We are gently introducing the dogs to our crofting life.  Pepper, in my absence, is very comfortable with the sheep.  I think it is the fact that no runs away removes any ideas of sheep being fun to chase.  My sheep would rather sniff the dog and they genuinely liked BeAnne.

And as the sheep are comfortable with Pepper, I brought Ted into the shed too to watch his reaction and he did the same – just wandered about sniffing.

We are trying to set everyone up to succeed.  I think it produces better results.

And, so far, things are going fairly smoothly on the sheep front.  Even Maggie is being less stampie and has stopped butting.

Pepper is very fond of Harrel, though.  He is her best sheep buddy – apparently they have been known to play together.

However, we are not going to introduce anyone to the Minions for the foreseeable. They are less dog friendly and absolutely untrustworthy.

There was something odd going on when Floss and I went over to see the Minions.

Ok, Newt was fairly normal for Newt.

He just wanted to be first in the queue for the carrots. That’s normal for him.

Everyone else had very muddy noses and we didn’t know why.

And then we turned around and saw….. a mud “pond” had suddenly appeared.

There is no need for anyone to stand in mud, let alone eat it! Plenty of unmuddy food around.

Waffle walked out of his quagmire for his carrot from Floss and then walked straight back in.

He started pawing the waterlogged ground and we could see that the ponies had been digging out some water-plant’s roots which they obviously loved.  We left them to their happy muddy ways.

Meanwhile, at home, these two have played and played until they collapsed in an exhausted heap together.

Ted arrived with a large sack of toys. I brought them all with us thinking it would be good for him to have familiar things around him in an unknown environment.  One of the “toys” was this treat hiding puzzle.

So I put little cat treats (beloved by every dog I know) in and set it up – Ted walked off instantly bored.

But Pepper was intrigued.

“What is this, Mum?”

“Maybe if I just sit and look at it, all will become clear”.

“I can smell the nummies and I will get them out”.

Ted wandered in, again refusing to have a go (probably because he knew I would give him his fair share of treats without asking for the effort!)

Pepper was in her element.

And so was Ted!

They’re all doing ok. The odd hiccough – like Ted nipping down last night to steal Monster’s early morning breakfast (in a bowl with a timer on its lid).  Monster was furious and told us all about it every ten minutes from 4 am onwards!  I know it wasn’t Pepper because she spent the whole night beside me, softly snoring and I did hear the soft pad of a small dog on the stairs going off to steal.

But we can move the cat’s bowl and work around these tiresome tribulations.

Our smattering of snow has gained momentum – suddenly it grays over and then there is a good flurry.

While we were feeding everyone first thing this morning, the snow started.

I gave Taktur his grub and he gave me his best Handsome Prince. Swoon. ❤️

Dreki was grinning inanely.

And I opened the gate, once Taktur had finished his bucket, and let everyone into the paddock where they share their two haynets.

They are good at this.  Never a cross word.  It is easy.

Lucky Kappi had bagged one for himself.

Meanwhile, in another field, the old men and ladies were eating their buckets of food. It is really only Haakon and Iacs that need their TurmerAid, but the others get the very definition of a smidgen of nothing to keep the peace.

The day was revving up but in a beautiful, if snowy, way.

Iacs being Iacs.  Note the snowy silly frilly.

On tomorrow’s shopping list are 10 new buckets.  We seem to get through them this time of year. I can’t think why!

Smiling Sóley – such a pretty girl and very grown up now.

While Floss cleaned and refilled the water buckets, she had help.  Always help.

Once done, we went indoors for our breakfast. Animals before people. That’s the rule I was taught.

Well, now there is playing which is good and arguing, which is fine too.  No one cares. They all have to sort themselves out.  This morning Ted snapped at Pepper so Monster biffed Ted.  A circle of life, sort of!

And yes, we have snow. A smattering.

I took Ted out first thing and then went to help OH and Floss with their morning animal routine.  Lambie ran over to see me, when I called and then remembered he didn’t know who I was (payback time).

Floss and I popped over to Leradale to check the five Minions living there – Vitamin, Waffle, Silver, Newt and Fivla.

Tiddles has laminitis again and as Storm and Albie are very fat, they have joined him.  Apparently there was lots of warm weather which has not helped anyone – too much grass despite being on a hill park with nothing.  Dammit.

OH and I took Pepper and Ted out for a walk in the big field.  Ted started off on a lead, but I soon gave up and unclipped him.

He was thrilled and raced around so happy with Pepper behind.  BeAnne’s fluorescent tankini fits beautifully.

Back at home, this afternoon, as the sun was setting, I had a quick chat with the sheep.

‘Ster was first up. Lambie said he had no Muzzah.

The girls look good. Particularly Edna who has no teeth now.

Harrel the Barrel is small but rotund.

Maggie is much tamer and remembers me (I am so pleased).

‘Bert is greying around his muzzle.

And Lambie decided I might be allowed to talk.  Might.  Nothing else.

The horses are all fine – fat and happy.

Even the old men.

And then suddenly Lambie snuck up to tell me I was his Muzzah and my heart melted.  It is so good to be home.

The Winning Smile!