Tima the KuneKune was bloodied and tired with just a hint of a smirk when I came out for afternoon chores yesterday. Bleeding scratches on her shoulder but I got out the iodine. No-one likes the iodine. But fighting is not rewarded.
Wai (the rescue pot belly) would not come out of his corner at all. Not injured but full of complaints. He laid in the dark corner of his bedroom and loudly demanded Dinner in Bed. He got up to eat with bad grace and did not come out of his room all evening. Even Mr Flowers (the peacock) put his head around the corner to see if he was alright.
But he and Mr Flowers were at the bottom of the steps ready for breakfast as usual this morning.
So. You and I can only imagine that there had been more fighting yesterday. Again. And no one won. Again.
Wai has the tusks (or at least one tusk) so that would account for the scratches on Tima’s shoulder.
But Tima has the stamina so that would account for Wai going to bed early.
They do this every year. (Sigh).
I will let Tima out for a short supervised visit this morning then back in her field while I am out.
These children!!
The Barn
These two have lived together without a break for over five years – Big Jude does run FreeBee off if FreeBee has not finished his food fast enough but as a rule they are a peaceful pair.
The Farmer
Your farmer with a dirty face. I let the red stemmed dogwood outside my Goldilocks windows grow high in the summer to cool my study. Air coming through leaves can be cooled up to 10F degrees. Soon I will begin to trim the bushes though, so the winter sun can warm the room.
The Walk
Twice now BooBoo has tried to peel off with TonTon (who is old and is allowed just a short walk) and not go for the full evening walk. He literally sat down with Ton in the middle of the drive, watched me walk away and refused to come any further. Boo is very well trained so this is plain stubbornness – he knows it is not good behaviour. So I have had to gently attach his leash to his collar for the first half of the walk. The walk is just under 3 and a half miles so I don’t know what that dog is complaining about. He put on a lot of weight while I was gone so he needs the walk for his health!
That three and a half miles will be four by the end of this week!
The Cow
How often do you chew your food?
This cow is close to his locker date and has no name. Don’t feel bad – if you can’t look your food in the eye you should probably should not be eating it. How do you feel about that? We need to respect our food, eat less and with more transparency as to where it has come from. Am I too tough?
We have a lot of hay this year so I am going to get two more calves next spring too. We can easily run four I think. As long as the barn does not fall down.
Have a lovely day!
Celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
20 responses to “In which Wai Has Dinner in Bed”
There seems to be a few animals that are trying to tell you they may not be happy that you went away and have now come back with RULES! I often wonder what Sheila would make of all this pig fuss and fighting? Would she care or would she simply, with one or two strong pig words, tell the little troublemakers to stop being an irritation or suffer her wrath as head big.
As to the big pigs, I love the views of their faces. So endearing and so glad they are forever farmy animals and not food stock.
I am sure that Sheila would sigh heavily and wander in the opposite direction. Bless her. I still miss Sheila.
Yes, I think many of us do. She was so iconically “the farmy”
The smiling pig is my favorite image of the day.
I suspect the Tima is fearless and she wears Wai down over several days, until he gives in.
Poor Boo, but he definitely looks bigger than when you left.
You know what I think about looking dinner in the eye – I think that’s the way it should be.
Those rascal pigs! Poor hurt Tima and poor grumpy Wai. I’m sure the’ll establish their equilibrium again, such as it is! Oh gawd, don’t let that old barn fall down! Hang in there old barn you are SO needed.
Oh this is a good one!!! Crazy ole Tima and Wai battin’ away at each other!!! And gettin’ bloody!!! Good grief!! I can’t remember if I commented yesterday or not ~ but that was one of the best I’ve read!!! And you wrote it with such comedy ~ I laughed and laughed!!! I read it a couple of times ~~ such entertainment!!! It was a grand one Celi!!!
I am so glad you got a laugh out of it!! They are so naughty those two
Dear lady……You certainly have hands full…….with THOSE CHILDREN! haha
Jo
Yes!! Naughty babies!
“We can easily run four I think. As long as the barn does not fall down.” (To which I immediately thought “Knock wood! And did exactly that!; )
And, while I definitely see your point about not accepting/ rewarding bad behaviour and iodine is definitely a (necessary) deterrent, is it still considered ’fighting’ if one is responding in self-defense?
It’s not fighting really/ they are just bouncing off each other re-establishing
Yes, she’s still checking to see if she can push him around or not, yeah?
(For which I silently applaud for WaiWai… ; )
Oops – re-establishing their boundaries. All quiet so far today.
“All quiet”? Oh good to hear! : )
Do you think that Boo is entering… dare I say, old age? Dolly is 12 now and not doing all that she used to do on the farm. She used to always stay with me, but lately she has been taking herself back up on the porch and hanging out there instead of being with me. She is showing wear and tear on her hips, but will still chase a squirrel or two, but she is definitely slowing down. I wonder if the same is happening to Boo? I think they are around the same age.
They are the same age. I think boo may even be a trifle older. I hate to think of him as old – but often I also come up from the barn and find him fast asleep on the porch.
Let’s not think about it.😔
Good idea! Not thinking about it works for me! 🙂
I find it very distressing when dogs begin to show signs of age. I wish they could be immortal, or at least, just as long-lived as I am. My Mouse is getting creaky in the back knees due to his earlier racing career, and he sometimes cries when he has to jump down from somewhere. It breaks my heart. Animals that are companions tie such tight knots into our hearts. Animals that sustain our bodies are better left unnamed and at arm’s length. Pigs…. are a rule unto themselves!
So true. I have decided not to get more pups after these two are gone. I don’t think I will be able to bear it. Plus the travel is hard on the animals.