It’s never fun, but a small doglet – Pepperpot – had to go to the vet this morning as she has been scooching around on her bottom for a while now with smells.  I popped her in the dog crate and she was as good as gold in the car – no whining, no whinging, just smiles and patiently waiting her turn once we arrived.   She even made friends with a collie in reception who she was desperate to play with, as was he.

Pepper also had her pre-op check up as she is being spayed next month.  The vet described her weight as “heavy” – so I think a pre-op diet will begin too.  I think Pepper enjoyed her adventure apart from the veterinary procedure which is undignified at best.  Anyway, thankfully the problem has now been solved.

Then vegetable packing this afternoon and I came home to Monster telling me he was starving and no one cared about him.

This is his “you will feed me” face!

I was shouted at…..

…until I gave in.

Obviously.

Here are some photos from the afternoon run I took the dogs on in my 5 acre field (I don’t run – they do, so you know!)

Lots of flowers and lovely long grass as I am leaving this field to grow for winter grazing.

If hill sheep have managed to get in (the gods alone know how they do this – I have no idea), then Pepper will round them up and bring them down the gate whereupon I open it and they go back onto the scattald (open hill) to rejoin their parents.  Pepper is actually a very accomplished “sheep dog”.  I am very impressed with her skills and determination.

Pepper being Pepper can be annoying.  Poor Ted. She is relentless with him.

Sometimes it is not easy to see anyone.

The tail is helpful, though.

And other bits too!

I wandered about the field for a bit but mostly I sat on a rock and watched the dogs come and go.

My little Pepper-Pot is all growed up now and it’s only been less than a year. How our lives have changed.

For everyone.  It feels like Ted has always been here.  He just arrived and fitted in.

Today was summer.  Yes, while everyone south is frying in the excessive heat, we in Shetland have had no summer until today.  It was very nice (max 17 C or 63 F) and about as hot as I like to go.

The wild flowers are glorious and everywhere.

The air has a lovely sweet smell to it.  This is the clover in full bloom.

The Shetland Bumblebees (yes, we have our very own special species with a gorgeous orange bottom) – were out in force when I was walking the dogs this afternoon.  They adore the flowers.

It really was a glorious day.  Tomorrow we move on to Autumn, I think.  And so that was our Shetland Summer. It was brief.  Thank you very much.

On a roll, I went out this morning and did more brushing.  There is actually no one in my house that has not been brushed now (even Pepper who hates it).

Everyone looks beautiful.

With no nasty bits.

I brushed and brushed.

Even Haakon’s imaginery forelock (so sad it’s gone).

They all lined up to be brushed, which was very sweet.

I was surrounded by horses putting their heads wherever my brush was.

And I think I have achieved.

And then I told them to go back to their field, looking better for the brushing, while I thought “well, that’s me for another year” and went indoors to have a lie down!

Once a year I brush a horse or pony.  Today, I brushed my Minions.  I had wormed them yesterday so I was on a roll.

I can’t remember who was first up. I just brushed anyone who turned up.  Waffle turned up a lot. He adores being brushed.

And Albie.

Fivla was not enthused at the prospect of being brushed but she had to stand still and be done.

Tiddles was hard work. Firstly, for the rest of the year he does his absolute best to avoid any hint of grooming ever and hates it, so it was a head-collar job and I attacked his horrid matted forelock.

“Why, Miss Tiddles, you are beautiful!” I told him.

He agreed.

Storm was around, always ever helpful.

Silver was handsome afterwards.

Err… Newt.  Still like a small beligerent yak.

Albie followed me everywhere.

Vitamin looking her absolute best.

Everyone was made to look bouffant. Originally, I had intended to brush only four ponies but in the end, I was enjoying myself so I did the lot.

Yup, Storm still “helping”.  He had everything out.