We can’t really have any idea why certain cats are drawn to each other. Fate HAS to play a part in souls finding that special bond in each other in this big world. And when they do find their comfort companions, witnessing a love like that is absolutely soul healing. So for the owners and workers at the Red Falcon Ranch in Idaho, they have been blessed to witness unbelievable bonds of love.
The Paws of Fate
According to their social media, at the ranch they specialize in raising Angora goats and transforming their mohair into sustainable knitwear. Nice! So they are clearly animal lovers. And at their ranch, they have the much needed barn catsto manage any rodent populations encroaching on their more than 90 goats. This is a great way for feral cats to find a home and care even though they may not enjoy human touch. These seem to be some very special barn cats though, uniquely drawn to other species at the ranch.
Meet Boots, and by extension Olaf, one of the very large livestock guard dogs at the ranch.
Boots began life in a most unusual way. Ranch owner Racheal was at a local fair when she spotted something being passed around; no one seeming to claim the object. And that object was a young tuxedo kitten!
We have had lgds (livestock guardian dogs) for over 15 years and the barn cats and lgds have always maintained their distance. They’ve respected each other’s areas and there was never any overlap. That is until Boots…😸
Boots on Shearing Day
Boots is an extremely affectionate cat. Like he is literally bursting with love! Whether you’re a human, cat, dog, or goat you will feel his affection. However it is not often reciprocated. That is until he set his eyes on Olaf. 🐺
Boots and Olaf
Boots with Sven and Olaf
Olaf had no idea what was coming with Boots. But this undaunted kitten strutted right over to Olaf (who’s well over 100 lbs) and snuggled right in. And now they’re inseparable. Every chore time, Olaf prefers to stay in and have his snuggle time with Boots. It is literally the SWEETEST thing! 💓
Boots and Olaf 2
Heidi and Hansi
There are a few things that scare animal rescuers with regards to cats. And one is seeing a sign that says “Free Kittens”. Because many times, horrible people will use those free animals for unspeakable acts. But in this case, when Racheal ran to the store one day in the summer of 2024, she saved two fragile souls from a possible similar fate. It was two tiny infant kittens, a tuxedo brother and tabby sister, later named Heidi and Hansi.
I lift both of them out and bring them back to my old Jeep Cherokee. I quickly take off my sweatshirt and snuggle them in the front seat. They stopped meowing and simply stare at me all the way home. 🤍 I set up a little space for them at home and got them settled in but they were SO TINY. Taken way too young from their mom. So young in fact that we had to go get kitten milk for them as they couldn’t eat solid food yet. 🥛
Grown up Hansi High Five
Hansi was a sweetheart from the start but Heidi must’ve taken after her parents as she was wild as can be. Very scared, shy, and would hiss if you looked at her. We nursed them inside for a few weeks but we would let them out on play dates with Boots who was a little bit older than them. Boots LOVED them. And slowly they gained a feline family outside. [They] are now quite the impressive barn kitties as they have each caught their own mice and love helping with chores.
Hansi LOVES cuddling the big guard dogs and Heidi actually likes humans now! It’s amazing to think about how far these two have come, to being taken away from their mom too young, left in a free box outside a grocery store, to becoming beloved cats that have their very own ranch. 🥰
Heidi the fearless (now) chilling while the goats race around her.
Speaking of Hansi’s love for the much larger guard dogs, witness the bond of dog Bear and Hansi!
Bear has never been a cat-person. Or cat-dog…or whatever 😅. His job is to be a big tough guard dog and he takes that job very seriously. He has personally protected our goat herd from bears, mountain lions, wolves, coyotes, and who knows what else. 🐻 Over the past few months, it has been incredible to watch Bear form a soft spot for the cats. Hansi has especially formed an attachment to Bear and Bear, I think, is loving the love. I believe the morale of the story is no matter how big and tough you are, it’s ok to be a cat-person 😂
And with the more compact residents at the ranch? Hansi is right there to welcome the newborn goats to ranch life.
Twin Tuxedo Time to Bond
While it seems that both Boots and Hansi are drawn to the warmth of the long haired goats and dogs, they also find time to attend to each other. Because it’s hard work showering love on all those other non meowy animals!
Boots and Bear
When I entered into the barn the other day and saw these two cuddled up together, my heart melted. Knowing their beginnings, from being scared and unwanted, to finding each other and filling the ranch with love, how can you not be moved?
Be sure to follow Red Falcon Ranch on social media to keep up with the love being showered on all the family members, no matter where you come from!
