All I think about is Haakon and his hooves.  The old boy was pleased to see me this morning and there was evidence that he had been lying down.

Interestingly, today, he did not lie down once so I am hoping this is a good sign.  His hooves are sore, I can see that, but he is more interested in munching his soaked hay and watching the world.

His friend today was Klaengur.

And obviously Her Maj.

Always there.  Mostly asleep or “mucking out” in her little way.

I spent my morning giving Haakon his medication in a feed which he got bored of so I held the bucket, offering him handfuls and coaxing it down him.  He then had a good brush and I offered him frequent buckets of water – he is not keen to drink but the hay is wet so that is probably why,

A trip (again) into town later on as chauffeur for a horrid dentist appointment and I popped into our local agricultural store to buy a salt lick.

I also collected a pair of frog supports which Daisy and I put on with matching vetwrap (sticky bandage) and afterwards I added gaffer tape (duct tape) as well.

Iacs is tonight’s company and he immediately started by chewing on the cable ties and flicking them up his nose.  Only Iacs.

I also bought some different bedding to go on top of the shavings which may help support Haakon’s hooves.

I left my old boy looking much less tucked up and enjoying his salt lick and that intake will be monitored too.

Once settled for the evening, we let the sheep come home and they follow me around at night with glowing eyes in my head torch “helping” when it is lights out and bedtime.

The vet visited at lunchtime and gave Haakon a thorough examination.  The diagnosis was that Haakon has laminitis. Immediate treatment is to get him onto a soft bed for his poor hooves, off all hard feed – soaked hay only – and regular anti-inflammtory painkillers.

What a relief!  Now I know the battle I can chose my weapons carefully and throw everything at it so I can help my poor boy (sorry, mixed metaphors but you get the drift).

We looked at the stable and decided we needed to board up the sides of the smaller stable so we can put thick bedding down.  Daisy and I immediately drove to town and filled the van up with wood-shavings,  8 x 4 sheets of 9mm MDF (OH told me this is what we needed) and hay.

We drove home and I parked outside the stable.  It was a family effort and, between us, we built a stable for Haakon.

Haakon was watching us with Taktur, for company.

Moral support.

With the sides in place to keep the bedding from falling out, the shavings could then be put down on top of rubber mats.

Haakon seemed very happy with his new bedroom.

Luckily he loves his soaked hay, so that is good.  His appetite has not diminished.

Taktur was happy being tonight’s company and was given a pile of silage to munch through.

Haakon will have a variety of stable friends – mostly consisting of Taktur, Klaengur and Iacs on a rota – to keep him company.

The vet took more blood and is testing for Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (Cushings) amongst other things.

And now we have a possible way forward.  Nursing I can do.  It is my thing.

My life is truly bad. I don’t want to talk about it really and I don’t know what to do.  Whatever my best is, it just isn’t enough.  I am letting Haakon down.  Watching him in pain is destroying me (and him).

This afternoon, Floss and I went to chat with the Minions.  I need distracting and luckily Albie, Storm and Newt were happy to oblige.

The others ate their carrots and got on with what they wanted to do – eat.  I sat on a rock and waited to see who wanted to talk.

The boys stood around me and I dished out the kisses.

Honestly, there is nothing better.

Their support and love is wonderful.

Newt was extra snuggly.

He made me smile when very little does.

And he posed for a selfie.

Meanwhile Storm was treating Floss and her coat like an Activity Centre.

There is something about Floss’ coat – it attracts small ponies.  We decided Storm was chanting “why are you hitting yourself, why are you hitting yourself” like an annoying little brother.

I need my MInions.  They help.

Haakon is far from pain-free and I will confess that I am very worried about him.  I spoke to the vet today and we are doubling his analgesia over the weekend to reassess the situation on Monday.

Also this week Monster has been a regular visitor to the vet.  He is sneezing, lethargic and very off colour (yes, even a white cat).  It could be an upper respiratory tract infection.  So he is busy feeling very sorry for himself, though perks up at the sight of food still so he can’t be that bad.  Daily, I battle the prescribed pills/liquids down him which I disguise in his food.  So far he is not refusing and just thinks he is fed a lot, which is nice.  But poor boy is far from well.

So, back with the worry that is Haakon.  He is being kept quiet and a friend suggested wrapping hot towels around his hocks to help with the stiffness.  After the hot towels, I also rubbed in Deep Heat cream to warm the joint.

As always, Haakon was a good boy and munched his hay peacefully while Floss and I worked out the best method to do all this.

It was a family affair.

Haakon played his game of wuffle-the-hand to see if there were hidden carrots.  He has always done this.  It’s his thing.

Her Maj took to her throne and offered her support from a distance.

At the moment it feels like everyone is ill and I need them to be better.  I wish they could just be how they always were – fine, going along happily and healthy.

(* sorry for the whinge *)

I haven’t got much to write …… suffice it to say that I spent my day arguing with Vodafone and British Telecommunications plc on behalf of a friend (neighbour).  My learning curve was vertical but I was not going to give in. My conclusions were that Vodafone will happily pass the buck to anyone while BT lie through their teeth.  Customer Service be damned. I hate them all.

Many hours later – broadband and internet were restored but the bl**dy Vodafone Sure Signal was not.  As I type I am hoping they will see the error of their ways, plus stop telling fibs, and make the ruddy thing work.

Meh!

(a calming photo of Foula and breathe……)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the “creepy neighbours” are now back with their herd.  It was obvious that the old boys needed to be with amongst friends and we could see that.  Ad lib food is all well and good but it is boring and who wants to live with sheep?  Haakon is now stable (with painkillers) and I know that he is happier in his herd.  Mental health is just as important as physical health in my book.

Double meanwhile, I am drinking gin to get over my encounter with Vodafone and BT.  I need it.

Don’t judge me! I’ve worked hard.