Wandering Mule

I thought you'd like to know that our beloved old mule, Roy, is doing much better after losing his buddy, blind Scout.  We have continued to let him wander the ranch at will, which suits him just fine.  People who have come to the ranch in the past week are often startled to see this big-eared guy walking around freely.  They turn to us and ask, "Say, do you know you have a mule loose?"

Why, yes we do.

Roy has started attaching himself to us, and whenever we're around Beauty's Barn, he quietly ambles over and walks up to us until his massive head is just an inch or so from our chest.  That's the signal for, "Go ahead.  Scratch me."  There's nothing he likes more than to have those ears scratched, which is what I'm doing in the photo at the top that Alayne took this morning. 

So his routine now is to hang out inside the south end of Beauty's Barn, in the barn aisle right outside his and Scout's stalls, and use that as his base to explore.  Roy visits blind Hannah and Luna in their corral, and he stands next to old Crazy Horse and little Brynn when we put them up in their stalls for the night.  He's even taken to coming down to the welcome center in the evenings.  Roy has visited the sighted horse herd again, though I suspect it's as much to rub their horsey noses in the fact that he, a mule, is free to wander and they are not.  Hee-haw.

He's the original smorgasbord-eater, preferring to sample a little of this and a little of that.  This preference for nibbling has always made it difficult to keep weight on the old guy, although our equine vet, Dr. Erin Taylor, says that for an ancient mule he's in good body condition -- despite some bony ribs.  But his new set-up is perfect for his eating style.

Roy's got a stack of alfalfa hay flakes at the north end of the barn, bales of grass hay at the south end, and green grass wherever he goes.  Though true to his smorgasbord nature, he'll still eat the hay in addition to grazing the grass -- unlike other equines, who wouldn't touch the hay if they could have green grass.  Our biggest nutritional challenge has always been to get him to eat his equine senior grain, which he just picks at in small bites before losing interest.  Other equines would wolf it down, but not Roy:  "I'll just have a sample, thank you."  That's his style.  But he'll gladly come over to get a mouthful or two when I dish it up for Crazy Horse.  Just don't serve him a couple of scoops of the stuff.

His major health problem continues to be his joints.  After he arrived last summer, Erin X-rayed his legs and called him a "walking arthritic nightmare."  Following joint injections, lots of farrier work, and daily anti-inflammatories, he is better than he was ... but there is only so much we can do for him.  You can see in that photo above of Roy walking how he is dragging that left rear foot.  He does that with both rear feet.  Like blind Laddie, we continually assess Roy's quality of life and his physical comfort.

For now, though, Roy seems quite content with his new lifestyle.  I took this photo of him lying down in the grass for a nap this morning:

Comments

[Mike]

Dear Steve and Alayne,

Thanks so much for giving Roy the wonderful life he enjoyed at RDR. It was great that he had a mission in his waning years: being a guide for Scout.

Sorry to hear about Scout and about Roy. But Ol' Roy had it made and lived a dream life at RDR, thanks to you.

An earlier buddy of Roy's,
Mike

[Lisa]

YAY Roy! Longears rule! So glad the boy is feeling a little better and is trying to socialize a little more.

[Yvette Irene]

I live in a small condo at the beach in Southern California...do you think Roy could come live with me? I'd take him for walks on the beach...Hee-Haw!

Love your stories, they are just the best! You have a gift for writing and capturing the true essence of the heart of the animals you love and care for...and can share it with us so we feel it, too.

Roy has got it made in the shade and he knows it! What a love!

[Julie and the Three Doxies]

Glad to hear that good ol' Roy is feeling better!

[Nina]

Glad to see the precious photos of ol' Roy! He is soooo handsome...and tell him if I lived closer, I would come over and scratch those ears whenever he wanted!!!! Roy is lucky to live out his sunset years at the ranch!!

[maria]

So happy for such a positive update on Roy! How is Lilah doing after her enucleation?

[MaryJane Cooper]

I love mules, and it's so good to see old Roy getting out and about like he owns the place. Well, 'roy' does mean king, doesn't it :-) God Bless, MaryJane

[Miranda]

I felt so sorry for him when he lost his best bud. It's very nice to hear that he has the freedom to wander and search out replacement companionship. If it can't be one single new best buddy then lots of short companionable moments with a variety seems to be doing it for him. And freedom of choice is a wonderful thing to have for any animal. I'm glad his life is still being enriched. Give him an ear scratch from us out here please.

[Shelli Smith]

It's wonderful to see Roy getting out and about. Hugs and ear scratches to Roy and to all at RDR!

[Angela]

Well here are some more beautiful pictures that will stay with me all day and remind me of what is good in the world, people-wise and animal-wise. Roy looks like he is in his own spectacularly beautiful paradise in the bottom picture. I'm so glad he is visiting and making the rounds after his initial sadness! Thanks for the wonderful photos!

[DT]

WOW! What a lucky Roy. He has a wonderful life those pictures don't lie.
Sending Roy a hug from Florida!
Deidra

[Jen]

I've always had a fondness for mules and those pictures of him are priceless. He's such a sweet old guy. I'm glad he continues to do okay and is surviving without Scout. He's so lucky to have you guys to make the last part of his life so enriching. Hugs to him and you!

[Janet in Cambridge]

Oh, Roy, you are such a handsome creature. I'm glad you're checking things out and doing well. Cambridge sends ear scritches to you--Steve or Alayne will apply them for me.

[G in INdiana]

Maybe the exercise Roy is getting will help his arthritis some. I know that's what the human doctors tell folks now a days. Don't just sit there, MOVE! Even a slow leisurely stroll is better than standing around (or sitting as humans do.)

[Mary Young]

I am so glad to hear that Roy is better. He looks happy rambling around there! God bless you all!

[Debbie]

Thanks for giving Roy the freedom to decide who he wants to hang with next...I think he is doing great, all things considered.

[Carla Polastro-Nigro]

Dear Steve & Alayne, I'm so glad to hear that Roy started wandering again. He does look content, doesn't he? Why shouldn't he, after all? He lives in such a gorgeous place, and he's taken care of by such wonderful people!:-)

Will you please scratch his ears for me, too?

[Shirley & James, Portland, OR]

Roy--you are one of a kind!

[ginger & Tobias (the greythound)]

Thanks for this great update on Roy. I'm glad that he's got roaming rights & he's keeping an eye on the whole operation of RDR. It's good that he's feeling good enough to stroll about. Please give him an extra ear scratch from me & maybe a neck hug, if he'll allow it.
Big hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit

[Donna]

Just wanted to check in on your blog as my long weekend ends. So glad I did! LOVE seeing old Roy out and about, savoring his golden years. Great to see him developing a new routine in spite of the loss of Scout. He looks like such a sweetie! I pray he continues to hold his own health-wise. Bless you both (and Roy too!).

[maggie]

That last photo of Roy lying in the grass is an absolutely gorgeous picture. Thank you so much for your post - I have been thinking about Roy a lot and hoping he was doing ok. It sounds like he is carving out a pretty suitable life for himself: a smattering of food, a smattering of friends, and a little ear scratching thrown in for good measure!

[Kristen D.]

Oh how lovely to see old Roy out and about. Thanks for the update, it made my day! :-)

[Karen]

I would like nothing more right now than to be able to jump on a plane and come out to keep Roy company and scratch his ears for a while! What a sweet old soul! Please give him a great big hug from me and good old ear rub! He is beautiful.

[Moon Rani]

Big hugs to you, Roy, and many wishes that you find contentment at the least, and happiness - - plus a new best buddy - - at best. You look like a dear, old gent.

[yoonamaniac]

Roy keeps pulling my heart strings. I love reading about good ole Roy even though it's makes me sad. I'm glad though that he's spending his golden years under the good care of you guys.

[Rebecca M.]

Aw, gotta love the old guy. He's your very own personal "mule at large."

[Kylie Payeur]

Glad to see that Roy's doing better.
Hope he continues to improve.
Good luck Steve, Alayne, and all of the animals at RDR.

ps,
A big hello to wobbly Allie ! We all miss you here in Sault Ste Marie, and are glad to see you're doing well !