We get our snow and the ponies run in their bells

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A post shared by Katherine Dunn / Apifera Farm (@katherinedunnapiferafarm)

 If you follow on social media you know we have wanted snow, not only for White Dog, but so we can run the ponies. It was a pretty, fluffy blanket, perfect for Captain Sparkles tender feet and he and The Teapot are just pure joy to watch.

The joy is good for us, as we are journeying through White Dog's bone cancer. I write about it extensively on IG and FB so follow the journey there. I can't take enough photos of him. The main thing is I was focusing too much on the physical signs, and thanks to a dear soul sister I realized I was not letting him set the pace for what is to him, a spirit journey. He trusts me, and I must trust him, in our language and communication with one another. I must trust my senses so I can do right by him when the time does come. And that time is not today. One day at a time.

A friend sent me this qoute and it is so spot on with the feelings right now with White Dog. I know tohers who are also facing this in between time with loved ones. It is uncomfortable.

"It's hard to be there, that space between what no longer is and what is yet to be..." 

My little shining Sparkle

He is so gorgeous in the morning sun. He was tied up because the farrier came today. Captain Sparkle had severe laminitis and Cushings that was not being treated or cared for when Horse With Hope took him on-they did a great job helping him and at some points weren't sure if he'd make it through the lamanitis. Grateful he did. But about a year into being here, he started really acting up with foot trims. One day was so bad, and dangerous for him and the farrier, that we give him a little oral sedative for trim days. I don't want him having any bad associations with foot trims again, after all he went through-nor do I want my farrier to struggle with that.

I really am hoping for a few inches of snow so I can let him and The Teapot run in their bells. They only run in snow. If there is one cold short blade of grass to be found, they will find it. But they really love to run. I feel like Captain Sparkle has been a bit blue lately. I put him in with The Teapot the other day thinking he might enjoy it, but she is such a little sass pants that he can't get near the hay, and there he was, standing out in the paddock all alone, looking perplexed. He prefers being with Biggs and Harry.

I love him.

Beauty Parlor Day-healing for elders and equines [and me]

We had two of our elder friends out from Lincoln Home today, along with a caretaker and my equine helper. Our task was simple-groom the equines, and have fun making The Teapot girly for one day. Becasue these two women are able bodied we could work in the equine barn which was great becasue all the equines were there. I had Captain Sparkle tied up to work on his ground manners, and The Teapot was with him on a lead. Biggs didn't even need a halter, he stood and loved the attention and grooming. I had Boone tied in the paddock and he really loved the grooming too.

It was really fun. And at the end of an hour and a half one of them said she loved hearing all the stories being shared too. That was so true. I actually know one of these residents who lived near by when we got here aso it was really special to spend time with her, and we shared stories of past things.

We are going to make it a regular outing for these two women-both are starving for fresh air, touch and animals-one of them lived with horses so this is really nice for her.

It is fun doing these smaller intimate get togehters too for healing times.

And the equines loved it, especially Biggs. He truly, truly loves humans-somebody did something right with him at some point in his life. Sparkle was a spitfire but did fine. He needs to partake more like this and learn better manners but we all agreed-we adore him and his Beatle haircut! The Teapot was very good and stood pretty well, I think she was once doted on by her little girls before they grew up and wanted bigger horses.

Facetime Friday! And we visit the sea, quickly.

{Photos are views from the other side, from the elders view watching Facetime chat on a screen]

Captain Sparkle walked into the house like he knew exactly what he was doing. No fear, just spunk and sass in true Captain Sparkle fashion. He was not much interested in standing still however but that's okay. He did great and the elders loved having a pony in the house. They really wanted him to poop because we all agree that no matter how old we are, pooping is funny, as is farting.

And of course, my other mystery guest was the birthday boy. We all sang to him. They all loved it. He got the day off which was nice.

We were up early and I got more ice buildup in paddocks cleaned, slowly the ground is reappearing and the poop frozen to ice is lessening. We took an hour out of our day to drive to Pemaquid Point just to see the ocean and drove home. Doesn't take much for us to be content on our birthdays. Each time I'm there-it's only about 20 minutes away, I wonder what it must be like to wake up to the sea. I guess if I had to pick the sea or mountains I'd pick mountains, but there is a mystery and magic to 'living on the sea'. It has a lot of issues that most non ocean people don't think about but there is a romance to it for sure. The small coastal villages are so charming. We actually drove down the road that our old friend David had lived in his younger years-David is the man that recently died, at age 103, and he loved animals and came to our farm and we also took Harry to visit him. He gave us his pony bells and we cherish them. When I was on his road, there aren't many houses on the loop road, I thought of him and wondered which one it was. There was sort a a sad part for me to be there, and know he lived there once and could see the ocean and be there in that spot and that he eventually had to leave it. I thought of him sitting on a porch deck just looking out to sea, maybe thinking of past days, or future ones, or his departed wife. The sea provides a rhythm for one's thoughts, it seems to calm but also keep waves of ideas flowing as we watch it. It creates both ideas but also sometimes answers. I always felt that about swimming-it helped me decompress the day, but it also helped me think of solutions for things I was working on.

One of the elder residents that loves cats said that she was moved to tears seeing the cats on our Facetime Fridays. She meant it that brought her such joy. But...it is a loss when you go into an elder care facility, there is no way getting by that. One's attitude is important, as are the staff around you, but it is still a lot of loss and letting go of a former life.

We all laughed that when the new horse comes next week, he might be too big to bring in the house. And Martyn chimed in that he might have to put his foot down on that one. But I said to my elder friends, "How would he know, he'll be off at work?"

Here is pure joy for you

 

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A post shared by Katherine Dunn / Apifera Farm (@katherinedunnapiferafarm)

The first snow brought the first jingle bell romp. More to come this season, I'm sure. Enjoy!

All I can give you is running ponies

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A post shared by Katherine Dunn / Apifera Farm (@katherinedunnapiferafarm) on Mar 22, 2020 at 8:46am PDT

I am as drained as anyone reading this as we all face such uncertain times. It's is a strange, unsettling time. Lots of fear out there causing lots of unhealthy behaviors–like hoarding food.

Every day I think, what can I write today that might offer some comfort?

And then I just think, show them the running ponies.

I have not come up with any words and my well is dry right now. I did just birth the White Dog book [should be arriving in April] and there is always a tiredness after the book goes to the printer-a good tired. I am lucky to live on the farm around Nature and so many different creatures. I worked a lot with my animals this weekend, including the ponies and llamas. I think the best I can do right now is just share them, through video and photos...perhaps it will help someone smiles and feel less isolated or scared or worried.

Martyn and I are okay, and again we are lucky to have jobs that allow us to be outside. Life is pretty much like it always is, except for the overall seriousness of the situation, and the madness at the grocery store. And I can't get into the elder home to do my animal visits with Bear and Opie, that is very upsetting. I hope to do more LLama Window Walks with Harry.

I am on my way into my studio. Perhaps something will come out and I can share it with you later.

Bur for now, all I can give is running ponies.

Captain Sparkle enters boot camp

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A post shared by Katherine Dunn / Apifera Farm (@katherinedunnapiferafarm) on Mar 1, 2020 at 9:17am PST

I started working with Captain Sparkle this weekend now that weather is [trying] to warm up. The new addition is big enough for ground work within reason. My goal is simply to 1] have fun 2] let him have fun 3] and build confidence and trust between us. He is a good little chap. His biggest hang up so far is using his mouth occasionally to 'speak' with his lips, i.e. a slight grab of my sleeve. The people at Horses with Hope worked on that too and I know they helped a lot. Sparkle had some training at some point, you can tell. I want to do agility type things with him. I think he'll enjoy it, as I could see he did yesterday with the step. And he really enjoyed the praise. My goal is to work with him and then see how he does with therapy work. The Teapot can partake in this too but I thought I'd focus on Sparkle right now. Then I'll put Arlo into agility work too to help with his training.

I sure do love the little guy. I read somewhere recently that an animal diagnosed with Cushings usually only lives another five years. This was so upsetting to read. And I hope it is just a gross generalization. I'll ask my vet next time she is here. But I love Captain and want him here for a long time even though he is youngish elder.

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A post shared by Katherine Dunn / Apifera Farm (@katherinedunnapiferafarm) on Mar 1, 2020 at 9:21am PST

Joy

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A post shared by Katherine Dunn / Apifera Farm (@katherinedunnapiferafarm) on Jan 17, 2020 at 8:32am PST

The videos of the ponies running in snow makes everybody happy. So here you go...some joy.

This is for you...to simply make you happy

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A post shared by Katherine Dunn / Apifera Farm (@katherinedunnapiferafarm) on Dec 3, 2019 at 8:31am PST

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A post shared by Katherine Dunn / Apifera Farm (@katherinedunnapiferafarm) on Dec 3, 2019 at 8:34am PST

The ponies jingle all the way-this will make you smile

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A post shared by Katherine Dunn / Apifera Farm (@katherinedunnapiferafarm) on Nov 23, 2019 at 1:14pm PST

I could watch them all day! I bought some bells and tried them out on The Teapot and Captain Sparkle. They stood patiently while I put them on, no fear at all, and then...they were off! Now we need some snow!

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A post shared by Katherine Dunn / Apifera Farm (@katherinedunnapiferafarm) on Nov 23, 2019 at 1:19pm PST

Sometimes you just need to not wonder so much

I really love Captain Sparkle. His personality is emerging as he grows more confidant in his new home. Well, he also has to contend with the boss mare sassy pants aka The Teapot, but he holds his own. He basically defers to her and stays out of her way when there is hay. When I feed in the morning, he patiently waits for me to arrange things, and comes to my side since he knows I'll escort him into the stall and make Teapot move out.

I've been wanting to find something special for Captain Sparkle to be part of, and The Teapot. I don't know if hauling him to therapy visits is the the job, but I will bring him out next spring for sure. He needs more time and handling.

I've been thinking of agility for the two of them, and me. It would be fun. I had started some agility with Arlo the llama but never got a course up. I will keep at it. I need a team! Maybe we will put on a show!

Sometimes, I think it is best not to ponder this much about what his purpose or job is. I will let him be, and continue to have fun with him. Maybe his job is just that.

It's just so fun to work with an animal on different levels, it creates a bond that is much deeper than just owning it and caring for it. Working with an animal brings out connections that might not happen otherwise.

I asked him this morning, "Captain Sparkle, is there something you'd like to try doing, is there something you need to do that will lift you up somehow?"

He did not answer.

I think he too is wondering. Or not. Time will make it clearer.

Boone likes his little Mini Me

Sun napping is an important job

If you open a space, they will come to you, they will shift

Captain Sparkle leans into my guest

I wanted to write about this before I get swept up in the next days of the annual event [on Saturday]. Some beautiful encounters took place in the last couple days. I can say this is a daily thing here, but sometimes even I am reminded of the intuitive skills of nature and animals [and humans if we can recognize it and practice it].

Yesterday friends came to visit for the morning all the way from Oregon. It was so great to take time with them, since they knew Apifera out west from the onset, and actually delivered several Misfits to me to help out, including goats and dear sweet Hughie. But what was even more special for me was to see how some of the animals responded to the visit. I was surprised but also delighted that of all the current animals, I never thought Captain Sparkle would show such camaraderie with a guest. I've only had him out with strangers once as you know, and he did fine, but was a bit sidetracked since we were in a strange place. So when we stepped into his paddock where he lives with Arlo and The Teapot, we we all so happy to see that he almost immediately went up to my friend Lisa and leaned into her. He was so quiet and calm, and even started napping. He stood there the entire time. I felt a real shift in him in the last week or so. I think he definitely understands now that he is safe, and that I am the leader and protector against the boss pants, aka The Teapot. Captain Sparkle just swept me away on this visit, and I knew that in time, this little chap will evolve his purpose here, and get great reciprocal healing from it.

There was also an exciting–for me–shift with Harry. We went into the new barn addition to hang out with the donkeys and Harry, and we probably stood there for a half hour or more chatting. Within time, Harry started coming over to me. Harry is not scared or mean, he is still just ungrounded here, but he has begun to recognize my role here. My friend noticed he was paying close attention to me [wow, someone really listens to me].

It dawned on me that the way to put this into words...is that when we give the animals space, they can feel comfortable making their own intuitive response. If you back a horse into a corner and he doesn't trust you, it's dangerous and scary for the horse; if you give that horse space to understand the situation, he responds more calmly. 

I realized that having some people there that I was focused on, allowed Harry to feel more open to exploring...me.

It was a shift.

And then this morning a heart in throat encounter. Many of you who follow along know the beautiful story of friendship between The Goose and Birdie the llama. He was with her through it all. And you know that The Goose seems to gravitate to those in need. I do not take his skill lightly. We all know that Else is very old and crippled and fading...but this morning when I came back from the outer barn, she had brought herself outside to sun, without my help. I squatted down to take a photo as Opie stood near her. And in seconds, The Goose came over to make sure things were as they should be. He preened her some, but not a lot, circled her, and they tilted their heads together for seconds.

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A post shared by Katherine Dunn / Apifera Farm (@katherinedunnapiferafarm) on Oct 3, 2019 at 9:22am PDT

The Goose checks on old Else

My friend Lisa gets a surprise visit from Harry