Sunday, August 28, 2011

Eyes Like A Hawk

It's been a wonderful weekend. I got a lot done and just came home this afternoon after a massage--my first one ever! I figure that since I've given the chiropractor a chance, the massage therapist deserves a shot at my neck too. Wow! Fantastic. My masseuse, Julie, is phenomenal and gave me strict orders to go home and drink lots of water and not do anything too strenuous, as that will keep the muscles from softening further.

Completely wanting to follow orders, I came home, filled up a big bottle of water (I already have to pee) and took a few apples out to my barnyard kids. A friend of mine in town has an apple tree that exploded so she had plenty of fruit to give away, and animals love apples. I carried six apples out to the pastures while I left the Chihuahuas on the patio--with the screen door closed so that they had to stay outside until I came back in.

I gave each horse an apple and then the goats: they all loved them! Note to self: go back into town this week and steal more apples from Alice!

Suddenly I looked up, when something caught my eye. Oh how cool, I thought, a red-tailed hawk! I love those; they're beautiful....they're.... No!!!!!!! The babies are outside! I've heard a story where an eagle picked up a baby deer off the ground, so surely a hawk can pick up a 5-pound dog.

I shot through the electric fence, tore across the yard and jumped into the house in my barn boots to let those kids into the kitchen. Whew! They were all by the screen door and quickly jumped in. That's right children, move it. Move it!

Huffing and puffing, I counted four dogs, and realized I had just coughed up part of a lung and totally tense up my back again!

Well, Julie, see you soon.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Moonshadow Update

Mooner flew the coop! A few weeks ago we were (Mr. H was) moving Mooner's turkey tractor (coop) and she had become strong enough to push her own door open...which she did. If anyone is wondering, Thanksgiving will no longer be held at Homer Hollow, as we will only be serving dressing, cranberries and pumpkin pie. Our poultry ran away from home. (Just kidding, I've actually heard that wild turkey is not very delicious, so Mooner would have been safe).

The cool thing is that ever since Mooner took off, a clutch (or herd..or pack..or gang?) of wild turkeys will walk through our property--even into the front yard-- and there are at least twenty of them. Of those twenty, at least ten of them are Mooner's size, so Mr. H believes in his heart that she is with them and they come through here because she knows where her first home was. Well, I added that last part, but he does believe she's with them, because he does not want to imagine any other alternatives!

So long, fair Moonshadow

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Back to School

My neighbor Becky, and I, started the little horses back to school on Sunday. We were just horsin' around--pardon the pun--and seeing if we could get them to follow commands. Since they are my aunt's horses, and I didn't grow up around them, I didn't know what they could do. And frankly, I really don't know the extent of horse training; it's not quite like dog training. Some principles are the same, but instead of training a predator, one is training a prey animal. That throws a monkey wrench into my thought processes...no really, it feels like someone's throwing a wrench at my head sometimes when trying to "communicate" with horses. I guess a wrench is better than a hoof up side the head.

Becky and the boys in "school"



Me, clumsily asking Shaq to circle--I'm getting better--and Shaq
already knows how to do this. He's adorable when he trots. Assel is peering into the barn
wondering if he is next...he was.


Assel taking his sweet time to walk a circle


Monday, August 15, 2011

Quick--Somebody put his picture on a milk carton!

...and then panic ensued: I looked everywhere. Baby-gate still up, no one outside. Not in the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, or under any blankets, in kennels or in the pantry. What have I done? Gunnar's not my favorite! Maybe even Wulf isn't my favorite? What if Loki was the love of my life and I've singlehandedly and carelessly lost him? One more attempt at opening every door in the "north wing" of the house and out from my walk-in closet , in the master bathroom, pops a tiny white feathery ball of fur...


Whew...no biggie. I'm going to work now. Sorry to upset everybody so early in the morning.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Waiting.....








I'm waiting for her to write something too. She's been busy: I know, because I've seen an awful lot of the pet sitter lately! Thank you for your patience. Love, Loki H.