The Animal Update

We've got a lot of animals. You can't turn a corner in the house without tripping on the dog. You can't try to sit in a chair without checking for a cat, and if you look out the window you'll see horses.

Nibs and Sam have become close. Real close. Sometimes there's not space between them for the Holy Spirit. 

They have their tiffs. Carrie thinks Nibs will challenge Sam as the alpha one day, but overall if you see one you probably see the other, too.

Maddy is much lower on the totem pole and frequently the odd mare out. Nibs in particular herds and reigns her around without Maddy sticking up for herself.

Loki is starting to get braver about the horses. It used to be he would run off whenever they snorted. I was holding him in the barn once when a horse sniffed us. I could tell Loki was scared because he pissed all over my hand!

The horses have largely ignored him, but they're starting to notice him getting braver.

They all noticed me trying to take a picture in this one.

Loki is starting to stick around when I do my barn chores. It used to be he'd follow me to the barn and then hoof it back to the house when I started to stall horses. He's begun to go into the fields with me and even run around while the horses are there. So far, no one has startled on either side.

In the house, Loki has developed an obsession with shoes. He likes to gather them under the dining room table.

Carrie started it. "He has your boots," I said. "Do you really want him to messing with them?"

"I don't care," was the reply. It kept Loki out of her hair and her smelly barn boots weren't a priority.

Loki doesn't usually chew on the shoes....but he's much more likely to if you want the shoe back. I don't know if he equates them with people leaving or not, but he was trying to eat my laces as I tied my shoes the other morning.

Loki is like a shadow. He will follow you anywhere.

Anywhere.

He does not like to be left alone. It's useful for when you're outside, because he's not likely to run off too far.

He's happy to bug the cats if they're nearby, too. He and Max almost got into a fight only he wasn't aware. He kept running up to her and trying to play. She'd bat and chase him off and whenever she turned around he'd come running back! Loki knows she's the boss, but he's clueless and won't quit!

The only way to end the pestering is to go vertical.

Max has shown a willingness to jump off the table into a chair to get Loki in range. He's not stupid and makes a tactical withdraw.

Bucket is still not a fan. She will be on the floor with him, but she doesn't like it. She's afraid to turn her back to him and unwilling to take the offence. What she really wants (other than for puppy to disappear) is to go from high ground to high ground and to see as little of Loki as possible.

Bucket's been willing to chase off Max post-puppy, so it's a strange game of rock-paper-scissors (Bucket - Loki - Max).

It keeps things lively.

And it makes for some fun photo shots, too.