Showing posts with label Diesel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diesel. Show all posts

Thursday, 3 July 2014

Catching Up!

Wow it’s been busy here over the last few weeks…. 

Our Human Foal is now nearly 8 weeks old and it has passed in a blur.  We’re sorry for our absence and for not checking in on our friend’s blogs as often as we’d like to.  Our hooves and paws have been a little busy with caring for the HF, but we know you all understand J

Despite our blog absence life has continued in a new normality here at Muleteer HQ!  We’ve all been getting in to raising our new foal in our own special ways.

Dragon and The Mini are always on inspection duty, they absolutely love HF.  Dragon has totally found her maternal instinct!

Both of the long ears like to make sure the humans are doing a good job of looking after HF and making sure that their tack fits securely (their saddle / harness thing looks a little weird?), they are both most keen to know when they get to carry HF?


In the meantime Dragon has been having some lovely rides out with Smiley Human and hopes that FH might manage a little ride soon? She is also looking mighty fine in her beautiful summer coat - there is not much finer thing to behold than Dragon at this time of year!

The Mini has been fighting the battle against the bugs with his suit of armour, he is winning most days and staying itch free J

Roller is still trying to shed out his winter fluff and looks a little ‘preloved’ with his patchy coat.  Nevermind, he’s still the most handsome pony in the neigh-bourhood (not that we’re biased!).  He is, as always, very helpful and insists on assisting the girls with the poo picking, FH says he and HF are SOOO helpful….



Diesel is on fine huntress form and appears to have decimated the local baby bunny population despite them often being the same size as her…. Sad but at least she does eat them and dispatches them quickly!


The canine companions are going greyer by the day.  Milo is continuing to grow a magnificent woolly coat, it seems no one told him it is the summer?  Heyho he seems not to be bothered! 


Murph is going greyer with his added responsibility, he is now guardian of an extra family member and takes his pram guard duty extremely seriously.  It’s a good job his labrador shoulders are broad!


And the humans?  Well they are a little on the tired side but loving having their extra smiley member of the family!  MH has taken on much of the mucking out duties for which we are all very grateful (don’t tell FH but his bed making is superior to hers and he’s much more generous with the hay and cat treats but a little stingy with the grass).  

FH is spending much of her time feeding, washing, playing and on poo patrol.... and yes that's for all of us Muleteers not just HF.  The Mini is kindly supplying FH with dirty fly rugs galore to make sure she doesn't forget how to handwash clothes, FH finds herself regularly wondering how mothers used to cope with washing nappies by hand?!  The Mini thought she'd like a little insight... ;-)



And finally…. HF!  She is smiling, gurgling and entertaining us all.  Her very favourite thing is being outside in her baby carrier or pram, her best entertainment is nature’s mobile – also known as looking at the leaves blowing in the trees and the cotton candy clouds, guaranteed to take away any baby cries!


We’ve also noticed that she knows the special sounds of her dogs barking, mules neighbraying and Roller whinnying, these noises bother her not one bit but she is always alarmed by strange dogs barking or other odd noises, shouldn’t be any surprise though we’ve all been getting to know each other for many months now one way or another…. it seems like a lifetime ago that this picture was taken!



Hoping all of our friends are happy and healthy, we promise to be back again very soon J



Sunday, 1 September 2013

Wonderful Weekend

What a wonderful weekend was had by all!  Let me tell you all about it.... have you got a minute or two to spend with us Muleteers?

Let me tell you about the fun I had!
There was lots of chilling out and doing things that we all like, all topped off by sunshine which isn't bad for the first day of September :-)  So here's a quick resume of our fun and frolics!

Work, Work and More Work

Dragon is soooo happy because she has been working (which in her mind = pleasure) a lot this week, four times in one week, good job Dragon has two riders in FH and Smiley Human!  Lovely potters around the lanes, FH was happy this Sunday morning even though she did get up very early.... apparently it's the best time of day to ride Dragon and appreciate the best view in the world.... something to do with those mulificent ears?

Probably.... the best view in the world!
Dragon's ears are starting to get rather fluffy, the sleek lady is turning in to a fluffy one... best not tell her that though... she will breathe fire else.

In true Dragon style she celebrated a job well done by munching the local tree branches!

Is that snack big enough Dragon?

Reunion

When she got home we had a reunion over a snack.  How many ears can you fit in one shot?


Grocery Delivery!

Then we had a grocery delivery from our friendly farmer.  Roller was busy checking out the quality, honestly he wasn't trying to munch it or nothing....

Quality Control

Scuppered

Oops! Rumbled by the Dragon! Not sure there's room at the door for both of you!

Rumbled!


The Cat Police

It's OK because the Cat Police are in town and have commandeered this straw bale for their own purposes!


Anyone that's brave enough to take on this Puss In Boots alike is welcome to try.... ;-) She may be small but I have trained her in ninja mule ways well!


Mini Racing

I heard all the commotion and came running, FH has set up this track grazing thingy so in honour of it being a track I have made it in to a Mini Racetrack!  I love it!  My cornering abilities are legendary, FH closes her eyes every time I do this.... I think it's cause she sooo excited?

Full....
......steam
......ahead!

It's a Dogs Life

On the other side of the fence the Cloth Dog was trying out his latest look of exasperation.... if he gets the look just right he gets food and / or attention... he is the master of this, I must learn and try harder if this is the result.  GH says that Murph is the master of 'begging with style' we'll see about that I think I could excel at this too!

Look in to my woeful eyes... all this could be solved by food or strokes!

The puppyteer is still a little broken (not that you'd know it) and has been busy stealing FH's clothes again.... I think he has secretly been jealous of my shield of steel rug and decided to get himself some clothes too?


The puppyteer is also very pleased with himself as he has a sparkly new 'big boy' collar.  Hmmm I'd like one of those..... FH is rather fond of bugs so Milo is sporting a bugtastic collar with a ladybug, dragonfly and bee, somehow it seems to suit him?  



After a busy day us Muleteers need to get our rest.  Some us like to snooze on the job (guess we'll let her off after four rides).


While others stay on guard duty.... albeit sitting down.


Hope you had a lovely weekend and here's wishing you a happy week ahead!



Saturday, 20 April 2013

Cat and Mules

Miaow, Dragon, I'm bored!  

The mice have all run away and there's no one to play 'Cat and Mouse' with.  

Please will you play with me?  We could make a new game called 'Cat and Mule'! You'd love it!


No Catanian, go away I'm eating!!  Can't you see I have important things to do!


Fine then I'll go and play on my own..... those mules like rolling around, I'll give it a go too!


It's no good I'm still BORED!


Oh come on Dragon, stop standing there stuffing your face, a minute on the lips an inch on the hips remember!  I'm bored and I'm just gonna keep annoying you til you play with me!



"Oh for Goodness sake Catanian!  OK, OK, what are the rules of the game?"

"Well Dragon it's like playing chase, today I'll be the mouse and you can be the cat (confusing hey?!), you need to try and catch me and I'll try to get away!"


Hmmm, sounds quite easy, I can catch that pesky cat!


Come on Dragon, ready, let's go!!  What do you mean you can't catch me up here? 


That's the idea!  The game of Cat and Mule is impossible.....for once I get to be the hunted and hah!  You Can't Get Me! ..... What do you mean you don't wanna play anymore?  We've only just started!


Come back here kitty cat!! You're not supposed to be running away to the other side of the fence where I can't get you..... I am not impressed at this game.  We mules are not outsmarted often!  If I could somehow get over this gate I'd catch you!


Hehehe, that got the mule angry!  Oops!  

It's interesting to know what it feels like to be the mouse and just sit tantalisingly out of reach ;-)  I seem to have found myself in the fire pile, yikes, best get out of here quick before Dragon gets over here and starts breathing fire..... I might be in trouble then!


Here's to my new game Cat and Mule - how to frustrate your long eared friends in one easy step..... I did rather enjoy it ;-)


Wednesday, 17 April 2013

Sleeping Beauties

Hey Roller I think we're on film!  Look up there in the corner, we're under surveillance, FH isn't satisfied with seeing us in the daytime, she now needs to check up on our cuteness at night too.  MH has kindly installed an infrared camera!

When the lights go out and the humans have retired to their stable us Minis only have two things on our mind.....

Firstly we need to eat, and eat and eat....

But most importantly we need to catch up on our beauty sleep after a busy day eating and playing!

Sometimes we take it in turns, this means that we can stand guard over each other. Roller takes the first nap most nights, he loves to sleep!


Once Roller is done napping (this can take hours) I can get down to some snoozing, I only like to sleep on the rubber mats, Roller isn't fussy but he generally likes the straw bed!


We're really chilled out though and there isn't a great deal to worry about here, our Dragon protector is next door and we know she won't let anything happen to us.  She defends us fiercely.  So that means that we can enjoy a good snooze together, what could be more cosy that cuddling up with your best mate for a snooze?

We start out all tucked up in semi sleep...


Then when all is still and we feel very snoozy we both go for the flat out, ultra relaxed snooze.  FH had to keep watching to check that we were still moving.....  it's ok FH we're just making sure we're fully rested!


Once we've had a little nap it's time to eat for a while, this restaurant is always open, it's a good job because us minis have healthy appetites!


Once we near midnight it's time for the naughty stop out to come home, she creeps silently in from her kitty cat late night adventures, we minis tut and ask her if she had a good night on the tiles, she just yawns and stumbles in to bed....

Us minis like to tell her off for being late to bed but she is soooo cute.  We like sharing our bed with Catanian, she has her corner of the bed that we do not step on or leave mini nuggets in ;-)  We take our guarding duties just as seriously for our kitty cat friend and rotate kitty duty. 

I take the first watch, I prefer to stand guard rather than lie down as I don't like sleeping in the straw, it tickles my tummy! I love my kitty cat friend and she loves me :-) No intruder cat, dog or human will get to my kitty while I'm on guard. 


Next it's Roller's turn for kitty guarding.  Roller guards with his own style.... why stand when you can lie down and snooze.  He promises me he takes his guarding duties very seriously, I think he might fall asleep on the job.... good job I'm awake, think I might be guarding both of them!


That's all for now Muleteers, time for a good snooze ready for my guarding duties later!  

To all our friends, sweet dreams xxx

Wednesday, 20 March 2013

What's In A Name?

Somedays my human calls me by my name 'The Mini', sometimes she calls me 'Number 1', other days she calls me 'Sweetie'.  Some days she calls Dragon 'Dragon' and other days she calls her other things....

Today I was busy pondering our names and remembering how we came to get them.... 

So to begin with there is....me!

The Mini

..... also known as Monty, My Darling, Wobble Monster, The Worrier or quite simply Number 1.

In a galaxy far away I was called Monty.  Someone thought this rhymed well with 'Mini Mule' and that I would be the (in)famous Monty The Mini Mule!  I had a brother called Muffin (original I know...) and we were destined to be exhibits in a children's farm..... Hmmmm I had other ideas about this!  

So when I began my life with the Muleteers Monty was my name but FH thought it didn't suit me, with her very overactive imaination (have you noticed this?) she tried out various terms of endearment for me, they included Montgomery, Mont, Sweetpea (I know embarassing huh?) but in the end she found that 'Mini' suited me well. I am shaped a little like a Mini car and have bags of personality and well.... I am fairly mini in stature!


But it became obvious that Mini did not sound quite right so I whispered that I am the one and only (in the words of Chesney Hawkes for those 80s pop fans out there) and that I should like to be 'The' Mini!  So there we have it, a name that is fit for purpose, one that I prick my ears up at and that suits me well.  Monty was always a little too normal for me....... Occasionally I hear FH call me Number 1, this is obvious although I try not to show off in front of the others, I have to say I've also heard her call the others this too, she says she doesn't have favourites but I know different;-)

Roller

....... also known as Keensacre Roland, Ro-Land, Roller Polar, The Gentleman or My Darling (by his Granny)

Roller being a pedigree mini shetland is the only one of us with a posh studbook name, it's not really fair is it?  When Roller was born the stud people wanted to call him Rowan but that name was taken in the register so they decided on Roland. His posh prefix 'Keensacre' finished the name.  The only problem was no one ever actually called him by his name so he had no idea he had one.  Until he arrived at Muleteer HQ.  On arrival FH found Roland quite a mouthful to shout when it was dinner time.  FH reckons names with two definite syllables are easier to shout so Roller's name soon became Ro-Land.  It seemed rather formal though and somehow reminded FH of a cartoon character called Roland Rat......  with time Roller was christened Roller as it suited his laid back approach to life and was nicer to holler, the little man also decided that was the name he would answer to.  When Roller is in his winter finest he adopts the poshest of names (much posher than Keensacre Roland), he becomes Roller Polar in tribute to his Polar Bear finery.

When people are talking about Roller I often here them refer to him as gentle, cute, sweet, lovely and kind, maybe these are also his names?

Dragon


....... also known as Callie, Nectorbee, Nector, Noo or Juvenile Delinquent

Dragon is well... Dragon.  When Dragon arrived she was christened with the name Nectorbee and was nicknamed Noo.  FH was not very good at hollering this at dinnertime either and had begun to describe Dragon as Calamity Jane in mule form to others around her.  Opinionated, a bit of a bruiser, brash but caring underneath, could swipe a grown man in the eye with her tail hard enough to make their eyes water but also soft enough to blow gently on the back of your neck.  So the name Callie was decided upon, easy to holler and suitable for this unique lady.

On occasion we were all reminded of the fact that this mule is definitely a woman and a mule, she can blow hot and cold, she can be falling asleep gently one minute and breathing fire the next, pottering along the country lane quietly without a care in the world and chasing a naughty dog the next.  She can also be rather protective and lovey dovey over us minis.  If you've ever seen the film Shrek you will know the Dragon character I'm sure.  So there you have it Dragon was christened and we all thought it suited her perfectly!  She's Callie in public, Dragon at home..... we love her whatever her name!


Diesel

.......... also known as Lady Diesel, Catanian, Deesy Weese 

Diesel is our feline companion, she is queen of all she surveys!  Once upon a time she was found wedged under the bonnet of a van as a kitten, she always was a bit adventurous.  Without her Mum she was in a bit of a pickle but was rescued by a lovely lady.  On inspection of the adventurous kitty it was clear that she was rather dirty having spent a while in an engine compartment.  Try as she might kitty's rescuer could not get the diesel spot from her nose..... then it became apparent that it was part of her delightful features!  Diesel was christened and it suits her very well!  She joined the muleteer household and her name suited her very well so it was kept, at mealtimes FH slipped in to her vast imagination again and gave Diesel the Lady prefix (like her head isn't big enough as it is!) and on occasion let slip that her pet name is Deesy Weese.  When we were christened the Three Muleteers it did not seem fair that our feline companion was left out, she sleeps, eats and lives with us! That's when FH remembered her favourite programme as a kid 'Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds'.  Anything a dog can do a cat can certainly do better so the name Catanian was adopted and the rest is history.

The Three Muleteers

............ also known as 'My Sanity', 'My Little Piece of Heaven', 'My Gang'.... 'My Depleted Bank Balance', Makers of Mud or sometimes 'You Lot'

Finally the collective was gathered and it seemed that we needed a name.  It was our Granny Human that obliged.  Her observation that FH had finally found her Three Musketeers did not take long to set FH's overactive imagination in to gear...... the rest as they say is history!