New Baby reindeer to my herd

Karen I just LOVE the after picture of Frodo! Simply amazing!

 

Frodo is magnificent. So happy to hear that Belle is truly on the mend.

 

Wow weeeee Frodo is a stud!!!!! You've done an absolutely amazing job with him!!!!! I'm also thrilled to hear how much better Belle is doing! You are the best reindeer handler in the world!!!!

 

Every time I see Frodo my heart sings - he is such a magnificent boy now! So happy to hear Belle is improved as well; hoping for a full recovery soon. Interesting about the white babies having grey patches in summer. Can't wait to see how their coats look in a couple of months.

 

LOL Brooke!! You made me laugh - thanks...I needed that!! I couldn't agree with you more!!

And we all needed to hear your Good news, Karen!! So happy that Belle seems to have turned the corner!!

 

Frodo is a magnificent looking man now you must be so proud of him. Pleased to hear that Belle is starting to recover, fingers crossed that she continues to do so.

 

Today's update of my dodgy looking herd.
As all long term followers know, reindeer at this time of year are in their annual moult (it lasts about 3 months due to their extraordinarily thick coats).Even the babies look dodgy as they are moulting too. Any white pigment areas look awful until coat starts growing again - (Lexi with her grey and white face is starting to look gorgeous again)
Today all the babies had injections for potential worms. Babies Zola and Swift had the start of eye infections,so their eyes were treated too.
The entire boys (Frodo and Gandalf) are starting to look impressive with their antler growth but they are slowing down now. Boris (castrate) seems to be getting a good shovel on his brow tine.
For all that follow very regularly and worry about Belle, she is eating very well, she still has a discharge but not smelly (no antibiotics since Sunday). It is looking positive that she is fighting though what is left after 4 different antibiotics/5 weeks 3 uterine flushes - vet feels it is up to her now. I am just hoping she puts on weight as she has lost so much... BUT she is eating!

 

Gosh those antlers are impressive! Pleased to hear that Belle is eating well now and hopefully she will continue getting better.

 

Good news about Belle! I'm still praying for her recovery. Wow!!! Impressive is right about their antlers!!! Such a sweet pic of baby reindeer! Do the birds use the reindeer moulting fur to make nests with? It sure would make cozy warm homes for them.

 

I am very pleased that Belle is eating better and hopefully has found the will to carry on!
Wow. wow, wow! Just look at those antlers, you can hang ornaments from them at Christmas time! lol
The herd always looks like they are wearing old moth eaten rugs this time of year! lol It is a shame as they are such beautiful animals! but that is just how nature made them!

 

Brooke, a few months ago the birds were literally queuing up for reindeer hair (happens every year). As soon as it moulted off, birds fly off with it, but come late June/July all birds have lined their nests and I am knee deep in reindeer hair again!

 

BohoKaren - Does anyone in the world utilize all that reindeer hair(besides the birds)? Seems like a waste not to use such warm potential fiber.

 

Great question, Brooke! I hope the answer is...YES!! If it is....
Next question...where can we find the products??!!

Soooo glad to hear that Belle is eating better now!!

 

Reindeer hair, unfortunately with being hollow it is too fragile to spin but someone in US combed out all guard hair and managed to spin undercoat to a wonderful fibre BUT it was selling at about $500 an ounce due to work involved... so it's the birds for me.

The boys are too impatient to wait for me to harvest their daily willow rations.
The wheel barrow always gets mobbed.
Babies Zola and Swift had eye infections last week (darned flies) but one administration of Orbenin sorts within 5 days, thankfully.
Wilma the tractor (and her topper) are driving me to distraction this year.. now the belts snapped so no more topping again until I get her fixed.
And final picture, not reindeer related but Brook the Labrador (in for training), and the "self appointed" distraction - Pookie the cat. Why, oh why, does Pookie find us wherever we are and squirm about within 10 ft of Brook - she even went to sleep upside down? But maybe, just maybe, it has helped as Brook is steady to dummies and cats too!
I may think of renting Pookie out as a Gundog training aid! Crazy cat, it will her own fault if tomorrow I throw dummies over her head and ask Brook to retrieve past her!

Copied this post from their FB page but it never shows all photos I post but as I know may followers have cats I am adding separately Pookie squirming while I try to train a dog.. Pookie was meant to be a "hell cat" spitting hissing etc when I got her, now she finds us (reindeer, dogs, whatever - jealousy???) wherever we train and squirms on her back - she is one silly kitty these days






Pookie within feet of a dog I am trying to train!

 

I love the pictures, those boys will just help themselves,it saves you time and work! lol Ya right!
oh yes, very typical of a cat who wants attention to do some "Hey look at me and how cute I am pose!" They do this of course when they see you are very busy! Just got to love them! Good luck with the training and with getting "Wilma" sorted too!

 

Love the pictures. The boys obviously think they are at a self service cafe. As for Pookie she is training to be a "Gun Cat" you shoot the mice and then she will retrieve them for you

 

Thanks for the reindeer fur update and info....whoa maybe reindeer coats could rival mink coats?
Had a great chuckle over the photos and explanations. All your animals have oodles of personality!
I have a 2 year old cat who loves to roll onto her back....but she only wants chin rubs....if you go near her tummy...you get the claws and teeth.

 

Pookie is really odd, she loves her tummy stroked. her best position ever is cuddled upside down in my arms letting me or anyone else stroke her belly... Very odd cat!

 

An enjoyable post that brought many smiles! The photos made my day! Willow is obviously reindeer candy. And Pookie definitely wins the "cuteness award" even if she got in the way of training. She has such personality.
I can't even imagine the amount of work it took to comb, card and spin reindeer hair! $500 and ounce - wow!

 

Love love love your interesting and informative posts, Karen!!...And ya gotta just looooove Pookie-the-cat!!

What an interesting thought, Brooke!!