As I’m sure you’re aware, we have a number of sanctuary animals at Holbrook. Animals who for one reason or another have not been homed and have therefore been given sanctuary at Holbrook. You can find out more by reading their biographies but I thought I’d share a few of their little secrets.
For example, you may not know that Lola the goat and Molly the sheep are both boys. No one is quite sure why they’ve been given girls’ names but they don’t seem to mind. Lola is a very sweet goat who loves to be stroked and petted. Molly and Lola are great friends and enjoy play butting each other.
Scampi is a small dog with a big attitude! We draw straws each day to decide who should get Scampi ready for the walk. He turns putting on his lead into a ‘game’, growling and snapping while at the same time wagging his tail. Best not to get your fingers too close! The trick is to lasso him while using treats as a distraction. No one except Laura and Cliff can stroke Scampi but he is very happy to gently accept treats, the tastier the better.
Freddie has probably been with us the longest. He’s a bit of a loner who spends his time staring at the goats. He hates the cold so is not keen on winter. We make sure he has a coat on but often he prefers to stay in the kitchen where it’s warm. He gets a little over eager when given too much attention and will return the affection in a rather inappropriate manner! He is perhaps at his best at the end of the day when he rolls onto his back for a tummy rub, closes his eyes and seems so content. Laura covers him with a blanket every evening and finds him still under it when she gets up in the morning.
Whisper is a large black horse who has been at Holbrook for many years sharing his field with Sammy. He’s a larger than life character and has to be corralled when the dogs are in the field, unlike Sammy who is a gentle soul. Whisper whinnies very loudly when he hears Laura approaching, as if to say, “Hurry up, I’m hungry”. Laura takes food to them in the morning and leaves some in the trailer to give to them later in the day. Unfortunately, many is the time we’ve arrived for the evening walk only to find that Whisper’s found the hidden food and eaten both his and Sammy’s share. As we leave at night there will be more neighing, particularly if Laura seems like she might forget to let him back into the field.
Blossom is our Shetland pony. She’s a sweet girl but also quite stubborn. She lives happily with the goats and sheep. Generally, she loves to be groomed and luckily we have many volunteers who are happy to oblige. She has her own little vanity case, filled with brushes and combs just for her.
One of our smallest dogs, Monkey, is not in great health but this doesn’t stop her from acting like a puppy. Once she’s in her harness for the first walk of the day she behaves like a dog possessed! You have to be quick on your feet to avoid becoming tangled up in her lead. She darts in every direction and is oblivious to other dogs and humans, often literally screaming with excitement at the fun of it all.
At the other end of the scale, Ollie is probably our largest dog. He’s extremely loyal and adores Laura. If she goes out, he will wait by the door until she gets back and, if one of us walks him out of the field before her, he will refuse to move until she appears. He can be very playful, especially with Solly. They seem to have quite the bromance going on and are constantly play biting. Ollie especially loves nuzzling Solly’s neck.
If you would like to sponsor one of our animals please see our shop. You will receive a lovely certificate and key ring in return.