Cymbeline Acres

Cymbeline Acres We’re the Henkes family…building our homestead one day at a time. 🌱

Trust. If you know Pyrs you know how important trust is. I knew prior to getting Teddy that he needed work being with th...
10/18/2026

Trust. If you know Pyrs you know how important trust is. I knew prior to getting Teddy that he needed work being with the animals. I also knew that we’d get nowhere without him trusting me as his shepherd. Our first step before any animal work has been bonding and building our relationship. Trust isn’t built in a day, a week, or even a month and I had no timeline other than following his lead.

When Teddy first arrived, he je**ed his head away if we moved too fast to pet his head. He rarely responded to his name. He sat maybe 25% of the time and that’s if I had a really good treat for it. Today, he buries his big ole bear face into me for all the head scratches. He knows his name and is reliably recalling and responding to it. He politely sits (most of the time) at gates and doors. He’s showing me he’s ready for new challenges so we’ve begun training work with the animals. He’s making such quick progress which is no small feat for how short of time he’s been with us. I’m so very proud of him!! I tell him everyday how much I believe in him.

Allen Wags & Woolies

Legend and Teddy. It’s been close to six weeks since Teddy arrived at Cymbeline Acres. We started with the boys complete...
10/14/2026

Legend and Teddy.

It’s been close to six weeks since Teddy arrived at Cymbeline Acres. We started with the boys completely separated with a shared fence to slowly adjust to each other. Then we moved to official introductions, but they struggled being together full-time so we forced breaks and gradually increased their times together. When I could feel tension, I found taking them on power walks like we had a real JOB to do together would snap them out. I’d say, “Come on boys we have to check this out!” Then I’d walk swift and purposeful to a random destination on our land and they would rush to assume their positions on either side of me and get really serious about matching my pace to make sure all was right on the land. While we walked, I at first gave them team-building pep talks, showering praises upon them. But later, they came to love these walks and I got to step back and watch their own special language unfold.

Then one day I opened the gates to let them be together and the energy was different. I knew immediately that they had chosen to accept each other. We may have setbacks as we navigate Legend’s hormonally charged adolescence and Teddy continuing to settle in, but I’m so darn proud of how far they’ve come.

Recently, coyotes came to our fence line. I awoke at 3 am to their very loud howls and yips followed by Legend’s booming bark heading for the fence. I rushed to investigate and make sure they had it handled just in time to see Teddy heading over for backup. They sent those coyotes on their way. Teddy held strong at the fence to make sure they didn’t come back and Legend made the rounds to every single animal area to make sure all were safe. Only once they were sure all was clear did they settle. What a sight to see them work together as a TEAM. 💙❤️

Allen Wags & Woolies

My Sunny.A twin to her sister Meadow. She almost didn’t make it to her 2nd day of life. She was born too weak to stand a...
10/11/2026

My Sunny.
A twin to her sister Meadow. She almost didn’t make it to her 2nd day of life. She was born too weak to stand and nurse on a 100 degree afternoon. The twins, along with their mother tried to die on me that night. Storms raged overhead and I worked tirelessly to keep them all alive. On her 2nd day of life she stood, and she mooed and I cried happy tears of joy.

It came time for her to become a mother herself. She took on her 2nd round of AI. Then, back in February of this year, I found her fetus on the ground. Her abortion panel was clear, so we tried again and again and again. No luck.

I leased a young bull, but he was too short. Then, she unexpectedly came down with a nasty case of summer mastitis caused by flies. I thought the first time I’d ever milk Sunny was when she had a baby of her own. Instead, I found myself stripping cups of pus out of her swollen, achy udder. It is likely she will be a 3 quarter cow due to the damage, but how do you give up on a heifer who stood like a dream for me to help her get better? I traded the young bull for an older more experienced gentleman and today….

I got a positive pregnancy test for Sunny. A due date of her birthday, June 13th next year. ✨

It’s time to officially introduce…Tedmond aka “Teddy.” Tedmond means “Brave Guardian” and honors the “T” names he held b...
09/20/2026

It’s time to officially introduce…Tedmond aka “Teddy.” Tedmond means “Brave Guardian” and honors the “T” names he held before becoming ours.

We recently discussed contacting Legend’s breeder to get on her waitlist for a future puppy when I had a dream that I went to pick-up a puppy from Allen Wags & Woolies only for her to give me an adult dog instead. The very next day I heard from her regarding an adult male coming back into her care that needed a home. I knew in that moment you were to be with us Teddy. I didn’t quite know how you would fit in with Legend and the crew here at Cymbeline Acres yet, but now I do.

Teddy you are the balance of lightness to Legend’s seriousness. From the first day arriving here, you have included all of us in your warmth and happiness. You radiate joy and despite your attempts at friendship with Legend not initially being welcomed, you never stopped trying and you’ve respectfully held space for him to come around. You’re a lover of kids, water and treats. You do the cutest wiggles and zoomies when excited. You want to be included in it ALL. I see big potential in you and the team you’ll form with Legend. I can’t wait to see how it blossoms and grows as you settle in.

Angela, what a dream to have TWO of your dogs. I’m forever grateful for your mentorship, friendship and honored you chose us. Welcome HOME Teddy!!

09/08/2026

Ginger isn’t going to let a heat wave stop the zoomies.

08/18/2026

Summer. Hot humans and hot animals. Humidity so thick you can’t breathe. Hauling hoses, fans, ice blocks and whispering little prayers all day that everyone makes it through the midday sun. Flies and mosquitos. Night frog choruses under streaking meteor skies. Bees and butterflies on the flowers. The garden is overflowing and weedy. Summer isn’t my favorite, but goodness it’s beautiful out here.

Spent this fall-like 1st day of August in the garden.
08/02/2026

Spent this fall-like 1st day of August in the garden.

Our Legend. We live near a shooting range and wedding venue, fireworks and gunshots are frequent. He handles it confiden...
07/20/2026

Our Legend.

We live near a shooting range and wedding venue, fireworks and gunshots are frequent. He handles it confidently. I brought him inside during the main nights of holiday fireworks for his comfort, but we had a random weeknight recently where a neighbor decided to start a booming fireworks show after midnight. Legend said, “Hey, this is not routine or normal! My animals and family are under attack!” and set out to show those fireworks that they aren’t welcome around his place. I went out to bring him in to ride out this late night show more comfortably inside, but this loyal giant refused to rest until he knew all the animals were safe and then he needed to physically inspect every kid’s room and see them sound asleep in their beds before he would rest. He’s just a real loyal soul and works so hard at his job. We’re so lucky he’s ours. ♥️

Allen Wags & Woolies

Beautiful double rainbow over the cows this evening.
07/17/2026

Beautiful double rainbow over the cows this evening.

I woke up at my usual time, but was so tired I said I’ll just sleep for 15 more minutes and woke up an hour and a half l...
07/17/2026

I woke up at my usual time, but was so tired I said I’ll just sleep for 15 more minutes and woke up an hour and a half later. 🫣 The bacon bits were thinking you’re late with our breakfast!!

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Bates City, MO

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