Two weeks ago, Ishtar’s Ark had a new set of goats: two little bucklings born to Allis and Tyson! These little newborn brothers were so cute together, but I have yet to decide their names! I am keeping the dark (a mini-Tyson he is!) while the brown one will go to my neighbour in exchange [...]

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Isolde, Isolde… It really doesn’t feel like a long time ago, when you were a fuzzy little creature that followed us on our trail rides. Our firstborn equine, always so obedient despite your curiosity. You followed us on our trails for two years, before you got to carry your own rider. You grew as tall [...]

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A few nights ago, the dogs announced the arrival of rival creature in the garden, and as I looked up in the trees, I saw the distinctive striped tail of a genet. A wild animal, this little guy (or guys!) have been making frequent visits to my garden, often walking quietly amongst the horses when [...]

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Ever since Sheba was a puppy, it was impossible to find a trick that this willful ridgeback was willing to learn. You could count on her for any real-life drama (the greater the need for her assistance, the better!!!), but when it came to simple dog tricks, she could not see the point with them [...]

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By the size of Esmeralda’s belly this weekend, I was thoroughly convinced that she was expecting triplets again, but thankfully, she finally (after a very long wait!) gave birth to two beautiful little baby girls! Leah and Evita were born on the 17th of January. The kidding itself went without problems, but milking was another [...]

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It’s been a month since Zidane settled in his new home, and now our last remaining (and here to stay) equine baby is turning fourteen months old! It wasn’t long since she was a newborn filly, …ready to discover the big world! Today, she’s part of our team of equine teenage, joining big sister Isolde [...]

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Our old boy Dennis is (together with his half brothers Baghera and Baloo) turning twelve years old today!! Due to lack of reliable Internet connection, I will have to postpone my “Dennis post” until later! In the mean time, happy birthday old rascal! We’ve come to enjoy you a lot and (I never thought I [...]

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Ever since Diva was a baby foal, she has loved water. Actually, all our barbs have come to love getting wet and can spend hours splashing their bellies the cold muddy waters, …but Diva has a special approach… Ever since Diva was first introduced to water, …she wanted to be IN it. She’ll make a [...]

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While Diva stole the show last month, today is Zidane’s turn! Our BOY is finally one year old!!! He and Diva have practically grown up as twins. Whatever one has done, …the other has copied and tried to do “better”. Although his time with us is up now, I am grateful to have watching him [...]

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On the very day after Jason, Queenie and I came back to Zinder, Allis our black doe finally decided to deliver! The delivery went very quickly and I only had the time to hear a little goat whining, and there they were, two little newborn goats! Goat kids are definitively high ranking amongst sweet animal [...]

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It’s December down here in West Africa and the sky is deep blue. I recently took our buck Tyson to the Lyafa restaurant to let him serve the owner’s sweet little doe Blanquette. Although we have yet to find out what the end result will be, they made a sweet couple and although he did [...]

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Someone is turning one year old today! And that someone… …is none other… …than our very own Diva! It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since this little dark beauty was born! Although far from fully grown, she has nice round shapes, …beautiful gaits… …and a lot of attitude! Like her mother Arwen [...]

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Yesterday morning, Habu, Isaku and I rode out to the Dadin Serki lake, bringing along a few equine youngsters who love to roll in the mud… On the other side of the lake, nomads were taking their herd down for a drink. It’s always an impressive sight! I love how the nomads always manage to [...]

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ISOLDE [alerted]: “Esther, there’s something on the road!” ESTHER: “It’s ok, Isolde. Go ahead, you need not worry.” ISOLDE (to RR guard on duty): “Security check, PLEASE!  Foreign object on the road! Human rider is not taking me seriously but we cannot perceed before we know we are out of harm’s way.” SHEBA: “Sure, partner! [...]

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Happy 11 months, Diva! I can’t believe how big you’ve grown! Such a remarkably beautiful filly, I just can’t wait to see what you all grown up! Thanks for the beautiful eleven months that you’ve given us so far – you are so easy to work with and so much fun. Looking forward to many [...]

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