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January 31 Wish I Could Have A Simple Life!It was yet another 'one of those days'.
Hannah got up and announced that she was better and was going to nursery today. We got wet through taking her, and Louis and I had to dash back home to get dried off.
I have been getting more and more worried about Holly so taday I called the Sanctuary and asked if I could bring her in to see the vet. No problem, just bring her between 2.30 and 4pm. As soon as I put the 'phone down, I turned around to an absolute blood bath. Holly had chewed her leg until it bled, and I had to run around finding sponges and collars to stop her doing any more damage.
The time of the vets clashed with toddler group but we managed just over half an hour before collecting the dog and driving to the Sanctuary. Holly was suitably pathetic and the vet decided she needed steroids to reduce the swelling. However, we informed him of her Cushing's disease, and he realised she can't have any more steroids. So she has antibiotics to take twice a day, and tommorrow morning I have to go and fetch some antihistamines for her to stop the itching. In the meantime, she is wearing a large plastic lampshade on her head so she can't reach round to her back legs. Apparently, another dog at the Sanctuary with Cushing's has similar symptoms; he chews his paws and it is probably related to the disease as they can develop skin conditions. Now all I have to do is find something Holly will eat, as she didn't have her dinner yesterday, and getting her to have her tablets is like getting blood from a stone!
And when I finally made it up to the field to give the boys some hay, a lady stopped me to inform me that a Staffordshire Bull Terrier had been loose in my field this morning, while the owner stood helplessly by. It chased the ponies all over, and the man walked away. the lady told him he had better be insured because if his dog ran one of the ponies into the fence he would be paying for it. He answered that he hoped they bl**dy killed the dog, as he had had enough of it. The lady continued on her walk, and was upset to find the dog still in the field over an hour later, with no sign of the owner.
Apollo's rug is now broken, and not fit to wear, but I can't say for sure if this is because of the dog, or just one of those accidents that happens.
Why can't my life be simple?
January 30 All Gone AwryToday was all planned out; drop Hannah off at nursery and go over to Starbucks Farm for some bales of hay. I would then have had time to feed the ponies before picking Hannah up from nursery and had the afternoon to do my jobs in the house.
But these things never go to plan. Hannah went to bed last night with a raging temperature and woke this morning crying, telling me she felt poorly and had a headache. The poor girl had some Calpol and a cup of water, and went back to sleep. Which is where she still is now, being looked after by the cat.
Apart from this, I am sitting here tearign my hair out, having been offered a car. The car I need (although I did say I would never have another Ford) at a reduced price. Unfortunately, that reduced price is still £2000, which is about £2000 more than I have at the moment! The lady selling it emailed me last night to see if I was interested because she was thinking about advertising it. I told her to go ahead and stick it in the AdMag, as I didn't have the cash, but she said she will hang onto it for a couple of weeks because she wants me to have it! Bless her, where am I going to find that amount in 2 weeks?! Oh well, I'll have to hold out for something a bit cheaper.
Ponies are going to need water as well as hay, so I'd better go and see if Hannah is awake yet.
January 29 Its not paranoia if they're really after you...2Marylin Monroe.
It would seem that anyone famous and beautiful cannot simply commit suicide, they couldn't possibly have reason to feel depressed!
The Kennedys' are up on the list of suspects for killing her (or having her killed), The CIA and the Mafia are also suspects. I struggled to find a site that stated simply that Marilyn had killed herself, but plenty that offered alternative theories.
Princess Diana.
Could the royal family really be involved in a murder? Was this just an accident, or was it a way of ridding themselves of an embarrassing problem?
Or is it all a fake, and Diana is living in peace on a sunny island?
Of course, it could be all down to the Illuminati. But whatever happened, it seems that Di herself saw it coming...
"One day I'm going to go up in a helicopter and it'll just blow up. MI5 will do away with me" - Princess Diana (Sunday Mirror, January 4th 1998). As far as I am concerned, there will never be any straight answers on this one, and it is time to leave it alone.
And from there, it has to be: Elvis.
Apparently, the poor man died on the toilet and was found by his fiance, who was to wed him that coming Christmas. Initial reports glossed over the facts in an attempt to protect the young lady, but with the amount of press coverage the truth came out.
Or did it? Did Elvis die on that day? Or had he had enough of the limelight and wanted to live his life in peace? Is he working in your local Tesco's?
Whatever did happen on that day, he will always be the King, he will always be respected and loved by millions of people, and he will always be something of an enigma.
January 24 Rushing aroundHolly was due back at the Sanctuary at half past eight this morning, and considering Hannah starts nursery at 8.45, 7 miles away from the Sanctuary, I was a bit stuck.
Enter the Highlander, stepping in to the rescue. He very kindly (bravely) offered to take Hannah to nursery so that I could get the dog to the Sanctuary and they could take her to the vets. She has to have an assessment to see if her medication is working, but after having a chat with the kennel manager we feel that her dosage is slightly high and it is that which is causing her lethargy. Except when she sees the cat, obviously. I have never known a dog go from being asleep to being out the door and halfway up the drive in less than 2 seconds!
It would seem that Hannah taught the Highlander the necessary steps for dropping a small child off at school; coat on peg, gloves on radiator and name card in box. He says it was funny and she says he did okay!
Now all we have to do is wait for the Sanctuary to call and say Holly is ready for picking up, so in the meantime we're off to toddler group.
She is not being lethargic, she is being contented! Apparently she is doing exactly what an old dog should do, without being disturbed by the comings and goings in the kennels. As for the shaking, that is down to her age too, it's just something that her body is doing that she can't control but isn't causing any harm. So she might be around a bit longer than we expected! Oh, and we do have a little bit of background on her... The dog warden found her straying, and called the Sanctuary to see if they would take her in when she was caught. At the time they suspected a thyroid problem because of her weight. The Sanctuary agreed, and the warden went to catch her. They then found the owner, who said that the dog keeps running away, she's supposed to be on some sort of medication but they can't ever find her to give it to her, so they didn't really want her as she was too much trouble. Poor old girl! There was no way she was being left with them, and that is how she ended up at the Sanctuary just before Christmas. That is why I do this, I could not let an old dog go out of this world with it's last memories those of uncaring humans. They deserve a bit of dignity and love. January 21 CatchupI haven't posted for ages!
My Broadband account is with TalkTalk, which seems like a really good deal, I pay for the phone every month and get the Broadband free. But only when it works. Which is getting more and more infrequent. I bought new house 'phones because they weren't working properly, only to find that it is the phoneline, not the 'phones. The link on my internet connection is so hit and miss it's like something out of the Krypton Factor just trying to send an email. I have to hit the send button at exactly the right moment otherwise it either doesn't send, or oversompensates by sending it as many times as possible! TalkTalk have insinuated that the fault is with us, not them, but I know other people with the same problems. They also stated that if they send out a technician and the fault is with us, they will charge us £140. Which we can't afford. So today I am goingt o run some new wires and see if I can do anything about the problem myself.
Apart from all that, Holly (not Molly!) is still falling out with the cat but has settled in well. This morning Hannah shouted to ask me what was wrong with Holly's body though, and I found her lying on the floor shaking. I don't know what caused it, but she is due in at the vet's for her assessment in a couple of days anyway. I don't think the poor old girl has much longer on this mortal coil.
Louis has been keeping me awake at night for too long now, and it's getting boring. I don't appreciate being up at 1am just because he wants his socks back on. And his restlessness is disturbing Hannah, who wandered in at 1.30am asking was it get dressed time? She then burst into tears as she hadn't seen Daddy. Strange, I thought, since he's in bed asleep, where we all should be!
Finally, a quick update on the ponies, Winston is being a little sweetie and looking after Hannah when she wants to ride him, and Apollo is now feeling much better and even cantering again. We went out for a lovely ride together yesterday, and he enjoyed it so much. He is starting to look better but it will take time to build his muscles and weight up properly.
Right, I'm off to the library to return some overdue books.....
January 15 Holly, or Molly?It's inevitable. I only went to Thornberry Sanctuary to drop off some leads and dog coats that I don't need anymore, and before I knew it I was through the 'staff only' doors and meeting an old dog who needed a new home. She had already been to a foster home, but it hadn't worked out. It seems the foster owner was a little 'girly' for this dog! She (the dog) is 10+ years old, and has Cushing's Syndrome. She has been a street dog so there is no history on her. She is very overweight, but that is a symptom of the Cushing's and she is on tablets for that. So today, I returned with both the kids and Jasper, to see how the dogs get on. There were some teeth shown, but nothing serious, although we did discover that cats are not on the favourite list! I decided to take the chance with Ziggy, as he is quick and fit, and can get out of the way if he needs to. So everyone piled back into the car, with a bag of food and a couple of weeks' supply of tablets and we headed for home. Home isn't far from the Sanctuary, only about a 15 minute drive, but on the way we changed the dog's name from Holly to Molly. I don't really know why, it just seemed easier, and Hannah can say it because she already knows a dog called Molly. Mind you, it will make things difficult when she goes back to the vets. Might have to rethink this name change! I have to take her back to the vets a week on Thursday to see how she is going on her medication, but in the meantime if things don't work out I will return her to the sanctuary. She deserves a good home and a comfy bed so I hope she settles with us. January 13 Caddy: Part 2Caddy arrived at our yard shaking and sweating with the ordeal of the journey. He looked even more pitiful and lost, not knowing what was happening to him. The first thing to be done was a good feed, and get him eating some good grass. He immediately formed a bond with me, and would follow me around. But suddenly, he realised who his new Mummy really was, and then I couldn't do a thing with him. He was Momma's horse.
At first, he was gently walked around with a rug on, to build his muscles back up, and to make sure no-one saw how bad he looked! Slowly, he began to return to health, but he would never be the horse that he should be. Unfortunately, one of Caddy's favorite places to stand was the bottom of the field overlooking the river, with about a hundred people walking past everyday. So we did have the odd incident of The British Horse Society and the RSPCA being called out to our poor old boy. They went away satisfied that such an elderly horse was being looked after in the best possible way.
It took a long time to find a saddle to actually fit him without hurting his withers and once we found one that was near enough we had to find a pad to put under it for extra cushioning. After that it was a new bridle and a bit that fitted properly as he had arrived with a very large, very outdated type that we were sure would hurt his mouth. I was the first one to ride Caddy once he lived with us. We didn't get very far before he dumped me ont he floor, and that sort of set the standard for his rides. If Caddy didn't want to go, you didn't go. If Caddy wanted to run, you clung on for dear life! He had the worst habits out riding, he assumed he always had right of way, even on busy main roads, and had a terrible habit of throwing his head up and covering his rider in slobber. But put the horse in a schooling area and he became a different animal. He could jump anything, and turn on a sixpence. He was so proud. Someone, somewhere, has rosettes and trophies for that horse.
Caddy did what he was bought for. He made it possible for me and Momma to ride out together, and did more to teach Momma to ride than several years worth of lessons would have done. Apart from that, he taught my young Winston how to behave like a proper horse.
After 2 years of fun, teaching us new tricks and showing us what a horse can do rather than a pony, Caddy decided it was time to retire. He was arthritic, and we suspected he had Cushing's Disease as well as general old age getting to him. He had about a year's retirement before the decision was made to put him to sleep.
The vet that came had a look around him, turned to Momma and said, "you do know this horse is in his 40's?".
So from being sold as a sorry looking 16 years old 3 years previously, to me judging him to be in his late 20's, he turned out to be much older than anyone had imagined. He was a very special horse, and even Hannah asks about him, although she was not born until after we lost him.
I would love to have some history on him, but he didn't have any special identifying marks, no freeze mark and certainly no microchip. All we really need to know is that he gave us his everything, and in return we gave him the best retirement he could have hoped for.
January 12 CaddyFollowing on from yesterday's blog, I thought I would tell you a liitle bit about Caddy.
Momma hadn't been riding very long, just a few jaunts on Winston and some secret lessons at a riding school but she decided she might as well just buy herself a horse.
Since we had space for another one at the farm where Winston was stabled (there was no Apollo back then), and we would be able to ride out together, it made sense.
Rooting through the free ads we came across an advert for the perfect sounding horse. Middle aged, good size and not too far away. The neccessary 'phone calls were made and we hopped in the car to go and meet him.
He was living on a huge yard with lots of other horses and ponies. The yard manager was his owner, and as she greeted us she pointed out her other pony, very simlar to Winston, with rounded belly and gleaming coat.
The stable block we were led into was awful, the horses were being kept in similar conditions to battery hens, with nothing to look at except more concrete. Caddy was standing miserably in his stable with his head down. As we looked around him a couple of dogs wandered in and began to fight under his legs, but he was too weak to even get out of the way.
His owner told us he (the horse) was 16 years old, and was so skinny because he didn't like the batch of hay that was being used. I could have cried. Caddy was nothing but skin and bone and at least 26 years old. In a vain attempt to disguise how thin he was, he had been clipped with what appeared to be a blunt pair of clippers.
I shook my head at Momma. Don't buy him.
The owner had brought some tack, an ill fitting saddle that rubbed on Caddy's high withers, which were already scarred, and a horrible, cheap leather bridle that was falling apart. It just showed how much she really cared about him.
I led him to the schooling area, and mounted, aware of the saddle pressing on him and how frail he appeared. Something amazing happened. His head lifted, and as I ran him through his paces everyone watching could see what a proud horse he had once been. He walked, trotted and cantered as though his life depended on it.
Still I shook my head at Momma. Don't buy him.
She bought him.
Part 2 tomorrow! January 11 RSPCAI found a card left on my field gate on Monday, from an RSPCA inspector, with a message on the back asking me to call her. Before I panicked I had a think, and realised I had absolutely nothing to worry about, the ponies have not been escaping, they are fed and watered everyday, they are enjoying riding out and they are generally in good health.
So on my return home I called the number on the card. Now, for obvious reasons, you do not get a direct number for the Inspector. No, you have to go through the call centre, who informed me that the Inspector would call me back. So I waited. And the next day I waited some more. And because by this time I had lost my voice with having this cold, the Hubs called the centre again. Apologies for not getting back to us, were we in now? Yes. Fine, the Inspector will be in touch. So I waited. And waited some more. Seeing the pattern here?
We decided that it couldn't be anything urgent, as we would have had messages left, the RSPCA at the door or letters through the post. So the waiting continued, giving me time to contemplate who would have reported my ponies to the RSPCA. I have my suspicions, backed up by recent information passed on to me. The reasons are a little unclear, but I have an idea that I know why.
Finally, this morning, my 'phone rang. It was the Inspecor, at last. She was a very nice lady, and she explained that she had been contacted by a concerned member of the public who thought that the ponies were cold, underweight and had no food. She had had a look at them and found them to be in more than acceptable condition. She was happy that ther is plenty of natural shelter in the field, they are wearing their rugs, and have access to a bale of haylage. Apollo is the one that caused the concern, but I explained that he has recently been quite ill and has been seen by a vet so is on the mend. She was satisfied with this and took the details down so if it came up again any other Inspectors were aware of the situation.
I am torn as to whether I am annoyed that someone has reported them unecessarily and wasted time the RSPCA could have been with an animal that needed it, or pleased that people are taking an interest and looking out for the welfare of animals. I could rant that New Forest, Exmoor and Dartmoor ponies don't get brought into stables or rugged over winter and they survive, but deep down I know that someone had the boys' best interests at heart. Unless it's who I thought it was, in which case I will continue waiting. The truth always comes out in the end...
January 08 Owww!I started with a sore throat on Saturday, at the panto. It gradually got worse as I came down with this horrible cold that is going around. Not only me, but the hubs and the kids. Mind you, the kids got away with it lightly, probably because they have been suffering on and off since Christmas.
Then yesterday, poof! My voice went on holiday, without warning. Well, to be honest, I think the agonising sore throat was warning enough, but I need my voice! Apparently it is enjoying its' vacation, because it has decided to stay away a little bit longer.
Good job the kids learnt that sign language...
Hannah was back to nursery today, she has new friends that have started today and everything is exciting again. Hopefully I will be back to normal (?) soon because I'm sure I'm going to be needing to shout at both the kids before long! January 06 Robinson CrusoeYesterday we had our annual visit to the panto. It is a family tradition, the Hub's Mum pays for all the kids and half the parents (that's me and my sister in law, as it was intended to be a girls outing until we spoilt it by having boys...).
The kids first go when they are 2 years old, and this was only my second trip because my children arrive at inappropriate times!
Sheffield has some very good theatres, all of which put on panto's at this time of year, but we always visit the City Hall for the Manor Operatic Society's annual family pantomime. They are an ameteur group, but the only thing lacking from their performances are famous names, and believe me, you don't miss it!
The productions are every bit as professional, entertaining and lavish as you would expect anywhere, despite being regularly struck by bad luck. This year, flooding meant that they lost their rehersal rooms, but fortunately help was on hand from the Friends of Abbeydale Picturehouse Society who very kindly offered their own facilities.
The prodution this year was Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates, with something to appeal to everyone. Fairies, pirates, a Dame and bucketloads of terrible jokes. Speaking of buckets, the Bucket Game is very popular. The children from the audience troop onto the stage to play musical buckets. Usually there are around 500 (or so it seems!) children, about a dozen buckets and very few rules. Much cheating goes on and every child comes away with something.
There was a lovely UV scene in the middle of the production, everthing blacked out and props painted in UV colours to glow in an underwater scene. It looks magical. This year was exceptionally good, only spoilt by the woman behind me who insisted on telling her little one how it was all done! Okay, we all know there's people dressed in black holding the props up but the children don't beed it spoiling for them.
All in all, it was, yet again, a wonderful production, and worth every penny.
January 04 Its not paranoia if they're really after you...Conspiracy theories can be endlessly entertaining. I have put together some of the old favorites, as well as some more sinister, and recent plots. I have also included the theories for and against, where I can find them.
Let's see how quickly I get shut down now... Take everything with a pinch of salt. Most theories can never be proven, so it's up to you to make up your own mind.
This will be an ongoing thing, as there are so many conspiracy stories out there they wouldn't all fit into one blog!
The Titanic.
The Titanic seemed to be doomed from the start. Even the bottle used to launch her did not break on her 'christening'.
She was described in a shipping magazine's review as 'virtually unsinkable'. Maybe she was. But was it even the Titanic that set out that day, or her sister ship, the Olympic? And did she really hit an iceberg? Or was it another ship, waiting for her, knowing she was going to sink (or be sunk).
So many questions are raised. It could have been a tragic accident, it could have been an insurance scam gone horribly wrong, or according to one source, it could have been the Jews (no offence intended to anyone!)
I had to include this last one because it's just hilarious!
The Bermuda Triangle.
I haven't heard much about this in recent years, but it captured my imagination some time ago. 'Planes and ships are said to have disappeared without trace in this area, known as the Devil's Sea.
Theories abound as to why this happens. Aliens abduct the hapless travellers, the sea opens up and drags them to another dimension, or a race of underwater people kidnaps them.
Of course, it could simply all be coincidence, the Gulf Stream can be a very dangerous stretch of water, and various anomalies such as white water and electrcal storms only add to the mysteries of the area.
No-one seems to be 100% sure of the reasons behind the increased electrical activity or magnetic pulses in the area though, so even 'scientific' reasons behind the disappearences can be disputed.
And remember, in the last 600 years or so, 170 vessels have vanished. Is this really such a huge amount compared to elsewhere, or did the idea of the Triangle just catch on and gain itself more publicity?
January 02 Back to normality?I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year.
I don't think I've ever had such a hectic week...
Normal blogging will be resumed shortly! |
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