Homecoming

I have been having trouble lately, but don't tell anyone, especially the wolves. The whole world has been kind of slanted, and sometimes I slant with it, and sometimes I have to scramble for it to straighten out. Mother has been giving me lots of cookies and extra attention, and has had the vet come out to see me several times, and given me shots. But nothing fixes this.

It is very depressing. I would look to Mother for help, and all she had to offer was cookies.

Then, Mother lead me out to the back field, and Aunt Nancy came along with us. It seemed a strange place for an exam, but sometimes in the past Mother had me trot in hand for the doctor... with so much grass out here, maybe she needed me to demonstrate my eating!

She gave me a shot, which I thought was like normal sedation (which, I must be honest, I really like), but I found myself feeling really woozy instead, like the times when I had surgery.

The next thing I knew, I was dreaming. I don't remember dreaming with my other surgeries, but it must have been a dream because I was drifting above Mother and Aunt Nancy and a very handsome grey horse which I realized looked an awful lot like me. Mother was leaning over the grey horse and I saw she was crying as she ran her hands over his body, and gentle touches around his face.

When I woke up I found myself in a large and beautiful field that stretched as far as I could see, filled with many horses. There was a lovely flowing stream so clear you could see the pebbled bottom. I looked at all the horses around me in the field; some were frolicking, some grazing, some rolling in the grass, while a few dozed quietly in the shade of a large oak tree. To my surprise, I knew many of these horses, and I saw my own father, and other horses I had known but hadn't seen in a very long time, and some I don't remember having met but who I seemed to simply know, if you know what I mean.

Every horse was at their most beautiful. Perfectly muscled, perfect feet, nobody seemed lame or even old. I noticed that my leg, which had been bothering me so, was as perfect as if I was a young horse. I couldn't help but run, leap, and buck, reveling in my strength again! Whatever Aunt Nancy had done to fix my bad joint, she had done a great job. And nothing about the world was crooked. Everything was straight. I took off galloping and galloping and galloping.

I saw that Spirit Horse was galloping along with me, and I stopped glorying in my ability to just run and run, and started looking around... and I remembered then: MOTHER. Spirit Horse, after all, was who had told me to choose Mother... where was she?

I slowed and started looking around me. Really looking. I noticed something odd about some of my companions in the field. While all were in their prime, fit and strong and seemingly perfect, I saw some were not quite perfect. They were missing chunks of their manes. I asked Spirit Horse why.

He merely turned his great head and gazed at a pretty mare across the meadow who was one of the ones missing mane. I saw a human approach her, the mare nickering delightedly, and the human hugged her around her neck. As the human held up her hand, the mane hair clutched in it touched the horse, and the mare was once again perfect. The human swung up onto the mare's back, and they cantered over the rise and out of sight.

I asked Spirit Horse where my human was. Would Mother come for me like that? He nudged my neck, and I realized I, too was missing some mane hair. Not like when Mother chopped all of it off over a few burrs, but a small swath like the mare whose human came for her. I was filled with happiness, because that means Mother will come for me.

So, it has been some time since I have been in this field, and it is wonderful. There aren't any flies or prickly bushes or burrs or rocks that hurt hooves, just grass and fresh water and ancient shade trees and horses. I spend my days grazing and grooming with friends, galloping and loafing by turns. Everyday is a perfect sunny day, although when I think it has been perhaps too sunny, a cloud will blow across the sun, and even a gentle rain shower may pass when I would just have hoped for one. Everything is so nice, I almost don't remember any other life.

From time to time a human comes, but so far it has not been Mother. There are times though, when my mane is blowing in the breeze and I see the piece missing, and I think of Mother. I know I will see her again, since Spirit Horse promised me. So I am filled with happiness.

And after these times, when I have thought of Mother and go back to my grazing, I always find some Mrs. Pastures cookies, nestled in the grass.

Cookies... Yumm!!!

The Joneses

Mother has been fiddling with donkeys in recent weeks. She took Clemmie up north and drove with a miniature horse... which is even weirder than a miniature donkey, if you ask me. I mean, Why??

And then they went creeking. How ridiculous.

Then the following weekend they went to a Driving Derby far, far away.

I can't compete. No really, with my leg and all...

sigh

Ellie and Julia go for a little ride...

Mother gathered up both donkey carts and some hay bags and the water tub and a bucket. Then she gathered up two of the donkeys.

YAY!! Good riddance to them, Mother!

Many hours later they returned, telling stories of a long trailer ride to a far off park with many paved trails that they drove upon.

Afterward, they went for a visit at Aunt Mary's place...

I wanna go to Aunt Mary's!!

Schemes and dreams

Don't worry, you're not the only one Mother has been ignoring...

What is her problem? Is she just getting too old and feeble to care for me? She never brings the camera, next to never has more than a pat, scratch, kiss and cookie for me...

I guess I should have thought about her age when I was choosing her... but she seemed so sprightly! I didn't realize how quickly she might turn into an old curmudgeon.

And she has been paying attention to THEM. You know, the donkeys.

 

They got to go to the park and do fun things, well, two of them, anyway. The rest of us sat here and stewed.

She's talking about taking them on a longer trip for a driving thingy. While it would be nice to have them out from underfoot, it would be better if she just sent them away and spent time with me.

I must concoct a plan. Any ideas?

 

Beyond Sloth (or State of the Red Mare Herd, Belated)

Mother has been EGREGIOUSLY remiss in updating my blog. So much has happened, and she just sits there, not telling the world anything.

People care, Mother. Well, people other than you, obviously.

Sadly, Scooter (aka Bert) passed away. He was 31 years old, and while I wasn't turned out with him often, he always was a lot of fun. The humans called him a "troublemaker."

Does this look like a troublemaker to you?

 

The aunties are down to one house-dog, having lost two since summer from cancer. It's been a bad year for them, what with chickens and the dogs and Scooter.

Bobbie is now living in with Callie, and Belle and I are back to having the run-in for ourselves. Unfortunately, they put up NEW canvas this year instead of simply rehanging the old ones, and I find myself trapped at times because I am not sure where to exit.

I know, I know, first world problems.

You know about Uncle Jeff's visit and the fixation Mother has with the donkeys. Apparently, she now is planning to take them to events out in the world.

Mother, you will be laughed at. I hope you are prepared.

Edited to add: Dancing Donkey asked for more, more, more of the donkeys. Look here for them: The Donkey Chronicles

Center of the universe re-examined

Uncle Jeff came for a visit!! It was nice to see him, although I had to wait until the very end to get the happy juice, so that was deeply disappointing.

The donkeys were fun to watch...

Speaking of fun to watch, Julia participated in a parade...

As you can see, none of the excitement around here revolves around me!

You don't see that every day

 Whaaa...??

Aunt Nancy and Julia

So, Mother got a van to haul the donkeys in. More precisely it is a minivan, and only one or maybe two donkeys will fit at a time.

Mother has taken Julia to the park to drive, and she took Clementine there to walk around and see the sights and learn about bicycles and rollerblades and whatnot.

I have been staying home, trapped in the Small with no out-back privileges due to the burrs. Mother spent a few hours deburring and braiding me, and said she wasn't doing it again, so I have been relegated to the donkey pen when the red mare herd goes out in the back pasture.

Mother is losing the Mother of the Year award, I'm telling you.

At least I still have my mane.

Lunging Mr. Boyfriend

I guess I shouldn't have made that comment about getting cookies and not having to work. Mother caught me up first, and brushed me and picked hooves then took me out to the multipurpose... where I was obliged to trot around on the lungeline a while.

And I got no cookies, mind you.

Mother then proceeded to torture Ellie Mae by hitching her to the cart and expecting her to drag Mother around in it. It was vaguely amusing to watch.

Mother took Julia for a drive, too. She says Julia was very good... then SHE got cookies! Where is the fairness, I ask?

Never mind that Mother offered me the cookies... I just don't like that kind. She SHOULD have gone and gotten my Mrs. Pastures.

sigh

A good human is hard to find.

Driving Miss Jeni

Aunt Jeni came up this weekend, and drove Julia around. I got quite a few cookies, though, and I didn't have to work for them, so all in all it was a nice visit.

Mother and the Aunties brought in a round bale for us today. YAY! Hay at all times. They are talking about getting a small house for round bales so they won't have to crowd it into our run-in. I don't know what that means, but I love round bales, and eating outside would be nice.


There are three of us horses, now, you know.

The donkeys don't count.

FatBat

So, Mother got this device that she wears around her front limb called a FatBat. Apparently it has another name, but Mother says since she is fat and not fit that this is more appropriate.

 

She says it tells her that she sleeps a lot, eats too much, and how much activity she may have done. She says that even though it doesn't make any sound, she can hear it telling her, "Take the stairs, Fatty."

What does Fat Donkey have to do with this?

It apparently caused her to take one of the donks for a walk the other day.

Do you get credit for brushing me, Mother? Or keystrokes on the computer?

The Pesky New Bobbie

See, what did I tell you? Pesky

Actually, she's very pretty, and I rather like her. Belle accepts her, and the donkeys love her.

Speaking of donkeys, three of them went on a little sojourn the other day, into the yard to eat the flowers. The aunties were NOT happy.

Mother took Julia out for a drive the other day, but just looked at me with all my little sticktight burrs, groaned, and left.

I'm waiting, Mother. And you better not cut it all off!

Interminably Intermittent

Oh, hi! Long time, no see!

I know, I know, I've been rather reclusive of late. Blame it on Mother. She comes up and does stalls or feeds us, but doesn't always bother to give me cookies (scandalous) or even, really, play with me at all.

sniff, sniff


Mother stopped up this evening, and took pictures of us and the new mare and gave us cookies. Unfortunately, the internet is not cooperating and it is taking forever to load pictures, so this one will have to get you by until Mother figures it all out. This is still my beautiful Belle, by the way. That pesky new Bobbie is around here somewhere...

OMG! Red Mare Herd Expansion!!!

Apparently, my herd is expanding soon... Details to come!

All about the Chicks

Really, Mother? Of all the days to come up here with the camera, you choose this one?

It is gross and muddy out. I am gross and muddy. And you document this on film?

I mean, I'm sure my readership is pleased to see proof of life and all that. All two of them. But I am filthy. And the location makes me look butt high and sway backed! I'm only 14! Not even yet fourteen.

And the after pictures...

I really don't see any difference. Do you??

Just let me out of here.

I never thought I'd say this, but I need a bath.

Why don't you just go off and fuss over the chickens. They're all you care about lately, anyway. I don't see how they're useful...

 

Hannah, the chicken.

 Bathsheba, the chicken. Ruth and Naomi are around here somewhere, too.

Bladed

Shedding season is once again upon us. Mother pulled me into the barn and attacked me with the shedding blade. I say attacked, because I've never really experienced the shedding blade before, and I am not entirely sure that I like it.

Mother has always been a little anti-shedding blade, because she believes it dulls the coat. She decided, however, that since I am grey I don't really shine anyway. So this year she determined to take the easy way out.

She raked the curved metal along my flesh, and I was displeased.

Mother, please be civilized and go get the curry comb.

Hair-Brained Scheme

As often, Mother has a hare-brained idea. She has contemplated before taking me to shows where I am only shown in hand.

Really, Mother? You want me to prance around at the end of a rope why? What good could come of that?

It's not like we need to show off to the world.

If they want to see me, they could just come to my blog.

Making the Turn

Mother was up and brushing me the other day. Even though the weather is still wintry, she noted I am starting to loose hair.

Half the fun for Mother of my greyness is that she never knows exactly what I will look like once I am done shedding. My mane, tail, and sort of my legs have been hanging on to their darkness, but the rest of me is varying stages of fleabitten and vaguely dappled.

It's good to keep her guessing... and apparently you, as well, as the last picture she's taken of me is from early October:

How am I supposed to be a super-model if my photographer never has a camera?

Random Assortment

Happy 2015!

In ways that I can't fathom, you humans say it is 2015. I just know it's the beginning of winter. I am looking forward to the snow, but looking forward to the grass of summer even more.

Mother is even MORE of an absentee owner during the winter, what with the shorter days and less than pleasant weather. But my Aunties are reliable with the food stuffs, and I have my Belle and donkeys, so if I have to wait a few days longer than I would like for the cookie lady to show up, ah, well.

Here's hoping for a Happy New Year!!

The Root of All Evil

Uncle Jeff, my dentist, came up earlier this week. He worked on all of us... well, Fat Donkey only got checked, but the rest of us slid into a warm, Happy-Place stupor.

It was amusing. Aunt Nancy brought over her Big Horse, so at one point all 8 of us plus Big Horse were in the barn.

What with hay stalls and such, there are only three working stalls. Picture, if you will, Callie and Bert in one stall (which they voluntarily do all the time), Big Horse with a stall to himself (The Luxury!) and Belle and I standing drunkenly together in the aisle. The drunk donkeys were piled in the working dentistry stall, with cute little rugs on to keep them from getting chilled.

Chilled donkey. Ridiculous.

My teeth were in great shape, and one of my donkeys was perfect, but one other donk was packing her cheeks with hay and so had lots of tarter. The other young one had a few caps that needed removed. And Belle had to have a scraggle tooth extracted.

Hey, I don't judge... but it was a little hillbilly-ish. Incisors are supposed to go up and down.

So now, Aunt Carol and sometimes Mother flush out the root hole with warm salt water and get out all the nasty gunk Belle shoves up in there. Belle whines about it, but I point out to her that I had to have those sort of machinations on my face for MONTHS. She can suck it up for a week or so.

Mother says it is time for some dewormer, too. Between perfect teeth and no worms, she better stop complaining that I am getting fat. With the best weight lose methods not available, what's a horse to do?