today

Claire has been having trouble pooping and last week Dr. Dave gave her an enema to clean her out. It sort of worked but yesterday it was getting worse. This morning I got her an appointment. It was at 9:30 and I thought about just going over and checking the cows and horses when I got back. But I make a point to check Leilani's feet first thing every morning so I went out. I heard something before I got there. Cass had slipped on the ice and couldn't get up. There was a thin strip of ice on the cement and that's what she slipped on. I was horrified. I tried to push her off but couldn't because it was too slick. All the other horses circled me so they could comment. They were very careful not to step on the ice. I got her off by rolling her over. She jumped up and ran to the bale feeder. I followed her and saw that she was shivering. No surprise. I put some hay and water in the barn and got her blanket and put her in. I could tell she was warming up. Then I got Claire and went to the doctor. We were there quite awhile. They think she's constipated way up inside and it's going to take awhile to get it out. This is probably from bad eating habits.What little they got out had bone chips in it. That's what they think plugged her up. Dr. Dave hasn't called so she'll probably stay the night. When I got home I let Cass out. She was ready. I left her blanket on. It didn't get very warm today. On cold days like this Lucy and Buzz usually go inside while I feed but I made Lucy stay out tonight. She was ok with it, I think she knew she had a little more responsibility tonight with Claire gone.

Claire

This morning I was a little surprised because Claire wanted out twice first thing in the morning. Then a little later I saw her and she looked like she wanted to go to the bathroom. We made a run for the backdoor and everyone went bursting out. Then I noticed she was trying to go but couldn't. I called Dr. Dave and they said bring her at 9:30. It didn't take much to make it official that she was constipated. I left her there since it could take awhile. Dr. Dave called a little before noon and said they had to give her 2 enemas but it was working now. I got her a little after 1. Claire was very cheery about the whole thing. What was plugging her up was horse feed. You just never know.

weather

It was a little better today. Not very warm but lots of sun and the wind didn't blow. Paula waited until I went out before she left. We took the big pickup down the road so she could go. It got deep for awhile. She thought Buzzie would go with us. I said he'd make it too the gate and not much farther. That's what he did, then he got that look he gets on his face and I let him and Lucy back in. Neither one has the coat like Claire has and she is mixed about staying out too long. Well so am I. This evening when we went out Buzz just popped right along. I'd bladed a lot of area so he could actually move. Lucy had been digging around a pipe looking for a rabbit and Buzz found it immediately. So Buzz started poking around like he always does. He completely ignored everything round him and totally focused on getting something out of the pipe. He worked hard for awhile and then he came to find me with that look on his face so I let him back in.

cold

It's been so cold the dogs haven't helped me much. Claire is the only one that goes with me, not that I blame them. This morning I was chopping ice for the cows. The cows were waiting as I chipped away. Wow it was hard. The horses don't seem bothered. I wondered about Cass since she's getting older and I'm not sure how good she feels but she's doing fine. Somehow they've been getting snowballs on their feet. I have to take a hammer to knock it off since it's so hard. It's so cold and the snow is so dry I don't see how it can stick but it does. Claire has some pills she takes every day. 2 of them she eats just fine. Today I put them on the rug in front of her. I took my sweatshirt off and saw Claire eating one and Lucy eating the other. Oops. Usually Claire doesn't like the other ones but she ate them right away before Lucy could get another. So I gave all the dogs some dog biscuits.