Lily

The vet came by this morning to check Lily, who attempted to bow a tendon two weeks ago. We were all extremely pleased to see that the injured left leg, which has been in a gel cast for two weeks, is now identical to the perfect right leg. The vet couldn’t get even an ear flicker as she palpated the leg, so Lily is not feeling any tenderness. It couldn’t be better at this stage.

For three days we will keep her in her current tiny paddock (made by closing off the end of a long run) without any cast or other support. Then, if all goes well, she will be allowed into the larger ran. In ten days or so, I will begin handwalking her. Despite the good news, we still have a lengthy rehabilitation ahead of us.

Dudley

Dudley with his bone
Whenever I give him a chew (this one was chosen because of its supposedly superior teeth cleaning abilities) Dudley will lay with it between his paws for about a half an hour. I have never been able to decide if he is savoring the anticipation, or hoping desperately that somebody will come along and try to take it from him.

Shrek 2

I saw Shrek 2 with Jack this afternoon. I haven’t laughed so much in a very long time. Even the screaming infant did little to detract from my pleasure. Since I am not a student of popular culture, I am sure there were many references I didn’t catch. However, I did catch one thing before Jack did….

Continue reading Shrek 2

Life (and death) in the country

I wondered why so many corvids, both magpies and ravens, had been hanging around the barn the past 24 hours. When I went out to feed the horses, I found the answer: an extensively cannibalized magpie. Following my accustomed procedure, I used a manure fork to pick it up, without looking at it anymore than necessary, and tossed it over the fence into the brushy area. I figured any risk of contagion had already taken place.

I know that when West Nile fever first moved into the area, the public health authorities were interested in collecting avian corpses, but I think everyone accepts that it is here now. One of my vets was quite ill from it last year, which she traced to one mosquito bite that she received in Pueblo county last year. I had been dilatory about getting the home horses vaccinated this year, but had scheduled an appointment a few days ago. I am glad he is coming this afternoon.