VINCENT The Vindicator

Vincent the Llama came to Averill Stand from friends in Hartland, Vermont in January 2003. He's 11 years old and just beautiful! He works as a guard llama, guarding the goats from woodland predators. Vincent also works as a pack animal, leading our llama and goat treks, and he provides wonderful organic fertilizer for the Averill Stand gardens and wool for projects by our friends at Adams Family Farm.

Lizzie Birden (or Liz Taylor)

Jim calls her Liz Taylor. Bob calls her Lizzie Birden. She thinks her name is just "Birdie." Lizzie has been with us for years, greeting our guests each morning with "Hi Birdie!" A migrant from Central Florida, Lizzie loves to spend summer days out on the porch, screaming at Bob when he goes to the flea market!

Shehurka the Goat (Snow White)

The name "Snehurka" is Czech for "Snow White." Named by our dear friend Petra, Snehurka arrived from Adams Farm in the Spring of 2002. Her antics keep us constantly amused and befuddled. Snehurka provides us with lots of milk and cheese, constant entertainment, and she works on our llama and goat treks. She's also the cover model for "Snehurka Averill's Goat Milk Soap."

Seamus O'Brien

Seamus is Gaelic for "James." Jim named her the Irish equivalent of his own name, thinking she was a male. So now this lovely girl, an Australian Shepherd, doesn't know if she's a boy or a girl! She's the sweetest dog ever on earth, and just loves everyone! Even she has a job . . . she supervises little Dante, and drags him in the door by his leash if he runs off. It's a hilarious sight to see! She's supposed to herd farm animals, but the goats terrify her!

Sophie

Sophie was yet another present from our friends at Adams Farm. She loves to run and jump, and is a hoot when she climbs up on the roof of the little goaty-house in the field, challenging humans (and Snehurka) to come up so she can push them off! Sophie provides milk to drink and for soap, and works carrying lunch on our Llama and Goat Treks. She thinks her main job is to buck poor Seamus into submission!

Dante D. Dawgg

Dante was the first of the menagerie, and thus thinks he owns the house, the yard, all the animals, you, and us! He's utterly devoted to Bob, and sees everyone else as some being with whom he must cope. Sometimes, he likes Jim, and sometimes, he doesn't. He remains unemployed, but does issue winter reminders when the wood stove is burning low, by sitting and barking at it until we stoke it up. Then he resumes his life of leisure, laying on the bricks and supervising the fire. He does nothing else!

The Chickens

Well now we've really done it! Though we don't have pics of them yet, we've added some hens and a couple of roosters, soon to be providing us with farm fresh eggs. There's nothing like em! Not that we know a damn thing about chickens . . . There WILL be pictures of 'em here . . .someday.

Oops! That's no kitten!

Three Little Barn Kittens with No Mittens

In September, 2003, our three little barn kittens joined the menagerie. Destined to spend their lives in the barn (Bob's allergic to cats), these three are just adorable, and should do a great job of policing the barn and keeping it free of little scurrying critters! Topolino (Little Mouse), Angelina (Little Angel) and Sebastian are welcome additions! Pics to come.

Sasha Goatsley

Another arrival at the end of September 2003, Sasha is an alpine goat. She fell in love with Bob at the local Goat Show (there really IS one!) and Pete and Joe decided to buy her. They share custody with Jim, who didn't really want another goat, but they told him she was a birthday gift, so what could he do?

Two Bunnies with No Names

On the left is Bunny. On the right is Other Bunny. They have no names. Bob thinks they have no personality. Jim thinks they are cuddly. They live in the barn with the kittens, and we are expecting the kittens to learn to hop! (We finally named them! Francis and Raphael!)