Bright sun and fair winds blow in all sorts of visitors and mischief to Folly Farm and this past Saturday was no exception. The summery weather had neighbors and family dropping in throughout the day which is all very normal, but sometime in early afternoon a mischievous spirit must of landed and started to work his mayhem. Our normal household of 4 grew to 9 as friends and family arrived for weekend visits and meals.
Not a problem, steaks, salads, potatoes, and beer for all! As the evening meal was getting started two of our four legged friends were no where to be found. Pru and Justice (the staffidshore terriers) had taken themselves out for an afternoon constitutional and so off the search parties went as this is prime skunk/raccoon/porcupine season! After circling the block and trails our searchers arrived home to find two smelly and muddy pups laying on the front doorstep! Well, who knows what dead thing they found but at least they were home!! On to supper! Our kitchen and livingroom filled with guests and family as dinner preparations got underway. Puck and Bobcat two of Follyfarm's feline population had joined in the party. Puck must of felt that this larger group would need some help with dinner and brought in a live(ish) bird! Well the bird had enough life to soar around the room and entice Bobcat into chasing it down. A flurry of activity, some quick hands, and few squeals later the little bird was cornered and popped out a window where it happily (hopefully) flew to safety. Shortly after the cats contribution had flown the coop dinner was nearly ready! Unfortunately this was also around the time when it was noted that Frosty, the 36 yr old toothless wonder of a welsh pony, appeared to have choke. This was not the first time Frosty had choked and we immediately knew that the vet had to be called in. Dinner was now on the table and looked so good! 3 bites in, the vet and another carload of family arrived. Guests entertained guests while the vet worked her magic on good old Frosty. He unblocked like a charm, but started a wicked nosebleed that had the vet very concerned. However, a litre of blood later when the warm day had turned into a frosty evening the old pony was stable and had orders to remain quiet and off feed for the next 24 hours. "Well, What a night..." we all joked after Frosty and the rest of the horses had been tucked in for the night, "what else could happen now hahaha har har har..." We two legged creatures retired for the night but were plagued with strange dreams of escaping horses and cats with nosebleeds. Then in the early morning hours when the world was still pale and kissed with frost, Marigold (Haflinger mare) presented us with what else could happen now! A wobbly, but bright and dry foal was dancing by her side when the morning hay was tossed out! A week early, what a surprise! But mare and filly were happy and healthy so no complaints. It wasn't quite May yet, but the little filly was christened Mayflower, although other suggestions included Mischief and Mayhem The morning sun was melting away the frost, welcoming another sunny weekend day likely to filled with more visitors eager to meet our newest addition! As Justice pranced across the yard with half a deer leg hanging from her jaws (guess where the dogs disappeared to the day before now) I thought to myself while wrestling away the bone and sinew, just another day on Follyfarm.
Not a problem, steaks, salads, potatoes, and beer for all! As the evening meal was getting started two of our four legged friends were no where to be found. Pru and Justice (the staffidshore terriers) had taken themselves out for an afternoon constitutional and so off the search parties went as this is prime skunk/raccoon/porcupine season! After circling the block and trails our searchers arrived home to find two smelly and muddy pups laying on the front doorstep! Well, who knows what dead thing they found but at least they were home!! On to supper! Our kitchen and livingroom filled with guests and family as dinner preparations got underway. Puck and Bobcat two of Follyfarm's feline population had joined in the party. Puck must of felt that this larger group would need some help with dinner and brought in a live(ish) bird! Well the bird had enough life to soar around the room and entice Bobcat into chasing it down. A flurry of activity, some quick hands, and few squeals later the little bird was cornered and popped out a window where it happily (hopefully) flew to safety. Shortly after the cats contribution had flown the coop dinner was nearly ready! Unfortunately this was also around the time when it was noted that Frosty, the 36 yr old toothless wonder of a welsh pony, appeared to have choke. This was not the first time Frosty had choked and we immediately knew that the vet had to be called in. Dinner was now on the table and looked so good! 3 bites in, the vet and another carload of family arrived. Guests entertained guests while the vet worked her magic on good old Frosty. He unblocked like a charm, but started a wicked nosebleed that had the vet very concerned. However, a litre of blood later when the warm day had turned into a frosty evening the old pony was stable and had orders to remain quiet and off feed for the next 24 hours. "Well, What a night..." we all joked after Frosty and the rest of the horses had been tucked in for the night, "what else could happen now hahaha har har har..." We two legged creatures retired for the night but were plagued with strange dreams of escaping horses and cats with nosebleeds. Then in the early morning hours when the world was still pale and kissed with frost, Marigold (Haflinger mare) presented us with what else could happen now! A wobbly, but bright and dry foal was dancing by her side when the morning hay was tossed out! A week early, what a surprise! But mare and filly were happy and healthy so no complaints. It wasn't quite May yet, but the little filly was christened Mayflower, although other suggestions included Mischief and Mayhem The morning sun was melting away the frost, welcoming another sunny weekend day likely to filled with more visitors eager to meet our newest addition! As Justice pranced across the yard with half a deer leg hanging from her jaws (guess where the dogs disappeared to the day before now) I thought to myself while wrestling away the bone and sinew, just another day on Follyfarm.