Pedicures All Around

Saturday sure keep me busy.   Up early and out the door to give those new hoof trimmers a breaking in.  I thought I would start with the biggest baby on the farm "Chief" - who is a Great Pry who has always had big issues with getting his toenails clipped.  Over time it has taken three of us to do the job but now it is just me so I will have to out smart him rather then strong arm him.  I went and sat in the pasture which meant the bottle kids came a running to get all the attention they could and so did Chief.  He loves being loved on and can not live with the babies getting more then him.  I first took Goldie and clipped her hooves - not much to them and then gave tons of hugs and snugs.

Next up was Max who was so brave and just stood while I picked up each hoof and clipped what little he had.  I then rubbed through his lush ringlets and scratched between his horns.  He melts like butter and before we knew it Max was in my lap and just loving the attention.  This really got Chief going.  Chief rolled and pushed trying to get in my lap and with each attempt I pushed him away.  Now don't get too upset -  there is a plan in motion.  With me doing that he wants it even more and so by the time I removed Max from my lap Chief was primed.  He rolled into my lap spilling over each leg.  Before he knew it I had snipped two toenails and he took off running but the moment he saw me snuggling the goats again he ran right back.  So quickly I did as many as he would allow and he would run off again.  This happened several times until we were all done and then I spent a great deal of time snuggling him and letting him slobber all over me.  Did I forget to mention that another pair of earphone bit the dust thanks to Goldie.  As I was getting up off the ground she jumped on my back (BAD Goldie) and managed to with one bite take the wird and cut it in half.  I had it threaded thru my shirt and jacket were I thought no one could see but I guess I was wrong.  Thank good I now purchase them four at a time...  BAD GOLDIE....

Now I am off to do Kasha.  She has always been a gem with this process.  Her front nails never really need clipping because of her continual digging so the back legs where to be done.  She has two dewclaw's that curl - always been that way but she is great and lets me snip them without an issue  Tons of snuggles and slobbers were shared and on to the biggest kid on the farm.

Sophia is Chief's sister and has a completely different personality.  She is like a puppy and ticklish to say the least.  She runs around like a nutter and can drop you to the ground without thinking so I have to watch it around her.  I sat on the ground as she ran and ran around till she was to tired to do anything but lay next to me.  With each toenail I clipped it was like you put a firecracker under her.  She jumps, wiggles and leaps but will come right back for the next one.  It takes time but I don't force them into anything because they are big dogs and can give one a very big bite if they feel you are going to hurt them or pressure them.  So after all the childish behavior we got it done and then I spent a great deal of time rubbing her ticklish tummy and rolling all over her - she loves me to be just as silly as she is - guess we both still have it in us even thou we are both growing older.

So after all that I was covered in white dog hair, sticky with slobber and ready to call it a day but there is no rest for the wicked.  It was on to do a few of the goat girls and a couple of the goat boys.  I still have many who need their snips done but I have also learned that if I just push too hard at them I will spend the day chasing and fighting - it is better to do it in sections. 

So the new clippers are a dream, got some of the sillies done and I gave myself a great workout..  Now, it was off to move more wood, pick up more wind blown broken pieces and trash that seem to fly out of peoples cars as they tear down the dirt road in front of the farm. By the time I got back into the house I was just plain tired.  Then I started picking two Alpaca fleeces and a Cashmere fleece of mine to get ready to card into some amazing batts.  I also had a great conversation with a dear friend and then sat on the couch ready to be a potato and get thru emails and such but instead fell asleep in a big lump.  Guess I put in a good days work. 

What did you do???