A surrogate mum called Flossie

Thanks to the Daily Post newspaper who published an article appealing for a surrogate Mum for our orphaned foal(now named Celt) we have found a mare in Anglesey who had just lost her own foal.Flossie is a beautiful thorougbred exracehorse who has been very distressed at the loss of her own baby, it is early days yet, introducing them is not easy but Flossie owner is experienced and is hopeful mare and foal will form a bond eventually.Until then they have to be watched and they will not be left alone together - Celt has a little pen made up in the corner of Flossies stable and he has already enjoyed several drinks from her.We are all keeping our fingers crossed for them both.If it works, Celt will stay with her until weaned, he will then return to the shelter.
Caring for him has been a real learning curve, all our foals have arrived here with their mothers, it has been a tense and tiring but interesting experience. We will most certainly feel more prepared if we take in such a newborn again.
I was away for 2 days attending my nieces wedding in Wolverhampton, it was good to hear that 2 dogs had been rehomed whilst I was away and also 2 cats including Sam the old cat whose owner had died in Bangor. I am so pleased for the old cat, he really missed his home comforts.The Aberystwyth kittens have come in, really pretty little things with a dainty tortoishell/white mum.Another litter of kittens was brought in, their mum had been killed on the road, they are only 4 weeks old and are being fostered along with another litter of the same age.Mion who is a volunteer at our Porthmadog shop has become the person we turn to when we have kittens too young for rehoming,She does a great job with them all.
I have just heard we have received a £10,000 grant for replacing the old stable block which was pulled own last year.What great news,I think I might go for shetland pony stables so the little ones can look out over the doors, at the moment the shetlands cannot see over as the doors are too high.
There are 2 homechecks in the offing for Rocky and Murphy the biggest horses here,if they are successful we will miss them, they are both lovely natured horses but there are always others waiting for a place here and the charity policy is to always try to find homes for those animals which are young enough to adapt easily to a new environment.The 4 new ponies arrive on wednesday and they will become permanent residents due to the fact they are in their twenties and their owner has expressed a wish that they remain in our care.Christine is very distressed at having to part with her beloved animals but her age and ill health has forced her to make this decision.
Just heard Rockys homecheck has passed, I am both glad and a bit tearful, Rocky is one of my favourites but it is a good home and quite local so it will be easy to pop round to see him from time to time.