

10/20/2026

Sophie and Michael take their screen time very seriously. 📺🐿️

Front-row seats, a few attempts to interact with the cast, and absolutely no understanding of why the squirrel keeps ignoring them. The audacity. 😂🐾

14months old, they are getting their vaccinations updated on Monday. Available for adoption. Send a DM

HopeValleyRanch

10/19/2026

Winter prep is underway! 🔧❄️ We’re putting up our clear polycarbonate panels, and they’ve been one of our best finds.

A clear-panel supplier had surplus stock left over from COVID, so we were able to get a really good deal. Of all the materials we’ve tried, these have held up the best. They’re much easier to handle, and being able to see inside without removing or pulling anything back makes checking on everyone so much easier.

We still use vinyl sheeting in the areas where we ran out of panels. It’s a mix of materials, but that’s often how projects come together here—using what works and making the most of what we have. ❤️

The cabinet screws are a time saver since they do not require drilling a pilot hole in the pine and it won’t split the wood. You can leave the screws and washers in place after removing the panels to also save time next year.

Use what works for you and within your budget. Just keep the cold winds off the birds. If the wind gets under their feathers, they will lose body heat quickly. Considering how the weather has been this year, won’t be surprised if this year will be colder and wetter, plus more frequent high winds.

10/16/2026

Our smallest cat, our oldest girl, and sometimes our busiest little bee. 🐝💛

Mayla is sweet and fiercely independent. She loves attention on her terms, but she tends to give way to the other cats—even though she’s the oldest.

When she gets a little one-on-one time, she can get so wound up that she hardly knows what to do with herself. Up for some love, back down, circle around, come back for more. 😂

We take little breaks when the attention gets to be too much. But these moments when she has me all to herself? I love them.

10/13/2026

I’m still surprised when visitors comment that they can’t smell the dogs. I ask, what does it smell like and the response is usually “neutral” or “nothing”.

While the breed can definitely make a difference in how dirty and smelly they can be, there are core principles that really make a difference in how much time and effort will be needed to clean and maintain.

Leave a comment if you’re interested in learning more and what area do you struggle with when it comes to dog smell.

10/12/2026

Sad news from Brazil. Murphy, the matriarch of the house pack has crossed the rainbow bridge. Please read Jan’s post below. She amazing survived a local animal ritual because she was all black. Thanks to the amazing work by Jan and Carlos, she lived many, many years as part of the house pack becoming the pack leader. Momma Murphy will be deeply missed. Please help they continue their mission to help street dogs, cats and farm animals in Brazil. PayPal to [email protected]

We had a horrible day today. We had to euthanize Murphy. She was very weak and old. We will be missing her a lot. She was such a great girl. She must have been around fourteen or fifteen. She was in pain with her back legs and her front legs. She could no longer move. It was so sad. We both held her while she went to sleep on her last journey. All the memories going back years of happiness. She was the dog who adopted Cookie as a puppy after her own puppies died during a machete attack. She had to stay in the clinic 40 days and then came to live as a house dog here. She had a blood transfusion and survived it all with many stitches and a huge scar. She always hated baths, which is strange as she was a pure Labrador and they are supposed to like water. I can`t write much as I am still crying. We loved her so much. Another huge chunk of my heart gone. 14 years seems to have gone by in a flash. I wish we could all experience her presence for another year. The kitchen seems bare, her bark is silent now. We have so many older dogs. There are days when it all gets too much. The puppies with no names are doing well. I want to name the chunky brown Puppy Murphy. I am not sure it would be a good idea yet. Maybe it`s just a way of clinging to all the memories.

10/11/2026

I know she can’t understand the words but everyone can use some compassion especially after early integration attempts. They are not easy.

10/10/2026

We’re always learning from the animals in our care, and some lessons are harder than others. Sharing these experiences matters if it helps someone else recognize a problem sooner. ❤️

A few important takeaways for fellow chicken owners:

🐔 Deworming during molt: The manufacturer guidance shared with me is that Safe-Guard AquaSol is not recommended during molting. If your birds need treatment while molting, work with your poultry veterinarian on an appropriate plan.

🐣 Ask about Marek’s vaccination when getting chicks. It’s best given at hatch, before exposure—not something to wait on until a bird looks sick. Vaccination helps protect against the disease, although it doesn’t prevent all infection or spread.

🤲 Get hands-on with your flock regularly when possible. Chickens hide illness and weakness remarkably well, and feathers can conceal weight loss, wounds, and changes in body condition. Gentle handling helps you learn what’s normal for each bird and notice when something changes. Be especially careful around sensitive new feathers during molt.

We can care deeply, pay attention, and still have things to learn. My hope is that sharing what we learn helps all of us care for our flocks a little better.

What have your chickens taught you that you wish you’d known sooner?