reds

As gorgeous as they day you arrived Pumpkin HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY - HOPE THE PRESSIES WERE GOOD!

Alex, my heart is completely with you Glad she found something she liked, I wouldn't worry what it was within reason, as long as she has an appetite. Wonder if black pudding would tempt her?? How is she doing today?

I rather like his brother too!! You'd be surprised at the working lines - they don't look rottie at all if you think of the traditional show stamp. There's a very small rottie (fine build as well as height) in ob. and I would swear blind she was a cross but she has full long standing working line pedigree and her owner would clobber you if you suggested she wasn't a rott Good luck with the training for trials and/or agility, oh and more pics!

Ted Bear doesn't lick unless I've been away for a longer time than usual and I pick him up for a cuddle, or specifically ask for a kiss (how does that make me sound ), it's an occasion when he does. He's not a fussy dog by nature, prefers you to be doing something active instead. Can't see how it really has any connection whatosever with dominance!!!!!! He's just not that type of boy Jack puppy on the other hand could lick you until you shone

Isn't there a fear though that they'll come across as, 'not that bad', to those who don't fully appreciate all that they stand for? Especially as they will be doing their hardest to come across as 'reasonable' and a serious political party. Might it give them credibility to some? I doubt very much that appearing on the TV will make people change their minds about supporting them; their views will be embedded much too deep by other forces for that to happen I would find it very uncomfortable to be on the same table to be honest.

Clare and Andrea for the fright: Any news from the vet Clare?

Thanks Al for the pedigree, great to see It's nice knowing the ancestry of one of your animals - even if I don't have the knowledge to fully appreciate it! Duke was the same as Merlyn - bucket off food made him forget his stable woes and he's be waiting at the gate to come in Clare - any further improvements with Loki? Fantastic that Toggi will wait until you think fit. Make sure you let us ALL know when it is so we can buy up all the issues I left Duke out last night for the first time in what seems like a very long time. Being in the stable so much has been great for the bit of seedy toe he has and it's even pretty much cleared up now. I can see me being soft on them again this Winter! Worried about return of laminitis but Duke has 10 kilos of weight to play with (as in potential gain)and he really is still very skinny so for the last few weeks of the Summer field grass he can spend a few nights out which is something he has been asking for lately by walking in the opposite direction to the stabe at fetch in time It's made Cornish happy as he will actually go down the bottom of the field away from the stables to graze overnight now that Duke is out with him. They were in the shelter together again this morning which is reassuring. Oh and we have a few sunken fence posts - turns out when Cornish was on his nightly vigil in the paddock in front of Duke's stable, he'd park his bottom on the top rail of the fence, rest one back leg and go to sleep!! Wondered why the fence wasn't quite as sturdy as it was - thought it must be his windsucking Duke and Squeak's vet who was just wonderful with both of them, especially taking care of Squeak and all the arrangements, has reached the final of Petplan equine vet of the year. It's not announced yet but I hope it goes to public vote.

He is gorgeous and welcome home I'd agree that he looks like a full rottie though Working rotties can be tiny in comparison to show lines.

All my love Jules to you and Ollie. I really really really hope he improves a little and can have an easier few days. All I can say without sounding harsh or condescending is to not leave the decisions too long, regret doesn't fade with time.

I really like Miss Frank, they're different and aren't annoying! Got to be a first for the groups! I have Stacey to win by preference though.

I had a spate of this so can definitely relate to your pain, unbelievable how much it can hurt! To be honest I'd forgotten all about it as it hasn't happened for so long, since I started taking iron for anaemia I suppose. Advice on here was tonic water before bed which I also did. There could be an underlying reason or it could just be something that comes and goes. Depends how regularly it happens

Alex you are so brave (as is Marvelous Milly of course!) Really hope she ate a good dinner and keep telling that neighbour off Milly Lots of love to you all x

What on earth could a 'natural' poison be?? The even more worrying thing is the geographical closeness between Lincs. and Notts.

LOTS of come home thoughts and don't be scared Pixi

Congratulations Looking forward to the whole family pics (that was a hint by the way )

Glad you posted, have been thinking about you Good news for Con Cushings tests can be hard to call as you can easily get false positives and false negatives but at least if the results were borderline then that can't be bad either way!! Continued best thoughts

Bumble and Annie Glad the breakout was harmless fun! Duke is doing well thanks Collies Now up to 8hrs a day out, weight stable (read skinny) and feet good VERYrelieved for you Clare that all x-rays were clear, that's brilliant news Hope you can relax a bit now and get back to where you were? Fancy having a medical mystery all of your own Hope Loki has no more bother from any part of him! Duke and Cornish are out together now. Duke completely surprised me as in did the exact 100% opposite of what I expected and was incredibly nice to C and went straight in with the hearts and flowers approach, arms wide open. C was not too keen on being quite so touchy feely so after a couple of bitten bottoms I think they are now at an understanding and are happy to follow each other round and graze together and look out for where one another is. They even shared the shelter too. Duke has taken a back seat from his senior managerial position which is so bizarre given that he was always the boss of Squeak. Completely different and I thought I knew him! I hope they can groom together eventually as Duke must miss his daily back scratching sessions. Cornish follows you round the field when you muck out and whinnies to you in the morning His carrots and apples have to finely diced though, he simply can't eat them like a horse would. Every bit the gentleman. Oooohh - I rode Duke too when the ground was lovely and dry as a pay off for having all day out in the field. We managed to get out for three rides and not a single jog We even stopped and waited for Ted to have a scratch (right in front of us - typical bear!) and then again for Ted to have a roll! Stopping and walking especially on the way home are very rare occasions for Duke. But then it was ride 5 last time before normality kicked in.

Welcome home (worth the wait) Maude Love the name!

Thank you very much, wine successfully bought - based on something other than simply price tag!

Pictures! I've been completely amazed by Duke as he has been SO nice to him! verging on a little desperate in fact to make friends with the new boy in the class of 1 Totally the opposite of what I expected. Cornish has not been quite so bothered and not so in need of a friend it seems, so I really hope he accepts Duke as a buddy after he's had chance to get over the shock of his move. This morning Cornish was in the field he's been in for 18months with 6 others then he's taken out, loaded up, had a car ride and moved into a new home! The last photos I took were of Squeak but Squeak would respect anyone who took good care of his grass for him Please talk to me Hello Borrowing Squeak's rug as it was blowing a gale (appropriately) and freezing Please come back

Hi Clare Just how I'd describe them too! Have you been there? He is indeed by Strong Gale, I'm impressed! Loaded off the trailer when we got to the yard and he just walked to heel as it were, didn't pull or try to tank anywhere. I'm not used to horses with manners They've sniffed over the fence and Duke actually looked very pleased to see him and just wanted him to go over and talk to him, which surprised me. Cornish was more interested in checking out the grass decidedly non-plussed. A couple of squeals from Duke when Cornish started nibbling at his nose but he really does seem pleased to have a new companion. Going to leave them separate for a few days to get used to each other and resist the great temptation to open the field up and see how they get on! Will sort out pics tonight.

Hello I don't drink and have no knowledge of grapes beyond a certain stage. If someone was to give you a bottle of wine (probably red), what would be something a little more than 'ordinary'? - but still affordable!

I'm such a twit! Wish I didn't know now - I can see me embarrassing myself... It was a real real treat Meet you there Clare He's known as Cornish (Cornish Gale)and am hoping very much that Duke doesn't pull too many faces at him tomorrow. Still seems very surreal as never really thought about another but very excited. Will try and get a few pics.

Fingers crossed new farrier has some fresh ideas Clare and VERY glad he seems 'normal'! to your old boy, what a brilliant picture. Am feeling a little embarrassed now - just looking up address again for tomorrow and realised who the 'lovely people' were - trainers of Red Rum!!!! I know very little about racing - apparently Big gulps.

Sorry you've had such an awful experience Ange Horses 'should' be checked at least once a day but obviously this hasn't happened for whatever reason It would definitely be worth contacting your local horse watch group. They may know someone in that area to track down the owner. How horrible for the other horse http://www.ukhorsewatch.org.uk/