Tag Archives: Shetland

All Ready

18 Replies

I like to be organised and I will admit that I also like writing lists. So this morning was spent packing my bag for hospital tomorrow where I will get my caudal steroid injections as a day case. I am wearing my favourite (and very worn out with holes) shirt.

Though, I also have an overnight bag ready just in case because you never know and I don’t want OH to have to drive all the way back for it.  Best case scenario, I will bring it home and unpack everything unused.

Sadly, there is no room in my bag(s) for this small doglet and I know she would be perfect for keeping my feet on the ground as I am totally over-thinking this whole hospital procedure to the point of feeling like being sick with fear.  The last time was horrendous while they scraped me off the theatre ceiling.  So things have to be bad if I’ve asked to have this procedure again.

I am telling myself I will just have to think of my happy place, man up and do my best, insisting on a huge amount of sedation (I want to be knocked out), as promised when I went to discuss this with the anaesthetist at my last appointment.

(and, yes, I am in a terrible dither)

My sheep supplies are increasing now.  I made this little chap today.

And then I made this one too, staying a little longer in my shed as it may be a few days before I get back in again.

Floss sent me this photo from this morning.  I want to be like Monster. His ability to sleep absolutely anywhere is a talent and one I could do with.

Wish me luck. Think of me tomorrow.

A Weird Day

1 Reply

Today started strangely with a duck first thing on my porch roof.  I’ve never seen one there before.  Pretty but not the usual occurrence.

I don’t know if he flew there by accident or on purpose, though he is definitely one of mine.

Then a potential album cover.  My band will obviously be called “The Black Sheep”.

Flossie and I had set this morning aside for the farrier and I managed to get all the sheep into their day-time field, all except Lambie who was busy finding himself somewhere else (he went out later to join the others or wander about unloved by himself).

Stephen got to work trimming those that needed it, along with his BFF, Pepper who of course “helped”.

She even did a spot of “riding” too, although she is not nearly as proficient as my previous Patterdale terrier, BeAnne, who could actually sit to walk, trot and even a little canter.

Kolka had her feet done….

As did Iacs and I was just beginning to think this was going to be an expensive morning if everyone needed a trim….

But luck would have it, it was just Albie in the other field, out of five, and we were finished.  Everyone was looked at and deemed to be fine.  No laminitis or anything, so I am hugely relieved as this time of year is when things start going wrong.

Lunch and into my shed to make a sheep.

I heard yowling.

I let in the yowling, gave him a bed, told him to shut up and to stop prodding me with his claws.  I had work to do.

(the black marks on Monster’s head and tips of ears are car/van oil.  I think he has been busy cutting brakes – I told you this was a weird sort of day)

Anyway, today’s creation.

 

My Obsession

3 Replies

As some of you may already know, I like to obsess.

My current obsession is rugs.  Today we swapped all the Shetland ponies’ (Vitamin, Fivla and Tiddles) rugs for dry rugs and I thought to myself that if I hadn’t got Floss with me, it would’ve been very hard work.  The ponies’ rugs were wet through and I don’t like that. So much for waterproof.

Meanwhile all the Icelandics were totally dry underneath their rugs. They are wearing very expensive Rambo high neck 0g turnout rugs.

My back is not getting better. In fact, I can now add brachyalgia (arm “sciatica”) to my list.  I need my life to be easier. I can’t keep nipping out to change rugs because the old horses/ponies and Tiddles are soaked through.  I need to know that the rugs they have on are keeping them 100% dry so they can keep warm and I won’t worry.

I told this to Tiddles and he agreed.

Tiddles is good with rugs.  He does his very best and  I honestly think it is the way forward for him in winter – he has equine metabolic syndrome. Think Type II diabetes.

(and there’s nothing wrong with Newt, though he would love a “dressing gown”)

Pretty please (sorry, no my little fat boy).

Tiddles’ rug is not ideal – I like high necks too.  Tiddles gets wet shoulders.

A high neck allows for freedom and just that extra bit of protection.  I am not a fan of full necks.

So I costed the rugs I want to buy for Fivla, Vitamin and Tiddles and it came to over £1,000 (two rugs each – 0g and 100g high neck Rambo).

And the thing is, and I know this sounds awful but realistic, but what if Fivla and Vitamin don’t make it to winter – they are very, very ancient……. and every day is extra.

Feeling a little sick and wondering what to do, I went into my shed and made another sheep.

Out For The Day

3 Replies

Having got all my ducks in a row (ie fed and watered everyone), I wanted a proper day out.

A day away from everything and everyone of nagging animal type.

So, we made a plan, which meant that Floss and I had to first clear the car out of all the recently bought animal feed, etc. I drove (because i am a control freak) and we went to Brae, on the other side of the island – to Frankie’s Fish & Chips for a proper Sunday lunch.

We had the best fish and chips and they made an excellent hot chocolate too, with all the trimmings.

So, that was a lovely Sunday lunch and one I didn’t have to cook or wash up. Win, win.

And then on to OH’s favourite haunt – the Nesting Scrap Store – which is basically two rooms in an old school filled to the brim with secondhand stuff.  A treasure trove of Lovely Things.

Floss and I bought something each – me, a bluetooth keyboard for £3.50.

We drove home past the wind turbines that rarely turn but are a blight on the Shetland hills.

Why don’t they turn, I hear you ask? – “the wind turbines often stand idle due to grid capacity constraints, maintenance, or extreme weather conditions. The primary cause is insufficient infrastructure to export the massive amount of energy generated, leading to “curtailment”. They may also pause for safety in high winds or for routine repairs.” – Google

All 103 were at a standstill today.

As we drove past Kergord Hatchery Bookshop, we decided to have a look because none of us had actually ever been in.

It was well worth a visit.  Lots to look at and peruse and want.

So another place to dig through looking for hidden gems on a Sunday.

And now I am home, lying in bed thinking I possibly over-did things (the driving finished me off) but it was totally worth it. A lovely day away from home.

And my bluetooth keyboard works – yay!

 

Rugs off, Rugs on!

6 Replies

It was a lovely morning, so Flossie and I took off everyone’s rugs, and gave them a brush. It’s always good to see what’s going on underneath because you never know.

 

After brushing everyone who wanted to be brushed, so that’s everyone, we decided to put Tiddles’ rug back on as it is only a 0g fill rainsheet and he’s not that fat.  The other’s, however, have a good covering, though Waffle is feeling a little ribby for the first time ever. I am secretly pleased.

And then onwards down to the old horses and ponies who were very pleased to have their rugs taken off.

Again, it was good to see what was going on under there.

I was particularly impressed with Vitamin.  She looked fab.

The Icelandics were a bit flattened.

Kolka entertained herself with playing with the rugs.  I shouted at her to stop, please.

Floss hung all the rugs on the fence posts for putting back on later.  And, a little known fact, if you suspect you might have cauda equina, climb over an electric fence that’s on and you will soon find out (owie is all I will say and now I know the fence is working and I don’t have cauda equina!)

Later, in the afternoon, just before dark, the sun had long gone away and I called the old horses and ponies to us so we could put their rugs back on.  Fivla and Vitamin did not need asking twice, they were like two old ladies in the January Sales determined to get a bargain.  They cantered over full speed.

The others were a little more casual.

But we put their rugs back on as it was getting cold again and I possibly think they were grateful.

If Fivla and Vitamin could’ve done up the buckles and straps themselves, they would’ve.

Fivla loves her rug.  It is all she ever needs.  That, and food.