We're Back!

Greetings Muleteers!  We are so VERY sorry that it has taken us so long to get back to the blogosphere.  Those pesky humans have been rather preoccupied with things other than our blogging.... hmmm we wonder what could be that important?

So here we are, we have wrenched the hoof-pad from them and we can give you an update - hoorah!  First things first... we are all still in mighty fine form; all hooves, waggy tails, kitty whiskers and long and short ears are doing very well thank you very much.  We hope that someone out there still cares for our animal selves but if not we are happy to talk about ourselves to ourselves ;-)

What's the news then? Hmmm well, much of the same but with a new human to own and enamour with our humour, good looks and wit!

As there's rather a clamour for the hoof-pad we decided that we should each be allowed a few neigh brays to say hi to our loved ones (of course you all love us all right?)... here goes (please note that Dragon had to be censored as her big ears = big ego (oops meant big brain ;-)

The Mini 

Neigh Brays my friends!  As you can see by my topping the bill (George Clooney and Matt Damon you are SO yesterday) I am still firmly Number 1!  I have been up to lots since we last spoke..... eating, snoozing, staring suspiciously at the local sheep and waking up my neigh-bours with a chorus all of my own - someone has to announce the arrival home of Queen FH or she may get an inferiority complex?!  Oh and I have also been busy doting over my new charge, for I have a new human pal to consort with these days, oh yes my friends HF (Human Foal) is just like FH but more fun and offers us treats more frequently. Although... I do draw the line at a wet scrubbing brush.... this puts me in mind of Roller.....

Roller

Not true, errmm ok, it is true.... I am the My Little Pony-a-like in this gang and it appears that FH has passed on her love of humiliating me to HF.  I don't mind really, a wet scrubbing brush gently placed on the botty area? Fine really, especially when it's accompanied with a squeal of happiness and the rattle of my treat pot afterwards :-)  Apart from looking handsome, pondering the meaning of life and acting as psychotherapist to the mules I have mostly been preparing myself for glitter-geddon.  Apparently this is something that happens when Human Foals reach the age of 3 or 4 and start to paint ponies nails silver and plait ribbons in my hair?  I am ALL for it, I can barely wait!  I am just getting in my rest now so that I can manage the late nights that will surely come with this glittery, disco pony existence!

Dragon

Greetings my mulificent friends!  Well my horizons have been expanding.... actually FH says that I have grown rather prosperous (does that mean fat?!) as I haven't been getting as much out and about exercise.  The cheek of it!  Hmmm maybe she is right?  I am definitely not getting ridden as much as I was but I guess I'll forgive FH, she appears to be the one carrying the toddler at the moment.  Thank goodness that Foal can walk well now, it won't be long until she is on board.  She loves me the best.... I like to do my best neigh bray for her.... she pronounces "Dragon Happy" whenever I do this, why can she not understand that this also means "I am hungry"?? A Dragon has to feed her expanding waist you know?!  Anyway I am being the politest of matron mules with my delightful HF (she is mine right?!) and love her, my gentleness with her is not to be confused with softness I am at pains to point out (just ask the local dogs ;-)

Finally FH has got her act together and we are going out more, often on hikes together (FH says she can't be bothered to scrape the mud off me.... the cheek!) which is splendid! More please, I need to get my stamina back for gymkhana games - haha I don't think!

Diesel Catanian Catty

Yes Muleteers I have had a name change apparently!  According to the new bearer of all that is important (those cat treats laced with cat nip) my name is now Catty.  Hey when it gets called and the results are so spectacular can you blame me for responding?! I was a little unimpressed by the squawking foal when it first arrived giving it a wide berth but these days I'm a total convert.  HF just loves stroking me and giving me treats and when I've had enough I just go for a cat nap.  I am still terrorising the neigh-bour hood including giving the dogs the evil eye at every opportunity.  What can I say? Catty life is good :-)

The Pocket Sized Labrador

A little greyer, a bit saggier, but still willing!  Just when I thought my days of puppy raising were over I have been blessed with another charge to bring along in the world.  My FH says I am the best Grandpa Dog a girl could wish for.  I protect, I clean (faces and floors) and I provide education on the important things in life.... good square meals, fresh air each day, a hearty diet, a healthy dose of laughter and lots of waggy love. What more is there to teach a little one?

Mino

Errmmmm what happened to my name?  Well Puppeteers I also have a temporary new name..... It would appear that Milo is quite hard to pronounce for HF so I now get called Mino.  I don't mino though.  I could never have hoped at the endless opportunities that toddlerhood could bring me.... food, glorious food, everywhere for Mino.... I just love clean up!  And I still love running at top speed. beep. beep!





Human Foal

HF cannot yet write so we report on her behalf that she is two mule years, funny, happy, delightful and wilful :-)  A blonde whirlwind with an attitude the size of a.... well a mule!  This little girl appears to have been born ready for life and knows how to enjoy!  She loves us (feeds us a lot), she loves the outdoors, she eats well, sleeps well and smiles a lot..... perfection!  Oh and she's also REALLY good at pointing out poo-poo and announcing to FH 'pick it up now'..... that's our girl!

The Others

Haha, OK we guess we should mention the caretakers!  MH and FH are both doing good too!  They appear a little greyer,  a little more tired but even happier than before.  We all like to keep them on their toes but we have been super duper good for them and they tell us how good we are all the time.  Two jobs, three equines, two dogs, one cat and a little lady.... no problems?!

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

Pull The Tail on The Dog….

Greetings Puppeteers!  Today I'm going to tell you all about my new favourite game…. it's a variation on tug of war and chase me.

So the first step is to take a firm hold of the labrador's tail, it's just asking for a tug isn't it?!

And then pull….. whilst ignoring the humans shouting at you to be nice!

Try not to be too put off by the eau de labrador, an acquired taste!

Go back in for some more pulling to try and coax the Cloth Dog in to action! Ensure wild eyes to impress the humans ;-)

Hooray the fearsome Cloth Dog has finally given in!  Don't worry fans the teeth are all for show.

Oh yes!  Chase me, chase me!  I can always win at this game!

What a great way to entertain myself…. hmmm the humans say I'm a naughty pooperama, I think this means they find me funny?  As for my Cloth Dog friend well he forgave me and secretly I'm sure he enjoyed the game ;-)

Have a wagtastic weekend friends! xxx

Under The Cone

Greetings Puppeteers!  Something very strange has happened, I have found myself 'Under the Cone' and am picking up some very odd transmissions.....

There I was minding my own business speeding around in my puptastic way when oops I collided with something.  A mere graze I thought but then it started to hurt a lot and my humans got all worried and looked in dismay at the big hole over my front fetlock - oops!

Off to see the nice doggy doctor who's soft on me, lots of wagging and licking but ouch that hurts!  Well that was it she gave me some puppy gas and I went in to alternate universe, when I woke up I was picking up the most peculiar signals... I think it has something to do with my cone?  I also had a nicely stitched up leg with no gaping hole - convenient!

Ground Control to Major Cone....

Ground Control to Major Cone.....

Take your doggy treats and put your helmet on!

Can you hear me Major Cone?

Errrm oh sorry Cloth Dog I got some strange interference there.... something was trying to communicate with me.....

Oh yes, you're right if I look pathetic and suck in my cheeks I can appeal to the humans to ensure I get lots of sympathy and we get biscuits!

I don't know what that mule's looking at, maybe she wants a Cone to pick up mule transmissions too? Jealousy will get you nowhere Dragon!

And no I don't look silly!

I'm off to go and see what transmissions I pick up with my cone, maybe Major Cone will let me know where the doggy treats are hidden?  

Apparently I will be under the cone for another week until my stitches come out, oh well not to worry I'm quite enjoying all the attention and extra cuddles and biccies - yum!  

Thank you for all of my get well wishes - the humans have passed on every one along with scratches and biscuits, woofs and wags! xxx

Tiring…..

Caring is tiring!

Greetings Labrador Lovers!  The Pocket Sized Labrador here….. phew I gotta tell  you I think MH and I deserve a medal!

It is so tiring looking after FH and the puppy one… they are a bit of a challenge at the moment, one of them has damaged himself speeding around and is now on enforced rest and rather sorry for himself and the other can't see her feet anymore and 'oofs' with every movement.  They need some looking after… and as there doesn't appear to be anyone else to share the load it's up to me and MH.  I have wondered about asking those pesky mules in to the house to help with the 'baby'sitting but alas they will make too much mess and there's only so much poo hoovering even a labrador can manage.

When the day is done there is only one thing for it, yep you've guessed it!  A good jowl spreading snooze!





Although sometimes even my peaceful snoozes are interrupted by the puppy one needing my comforting ways.

My puppy shadow…. always there

I even tried to find a little peace and quiet by having a rather sneaky snooze on the sofa, alas no the puppy was right there needing me…..

Even the sofa wasn't safe

I guess it's nice to be needed even if it is tiring?

I'm off for a little snooze somewhere quiet, MH and I need to keep our energy levels up, I hear there are likely to be even greater calls on our energy soon, I am in denial…. my ears do not look like comfort blankets and my tail is not made for grabbing by teeny tiny fingers ….. I shan't enjoy any of the attention for a second…… honest :-)

Wags and woofs friends, stay safe and spare a thought for us carers trying to keep their charges under control!

Milo's First Swim!

Hey Cloth Dog, look at me I'm in the water!  It's such a lovely, warm Spring day this is a great way to cool down.  My legs are a little bit cold though…

What do you mean that this isn't swimming?  And I need to get all my body under…. hmmm, I'm not really sure but guess when my Big Brother tells me something's ok I should give it a go right?

Yikes! Oh My DOG!  You did not tell me it would be this cold and Clother where's the ground?  Quick get me out of here, I'm a thin skinned, stilt legged lurcher not a padded, waterproof labrador!  Whatever were you thinking?!

Must try to climb out as quickly as possible!

Oh VERY cold, not liking it. Quick, run away!

No Clother, no, not more water. No need to be generous with it, I've had enough water!

Gee whizz, you're like a big sponge Cloth Dog! It's a wonder you don't sink!

I'm cold and wet and need to go home now, I need to tell someone of my trauma that will understand how awful things were….. poor me!

Oh yes a little snuggle in the sunshine will do the trick.  

I tell you what Human Foal or Space Invader or whatever your name is… that swimming thing is not to be recommended.  You stick with me and I'll keep you dry…. although I can't guarantee to not lick your face ;-)