Charlie's old owner texted me at 5:45 to let me know he was on his way:
The driver contacted me at 9:45 to say he'd arrive in half an hour. He was there on the dot, and I showed him where he needed to go to drive down right into my section of the field. He shook his head at the trees either side of the gate and said, "Those trees will take out my roof lights." So I abandoned plan A and said, "OK, unload him here, I will walk him down the road to the lower field gate."
Charlie had travelled really well and was good as the partition was opened, but he struggled to come down the ramp. I just went on asking him gently and reassuring him and after a couple of spread-legged giraffe moments he managed it just fine. I said good bye to the driver, who declined a cup of tea, and Charlie and I set off down the lane.
It's about 400m from the top field gate to the bottom gate, a 5 minute walk. Charlie was as good as gold. I talked to him and reassured him the whole way, and although he was on high alert and a bit roll-eyed he was very good, standing in a lay by and a couple of drives to let cars go past. We walked up the little path to my field gate and he was delighted to see the grass and snatched a bit before coming obediently along to my field.
I led him up to the water, where he could meet Mattie over a wire.
Mattie squealed and pawed a couple of times but they were very chilled about each other. So I led Mattie down to the bottom of the field, where he's hardly been since Ziggy died. Charlie trotted down to be close to him and I decided that they were keen to be best friends so I didn't want to wait to let them, and they went in together.
They didn't do anything other than sniff each other all over and settle to grazing side by side. It could not have been a less eventful introduction. I swear I could hear Mattie exhale, as if he has been holding his breath in anxiety ever since he lost Ziggy.
When I left them they were contentedly grazing together, and since then Charlie has had a lovely roll. Altogether I think things have gone pretty well!
I am so impressed at how brave and good he was to walk down a strange lane with a strange person after a 4.5 hour journey. Such a good boy.
Welcome, Charlie diamond!
The driver contacted me at 9:45 to say he'd arrive in half an hour. He was there on the dot, and I showed him where he needed to go to drive down right into my section of the field. He shook his head at the trees either side of the gate and said, "Those trees will take out my roof lights." So I abandoned plan A and said, "OK, unload him here, I will walk him down the road to the lower field gate."
Charlie had travelled really well and was good as the partition was opened, but he struggled to come down the ramp. I just went on asking him gently and reassuring him and after a couple of spread-legged giraffe moments he managed it just fine. I said good bye to the driver, who declined a cup of tea, and Charlie and I set off down the lane.
It's about 400m from the top field gate to the bottom gate, a 5 minute walk. Charlie was as good as gold. I talked to him and reassured him the whole way, and although he was on high alert and a bit roll-eyed he was very good, standing in a lay by and a couple of drives to let cars go past. We walked up the little path to my field gate and he was delighted to see the grass and snatched a bit before coming obediently along to my field.
I led him up to the water, where he could meet Mattie over a wire.
Mattie squealed and pawed a couple of times but they were very chilled about each other. So I led Mattie down to the bottom of the field, where he's hardly been since Ziggy died. Charlie trotted down to be close to him and I decided that they were keen to be best friends so I didn't want to wait to let them, and they went in together.
They didn't do anything other than sniff each other all over and settle to grazing side by side. It could not have been a less eventful introduction. I swear I could hear Mattie exhale, as if he has been holding his breath in anxiety ever since he lost Ziggy.
When I left them they were contentedly grazing together, and since then Charlie has had a lovely roll. Altogether I think things have gone pretty well!
I am so impressed at how brave and good he was to walk down a strange lane with a strange person after a 4.5 hour journey. Such a good boy.
Welcome, Charlie diamond!
