This is Newt.

He is a little pony – 26″ to be precise.

He is also a little…..

💩

(but this is his trying-to-look-cute face)

It won’t wash with me, Newt. I know you – 👀

Newt has a revolving bottom that lashes out at his friends when he doesn’t get his own way or their food/carrots.

Manoeuvres, such as creeping up on Vitamin to swipe her bucket, do not work – Vitamin is happy to kill him for such a heinous crime (and we are happy to stand back and watch because Newt has it coming).

Newt also tries to annoy Vitamin by standing very close touching her with his nose.  She sensibly ignores him.

Totally undeterred and very determined, Newt then hones in on Fivla as his next victim

He is now just “happening to be in the area” of Fivla’s bucket.

So I go and stand between them both.  Newt is “resting” (possibly with teeth) his nose on my knee.  We have words and I warn him to make sensible choices with his teeth.

Fivla continues to happily munch on, never lifting her head from the bucket because that is a sign of weakness.

This time of year, life is very hard work with Newt around.  Winter does not bring out the best in him, which is odd because he is enchanting for the rest of the year.

Last night, when checking on ‘Ster, I decided that I hated the idea of him being blind and in a field, no matter how little, and that if he couldn’t see, then he could possibly hurt himself. So I moved him to the small stable and I am glad I did that.  Not an easy job – he wasn’t cooperative.

This morning, I got a better idea of the damage to his eyes.

My poor boy.

Water is in a hi-viz yellow bucket and I am pretty sure he has found it and is drinking – I also syringed water down him last night, just in case he hadn’t.

And ‘Ster is being pretty stoical about it all.  He knows he needs care.

After lunch, I went and sat with ‘Ster as I know he doesn’t see me as his friend anymore. I took treats. I wanted to work on our relationship.

And obviously a small dog.

I sat down and waited.

It didn’t take long and ‘Ster poured his heart to me.

I gave him a good hug, while Pepper sat on my legs – not an easy feat.

(well, she sat on my legs in a supportive way)….

And they both lined up for Pasture cookies.

I am writing this early as I am off to the airport with Floss to deliver her back south. I shall miss her hugely.  She has been such an immense help.

Poor ‘Ster has pink-eye or snow-blindness or Infectious Keratoconjunctivitis.

We have been treating ‘Ster for a couple of days now once I noticed his right eye was opaque but sadly it has spread to his other eye and he is finding it difficult to see, let alone get around.

Today he was utterly miserable and keeping apart from the others, preferring to be on his own.

When I found him by himself (and more than a little hysterical – he is prone to the vapours), I moved him into the little paddock behind the house, where I can see him from the kitchen, opened up the shed for his bedroom and gave him ‘Bert as his seeing-eye sheep companion. My fear is that he would fall into a ditch and not be able to get up.  It is better to keep him where I can see him.  I am not sure how much actual vision he has.

Hopefully ‘Ster’s eyesight will return but it can be a long process with treatment (so far we’ve tried ointment, an injection and now spray). The weather is to blame. It is just one of those things.  ‘Ster is feeling very sorry for himself today.  I am feeding him regularly too – so he can easily find food.  Sheep are a constant worry, as are ponies, dogs, children, cats……

I shall just leave this here with you.

It is titled “The Struggle is Real”……

’nuff said, I think.

(Floss took the video – Monster will be suing her for defamation)

Floss and I got up half an hour early (it is getting lighter now in the mornings) as we had lots to do. Everyone fed, and we drove into Lerwick to get supplies, and for me to see the dentist – a routine appointment.

After a very nice lunch – our reward for the dentist and all Floss’ hard work while she is here – we went to the street.

I needed to deliver some sheep, ready for any tourists that will come for Lerwick’s Up Helly Aa.

The town is getting all geared up for this annual fire festival.

It was a beautiful calm day and both Floss and I enjoyed our day of “freedom”.  Tomorrow it is back to the grind stone.