Lilly wandered around her farm with the griffy, whom she had lovingly named Feather. At first glance, one could easily mistake Feather for a puppy with her expressive eyes and playful demeanor. But on closer inspection, it became evident that she was far from ordinary. Her front paws were replaced by fierce, yet harmless, eagle claws; and two diminutive wings fluttered restlessly from her back.
Feather trotted beside Lilly, her small wings fluttering excitedly in the cool evening air. Her keen eyes scanned the landscape, taking in everything with puppy-like enthusiasm. She’d pounce on fluttering leaves, tumble clumsily on the grassy grounds, and then, with a wriggle, attempt to lift herself off the ground, her tiny wings flapping with all their might, causing her to hop around in an amusing, feathery flurry.
As they moved past Aura, Feather's eyes widened with intrigue. She pranced around her in circles, her claws clattering against the earth rhythmically. Aura, delighted at the new companion, hopped about with her new, energetic companion. With a yawn, Feather finally decided to settle down in the cool shade of the barn, curling up in a tiny, fury, and feathery ball.
Lilly watched, a warm smile curling on her lips as she observed Feather's antics. The griffy's endearing behaviors melted her heart. Yes, she was another magical creature to tend to, another responsibility added to her growing list. Looking at the sleeping griffy, her wings twitching slightly in her sleep, Lilly couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of love for the tiny creature. Caring for Feather and her other magical farm animals was demanding, but it was a labor of love she would not trade for the world.
Lilly scooped up the exhausted griffy as she made her rounds of her beloved farm animals to make sure everyone was settled for the night. Lilly paused as she noticed Astra lingering near the barn. The magical goat's black coat shimmered with a purple hue, yet something was amiss. It was odd to see Astra staying within the confines of the fenced area, for she had always been one to make levitating jumps and explore the vast wilds beyond—especially her vegetable garden.
"Astra, dear, are you feeling all right?" Lilly inquired gently, her brown eyes filled with concern.
The goat bleated softly, her violet-tinted eyes meeting Lilly's gaze. Though she gave no verbal indication, it was clear that something troubled the once-sprightly creature. Lilly approached Astra cautiously, crouching down beside her and running her fingers through the goat's soft fur.
"Come on now, show me your marvelous leaps," Lilly coaxed, attempting to encourage the goat to display her magical abilities.
Astra looked at her caretaker, hesitated for a moment, and then tried to leap into the air. However, instead of her usual graceful levitation, she managed only an awkward hop before landing heavily back on the ground. Lilly frowned, deeply concerned about Astra's sudden inability to perform her magical feats.
"All right, my lovely friend, we'll get to the bottom of this," Lilly murmured, stroking Astra's head reassuringly.
As the shadows lengthened, Lilly couldn't help but think about how much she cared for all the magical creatures that inhabited her farm. Their presence had brought life and wonder back to the land, and she felt a fierce determination to ensure their well-being. In her heart, she knew that each creature, be it magical or mundane, played a crucial role in maintaining balance and harmony in the world.
"Rest now, Astra," Lilly whispered, her voice filled with resolve. "We'll figure this out together."
Lilly headed back to her farmhouse and settled into her favorite spot—the swing on her porch. Feather played about on the porch, trying to pounce on shadows; and Lilly settled down with the journal in her lap and her trusted Practical Guide to Magical Farm Animals by her side. She wrote down the day's experiences, making sure to note every tiny detail about her farm's new addition—Feather, the griffy. She noted the way Feather’s wings twitched in her sleep and how she pranced around the farm with unconstrained enthusiasm.
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Turning to Snow's recovery, Lilly wrote about her progress, how her injured leg was healing, and the incrementally increasing periods of time Snow spent on her feet.
But when she moved on to Astra, her words slowed, the ink on her pen seeming to dry up as she struggled to express her concerns. Her goat’s mysterious disappearances, her sudden reappearance, and her recent restlessness worried Lilly; but no chapter in her practical guide seemed to hold any answers.
Finally, she turned her attention to the guidebook and started reading about griffies.
Griffies—The Feathered Furry Delights
Griffies are often mistaken for enchanted puppies due to their charming and playful demeanor. They possess the body of a canine and the wings and talons of an eagle. Despite their predatory claws, they are docile and friendly creatures.
Griffies are adventurous by nature, with a curiosity that often leads to puppy-like antics. As they grow, their wings strengthen, enabling them to fly short distances. It is crucial for griffy caregivers to provide them with ample space to explore and play.
Their diet is carnivorous, similar to their eagle counterparts. However, they also show a peculiar fondness for certain fruits, particularly apples and pears. Care must be taken to ensure they do not overindulge, as this can lead to digestive issues.
Full-grown griffies are magnificent creatures, their puppy-like playfulness tempered by a mature sense of duty and guardianship. The duality of their nature—the keen vision and hunting instinct of an eagle, paired with the pack loyalty and protective nature of a dog—makes them exceptional livestock guardians.
Despite their playful antics, griffies possess a fierce protective instinct. They are always on high alert, their keen eagle eyes surveying the surroundings for any signs of danger. Griffies can fly to high vantage points, allowing them to keep a watchful eye over larger expanses of land. Training a griffy to be a protector requires time and patience. Their training should start when they are young, introducing them to the animals they will be guarding. The key is to foster a sense of belonging and pack mentality in the griffy toward the livestock. This can be done by feeding them together, letting them sleep together, and spending significant time with all of them.
The griffy needs to understand that these animals are not prey but part of their family. To reinforce this understanding, never allow the griffy to engage in predatory play with the livestock.
At the same time, provide your griffy with an elevated place, like a sturdy tree branch or a raised platform. This will become their lookout point, from where they can survey their territory. Always reward the griffy for their protective behavior to reinforce positive actions.
Lastly, remember that each griffy is unique. What works for one might not work for another. Be patient and persistent and always end each training session on a positive note. With time and effort, your griffy will become the guardian your farm needs.
Note: Despite their guardian abilities, griffies should never be the farm's sole line of defense. They are part of a comprehensive safety plan that should include secure fencing, adequate lighting, and regular human supervision.
Lilly read the excerpt carefully, making mental notes. She'd need to start Feather's training as soon as possible and build some type of platform for her; but for now, she was content to let the Griffy enjoy her puppyhood.
Lilly traced her fingers over the lines, absorbing every word. She wished the book had something helpful about magical goats like Astra. While the practical guide had a lot of basic information describing the characteristics of different farm animals and the byproducts a farmer could sell from them, there was also a lot of information it didn’t contain, like ailments specific to each species.
Lilly flipped through the pest section and the wound care section, but she couldn’t find anything about a magical animal losing their abilities. Trying to imagine where Astra may have gone while she was missing just made her worry. She envisioned Astra getting into all kinds of trouble and being faced with some kind of evil that sucked the powers right out of her. Whatever was wrong, Lilly decided she would keep a close eye on her magical goat; and she hoped her problem wasn’t contagious.