Spring Fever

 I know it's been a while, but there hasn't been a whole lot to blog about recently other than how utterly sick of deep snow we have all been.  Between the snow, the job, the pandemic...it is hard to find words that feel relevant and equally hard to find words that feel creative or interesting.  

All of the donkeys are doing well, though they are as sick of snow as I am.  Qilin continues to grow mentally and, most definitely, physically.  He is taller than Ben now, but still at an awkward, gawky stage.  His relationship with Cora (and dogs in general) is interesting.  He and Kaia were kindred spirits, siblings of sorts as they were born at nearly the same time.  They were quite fond of each other and played together all the time.  Qilin is good with Cora - now anyways - but does not have the same relationship with her that he had with Kaia.  I doubt that could be recreated.  He is totally accepting of my dogs and dogs he is familiar with.  Strange dogs on the other hand.....let's just say the dragon half of his hybrid soul comes out in spades and I'm not talking about the friendly sort of dragon.  

The mind of a mule is an interesting and many layered thing.

And, of course, there is Cora.  She is a blessing that has helped all of us cope with the loss of Kaia though that is a gaping hole that will never be filled.  Cora is a bridge over that chasm.  

She is very different from Kaia and yet, like most siblings, every now and then she does something so similar to Kaia that it steals my breath away.  

Cora is maybe a bit softer, not quite the bold, fearless adventurer that Kaia was but some of that is also that she has been as constrained by deep snow as the rest of us.  We have finally had a reprieve from that and she is able to really stretch her legs.  She just turned 6 months old and is suddenly realizing that she can fly.

Connor is very glad to have her as is Ian.  Border Collies and Whippets go well together.

Of course, she is also very naughty.  Happily, delightfully, maddeningly naughty.

And weird.  Windsprites are so endearingly weird😇😂😂😂😂😂

There are signs of Spring, my favorite season, all around.  We had a few really nice, warm days that wiped out most of the snow.  A huge flock of blackbirds has shown up at the feeder and we are all able to get out and stretch our legs.  The Spring Rush is nearly on us and we can't wait.