Loki – remember him?  We gave him a home nearly 2 and a half years ago when he had been picked up wandering the streets of Elgin.

Meet Loki

Loki has travelled a long journey since then, both mentally and physically and become a lovely dog who is very much part of the family.

I have always wondered what his parentage was and, as BeAnne’s DNA proved so interesting, I was given another kit for Christmas so I could have Loki’s tested too.

Now I was told by my mother (who is also a keen lurcher fan and owner) that if you want to create a mini-deerhound, you cross a Bedlington Terrier with a Greyhound.  So I was not surprised to receive this……

Someone knew exactly what they wanted to breed for many generations but why Loki happened on the streets of Elgin, we will never know.

It may be because he loves getting into cars or vans, particularly white ones so perhaps he got lost hitching a lift.

The fur is a cheap variety – nylon on top with a brindle base (that would be the greyhound part).

The Bedlington bit is the bouncy terrier side, I think and smaller size.

I am not a huge fan of the “Lamb cut” but I can see why Lambie and Ster feel they have an affinity with Loki.

I will leave you to see any of these other breeds in him.  Saluki maybe, but American Staffordshire terrier (aka Pitbull), I think not but that might explain his quick temper when he first arrived (happy to report he is much better now).

I took a few snaps this afternoon, sitting on my rock watching Delia with Vitamin accompanied by Ster and Lambie eating the silage bale.

(don’t worry – the others were all given a small silage bales as they refused to walk through the frozen mud to the gate)

It was one of those magical still afternoons.  Snow lying around, frozen ground and complete silence, apart from the munching.

Tomorrow is a day I would rather not think about – wind and driving rain – so we all made the most of today’s calm.

Delia was resting, having stuffed herself all morning with silage.  She is such a dear old lady.

My bottom got very cold while I watched everyone, sat on my rock.

Vitamin was on a personal mission to make that bale her own, though she was happy to share with the sheep as long as they didn’t invade her space.

Lambie and Ster were, as usual, enchantment.  They bounce or eat their way through life very happy knowing that they don’t actually have to ever be sheep.

Lambie has been photographed since birth so he is well aware of what is required to be a top supermodel.

Zoolander eat your heart out.  Blue Steel?

Magnum?

Today was special. I will remember it.  A rare day of silence in Shetland, weatherwise.

I am very pleased to report that The Minions have finally stopped chasing the sheeps.

They have seen the error of their ways and reached an agreement that includes playing together.

It is interesting watching this unlikely relationship grow and there is definite communication between them all.  Perhaps not in the usual way but definitely there.

And it is not just Storm.  All the Minions like to chat with the Boysenberries.

Things only get out of hand if someone tries to nibble a horn.  That is not allowed and Ster gets very upset then.  The line crossed.

I love this photo.

A gentle game of butting is a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon with friends.

Good old Ster. He is a dear boy and very affectionate.  He has changed all our lives for the better.

I am so glad we have him here. A happy little smiley face.

Meanwhile, while the love-in was going on, Lambie had got himself stuck in a Tesco’s garden chair.

Lambie idea of heaven is wearing things.  He was perfectly happy inside the chair and they entertained each other for hours, probably communicating too, if I did but realise.

(Lambie may not be the brightest star in our firmament.)

This has to be the best £2 I have ever spent at the supermarket -16 apples.

It was lovely watching everyone having a turn and crowding round to try and get the apples.  I put 8 apples in the water trough and gave the other 8 to the horses/ponies who were no keen on bobbing (Delia, Tiddles, Hetja, etc).

Much entertainment following the apples round and round the trough.

Happy little wet noses trying so hard to get the lovely juicy apple (apparently carrots sink).

On a winter’s day, this is a good sport for everyone and my lot thoroughly recommend it.

And it made me laugh!

But, interestingly, there was one superstar.  An Olympic Champion, no less, who waited until everyone was a bit bored of their apple-bobbing failure.  She came in, out of nowhere, and swooped into the trough, grabbing herself an apple before rushing off to eat her prize.

Vitamin!

She had perfected the method and knew exactly what to do.

Dive in and get wet.

I watched her for a while and Vitamin was brilliant.  She stuffed her whole nose right under the water, even blowing bubbles to herself as she grabbed another apple.

(look at the tide mark)

The downside is the water is filthy and a bit appley afterwards (total change required) but the upside it was fun for everyone.

Shopping List – More apples, please.

There was a thud on a window downstairs.  We all looked at each other – the dogs and I – and then we thought we ought to investigate.

I was lucky because, for once, the dogs didn’t bark to repel borders.  The one time ever.

I was amazed to see a sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) (pretty sure that is what it is) eating its prey – a starling, I think.  I have never seen one before let alone so close to the house.

I was fascinated and the dogs followed me while I crept round the house trying to find my big camera, put in a memory card and find a place to take photos where the raptor (right lingo!) wouldn’t see or hear me.

I stayed indoors and luckily took some close-up photos, though that window needs a good clean.

If it isn’t a sparrowhawk, please let me know.

You may be interested to know that the Shetland dialect word for sparrowhawk is actually sparrowhawk.  I have this on the best authority.  Ditto for starling.

I am going to clean that window tomorrow.  I bet I never see another exciting bird out of it again.

Addendum:  Female sparrowhawk and male blackbird, I have been told by those that know!