Gussie’s New Friend

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Thank you for all your kind words of understanding, help and support – they mean a lot and today I feel much better about the whole rotten situation. I have decided that, as it is out of my control, I just have to go with the flow with the immense support I have. The animals (touch-wood) are all fine and we will get through this.

(one of my Support Team)

Though he’s fairly dodgy.

It’s been a chilly day. We woke to find there had been a hard frost overnight and now all the water pipes were frozen solid.  Luckily, apart from the sheep, who got a fresh bucket from our store of fresh water, no one else needed water lugging to them.  They are all in fields with streams flowing through them.

Later, when we put the ducks/hens to bed, Daisy let the sheep back in from their field, which they are sharing with the Shetland ponies.  They know the routine and were waiting ready to come home.

‘Bert of course immediately walked up to Daisy for a scratch and then Gussie (who suffers hugely from “Stranger Danger”) thought he could perhaps investigate Daisy too.

I think someone has seen the error of his ways now.

Awww, my boys.  All my children.

But Lambie was unimpressed. Daisy belongs to him so he grumbled a bit (grinds his teeth at you in annoyance) and wouldn’t let me give him a consolation hug.  He is a stroppy sheep.

Meanwhile Gussie was in 7th heaven which probably made Lambie crosser.

And Gussie had brought his snacks along too.  Non-sharing, though, obviously.  They’re for later. Just in case he feels peckish.

Disappointed

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There are actually not enough Tunnocks teacakes (the dark chocolate ones) in the world for how I feel today.

This morning I phoned the Pain Clinic to see what time to turn up on Monday for my much-needed spinal epidural injections only to be told that my appointment has been cancelled.

The re-scheduled me for March 2nd, the next clinic.

I cried.  Honestly, I know its not anyone’s fault but this is a huge mountain for me.

Just when I thought I could possibly see the end, it has been swiftly taken away from me.  I now have to endure two more weeks of chronic back pain along with shifting sciatica (now front upper and inner thigh) and its not easy to live with.  The pain is unceasing and eroding.

Usually by now I would be making a large flock of sheep to sell when the cruise ships arrive in early spring but now I have no stock as I can’t sit for long periods (the sciatica won’t let me) and think I will have to close my little field in Lerwick.  So that’s an essential source of funding gone.

I’m feeling very sorry for myself today.  Life is not good, not good enough and I am tired and don’t have control of my life.  Someone else is making decisions about me and, in my opionion, they’re not doing a very good job of it.

And there’s more snow forecast.

So now I am even more fed up.

(but the sun did make an appearance today and there was lovely blue sky too. And Monster got “The Bed”!)

Another Bed Saga

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A few days ago, there was the most God-almighty full on dog fight. It was not pretty and both dogs were equally to blame. Apparently, it was about the new dog-bed and it’s accompanying little cushion.  Pepper would not give up or let go while Ted gave as good as he got.  Luckily, there were no injuries and, once separated, I shouted at both of them until they understood that this behaviour was totally unacceptable.  I then ignored them for the remainder of the day disgusted at what had gone on.  To be fair, they did each apologise.

Anyway, this has resulted in a rather strained relationship between Pepper and Ted, while we all watch who has the bed and for any grumbling about it.

And, because Daisy is here helping, Monster needs a bed in her bedroom/study area. Of course he does. So we made him one next to his favourite place – the radiator – basically a folded up throw on an old wicker basket.  Perfect.  He spends many peaceful hours up there.

In one of her wanders around the house, Pepper found the new bed.

She was quite keen on investigating it.

So she hopped on and decided it wasn’t that great after all.

Phew, not another bed to have a fight about.

And anyway Monster always wins every battle with Pepper.  He got her on her way past just now.  So that’s us. The Bed Wars continue but are now being supervised.  We were all very shocked by that latest fight.  I think I made my feelings very clear as it has taken quite a while for Pepper and Ted to play nicely again together.

The Rain It Raineth Every Day

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I know all I do is complain about the weather but honestly, it hasn’t stopped raining for months now (or at least it feels like that).  We all live in a state of permanent mud, wet clothes/hair and are miserable.

The sheep were hanging around their field gate so I opened it early. I think they possibly never actually left to go and graze and I felt sorry for them.

So straight into their shed they went….

….along with some chickens who were also sheltering.  One even laid an egg!

Later, when I went back in the afternoon to shut up the hens and ducks for the night, Lambie followed me back to the house looking hopeful.

Obviously I let him in and sent Daisy off to find him a biccie.

Lambie knew this or at least hoped….

And I might’ve told him too (note the charming smile of happiness at the thought of the arrival of something nice and, even better, edible).

“Lambie, could you possibly manage a chocolate chip cookie?”

Oh, he thought he could (such beautiful manners too).

Sadly, I had to push Lambie back outside telling him to say nothing when he rejoined his biscuitless friends.  I think OH would have a complete hissy fit if I fed all his supply of elevenses’ biscuits to the sheep!

But I had one happy Lambie and that’s all I want.

(he has his mouth full so he can’t smile!)

Playing Rugs

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I spent a good part of my  morning in the rain looking at Haakon’s and Kolka’s rugs.  I was trying to find out exactly what weight they are.  I already knew the size – 5′ 9″.

I found some labels and took photos in case they would give me the information. I couldn’t see anything, though.

For us, Rambo rugs are the best brand.  I like everything about them – their fit, they stay on in a gale, their waterproofness, and they are very hard-wearing too.  I truly believe with rugs that you get what you pay for (I have been stung before).

I also like the high neck fit.  This is Haakon’s.  He is very comfortable in it.

At present, Iacs doesn’t have one that fits. So he is in an older- style Rambo with no high neck.

It is not ideal but it is functional, despite the patching.

Kolka is also wearing the same high-neck version as Haakon but…..

…. it is a size too small for her (her other rug wasn’t the best so we stuffed her into this one for the time being while I did the research).

My current plan is for them all to have high-neck Rambo rugs so they can spend their winters outside, warm and coping well.  Once indoors, I scoured the internet and have just bought the last (possibly in the world) 5′ 9″ high neck 200g Rambo rug (under £200) and it will be for Kolka. Then I will try her rug on Iacs and see if it fits him better. He always was a size smaller than Haakon and Kolka but this year appears to have somehow become bigger so now all his rugs don’t fit him anymore *** sigh ***.  Typical Iacs. Always different.  He played with my walking stick as if that makes anything better.