Gotta Love That Dragon Mule!

This picture says everything about why I love the Dragon Mule.  Dragon has been the member of our gang who has to had compromise a little more than the others.  For a mule that loves to work and explore we've had to put things a little on the back burner.  My time is no longer quite my own and especially with being in the depths of winter she gets ridden occasionally by Smiley Human or even less occasionally by me.

I admit that I have worried about how this effects her and have thought long and hard about if it's fair to deny her one of her greatest pleasures…. but I have taken good advice and especially liked the advice that her 'job' at the moment is to fit in with family life :-) To be fair she seems happy enough with her lot in life and is very much loved, fed, watered and entertained (as much as can be managed - she'd always love more).

So this morning was one of my morning duties with HF under MH's control (much to his pleasure!), it was my turn to act as chief poo shoveller and to get Dragon ready for her ride with Smiley Human.  I was organising some hay and had the tarpaulin out, Dragon hasn't seen this for a while but thought it was great fun.  So much fun that she had to wear it and parade in it.  She is so unbotherable that she didn't even move when I plonked it very loudly on her back, I do believe that she flicked a ear at me as if to say, is that it? So I went back to my jobs and let her revel in her new fashion item…. Super Mule anyone?

She wasn't moving though when I was trying to sweep the yard so I had to go under her….

I love this mule, she is crazy opinionated and can whip you well with her Dragon tail but underneath it is a brain the size of a small country, a really willing heart and a softy.  No sooner had she whipped me with the Dragon tail whilst trying to do up her girths / cinches than she was happily burying her head in my arms for scratches.

Once she had swapped her Super Mule cape for her saddle off she pottered with Smiley Human, she hadn't been out for three weeks, the weather was good and she'd eaten a little too much good haylage - eek!  I was a little concerned about her behaviour for Smiley Human - who always just smiles at any antics.  I don't know why I bothered worrying really?

Smiley Human reported back that she had been perfect; the normal trains, bikes, tractors, cars, people and life in general firmly put in their place by brave muletta Dragon.

Then Smiley Human reported back that we had forgotten to put her stirrups on the saddle…..oops! Oh well, just a good job that she is a perfect muletta hey? I blame it on baby brain or the terrible cold that I have at the moment, many would say it's just my natural air-headedness.  Alas it's a good job the Dragon mule has brains enough for the rest of us :-) And a very good job because she'll be carrying a precious cargo in a few years time…..

Have a great week!  By the way thank you for all of your comments, even if I don't get chance to reply as much as I'd like I love reading every single one of them and its lovely to hear from old friends. We'll be back again soon!

Back In The Saddle!

Finally!  It's over a year since FH placed her foot in my stirrup and climbed onboard.... that was until today.  I have been trying my best to encourage FH on board but she's been busy.... one thing us
mules are good at though is patience so I figured I could wait a little longer.  Me and Smiley Human have been going out and about together but it's always nice to have two riders, not that I'm greedy or anything ;-)

So this morning FH appeared with saddle in hand, I was a good muletta having all my straps done up (I'm extra good these days as FH sometimes has the Baby One attached to her so I have to be very careful).  And I waited, ears pricked and wondered where Smiley Human was...... and I waited..... but then FH said WE were going out together.

FH was a little twitchy, she was wondering if she'd forgotten how to ride in all that time? What if she had lost her balance (hehe...) We had a little walk first and then it was time, FH gingerly placed a foot in the stirrup (I stood VERY still like a good muletta) and hoisted on board and we were off :-)

FH is a kilo or two heavier than before (we'll soon get that off her) but all the gear fitted and she sat onboard like she'd never been away.  She sat quietly and chattered away to me, mostly about my mulificent ears, I could tell she was a little on edge but that was fine cos I am brave enough for both of us.  FH soon relaxed and we were off climbing steep tracks and looking at the lovely Autumn views. I could tell FH was beaming away behind me, I was very proud, we call it her 'riding face' :-)

We didn't go far but that's fine, there is plenty more time for longer rides.  A wonderful time was had by us both, it was pretty nice to have FH back in the saddle!

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

Never Too Early....

Hey there HF, have you come to learn some of the work that goes on here?  It's never too early to learn!

What's that?  You don't like the sound of work, it's too early to start?  Don't be silly HF, it's never too early to teach you how to muck out.....

No, no, no don't scream

There, there, oh yikes!  Screaming baby, what to do?!  Roller, come quick, I need your help....

Dumdedum.... errm, what is that?!

So this is what they've all been going on about?  Well it looks like a human in miniature, how nice!

Don't scream little human, it's nice here, and don't listen to that Dragon about work.... she's always talking about work.  Some of us like to take life a little easier....

You stick with me and adopt the Zen of Roller and you'll do just fine.  Leave the big humans and mules to the work, us minis are here to look good and take life at our own pace.... if in doubt have a little nap.  That's it!

I think I've got this babysitting thing sorted don't you?

Besides which those tools are way too big, if I were you HF I'd sneak a nap while FH does the work, she's used to it after all ;-)

A good nap was had by us sensible ones.... miraculously the stables were clean when we awoke!

Human Foal Has Arrived!

My Little Human has arrived!

Finally!  Our Human Foal has arrived and it's fallen to me The Mini to introduce her :-)

Can you believe who came to visit me this morning?! It was My Little Human!

Human Foal decided to grace us with her presence on Saturday 10th May at 2.03am (hmmm early riser are we?) at a decent mini mule sized 7lb 15oz.

We have decided to name her Lara Imogen Patience, of course us Muleteers had first approval of names and have been sounding board extraordinaire over the last few months of choosing.... we particularly like Patience as it's what us long ears are good at teaching you humans ;-)

FH, MH and our new playmate are all doing fabulously and all is well.  Our little Human Foal came out to see us earlier, and here are some pics (sorry there are rather a lot but what better excuse?!)

Who is this?! 

We knew she'd arrived!

First approval belongs to The Mini!

Dragon approves HF's ears... although there may be an extra set?!

Diesel checks out HF with The Mini keeping a close watch

The Mini stakes his claim

The Mini has something to say to 'My Little Human'...

"I.....

......LOVE......

.......YOU!

 Would you like a ride?!

OK, maybe a little too soon but a quick lie across my back with FH is good enough for now!

Her ears are a little on the small side but heyho ears aside we love her still and Roller is pleased that he isn't the only one with weeny ears ;-)

Roller in his inimitable fashion stayed focussed on.... eating and promises to appear for foal snuffles later, secretly I think he is devolving HF duty to me - yippee! I, The Mini do hereby stake my claim to this Human Foal and promise to teach her all I know.... especially mischief!

Spot the baby?!

MH also made sure that he and My Human Foal inspected some of her future duties like filling haynets, inspecting the hedgerow for yummy cow parsley and stomping in mud.  Well done MH, always good to start them young...

Haynet duty.... 

Get used to mud HF, there's plenty here in your new kingdom 

Just behind you is the Cow Parsley little one, yummy to eat :-)

So dearest little Lara we can't wait to play with you, snuffle you, get you muddy, carry you, teach you the best muleteer fun tricks in the world and be your bestest friends.

Love Always,
Your Muleteer Brothers and Sisters xxx x xx

Masters of Distraction....

We Muleteers are carrying out the important job of distraction at the moment.... the humans are awaiting our new Human Foal and, well, it is a long wait!  So we have been doing what we do best, providing cuteness, entertainment, laughs and plenty of distraction in all the ways we know how.....

We're always happy to lend a listening ear... some rather larger than others!

Every opportunity for itchy scratchy, of course we didn't enjoy this at all!

Lots of grooming time for the Roller Polar who is looking a little moth eaten!

 Sun kissed cuteness, who can resist these big brown eyes and mulificent ears?

Doggy dynamos!

And a guardian Angel that won't leave his mistress' side.... he definitely knows something's up! No wonder he's going grey having FH to look after.

Some of us are taking the distraction tactics less seriously than others and are rather resting on the job...

But then raised their game from the sublime to the ridiculous.... she did get down safely after climbing on the roof again!

 And when all this waiting gets too tiring Dragon is always happy to lend her back as a leaning post!

We think FH might be dreaming of being able to ride again soon.....

Whenever distraction is required we'll certainly be available!  Wishing you all a happy week ahead :-)