You did this just for me? Thanks, lady!
What a week.
First, I’d like to thank everyone for your kind comments and support regarding the taking of Ethel. I will write more about that soon, but yesterday, as I picked up feather after feather that had blown into the yard…I thought about all the love and friendship this blog has brought to my life. Thank you.
In the barnyard, life goes on. Doink, who was in the midst of a crisis the last time I mentioned him, would like for me to finish his story. A big thanks to everyone for all the ideas and suggestions. I tried a few different things to fix the problem of his reluctance to exit the shed. One of them worked. I have no idea which one, but as long as Doink’s happy, I’m happy.
For those of you concerned about his health, I can tell you that the Doink Man does not have arthritis. He runs faster than the chickens when he sees me with a treat. Runs. Then there’s the multiple times every day he hops up and sticks his big ‘ol head through the opening into the upper part of the shed that’s about a foot higher than the lower level. (I always think he looks like someone ordering from a take-out counter.) He stays there until I push all the hay from under the goat feeder into the opening and he buries his big snout in it and chows down, all the while supporting himself with those itty bitty legs. I’m pretty sure he couldn’t do that if he was in pain.
I’ll have a one order of hay with a side of scrambled eggs, please.
I sought the help of my good friend, Cindy Smith, an animal communicator out of North Carolina. I sent her a video of Doink refusing to come out of the shed and asked if she could try and see what the problem was. She has been a great help with all of my animals in the past, and gave me a tip that might have been the key.
She got Doink “on the line” (that’s how she describes making a mental connection with him). During their communication, she heard he might have gotten “stung” by something at the threshold. I racked my brain. No bugs at this time of year. BUT…the two heated waterers are to the right of the opening to the shed. What if one of them had an electrical short and Doink got a zap while taking a drink? He stands directly outside the door when he drinks!
So the first thing I did was remove the heated watering bowl and bucket, cleaned the area well and installed the non-electrical summer water containers.
Then, I went to building a step. There’s no reason not to give Doink a step, because even without arthritis a step would be a nice gift. Old 4x4s, a piece of plywood and lots of screws were used. I know that Doink doesn’t like anything unstable, so I drilled holes and hammered rebar pieces into the ground to secure the outer edge and screwed the inner edge into the shed. Topped the whole thing off with strips of non-skid tread tape both on the step and the threshold for the bonus round.
That’s a mighty fine step.
Finally, I mucked out the entire shed – upstairs and down. A thorough cleaning all around and then put in all new bedding and blankies for Doink. This probably made no difference at all, but it made me feel better.
When I opened the gate and let everyone back into the shed area, the sniffing and scratching from all the animals was in overdrive. But that’s normal. My eyes were on Doink. He sniffed at the step, hopped up into the shed, snorted around and then hopped right back out when I called him. Then he did it a few more times for good measure.
Come on, Doink! You can do it!
Well, here goes! I think I can, I think I can…
Piece o’ cake!
Problem solved. Yippee!
(Shared at Simple Lives Thursday, HomeAcre Hop, From The Farm Hop, Farmgirl Friday Hop, Simple Saturdays, Homesteaders Hop, Clever Chicks Hop, Homestead Barn Hop, Backyard Farming Connection, Maple Hill Hop, Tuesdays With A Twist and Down Home Hop!)
Whooohooo Doink! Happy to hear all is well in the barnyard. The picture of him ordering eggs with his hay is flipping hilarious! I love him. He and your writings Joan are just perfect.
Jen recently posted…In Between Storm Systems…
Doesn’t he look like he’s leaning against a counter at some burger joint? He’s hilarious from the front side, too!
YIPPEE!!!
❤⊱彡 Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Linda recently posted…The Start of April is a Cold Start–April 2, 2014
True that! Your unpleasant weather is hitting us now. I have a great view of Longs Peak from my kitchen window and I just watched it disappear in the snow that’s headed our direction. Spring is out there somewhere!
I just love your stories! So descriptive and funny.
He looks SO happy in that picture with his new step and clean space!
KpMcD recently posted…April Fools? NO! I’m back y’all.
He’s a pig with a smile, that’s right!
I enjoyed your post! Loved reading about Doink!
Debra Howard recently posted…Bierox
Thanks for stopping by!
Yay for Doink!!!!! You did great!!
Doo Dah, Doink! High Five, Joan!
YAY for Doink!!
Kim recently posted…Garden Update #3
You write such entertaining posts, thank you – I always enjoy reading them. Glad to hear that Doink is a happy pig again. 🙂
Congratulations on resolving Doink’s issue so effectively! I’d also like to add my praise for Cindy Smith. She’s been helping me with my animals for years now (as well as giving me tremendous support on the side!) and I’m constantly amazed by her skills and insights. And you can’t ever ask for a nicer, more supportive person.
Sounds like this story had a “shocking” end to it! Glad it turned out not to be something physically wrong with Doink! Hope Lucy has been doing OK without Ethel. 🙁
I need to get you to come and build ramps for the boys…very glad darling (maybe not the right word) Doink is back to being happy. AS we know, when the animals are happy the Chicken Mama is happy!
Have tools, will travel!
Joan Hobbs recently posted…Pig Problem Solved
Awesome! Poor guy, and that’s an excellent step 🙂
Nancy @ Little Homestead in Boise recently posted…Ding Dong The Old Tub is Gone! Plumber Done, Bathroom Re-Do Continues!
What a relief!! Hooray for you, Doink, you’re lucky to have such a loving chicken mama. ♥
Kathy Shea Mormino, The Chicken Chick recently posted…Flock Focus Friday, 4/4/14
We had a pot bellied pig for years, he was a blessing and quite a challenge all in one. We could not walk down a sidewalk without him finding something atrocious to eat. 🙂
marie recently posted…spring cupcakes @our happy place are mostly monochromatic
Well, I’m pretty sure we could not walk down a sidewalk with Doink at all 🙂
I love your stories about Doink, and I am so glad he is back to normal again. I am still mourning Ethel. I hope Lucy is doing okay without her. Thanks for the peak into your life!
Vickie recently posted…Spring at the Future Homestead
Yay! Glad you got it figured out! Your animal tales are always fun!
daisy recently posted…The Maple Hill Hop 25
Love reading your stories about your animals! Thanks for sharing your post on the HomeAcre Hop, hope to see you again tomorrow! – Nancy The Home Acre Hop
Nancy W recently posted…My Garden: April Update