Harry was well cared for through the night. I was allowed into the bed, but Weedy stayed close to Harry.
Horses were turned out in the dark, so that we could get underway to the doctor this morning. At least it wasn’t raining – then.
I was allowed to go with Harry into the room to watch the “suctioning”. Yikes! It looked like a very painful procedure, which Harry admitted it was . I did not take pictures, but it was pretty shocking when Dr. Druck removed large plastic “splints” from each nostril. Despite the torture, which Harry endured bravely (thank you, Navy Survival Training from the 1960s), the suctioning and removal made everything feel much better.
The rain started while we were out and it was a miserable day indeed. When we returned, the horses were sheltering in the shed, while the cats hunkered down in the tack room.
Tom Morris and Rosie share a bed
By the time I finished barn work, the horses had reached their limit for being cold and wet and began to run around the paddock in an effort to convince me to bring them in. Jane said Derry did the same thing at her house, and Derry is turned out alone! I was convinced, but before I brought the horses in, I took some pictures, of course. There was rather a lot of drama!
The deer watched the romping horses but wasn’t much concerned with the rain
And so, early into the barn for the herd. Rolling was the best way to dry off, as Oisin demonstrates.
Even the birds were pretty miserable today.
Red bellied woodpecker 
Cardinal 
Cardinal in flight in the rain
Then, to our delight, Betsey and Gerry came by with Moroccan lentil soup, just the thing for a cold, wet day! Because of the virus concerns, they just dropped it off and didn’t come in, but we loved seeing them, and Lexie. Spirits were lifted.
Gerry realizes he forgot his mask 
Laughter is protective against the virus 
Pandemic visit 
Lexie enjoyed the drive, but stayed in the car
Afternoon cat feeding was rewarded by Marmalade allowing me to pet his head again! He and Licorice stayed in the shed, sleeping on the hay all day. It warms my heart that Licorice has a dry place to stay with her much smarter friend, after being alone in the woods for so many years!
You’re welcome
Finally, the first fire of the season was well appreciated this evening.
Stay safe, stay well, stay warm and dry.
The thought of Harry’s procedure today makes me cringe! I’m amazed at the romping of your equine, glad no one gets hurt. Getting to pet Marmalade, how thrilling. Isn’t it rewarding to see your cats living a more comfortable life than prior to coming to live with you? Hope you are getting enough rest, maybe by your fireplace photo, traces of hygge.
Poor Harry! Sounds horrific! Certainly the worst is over. Marmalade is moving in, what wonderful news! Prima Donna’s your horses are for sure.
I’ve been trying to figure out what % of horses stay in shelter vs the ones that want to be out no matter the weather. My observation is mostly thoroughbreds, at Old Friends we have 140. I have 1. So many do not go into their run-in sheds even in the worst of storms. I’m guessing 60%. Some, Game on Dude and Little Mike for instance, they are 13, head to their run-in at the first little spits of rain, maybe because they are so famous; we call their paddock the “10 million dollar paddock.” I love your fireplace, beautifully set amid the sculptures and earthy treasures.
Stay well, be healthy, and keep the joy!
Yuck, thanks for gross book details. You have mastered bird-in-flight digital photography!