Stand Off At The Mule-K Corral

Spring is in the air and I am feeling fruity!  I was raring to go when FH told me it was time to work this morning.... the saddle was nowhere to be seen and the long reins came out so must be time for something different?  Hmmmm I think FH has designs on me pulling stuff (not including her off her feet?!).   So off we set at full mule ahead long reining (aka line driving)... ready to conquer the unknown... sort of!  FH was busy teaching me Gees and Haws as left and right.... for our American friends we use the opposite system in UK, 'Gee' is left and 'Haw' is right.  Of course I understood this very quickly as would be expected.  I showed FH my traffic prowess by 'whoa-ing' in the narrow gaps on our country lanes to let the cars go by, I thought I'd show her how clever I really am by stopping at the allotted passing place before I'd even been asked... I can hear those engines miles away and know what to do.

Then on to trotting, hehehe that made FH blow and go bright red but I enjoyed it, especially up the big hill.  

And then it happened...... Stand off at mule-k corral.....

There in the hedge was the most beautiful black 'stallion' I had ever seen!  It's spring and as I said I'm feeling fruity and am on the lookout for a man.... a short ears or long ears, I'm not really fussy....

When FH told me to go past I said nah, don't want to, going to plant myself right here in the road and stay talking to my new handsomeness.  What was that FH?  We're blocking the road?  Whatever, swish, swish see if I care.  Busy, busy, busy, chatting up this handsome man.

FH started to get very red in the face but smiled sweetly and said nice things to me, but FH you're not as enticing as this handsome chap, sorry not going that way with you.

FH tried all her tricks, we lunged past, she went in front, we went in circles (all the while checking that my best side was facing my new admirer) and eventually we just stood for a while.  

Honestly, my human is the most incredibly stubborn animal, she wouldn't go anywhere but the way she wanted to.... the stand off when on for ages.... we ear waved at a few of the neighbours who passed who were amused at FH (couldn't have been me that was making them laugh, could it?)

In the end I gave up on FH and decided that I'd had enough looking at the stallion anyway (by now I'd noticed his ears were substandard, his mane was not sticky up enough and his voice was not bray enough....)

OK FH off we go, look at me and how good I can be, don't you just love this long reining thing?  Past the trailers that rattle, the river that rages, the barky dogs, look we're Gee-ing and Haw-ing and Whoa-ing and Go-ing and I'm such a good girl..... have you forgotten your grumpy, stubborness now human??

Off we go on the long and winding lanes home, I've entirely forgotten what FH and I were having a stand off about? Isn't it a lovely sunny day, aren't I a good mule :-) What was that about flirty, juvenile delinquent FH?  I didn't quite hear you?  Gotta despair of those humans sometimes... they really need to  realise that us equines know best.  Til the next lesson!

Roller's Philosophical Friday: Caring

I'm the caring, sharing type and reckon my Muleteer friends are too :) So often in life people seem to forget that there an individual under a facade, a person (or pony) behind the number or name, a friend or a foe, a need behind a whisper.... sometimes something takes an hour when it should take a minute.... a small kindness, a gesture, a nudge, a whisper, a snuffle, a hug.  Sometimes we all need care and compassion, hopefully we remember those others who need it too?

In small acts we make huge impacts..... this weekend I'm going to snuffle for a living!  Sending you all snuffles and care :-)

Too often, we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
Leo Buscaglia

My Little Pony Meets My Little Puppy!

There's been a new member of the Muleteer clan, I think you've all met him, the cute and mischievous Milo.... well, I decided that it was my turn to make his acquaintance!  I've heard he's small, cute, full of beans and has appalling wind.... hmmm are they not talking about The Mini?  FH likes to call him My Little Puppy, she says there is irony in there somewhere?

So I invited him over for a closer look.... it's hard to see him over the fence when you're my height!  This 'Little' puppy is actually quite big.... have you seen the size of his hooves? They're massive!  I think he will grow in to My Big Puppy and might even become as big and strong as me :-)

Here I am teaching him the value of hoovering carrot pieces from the floor.  He loves carrots, I think we will have a lot in common.

I also noticed that the puppy had brought along his Cloth Dog chaperone. Someone needs to keep the youngster in check :-)  I rather like the cloth dog, in fact I would go so far as to say that I was rather mesmerised by his handsomeness.  He has a very interesting tail that I just had to investigate.... it wags around a lot and looks quite different to mine, it isn't very flowing, I thought I'd better check by giving it a nudge and snuffle, the Cloth Dog didn't seem to mind, he told me that I was much more gentle than his puppy charge who seems to think his tail is a toy for pulling on.... yikes, better watch out for my splendid hairdo, don't want that messing with!

After sharing the carroty goodness MH brought out another treat, an apple, now I wasn't aware that dogs ate apples and carrots?  I hope they don't like grass and hay or us Muleteers will have to compete with them!  My Little Puppy tries to look very cute.... I must try and master that sit thing, it seems to work in all instances!

Uh-oh the Cloth Dog's getting in on the act too, surely he doesn't like apples?  Hmmm FH says he is a labrador and this means that EVERYTHING is edible.... an interesting concept, I really must get to know this wise man further.

After the food was all consumed there was just a little bit of time left for cuddles and snuffles, now look here my canine friends FH still loves My Little Pony prowess, she says my mane is superior and I smell delightful so I'm happy I haven't been ousted!

Finally it was time to say goodbye to my new friends, I would really like them to come and play again, I'll even share my carrot treats with them.  I've heard that dogs like to greet each other by sniffing so I thought I'd try it for goodbye as well..... FH says I sniffed the wrong bit, The Cloth Dog didn't seem to mind though, he just stood and gave me a very patient look?!

Bye bye friends, is there room for a little one in that big bed of yours?  I'd be ever so good?

What a lovely time with my extended family, where were the mules in all this?  Stood at the top of the hill swishing furiously!  Mini was having jealousy issues and Dragon was bored with all the boy talk.... can't please everyone!

Mule Rescue

Something is not right, something is definitely wrong.... there is a very scared creature on the other side of the fence and it's making very scared noises..... I think its lost its Mum, I think it's stuck.  Quick FH, stop calling me for dinner and come help!  Those naughty minis have disappeared in for their dinner but no I am NOT coming until you come sort this problem out.  I will stand here at the top of the hill and look over here til you get the hint for goodness sake!

The Momma sheep wants baby lambykins back and you're gonna have to deal with it cos I can't get over there and open the gate for it.

FINALLY!! You got the hint that I wasn't moving for all the shaken food bowls and enticing noises in the world, sometimes there are more important things in life than food (yes, I did just say that!).

Now then, get over that fence and rescue the poor lambykins.


Hee haw, hee haw,  Catanian.... we need you!  FH doesn't have a sheepdog so you'll have to do!

Sheepcat extraordinaire!

The poor lambykins is very afraid and running around so FH you'll have to be quick.....tehehe that was quite amusing when you dived on the floor, nearly in to that cow pat...hehehe

Right one lamb caught, one Momma sheep on the other side of the fence, one Sheepcat scoping out the gate.

Phew Momma and baby reunited, after a quick nuzzle and comforting drink I saw Momma bring the lambykins right near to the gate and look pointedly at FH, Catanian and me.  I'm really convinced she was saying thank you, how lovely.

Ok, all sorted, just checking that there are no more escapees and then it's time for a nap and that dinner you promised me, I think extra carrots are in order...

We're particularly pleased to reunite Momma and Lambykins as here in the UK it's Mother's day, Mum's are just THE BEST!  For all the Mums and Grannies out there we salute you for keeping us all on track and bringing joy to the world.

God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made Mothers.

Rudyard Kipling

Farewell Fluffy Trousers....

....you've served me well!  But alas sweet, fluffy trousers it is time to say goodbye for a few months as Spring is upon us!

It's that time again, I have started to shed my fluff, the first layer to go is the long polar bear hairs of which there are many.  My fluffy trousers are gonna have to go..... FH is sad, she loves my fluffy bottom and delights in how well designed my coat is.  I can't keep this polar bear coat just for her though.  I might roast as the English Summer (read rain and cloud in to this) nears.

It is only a few weeks ago that my fluffy trousers were at their finest, MH busily brushed my finery and marvelled at how warm I was in the sub zero temperatures.

Alas, all good things must come to an end and FH got the shedding brush out to strip away my fluffy trousers, they were getting mighty itchy and I appreciated a lovely scratch.

Bit by bit my fluffy trousers disappeared until there were only a few wispy hairs hanging on, I may keep them for a few more days, just in case!  It will take me at least another 4 months to shed out my other coat layers but at least I've made a start, my pony version of Spring Cleaning ;-)

So Spring is in the air so I leave you with my quote for the most exciting time of year.... there are many new beginnings just around the corner, if only you look for them :-)

Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!

Sitting Bull

Dance Pony!

Dearest Muleteers, finally the prowess of the shetland pony is acknowledged, it would seem our cousins have been busy showing off their moves... for those of you that haven't seen Fleetwood Mac in a whole new pony light... enjoy!  And if that's not enough there are our very own rock (http://bit.ly/YwXDmV) and punk remixes (http://bit.ly/YwYd3X) ... oh dear FH really should do something productive!

Thanks for the tip off Ann - it is brilliant!

Puppy Power!

My ears are out of control.....

Greetings Wooferteers!  It has been quite some time since I've pawed the keyboard away from those long ears but here I am!  Can you believe that I am a whole 4 months old today....life is soooo exciting when you're me.

I've been busy exploring my puppy kingdom and have been making sure that everyone knows I'm in town to stay.  It has been a busy few weeks since I came to live here.

I have been making lots of new friends...

Here I am with my brother Murph, I have called him The Cloth Dog... his ears and jowls are like lovely cloth toys that I can chew on and hang off, he doesn't seem to mind most of the time, occasionally he tells me off when he says I'm being a juvenile delinquent, I heard the humans say that he is the most patient puppy parent possible...

The Cloth Dog says that I am a wriggler in bed and that I need to stop growing as we won't both fit in one bed together (there are two others but I'd rather stay warm with my Cloth Dog hero), sometimes we even wrestle and playfight with each other, lots of growling and chewing but it's all good fun... my Cloth Dog never hurts me.

We have been out and about for loads of fun walks, Cloth Dog has been teaching where to sniff and pee and is trying to teach me the labrador retrieve, I'm doing pretty well but not sure about taking it back, it's much more fun to give everyone the runaround.... I'm so fast they can't catch me...hehehe!

Murph says that I must learn to share and not always try to pinch his ball, I have my own, but I want HIS ball not MY ball.

Look at me I can run sooooo fast!  Wait til I'm all grown, I'll give those mules a run for their money.

When I'm not having fun I'm a busy working dog you know... FH takes me to the office where I am mostly angelic.... I like to be on best behaviour and impress the ladies.  Here I am ensuring that the office furniture is up to the job, oops!

Apart from the ok furniture this is my social heaven, there are so many pups to keep up with and check out not to mention some funny long eared creatures.  FH reckons my gang at work are long suffering as I chew their ears and steal their toys, sharing should apply to toys and ears too I think.

Here's my favourite uncle - Flint!  He is a lovely lurcher just like me and I hope I grow up as handsome as him.  He is teaching me the lurcher wrestle, the hamstring manoeuvre and the joys of stuffed toys.  He's my hero!

Then there's Fizz who's the top dog, she is great to play with but does tell me off sometimes but when no one's looking she rolls around and we snarl and nip and play and I steal her toys, I LOVE her (even if she is a girl...)!!

My other new pal is Cousin Archie (who also comes with my new human friends Uncle and Auntie).  Cousin Archie has been busy teaching me the poo hoover manoeuvre..... yum, cow poo, mmmmm,  now why are the humans shouting again?? Next time Archie and I are going to try to sheep poo hoover manoeuvre... the options are endless and very exciting for a country lurcher!

After a busy day at work there's nothing like a busy game with the Cloth Dog, our current favourite is Whose Bone Is It?  Obviously I always let my brother win this game and then pinch the bone the minute his back is turned ;-)

Finally before bed there's time for a little bit of telly with the humans, I love to watch all those flashing lights and listen to the new things, I particularly like crime dramas at the moment.

Time for bed.... I'm busy perfecting my cute look... I'm rapidly discovering that this works in all situations... will spend as much time doing this as possible.

Night night Wooferteers, til next time - Woof xxx