The Diary

19 June 2010

The weather has been fantastic for the last month.

Today I went out to check the Big Lads and as I entered the stables I saw a funny sight. It was so warm Blackie, Bláithín, Scruffy, Pixie and 4 sheep were all in the stables sheltering from the heat. I laughed so much. The sheep were so relaxed despite standing beside 2 huge horses that are at least 20 times bigger than them.

It was lovely to see all the different species relaxed together and sharing the same stables.

I spent a long time again with Blackie and had some really special bonding time with him. He was so relaxed he let me put his saddle on him and he didn't mind one bit - speaking of 'bit' - The next test is putting on his bit. Now this is progress. I can now pet Blackie on his ears and forehead and before this he would not let me touch his ears as he had been beaten before around his face and head and so he was very protective of these areas. Now I give him a good scratch around his ears and he loves it. It took time to get Blackie to trust me and realise that I was not going to hurt him. He breathes deeps sighs of contentment when I am petting him and he even rests his head in my hand or on my shoulder. He is a special loving horse who just needed a person he could trust to truly take care of him.

Bláithín is doing so well. She has put on a decent amount of weight now and I can slowly back off on feeding her a bucket of cereal each day. The grass is good so she is getting plenty of food each day. Her coat is now shiny and her rain scald wounds are dry and healing well. Paddy is very attached to Bláithín. He is always beside her. Paddy is much more settled since he was gelded. He comes over to me for a pet and he just stands so still while I talk gently to him and pet his forehead and nose. He is very loving too.  

In this heat I have to comb the dogs regulary as they are shedding their winter coats. Pepe loves being combed. He has lost weight on his special diet and he is looking really well now. Even Tess and Blossie need combing and they stand so still as they love the comb being gently run all over them. Pluto wants me to comb her without stopping for a break. She demands that I keep going.

This time of year is so pleasant. The birds sing non stop and with blue skies the place looks stunning because it is stunning.

Once my rescued pets are content I am content.

It is lovely to see my dogs and the Big Lads resting in the sun. They all need plenty of water at this time of year so I fill the water trough twice a day. Even the sheep drink from the water trough.

When the weather is calm and warm the Big Lads are relaxed. This is the time to bond with them all.

Blackie does not like the wind so I don't try to bond with him then as he is a bit agitated.

I am waiting for Niamh Mc Daid, Equine Dentist, to check Bláithín's teeth as I would say Bláithín has never had her teeth checked. When she eats she spills food from her mouth and this is a sign that her teeth may need some work. Bláithín is 16 years old so I am sure she must have some spikes growing out of her teeth that need to be softened down.

I took the dogs to the beach this week and they had a great swim. Even Tess and Blossie went swimming. Greyhounds do not usually like to swim but it was so warn they wanted to cool down. Pepe is brilliant at retrieving the ball. So is Bubbles but he just shreds any ball he gets his teeth into. Pluto, for the first time ever, went out swimming and 'got the ball'! Clever Pluto. Brave Pluto.

Talk Soon

Enjoy the weather

Annette