The Worst Month of My Life

This has to officially be the worst month ever. After the dramas of the last couple of weeks things have taken a dramatic turn for the worse (that doesn't sound right but I can't think how else to say it).

My beautiful Brina swallowed a large bone that got stuck in her oesophagus (sp?). She is currently at the vets where she underwent thoracic surgery last night to renove the bone and, it turned out they needed to remove a portion of her oesophagus as it was badly damaged by the bone. Right now allwe can do is hope that the oesophagus mends as if it doesn't I will need to get up there quickly to say goodbye.

The surgery is incredibly expensive and I am blessed with wonderful family who will ensure that we can pay the bill to bring her home but it means that I will need to sell Spyke to try and pay them back.

I cannot put into words how devestated I am by the turn of events in my life or how grateful I am for the amazing support I have had from family, friends and even complete strangers.

Please, please, please get well Brina. I need you in my life.

Gonna Be Homeless

It has been an interesting couple of weeks. Last week in particular was very trying and stressful. One of the major things that came out of last weeks dramas is that I am going to be homeless!!! :-( Fortunately it won't be for about 4 years but the house that I rent from bro is going to compulsorily (?) purchased by the NZTA and they are going to bulldoze it and turn it into an offramp for the motorway. I am really sad about it as I really like living here.

The animals are all fine. I have a picture of  'Sammie's pipe'. I took it while up at the forest today in the pouring rain. The river is up here but it is not as high as it was the day Sammie got swallowed. The water is normally in the bottom quarter of the pipes, on the day Sammie was swallowed the water almost covered the pipes.

Sammie's Bridge

The pipe just behind her is the one that she went through.

Last weekend I hosted a Prenzel Tasting at the house. There weren't many of us there but I feel that it was a 'quality crowd'. We tasted lots of schnapps, oils, ice cream sauces and things and between us all we managed to order HEAPS. The order arrives tomorrow and I am really looking forward to it. As the host I got loads of free stuff too. :-)

The next morning we had a really good frost which meant it was cold enough that my car wouldn't start. So after spending waaaaaaay too much money on the night before I had to get a new battery too. Oops!!!

The Prenzel Lady

Listening to the Prenzel Lady

The horses are well. Spyke is looking a bit lighter than I would like but Tai is looking FAB. I have changed their diet to give Spyke more protein in the hope that will give hime the boost he needs (Tai is THRILLED LOL).

Spyke Looking Light

Tai @ Nearly 29

I started doing a bit of ground work with Spyke on Friday evening. He was a bit shocked!!! I think he thinks that it is a) far too cold to have his cover off, b) way too soon to be starting work. SURELY it is still holiday time. I am planning on gettin him going in a few weeks. Yay!!!!

And just because I am into taking pics of the weather (when I have my camera on me)

Winter Sunset

A Scary Moment

Last weekend I had what was one of the scariest moments ever. Kristina and I took the dogs for a walk in the forest. We had a lovely walk and were just heading back to the car when Sammie went to have a swim in the stream, which was running really high after the rain. I was going to stop her but thought I was just being over protective and let her swim. She went into the water and started to swim. The current was strong and I went to call her out when her butt started being swept into the pipes that went under the bridge. Before I could even move she had disappeared under the water and into the pipe. there was nothing I could do!!! I ran to the other end of the pipe and prayed that she she would pop out the other end. It seemed like forever but she DID pop out, thank goodness. THEN it looked like she was going to swept down river. I was freaking out a little (lot) but she calmy swam to shore and then came to me and looked at me as if to say "What?"
She was completely fine!! She didn't have any water up her nose, in her ears...or anything? I was fine until I got home and then I had a bit of a meltdown.

Anyhoo, all was well and we are all fine. :-)

Life has not been exciting (other than the nearly drowned Sammie) and I am quite happy for it to stay that way after that experience. The house is nearing a state of cleanliness as I have lots of time for house work. Wheeeee!!

This weekend we went for a walk at the botanic gardens with Gill and Storm and Kristina and Georgia. We took the cart and the girls had a cart each.

Today it is wet, wet, wet so more housework was achieved. Here are some pics:

At the Botanic Gardens

Winter Spyke

Winter Tai