I put out the hay at 3 p.m. this afternoon as everyone had come into the paddock because of the vile weather.  I felt sorry for the ponies and gave them an extra haynet, noticing Tiddles and Newt were sheltering in the container – they had the soaked one.

I thought to myself “how sweet, Tiddles and Newt will surely share their haynet nicely”.

Meanwhile the other three were happily tucking into their’s.

As I could only see Tiddles, I went back to see what was happening.

And it was pretty obvious.

Tiddles wouldn’t let Newt near “his” haynet.  To be fair on Tiddles, though, Newt is always the problem and this was revenge.  A dish best served cold.

So I went into the container, moved Tiddles out of the way and Newt shot outside.  I felt I had to explain to him why this had happened. Everyone is very fed up with his horrid behaviour at mealtimes – which is basically backing up and kicking everyone in the teeth – that little bottom is lethal twice a day *** sigh ***.

I left Newt thinking about his behaviour.  Maybe he will change though I doubt it.

Luckily the others were in a more generous and forgiving mood.

And Newt soon got to eat his hay.

The thing is, Tiddles doesn’t even eat his meals with Newt so he probably did it on behalf of everyone else!

I have been shouted at most of the day by Monster who has much to say – mostly that it is raining outside.  Yes, thank you, I know that. All my outside coats and trousers are soaking wet and currently hanging up in the kitchen to dry.  I think I’ve actually run out of clothes now.

Today we took off Ted’s buster collar off as he is not bothering to try and get the little boot off his hind paw.  We trust him, which may be a huge mistake, but he is watched all the time.  Any delving in that area and it is back on.

(This is Ted’s real bed, next to mine – a lovely huge dog bed with Mum’s old v-shaped pillow – he often goes up there to be by himself especially when things are a bit bouncy between Monster and Pepper.

But today Monster followed me endlessly around the house, staring at me earnestly or shouting at me and I had no idea why.  I did ask.

When it stopped raining briefly, I encouraged him to go outside.

It was brief.

And then I found the problem…… Ted was happily sitting in Monster’s special bed that only he sleeps in and I had been wondering why Monster hadn’t been using in it recently.  It is his favourite spot.

Look at Ted’s happy stealing face.  Terrible.

Ted was not sorry and apparently he’s not moving out either.

So, to give Monster back his bed if only for the afternoon, I took both of the dogs over to my shed while I made a sheep for the shops.

OH said Ted was often using Monster’s bed.  This, I did not know and I am not sure how we are going to solve this problem.

Recently poor Ted has been in the wars.  He is now under house arrest, no walks and life with a buster collar, a hind foot boot, as well as two hourly eye drops (for his existing dry eye condition).

OH noticed on yesterday’s dog walk that Ted was holding up his back leg more than usual (it’s a terrier thing walking occasionally on three legs).

Upon closer examination, we discovered that Ted had sliced off a good chunk of the pad on his back paw.  Ouch.  Horrid for Ted.  We have no idea how he did this.

As it was nice and clean, and Ted didn’t seem at all distressed by this turn of events, I phoned the vets who said to clean it up, put a dressing on and it should heal.  So we did that, borrowing a very useful foot boot too.

Luckily, I have a very large first aid kit that basically consists of everything, including sticky hydrocolloid dressings, which are proving very useful.  Micropore sticky tape is also helpful in this case.

Ted is very good about all of this.  The buster collar is to stop him trying to get the boot off and I think is a slightly kinder version of the lampshade version.   At night, the boot comes off to let his paw air a bit.

And Ted is being a stoic.  He is the perfect patient who is pretty good about the dressing and is not that sad about the lack of dog-walks for the time being.

Obviously there is a treat as reward for every ministration so it is worth it.

With all this nursing, I hope Ted’s paw heals quickly and cleanly.

Not much is happening here today.  Just the same old, same old and that’s exactly how I like it. I am never good with change.

OH and I did the morning animal chores accompanied by various sheep or dogs, depending on what needed doing.

While Gussie and Dahlia were eating the precious hay bale, I went over the hill (scattald) to feed the Icelandics.  The torrential from yesterday had finished and everyone was beginning to dry out.

Everyone was very wet but looking ok, so I was not worried and it was warm too.

However, the duck situation is not great.  Duck Wars have begun again – tis the season – between all the males over possibly not enough females, while OH and I diligently try to collect all the eggs that are laid, trying not to let any get to hatching stage.  I am planning on making lots of cakes.

We have decided on no more ducks, please.  I may have to find homes.  I have been holding off on that decision.  If only they would stop fighting.

So not much is going on really and I want it to stay that way.  My routine, my world.  It is not exciting by choice.

Everyone should just keep pottering along like I want.

It is raining hard and everyone said they didn’t want to go outside.  I honestly don’t blame them. It is not nice out there.  Fivla took up residence in Dahlia and Gussie’s shed.  I don’t think the sheep minded very much – they are both tough hill sheep.

And the rest of the flock were all looking a miserable in their shed so I gave them some hay to eat, which was very gratefully received.

I was actually meant to be on a dog-walk but no one wanted to go – Ted had long since let himself back into the house via the catflap and gone to bed but Pepper helped me do my chores. Afterwards I sat down in the sheep-shed.

Instantly, I had a visitor – Maggie, who never left my side again.

She just wanted to be scratched and kissed on the nose.  It was a bit like kissing a wool sweater! And if I stopped, she would paw me to get me to keep going.

Everyone came over in turns except for Lambie, Barrel and Madge.

Lambie never once acknowledged my presence.

But Edna lay down beside me, while Maggie tried to eat my hair (and, yes, that hurts a lot).

This is the closest Madge has ever voluntarily been to me while I have been sat.

Bert also sat down beside me.

And went to sleep….. while I sang to him.

There is something very peaceful about sitting with sheep, apart from Maggie who is always poking me with her hoof wanting attention.  Lambie never came to say hello once.

And Pepper just stayed close by and waited.