Sunday, August 17, 2008

On The Layne Farm...

Sometimes I get in a hurry and don't blog about things that are very important to me. Well, I'm not sure if I get in a hurry or not but if they bother or upset me sometimes I just can't talk about it right then. So let me catch you all up on some Layne Farm Happenings lately.

You all know that my Ole Jim is my big baby! He is my 1300lb mule and if I could fit him in my house I would probably bring him in. I don't know why exactly but I have bonded so much with him. I think it is just a number of things. When my mom and dad divorced about 8 years ago, he listened to everything I had to say and rubbed against me while I cried my eyes out day after day. I would go out and brush him and tell him all of my secrets and sorrows. He even eats fruit loops as a snack!!! We don't have him in a fence, he just walks around the farm all day being nosey! Anyway, he is hitting about 20 years old and is starting to show his age. but I found out this past week that he has lost his vision on one eye. He is completely blind in one eye. I kept checking and he can't see any movement at all in that eye! So I cry almost everytime that I pet him. Hubby says he is far from being dead, he is just blind in one eye. I know it is not like his life is over, I just feel sorry for him. I was putting the saddle on Storm this morning and Ole Jim come up and started nudging me. He was wanting me to ride him!!!!! So I did put the saddle on him and rode him around for a few minutes. He loved it!!! He didn't have any trouble at all!!!! When I stopped to get off, he started nudging me again. I think I will try to ride him again this evening. Here are a few precious photos of Ole Jim...


In other farm news....Fred our Bassett is missing! We have had him since he was 6wks old and his is now around 7. His name on his papers is..."Fred R Dogg" how cute is that?? He has been gone for about 3 days now, he never goes anywhere unless we are on the horses and he follows. So we are missing him really bad. A few years ago we had a little fawn that would come in the yard to play with him.

7 comments:

Ann J said...

I know exactly how you feel ! My Megs is 24 (!), been my v good friend for 17 years, getting a bit athritic & slow, but she still has the spark. Don't these animals just steal your heart !!!

jillytacy said...

Sorry to hear about Ole Jim's eye but I think him nudging you to take him out for a ride is his way of telling you he's just fine! He looks like a sweetie! He's not ready to give up yet so you shouldn't yet either. I'm sorry to hear that Fred is missing and I hope he returns soon!

Sara said...

J loves mules and donkeys, he would love Ole Jim. Sorry about his eye, but it sounds like he is still happy! I am also sorry to hear Fred is missing. I hope he returns soon!

Unknown said...

Poor Ole Jim, I know how you feel.

Cindy said...

Jim has captured my heart too and I'm sure he has many more years ahead of him. I'll keep good thoughts about Fred returning soon.

ZONE F DG TEAM said...

I remember when our dog got our last year. We'd had her such a short time, but in reality it doesn't take long to create a bond.

I hope you find him soon/

QuiltedSimple said...

I'm sure Jim will have many more wonderful years on your farm - he looks like a much younger donkey than he is!! What great pictures of him!
Kris