Tag Archives: MyShetland

Another Bed Saga

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A few days ago, there was the most God-almighty full on dog fight. It was not pretty and both dogs were equally to blame. Apparently, it was about the new dog-bed and it’s accompanying little cushion.  Pepper would not give up or let go while Ted gave as good as he got.  Luckily, there were no injuries and, once separated, I shouted at both of them until they understood that this behaviour was totally unacceptable.  I then ignored them for the remainder of the day disgusted at what had gone on.  To be fair, they did each apologise.

Anyway, this has resulted in a rather strained relationship between Pepper and Ted, while we all watch who has the bed and for any grumbling about it.

And, because Daisy is here helping, Monster needs a bed in her bedroom/study area. Of course he does. So we made him one next to his favourite place – the radiator – basically a folded up throw on an old wicker basket.  Perfect.  He spends many peaceful hours up there.

In one of her wanders around the house, Pepper found the new bed.

She was quite keen on investigating it.

So she hopped on and decided it wasn’t that great after all.

Phew, not another bed to have a fight about.

And anyway Monster always wins every battle with Pepper.  He got her on her way past just now.  So that’s us. The Bed Wars continue but are now being supervised.  We were all very shocked by that latest fight.  I think I made my feelings very clear as it has taken quite a while for Pepper and Ted to play nicely again together.

Playing Rugs

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I spent a good part of my  morning in the rain looking at Haakon’s and Kolka’s rugs.  I was trying to find out exactly what weight they are.  I already knew the size – 5′ 9″.

I found some labels and took photos in case they would give me the information. I couldn’t see anything, though.

For us, Rambo rugs are the best brand.  I like everything about them – their fit, they stay on in a gale, their waterproofness, and they are very hard-wearing too.  I truly believe with rugs that you get what you pay for (I have been stung before).

I also like the high neck fit.  This is Haakon’s.  He is very comfortable in it.

At present, Iacs doesn’t have one that fits. So he is in an older- style Rambo with no high neck.

It is not ideal but it is functional, despite the patching.

Kolka is also wearing the same high-neck version as Haakon but…..

…. it is a size too small for her (her other rug wasn’t the best so we stuffed her into this one for the time being while I did the research).

My current plan is for them all to have high-neck Rambo rugs so they can spend their winters outside, warm and coping well.  Once indoors, I scoured the internet and have just bought the last (possibly in the world) 5′ 9″ high neck 200g Rambo rug (under £200) and it will be for Kolka. Then I will try her rug on Iacs and see if it fits him better. He always was a size smaller than Haakon and Kolka but this year appears to have somehow become bigger so now all his rugs don’t fit him anymore *** sigh ***.  Typical Iacs. Always different.  He played with my walking stick as if that makes anything better.

Duvet Day Inside

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Today, weather-wise, has been unspeakable – sleet, a freezing gale force wind, and we are all very miserable and bored of this.  Apparently Shetland has been stuck in a bad weather system for a while now.

So, Daisy and I decided to get everyone inside for a rest from this.  A Duvet Day, if you will.

No one needed asking twice.  The Shetland ponies were straight in and with no mucking around either about which stall to go in.  Oh, no. In they went and waited quietly while Daisy took Tiddles’ rug off.

Silver was a white/grey pony before he rolled.

But the ponies are happy and eating unlimited hay to their hearts’ content.

Then it was the turn of the old folk.  Straight in, no questions asked and, again, waiting patiently while I undid all their rugs without rolling first, which grosses me out (I have a thing about wet sand).

It is the first time anyone has had their rug off for many weeks and it was good to see a) how well they looked and b) how perfectly dry they all were.

And lastly, the old ladies trotted enthusaistically in, once Daisy had been to catch them because they were determined to wait by their bowls rather than follow the others like they should’ve.

Again, nice and dry and also looking rather good for the time of year. I am pleased.

The sheep are also having a Duvet Day.

They don’t believe in going outside and quite honestly, I don’t blame them.

Daisy and I went back to the big shed after lunch to find everyone was just fine (and had poo’ed a lot).  Seeing Waffle having a snooze was exactly what I wanted.  It is important that everyone has a rest from the weather and relaxes for 24 hours.

I am intending to throw them all out tomorrow as it should’ve thawed considerably by then and normal service can then resume.

Snow Here (Again)

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We woke up to snow…. again.  Ugh.  I’m not a fan.

Also, we found Iacs had managed to get stuck in the not-working electric fence.  From the look of it, he had only been there a few minutes from when he saw us arriving with our buckets.  We lifted his legs out and I led him by his chin hairs back through the gate and gave him his breakfast.  At least Iacs never panics.  Just stands there looking hopeful or embarrassed.

The little ones had long finished their breakfast and raced down to gaze longingly at everyone else eating their’s.  I told them they could always go back onto the track again if they wanted.  They said no thank you.

The rugs are proving a great success.  No one feels cold or wet underneath and they seem pretty oblivious to the bad weather with them on.

And, luckily, there’s not enough snow to actually stop anyone from eating.

Currently, I am liking the high-necked rug on Haakon best and thinking of increasing my extensive (yes, it may well be an addiction) rug library by getting some high-necked rugs for Iacs and Kolka too.

They don’t make high-neck rugs for ponies that I can find, much to Fivla’s disgust.  I don’t like full-necks, though.

So that’s us at the moment.  Daisy and OH are doing all the lugging while I flit about doing sheep and ducks/hens.  We may give in tomorrow, depending on how it looks, and get everyone inside (again). I am trying hard to hold off on that decision as much as I can as that is actually the kiss of death for my back.

Hopefully the snow won’t stay long.  Please.

Working From Home

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Help has many faces.  Mostly furry ones.

My afternoons are spent productively while I lie on my bed trying to calm the sciatica. I am dictating two weeks per day of my Great Great Aunt Kate’s diaries onto my phone. This then transcribes them onto Notes and I transfer them to a Word document which I then correct and upload onto the WordPress site.  It is arduous but, as a method, it works fairly well.  Sometimes the transcription can be pretty random – “Malaga Tony” apparently is Mulligatawny soup – I howled with laughter at that one!

And then there is my help.

Icky-licky help who won’t go away.  She insists on the licking because she knows I can’t do anything else, like work.

Meanwhile in another bedroom on the other end of the little house, Daisy is working on her PhD thesis.

And, yes, she has help in the form of Science Cat.

Monster is taking a keen interest in Daisy’s work, which is lovely for her.

I hope you can all see the cat hair all over the laptop!  Monster is very involved.  Daisy is very important to him and so is her thesis.

No one gives up in this house.