Thursday, November 18, 2010

Foot Sore Five Update

What a difference a few days make. The four assorted equines who were rescued by Sheila from their wretched, footsore existence are now looking like shipwrecked sailors who have washed up on a magical isle. They can't quite believe it and they fervently hope it isn't all an illusion.

Timothy, the mule with the elf slipper feet, has had a first trim done and is considerably more comfortable. The farrier is confident he will make a full recovery. He desperately wants to be sociable and though he has a few misgivings about the intentions of the human race, he has let the volunteers deburr his tail and legs, which were a solid mass of itching, scratching misery. His resemblance to the much larger Russell Mule is startling.

Stuart Donkey attaches himself firmly to anyone who will let him and is proving to be an affectionate and loving soul. He believes himself to be a donkey version of one of those lap dogs. His feet are looking, if not exactly normal after the first trim, then at least like underpinnings which have a bright future.

Paula Donkey gave Sheila a bit of a surprise shortly after her arrival. She demonstrated a stance whilst, uhhhm, micturating, that indicated clearly that SHE is a HE! A long and tangled winter coat, coupled with a low, shuffling gait brought on by aching feet kept the detail of gender a mystery. Now renamed Peter, his feet have not fared so well. One back foot is so contorted that an x-ray will be done to determine the level of damage. He is receiving pain relief until the vet can assess his condition further.

Juliette Pony likewise has one back hoof and leg that are permanently twisted as a result of years of neglect. Unlike Peter, she seems to have developed moves to compensate for the handicap and although her leg will never be right, she is not in pain.

And poor Lillian Llama - what of her? Well, progress is being made. She is taking her meals in the trailer and recently began to sleep in there as well. A kind vet tech delivers her warm meals twice a day. It has been decided that she will be happiest with her colleagues at the sanctuary and her move will take place very, very soon.

Shadow the goat, now renamed VanaRose, made clear to Laurel the volunteer that her ears were feeling the chill and so Laurel has made her several sets of ear covers, in varying thicknesses so she can weather the winter chill in comfort. They match her tartan winter blanket, giving her a stylish air not usually seen outside the larger fashion houses.

Billie, human to Rafer and Redford, has declared November 18th to be International Donkey Day. What a wise and considerate woman and what an excellent idea! I have yet, however, to receive gifts or even lavish praise from Herself. The status quo is obviously alive and well around here.

10 comments:

billie said...

I am so happy to see the after-trim photos - and keeping my fingers crossed for Peter that he can be helped into a pain-free status.

International Donkey Day should extend on through the weekend in honor of the Primrose Five.

Finn the Wonder Pony said...

I wholeheartedly agree with Billie! Hoo-Rah for the improved pedal units! VanaRose's head cover is pretty interesting. Don't think I would like my ears covered though; I've got some pretty good fuzzies going on...

Happy International Donkey Day/Weekend Sheaffer. I hope you soon get many treats, gifts and love from someone, if not herself...

ponymaid said...

Billie, how right you are. We can only hope that time will prove to be a kind healer. I have suggested a month long Donkey celebration but Herself just made unpleasant snorting noises.

ponymaid said...

Finn Pony, Jack is considering having some of those ear covers made - he is having a hard time with the cold weather even earlier this year. I must warn you, Herself has mentioned dropping in to visit sometime soon. I advise leaving a curt note pinned to your door announcing that you will be abroad for the forseeable future. And don't leave any pie where she can get at it.

Gazelle said...

It's lovely to see the much improved Donkey / Pony / Mule feet and to know they are receiving all the TLC they can handle. Poor things, especially Stuart it seems, must have been starving for affection. He probably remembers a time long, long ago when he was a much loved pet.

All they need now is to be reunited with their friend Lilian Llama. I'm hoping they'll be right at the gate to welcome her when she steps off the trailer ... and that someone will have a camera handy to record the happy event.

BumbleVee said...

Hahahaha.... that goat.... hilarious in her finery....but...hey...whatever works in our Canuck winters eh? We all look pretty strange in our many layers and our efforts to keep warm.

I'm so happy to hear the good news on most fronts...hopefully the other guys will get a little better yet ...given some more time and attention...and ...of course...all the love they can stand from the wonderful people at Sheila's...

ponymaid said...

Gazelle, the group is certainly making progress, albeit in a limpy sort of fashion. We too wondered about Stuart's former life and what exactly he remembers. Lillian Llama, like the curate in a Trollope novel, has "doubts" about the human race.

ponymaid said...

Vee, that is one smart goat to have made her ear dilemma known so clearly. She loves her toque,as all Canadians do, and no doubt has a hankering for maple syrup that will soon also be made clear. We all wonder what winter togs Laurel will create next and for which species.

Buddy said...

Hay Sheaffer - what a great update on the newby's at Sheila's. I especially like the ear covering thingys - very stylish - of course I have fuzzy ears inside and out and do not need such a thing.

Sorry I missed Donkey Day - hope you all had a great day!

Getting cold here - maybe wearing my blankie tonight - arghhhh!

Your fren,

ponymaid said...

Buddy, I'm alarmed to hear that you are already experiencing blanket weather. Are you quite sure about not needing ear covers?