Over the years, Newt has not endeared himself to anyone in his herd and he only has himself to blame. He can be very mean spirited, especially in winter, and mostly about food, kicking out at anyone in his firing line. He may be small but that little ginger bottom is very quick and quite powerful. He likes to wheel round and give out both barrels so therefore nobody wants to be near him.
I think it is Tiddles who gets most cross with Newt and tries to keep him in his place. I know, Tiddles, who hasn’t a mean bone in his body but the exception is Newt. He hates him.
Luckily for Newt, Silver will just about tolerate him and share the haynet. I guess it’s because he is so much bigger and, if Newt starts acting up, he can swiftly put him in his place.
The others swap around with food and buckets and eventually reach some sort of peace.
Just not with Newt. If he can’t be nice, he can’t be their friend and he only has himself to blame. I refuse to feel sorry for Newt as I’ve seen his little bottom in action – like a tank turret firing as it goes round and round, regardless of aim, just making his point.
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Sigh, always the grumpy ones who can’t be nice….
I shouldn’t laugh; getting kicked by powerful, little hooves would be absolutely no fun. However, I really enjoy observing animal behavior, whether it is human, dog, cat, ants, anything. The Newt Behavior Model has always baffled me: the old nature/nurture thing. Where does it begin, how is it reinforced, and why is it chosen by the animal are questions that have no answers in my world. In a group that all coalesce, enjoy one another, are reinforced in their companionship, how is the loner rewarded in his/her choices? I suppose it’s the educator in me that is stymied by the Newt Model. If you ever figure it out, please share.
It’s because he is the smallest. His childhood was tricky too after he was weaned. He lived in a garden shed with puppies. Then he had to be Albie’s BFF and Vitamin was vile to them. He only knows to fight back or get in first.