OCCUPANTS

Work in progress - stay tuned, this page will be updated soon. 


Ellazahn
(Ella, Ella-Bella, Spaghetti Legs, Ellie-Big-Belly, Big'un, Nutella, Ella-Pooh-Bella, Ella-Bella-Moo)
Ella joined me in July 2002 as a tiny, 9 month old foal, riddled with lice, skinny and missing her mummy. She was one of the horses rounded up that year in the annual muster carried out at the Waiouru Army Base in the Kaimanawa Ranges in the central north island of New Zealand. I adopted her through a horse rescue group which at that time was the Kaimanawa Wild Horse Welfare Trust, it has changed its name so many times that I haven't a clue what its called now but I know that they're still doing a great job of rehoming horses from the muster and supporting those with rescued horses. Ella turned out to be a giant but they're usually around the 13 - 14 hh mark and they're smart, loaded with character and very hardy ponies. If you're ever looking for a horse to join your family I recommend a Kaimanawa 100%, you'll need to put in the hard yards to earn their trust, they're not in the least bit gullible so be prepared to give time, and honest interaction to your new mate. Ella is unlike any horse I've ever worked with before, she has great natural common sense but is deeply interested in my reaction to things, if she ever gets into a sticky situation (one that she can't nut out herself) she won't panic, instead she'll look to me for reassurance and a solution. I have had Ella the longest of all my animal friends, she's taught me so much and she continues to teach me every day. A cuddle with Ella and a kiss on that velvet nose of hers and all the ails of the day disappear into thin air. Having her just outside my bedroom window is a lifelong dream come true and I am grateful for every day that I get to experience that feeling.

Tarka
(Tarkie, Tarkie-Man, Little'un, Tarkie-Monster, Tarkie-Pants, Hairy-McClarey)
Little Tarkie-Monster came to me a few years ago (also in July) and was picked up by a Donkey Rescue Centre when they were called out to an address to collect some neglected donkeys. He was thrown in as the booby prize...not really. He needed to be rescued too so the lady kindly took him home to keep her Clydesdale company. Tarkie soon attracted the attention of their neighbours dog who apparently was on par with Tarkie in terms of size and he wanted to eat him. Eventually the rescue centre put Tarkie up for adoption, they felt it was a little bit early as he was still very jumpy and unsettled but the dog situation wasn't about to make that any better. I turned up to find a hairy little beast with eyes completely covered by a dense forelock. He cautiously peered out from behind the hair and reluctantly came over to say hello. I took him for a walk, brushed him a little and pulled gross goobers from his eyes (he always has goobery eyes!). I think it was the lack of hesitation about removing goobers that won over the rescue lady and she moved heaven and earth to get him to me a couple of days later. You see, the reason I went looking for a new fur family member was that my sister's pony had carked it and Ella was all alone, she'd lost the sparkle in her eye and was deeply depressed. When Tarka arrived Ella perked up and looked instantly optimistic, I have fabulous photo of Ella that shows a ray of light beaming down and Ella with that missing twinkle in her eye returned. Poor Tarkie got off that float covered in sweat and very upset but Ella soon made him welcome and so smitten was she with him and him with her that they were the best of mates in no time. Now Ella is bossed around by Tarka no end, his height means he can reach up and nip her soft 'armpit skin' whenever she uses her size to push in front of him during feeding time. He has her all figured out. I love my little Tarkie-Man, he has personality-plus with cheeky undertones but he's sweetly compliant, whatever I ask of him he'll happily oblige. I expect he's never been an 'only child' because he is patient in the company of others but sticks up for himself and he savours that one-on-one time so much more than anyone else here. Little Tarkie came along at the perfect moment, he was meant for our family and his presence injected happiness into our little farm when we were so sad after Smarty's departure. I am thankful that we found this fun little guy.  

Sheamus
(Shay, Shamey, Shamey-Wamey, Sheamus-Patrick-O'Leary)
 Sheamus was my first SPCA adoption. He featured on their website looking quite dapper with his clean, cream coloured bristles and heart warming smile. When I met Sheamus (who was given the name Obilex) he was fairly coy, probably due to the castration operation that he'd endured. I crouched down to him and we talked for a while, he didn't make any pig noises whatsoever, instead he made oooh-oooh-oooh noises like a monkey. I gave him a carrot, he liked carrots and then by way of association he liked me. We got moving on making his sty and getting our premises inspected and then I trundled off in my car with trailer attached to collect him. Getting him on the trailer and travelling wasn't a problem but getting him to walk down the ramp to get off took a lot of convincing, eventually he mustered the courage and he was home. He was rather impressed with is new home and loved his bed, we spoilt him with cuddles, brushes, tummy rubs and tasty morsels and in return we have a very interactive, huge, tolerant, healthy bristle-buddy. I'm so pleased Shamey agreed to get off the trailer and become a part of our family, he does a great job of keeping the long grass short and his happy greeting never fails to bring a smile to my face.  

Tallulah-Trixibelle
(Lula, Lula-Belle, Lulie)
Tallulah was a Trade-Me find, rather a necessary addition due to Shamey's unwanted claim of ownership to me. Work commitments and sleep requirements (in my own bed) meant that I couldn't dedicate the hours (a total of 24 per day) that Shamey insisted he required. He was lonely and Tallulah...well, she wasn't. Tallulah was in the throes of being a piglet in a litter of heaps! It was a case of every piglet for itself when we turned up, all snouts were in the trough and one little cutie grabbed my attention. She bobbed for a lemon in the stinky slops trough while all the other piglets were huddling around mum for safety and then once she'd claimed the prized lemon she was off away from the others as far as her little trotters would carry her. It was her independence I admired, her inquisitive nature when I poked my fingers through the fence she came over to enquire. We took her there and then. She travelled home on my lap, cuddled to my chest while I gagged over the hideous rancid smell of slops that she was doused in. So bad was the smell that we stopped in at a friend's house to wash her and then carried on home. It took a while for Shamey to accept Tallulah but now they're the best of friends, the hoped (okay, prayed) for result of the union has been realised, Shamey no longer clings to me for attention, instead he has his little companion Tallulah there whenever he wants some company. I love this little gal, she has a huge heart and can melt anyone's with one little wiggle of her piggy nose. Her enthusiasm for life, independence, free spirit and total innocence makes me see the world in a different way. Young souls help you see life and the world through new eyes, and I have Tallulah to thank for that.

Hoby
(Hobes, Doobles, Hoby-Dooble-Dog, Dooble-Meister, Roodles, Roodle-Noodle, Roobie, Kuntia)

Lucifer
(Loooooo, Little-Lucifer, Devil-Features)

Mabel
(Mabey, Mabey-Moo, May, Mabey-Baby, Maaaaaaa-bel, Madam, Marble-Eyes)

Nigel
(Nige, Asshole)

Berlina
(Biggie-B, Leena-Leena-Chicken, Big-Red)

Jack
(Jacqueline, Jackie)

Alicia
(Madam-Limpalot, Ginger, Leesh)

Rosa
(Mama, Mama-Rosa)

Ralph
(Ralphie, Whitey)

Barney
(Barnes, Barnacle, Crazy-Eyes)

Bruce
(Brewster-the-Rooster)

Mildred, Matilda, Maggie, Violet, Pippi, Xena, Slick, Itty-Bit, Haircut, Boots.