Long Ears Awards: 2013

Dearest Muleteer Fans can you believe that 2013 is over?  Will you be awarded a snuffle from us Muleteers for contributions to all things long eared? Read on...

Here we are in 2014 with a whole new year of fun and frolics ahead of us, mostly we will be blogging! We think it is fitting to review a fun filled year with the Long Ears Awards for 2013

Rear of The Year

In true Muleteer style we enjoy celebrating the important things in life so to get things started ..... The award for Rear of The Year goes to....

Was there ever any doubt on this award?  Every year should be a Roller Rear Year!

Best Picture of 2013

This is the most difficult category of all!  We all thought the pictures of ourselves were the best so we had a compromise and decided that each of us could choose one picture.... so here are the winners!

The Mini likes this picture of him and his human, he had just had his first bath and his day was complete with cuddles!

Roller looks rather dashing in this picture we think.....

Catanian enjoys her sunlit walk with her beau The Mini

The Mula Exploradora enjoys a sunny Dartmoor day.

Ooooo Furry Face!

A very distinguished pocket labrador

Blog of 2014

When not writing our own mulificent blog we enjoy reading lots of others. This year we have particularly enjoyed reading..

Mulewings - Val's blog is always a highlight of ours, we love her beautiful photography, hearing about Sierra the mule's progress and best of all keeping up to date with the dashing dog Morris!  http://mulewings.blogspot.com

In close runner up spots are some other animal themed blogs full of mules, donkeys, horses, goats, dogs, oh and the occasional human! These are just a selection of the ones we have enjoyed this year, there are so many others but we have run out of space!

Adventures with a Horse - Shyloh and Allison's blog with lots of Haflinger fun and frolics, these guys have been up to such a lot this year, lots of inspiration available and also some rather cute pics of Shy's pals the minions (including a mini hinny!) http://adventureswithahorse.blogspot.com

The Dancing Donkey - http://thedancingdonkey.blogspot.com - this is a wonderful blog featuring two long ears and one short ear (sound familiar?), there's Ramsey the young donkey and his Mum Emma and the delightful short ear Tessa.  Always good for a smile :-)

Dartmoor Ramblings - Em and her clan share their lives on Dartmoor, beautiful wildlife photography and art! http://dartmoorramblings.blogspot.co.uk

A Donkey Diary - Cynthia and her lovely herd of mini donkeys in Canada keep us amused and are a great source of knowledge, especially good for Clicker Training Tips! http://donkeydame.blogspot.com

Drafty Hafy Girl - Our dear friend Camryn the voluptuous Haflinger shares life at the barn with her family! http://draftyhafygurl.blogspot.com

Whiles of Willow - Willows Farm is home to many very well loved creatures including a characterful Gecko and a parrot called Buttercup, however, it is the delightful HoneyBee miniature mare extraordinaire that has caught a certain Roller's eye - we can't keep him away from her pictures, it may be long distance love! http://whimsywillowsfarm.blogspot.com

Zoe the Dales pony's 'A Day in The Life' We continue to love Zoe's daily delights on her blog and we're very proud to have introduced her to satsumas!  http://zoe-adayinthelifeof.blogspot.co.uk

Best Ride of 2013

Dragon and FH have really enjoyed their rides this year and Dragon has also enjoyed taking Smiley human out lots too. This mule is never happier than when she's working.

Favourite of all had to be their adventure on a sunbathed Dartmoor in June - Mula Exploradora she most certainly was :-)

Fans of 2013

We are just so lucky to have some brilliant fans this year! There are those of you that are brave and tell us that you're there (we love your comments!) and then those of you that we think are out there....

So to all of our blog fans this year we couldn't pick just one of you so snuffles to you all :-) We're sorry if we forgot anyone!

Allison, Ann at StudioHyde, Ann, Aunty Di and Co,  Camryn, Carmen, Cynthia and the Gang, Cyril the Dales Pony, The Dancing Donkey Gang, Em at Dartmoor Ramblings, Granny Human, Jo and Family, Judy in Cambridge, Kathy, Laura at Chamfron Stud, Linda from Montreal, Mags in Ireland, Major the Highland Pony, Mary Ann, Naff and Kath,  The Office Gang, Shelley at Bow Street, Stuart and Pat, Val, Von and Barry, Willow and HoneyBee, Zoe and Co.

If you're a reader and we haven't mentioned you leave us a little comment to say hi!

Most Obscure Search Terms

You have no idea what strange search terms bring people to our Muleteer world.... there really are some odd folks out there we think! So we thought we'd share some of the best of 2013 with you (at least the clean ones!), we're as confused as you are!

Evil smile pony - none of those here!!

A little butt scratching goes a long way - very true :-)

Never smile at a crocodile - no idea where this came from.... hopefully we are not about to have a crocodile come to stay?  Although if it keeps on raining.....

And finally it seems that everyone is looking for a 'Pocket Labrador' - Murph is famous as the Pocket Sized Labrador and brings in a huge number of people searching for one just like him.  Sorry only one very rare and loved specimen available :-)


Naughtiest Mule Puppy Moment

Hmmm we are very sure who this will be awarded to this year.... our newest member of the gang is a little wilful and for once has taken the attention of us Muleteers.

We think Milo deserves the 'naughtiest' title for his bed disembowelling!

Yes Milo we know it was you - not a phantom!

Most Popular Post of 2013


Can you believe it?  We hand the blog over for one day and FH writes the most popular post of the year.... hmmm there'll be no more of that this year!  The post with the most visitors was 'Training Mules, Donkeys and Horses with Empathy and Love'

We think we'll forgive her as we reckon it's in the interests of long ears....

The second most popular post was one by us!  It seems that the blogging world enjoyed reading all about a certain Winning Mule!  Dragon was rather proud of her first place :-)

Most Popular Image of 2013

We are always surprised how many folks come to our blog to gaze upon our mulificent selves in photographic form. Some images are more popular than others and it would seem that the most appreciated photos of 2013 were taken in 2012 but seem to appear a lot on google! Here they are:

Best Philosophical Moment

Roller's Philosophical Friday's are a highlight of Granny Human's week so he thinks hard all week to ensure he has a good one for her.  Alas he occasionally gets distracted (normally he has fallen asleep or gone for a roll around) or the humans fail to provide the laptop.... his resolution is to try harder this year!

So Roller has chosen his favourite quote of the year and here it is!  He is such an optimistic little soul, he fills this household with joy!

Don't ever become a pessimist.... a pessimist is correct more often than an optimist, but an optimist has more fun and neither can stop the march of events!
Robert A. Heinlein

Best Treat

We have discovered satsumas!  Mmmm, mule lip smacking good :-)  Dragon has also discovered the delights of slurping the dregs of FH's herbal tea! Mmmmm

Hardest Work

So there have been some hard workers this year.... the humans have moved mountains of mule poo, filled over 1000 haynets, fed the kitty 730 pouches of gourmet kitty food, picked out over 3000 feet, mucked out over 700 dirty beds and rescued an escapee Roller more times than is necessary!

However..... that does not win them the award this year.  The award for hardest work goes to....

The Pocket Sized Labrador!

Murph has had the hard task of bringing up a puppy, and a rather lively one at that.  His puppy likes to call him the Cloth Dog, something to do with the fact that his ears are made of cloth and him being like a big floppy pyjama case.  There's nothing quite like a Cloth Dog....

So Murph has braved the perils of puppyhood and we think it's safe to say that he has raised a very lovely lurcher who really thinks he's a labrador.... you see Milo loves retrieving balls and views everything as a food item whether it's edible or not, not normally traits beloved of a long dog?!

Most Wonderful Gift

We were totally delighted when we received an original painting of none other than The Mini enjoying a good cheeky yawn!  This lovely little painting was painted and given to us by our friend Ann over at Studiohyde http://studiohyde.blogspot.co.uk which is a blog we love visiting.  So Ann, thank you so much!  This picture adorns our wall and brings a smile every time we see it!

Long Ears Award for Outstanding Contribution

No awards would be complete without the big prize! The award that goes to the person that has contributed the most! We didn't even have to think about this one Muleteers, for the second year running the award goes to.....

Carmen Mandel! Carmen has left us so many wonderful and thoughtful comments over the last year, every time we post we look forward to hearing from her, so ears to you Carmen :-) xxx

In runner's up spot we wanted to give special mentions to Judy from Cambridge for all her cuddles and Granny Human for her devotion to carroty treats! We know they both like to keep an eye on our antics - special snuffles and neighbrays to you both!

There we have it Muleteers, we think you all deserve a snuffle and thanks for enjoying 2013 with us :-) We can't wait to share 2014 with you.... watch this space, there may be lots of excitement just around the corner!

The Year In Review: 2013

Well what an action packed year 2013 has been... full of antics, fun and achievements!

Some of our fellow bloggers have been reviewing their year and have inspired us to do the same.  Hope you enjoy a quick resume of a year in the life of the Three Muleteers....


January

January brought its very own weather with snow to frolic around in, Dragon was most perplexed by the white stuff.

Roller as usual took it in his stride - he always possesses the right clothes for wintery weather.

Not all work was cancelled though and FH and Dragon managed some nice rides on Dartmoor at the bleakest time of year.

February

February saw the arrival of the New Kid on The Block - aka Milo. We can't believe that his puppy nose was ever that short and that he really looked that angelic?!  A firm favourite he has turned out to be although whoever knew a lurcher could be such a scavenger... might have something to do with him being brought up by a labrador!

Murph looks rather suspicious but took this pup right under his paw :-)

Roller found a new career as a Saddle Horse ably demonstrating why he is known as the bombproof pony in this gang.

Dragon perfected her water sports and learnt the delights of splashing in the river with pals, great way to give the humans a bath!

March

In March Roller lost his fluffy trousers much to everyone's dismay... he was just getting a little warm around the botty!

Milo grew a lot and decided that current sleeping arrangements were not to his liking, he could leave his Cloth Dog's side so the biggest bed ever arrived to allow harmonious co-sleeping, only problem was that no one told FH that she was not invited to share the bed too!

And finally at the end of March The Mini searched far and wide and discovered Spring!  It was lurking around the corner, he just needed to look for it!

April

April saw the real arrival of Spring with new challenges in the form of Horse Agility for all.

FH had a secret Mini Cam installed so that she could spy on us when we're sleeping.... she is very soft on us it seems!

And finally the girls got out for some lovely rides, FH reflected on what it is like to ride a good mule, anyone know of any?? Sorry just joking, best not let Dragon hear me!

May

May was a busy month for The Mini, he exercised FH a lot by taking her chasing superheros, he was sure he saw a tall Robin and rather squat, portly Batman but seems he was wrong?!

The Mini also experienced his very first bathtime, what may seem like a small, insignificant thing to most of us chilled equines was one big hoofstep for The Mini who is a natural born worrier and suspicious of most new things.  With patience, some lovely weather and no ties he was soon enjoying the delights of bathing that itchy skin of his :-)

And finally those folks at The Donkey Sanctuary finally proved conclusively what we've all known for ages..... mules really are extremely intelligent and beat other species hooves down in intelligence tests! Some might say we're smart asses ;-)

June

June brought with it exploring fun for the Mula Exploradora

Along with a new skill in the form of learning to log, this Dragon can turn her hoof to anything!

Catanian found her King in the form of a Mini Mule.... strange form of throne for Her Royal Kitty Highness but none the less she looks happy!

The Mini occasionally left the side of his Queen and went searching for Dartmoor Piskies, alas he is still searching....

Roller continued his prowess at agility and put his tiny hooves to good use to carry out some bottle recycling.

July

July saw the entrance of a strange phenomenon in the household, it seems that someone had taken it upon themselves to disembowel the puppy's bed?  No idea who that could be, he looks innocent to us?!

Roller had fun at the local show, looking very dashing if we do say so ourselves, we are still laughing that he was unsuccessful because he wasn't conditioned enough (read fat!), heyho a great day was had by all :-)

And finally we all enjoyed some sun on our backs complemented by our gleaming, sleek summer coats - ahhh seems like a long time ago now!

August

Biggest of all achievements in August was Dragon's first place in her first Horse Agility class!  A very proud mule with a very proud human!

Roller also had an important first in August too with his very first ride, he was most pleased to make the acquaintance of a human he could look at in the eye!  He is hoping for more rides in 2014 please ;-)

In other activities Milo managed to continue his making of mayhem by getting picked on by another dog, he was rather pleased with his wound dressing though, he liked raiding FH's T-Shirt stash!

And finally Catanian spent many happy hours sunning herself in the shade of the blooming paddock and chasing bees and butterflies - bliss!

September

September brought us muleteers some blogging visitors all the way from Canada, we were so excited!  The Mini tried to claim one as his own and implored his visitor to take him home for a visit with her girls.... she has four delightful girl donkeys, The Mini was in love with just the thought!

Dragon enjoyed living up to her namesake by breathing fire.

And Roller ensured Quality Control was upheld for the latest grocery delivery!

October

Dragon ensured that her mulish stature was fit for the winter weather to come by bulking up on rose bush, however she managed to eat all those thorns we shall never know!

There was a plethora of butt jokes....

And everyone had an eye on the weather but enjoyed the sun while it shone!

November

November brought the weather back with a vengeance but that didn't deter The Mini from being Personal Trainer to FH, he decided she needed the exercise!

Roller bathed in the glory of his very own pride post and was christened the Practically Perfect Pony! Yep, we all knew this already but FH had to state the obvious!

Dragon pondered her chances of living in the house if she continued to be housebroken?

And of course we remembered our long eared friends who lost their lives in war.

December

And finally the year ended as it began.... with the weather!  There were two wet and grumpy mules and one smug, waterproof shetland.

The sun shone for long enough to take silly Christmas pictures though.

The year ended with some festive walking of FH by The Mini, he is determined to get FH in to shape, he may even get himself in to shape just trying ;-)!

What a fun and exciting year we've had, lots of achievements - some big, some small but all to be proud of.  We've enjoyed sharing every moment here with you all and can't wait to see what's around the corner in 2014...... watch this space!  To all of our Muleteer pals thanks for your comments, reading and companionship in 2013, we sure hope to see you back here again in 2014.

And of course..... don't miss the Long Ears Awards of 2013 - coming to a blog near you very soon in 2014 :-)