tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post3828910125031603296..comments2024-02-29T09:31:25.294-05:00Comments on camera-obscura: the next day - keeping the little donkey happybilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-158053378731292252008-09-02T07:35:00.000-05:002008-09-02T07:35:00.000-05:00Thanks, Victoria - I had a 90-minute hot stone mas...Thanks, Victoria - I had a 90-minute hot stone massage yesterday, which was wonderful. <BR/><BR/>And I probably don't say this enough, but let me say it really clearly since it's even more true this week: my husband and daughter do a LOT of work when it comes to the animals. My son told me yesterday that he will try to pitch in more with household chores. So it's in no way true that I am doing all this alone.<BR/><BR/>That said, it is also true that I tend to assume I can keep everything rolling at all times. So the reminders from you and others are good - there will certainly be things that don't get done and I need to make sure taking care of my self isn't one of them. :)<BR/><BR/>Funny - Janet had a post on Elk at her blog last week and it reminded me ahead of time that I need to make sure I keep the basics in place for ME.billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-68033757905850560822008-09-02T07:14:00.000-05:002008-09-02T07:14:00.000-05:00Bilie - You've got things figured out so beautiful...Bilie - You've got things figured out so beautifully for Rafer - I'm sure his healing will go faster thanks to the love that you and the other animals are giving him. So, now, you need to take care of yourself - This must be so stressful and you can't afford to get sick right now. Be careful and give yourself some TLC.Victoria Cummingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17267314663679137147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-49903971177044997152008-09-01T21:49:00.000-05:002008-09-01T21:49:00.000-05:00Thanks, Linda. For the comment AND for your lovely...Thanks, Linda. For the comment AND for your lovely post today. I saw it first thing this morning and it REALLY started the day off with a smile and gratitude. <BR/><BR/>I also got a big kick thinking of good thoughts coming from one set of long donkey antenna ears to another one. :)billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-69509299803524968492008-09-01T20:59:00.000-05:002008-09-01T20:59:00.000-05:00Short of providing him with his own DVD player and...Short of providing him with his own DVD player and a stack of his favorite movies, it sounds like you've got all of Rafer's needs met...and then some! How perfect that he can still be around his herd. Once you and your family have a few days of rehab under your belts, it will just be part of your daily routine. But I'll echo Janet's comment - take care of yourself now, too.the7msnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01082802012105875164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-67878825046136166692008-09-01T20:31:00.000-05:002008-09-01T20:31:00.000-05:00Thank you, Janet. It's true that he has a full-car...Thank you, Janet. It's true that he has a full-care staff! I was thinking today that we would probably do a decent job of providing rehab care for horses needing it. But what a commitment! My hat is off already to those who do this kind of thing on a regular/full-time basis.billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-65011439039542991472008-09-01T20:17:00.000-05:002008-09-01T20:17:00.000-05:00Arlene, that's a great tip about using the existin...Arlene, that's a great tip about using the existing corner areas with round pen panels. We could do it in each barnyard for some variety, as well as the grass paddock. <BR/><BR/>Today the pony chose to get his massage right at Rafer's stall door, Salina was hanging her head over the stall right next to him, and Keil Bay had his head hanging in from the back door. Cody was across the barn aisle and Mystic the teenaged kitten was dashing in and out. So I felt like the whole crew were truly forming a circle around little Rafer.<BR/><BR/>jme, thanks for the tip about the hay net with tiny holes - we probably need something like that for the pony too! I think if I can get some different things set up to keep Rafer busy he'll be happier - the hay net, the Jolly ball, the treat dispenser with carrot chunks or his pellets, etc. <BR/><BR/>Donkey Montessori!<BR/><BR/>He is getting very perky since the afternoon. I took a container of tiny apple and carrot chunks out and sat in his stall dispensing them one at a time over some conversation. He brightened up and was very interested and focused. <BR/><BR/>So we simply have to come up with ways to bring some engaging activity to him in the stall.billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-77661877976153355222008-09-01T20:03:00.000-05:002008-09-01T20:03:00.000-05:00So sorry to hear about Rafer! That's hard on ...So sorry to hear about Rafer! That's hard on us when something like that happens to those we love. It sounds like Rafer is taking it in stride, and that he has a full care staff, 2 legged and 4 legged.<BR/><BR/>Don't forget to take care of yourself during this time.<BR/><BR/>We're all sending healing and <BR/>Harmony,<BR/>Janet, Shiloh<BR/>Dogs Emmie & Teddy<BR/>Cats Billy, Mitzie & RavenJanet Roperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16305454960382923870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-6130641666157125412008-09-01T19:38:00.000-05:002008-09-01T19:38:00.000-05:00i am so glad he's settled in and doing well. it s...i am so glad he's settled in and doing well. it sounds like you have the perfect set-up for his rehab, and it's so great that his friends are there to keep him company. salina is so sweet. we have one horse who is unusually sensitive to others in distress and will stay close to them and try to comfort them the way she seems to be doing for rafer j.. that and all of the love and attention he's getting has to make him feel better already :-) four months goes faster than you think...<BR/><BR/>ps- i love hay nets with tiny holes for stall rest because it keeps them busy with their hay all day...jmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04295140724737185132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-20518763640335935642008-09-01T17:13:00.000-05:002008-09-01T17:13:00.000-05:00The pony feeding sounds hilarious. I'm sure eventu...The pony feeding sounds hilarious. I'm sure eventually he will just eat it out of the tub. <BR/>Poor Rafer, it is so good that he can have his friends Salina and Dickens visit him and help him recover. I'm sure he will be fine.<BR/><BR/>Just a quick note, we used portable round pen panels to set up an outside 'stall' within a paddock for Mellon. We used a corner to incorporate the corners of he regular fencing and then the panels to finish off a pen. He was much happier when his friends could visit and he could see them. Hope Rafer continues to improve and keep his good attitude.Grey Horse Mattershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05837575441967937196noreply@blogger.com