Old Jake, the mule, is ail'n. Off his'n feed and water. Jeep got some pen-cillin and some kind of vitamins today and gave to the old dude this afternoon. He started eatin again but still isn't outta tha woods just yet. He's slowed down considerable this past year. I think he's 43 yrs old --as far as we can tell. When Jeep acquired'm [no, he didn't steal'm] about 13 yrs ago old Jake was an alcholic! He immediately went on the wagon at that Southern Baptist homestead of ole Jeeps! I wrote about ole Jake awhile back and it's in the archives--that is if'n you're interested in'm. Think'n about puttin a pict of ole jake on my webpage. Still snow'n here and the wind is startin to pick up some. We'll probably be drifted in by mornin. Thats ok, tho---longs I got the internet and power. Y'all in the N.E. stay warm and be safe! This is deadly weather -with a capital "D"! hoot. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), December 29, 2000

Answers

Sorry to hear about Jake. I had a friend who lost her horse after 30 years, it was very hard to deal with. They become part of your family! I have a mare I've owned for 14 yrs she's 18 now. She is part of our family. Keep him warm. I put a blanket on my mare this year as it is so much colder this year. I wish you well and Jake too!

-- Pam C (zpjc5_@hotmail.com), December 29, 2000.

Hoot, I have a donkey that is around ten years old. Hope she makes it that long. I have been told that the life expectancy is around fifty years. Well gotta go. Need to buy hay and feed for forty years!

-- Terri Perry (teperry@stargate.net), December 29, 2000.

Hoot, I'll include Old Jake in my prayers. I had no idea that mules and donkeys lived so long!!! Thank you for sharing that and I hope you stay all warm and toasty!

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@excite.com), December 29, 2000.

Hoot, I tried your web page and couldn't find it. Doublechecked and spelled it right,still said no matches found. Could you give me some ideas ?

-- Darren in Idaho (darrencindy2000@yahoo.com), December 30, 2000.

Hoot, Sorry to hear about Jake. Do you mix his feed with water? I don't have a mule, but heard sometimes that helps for "older" ones with teeth problems. And I'll have to check the archives for Jake's AA venture!

-- Marsha (CaprisMaa@aol.com), December 30, 2000.

I'm also soryy about Jake and hope he gets better real soon, hoot ! I've never owned a mule so I know nothing about them that could help so prayers and best wishes are all I can offer. Ya'll be careful in that storm.

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), December 30, 2000.

So sorry to hear about your mule. Animals have a way of getting into your heart. Our rooster Rudy died on Christmas Eve, didn't have the heart to tell the kids until they noticed him missing. I also tried to find your webpage but it came up as no matches found, maybe you can put the address up again? I really enjoy all of your postings. May God continue to bless you.

-- Melissa (cmnorris@1st.net), December 30, 2000.

Hey Hoot! Hope Jake is doing better today. My old 33 yr. old TB mare gets real tired easily these days and then she will slow down on her eating. She also refuses to drink any cold water when it's cold like this - has to have it warm. She won't eat anything in the morning until I have given her that drink of warm water. Just sort of stands there like she's in another world. It's hard, isn't it - watching them grow old and slow?!

-- Dianne (willow@config.com), December 30, 2000.

Hey guys! Thanks for all the concern for old Jake! He's still doin a little better. I tried find'n the story I wrote about'm but cant find it in the archives. I have a copy of it I printed when the post was made. I'll re-post it if'n ya'll want to read about'm. He's a good old dude but I t hink he's actually 44 or 45. re: website is www.countryboyenterprises.com. If it doesn't work I can't understand why. I'll get my 15 year old nephew to check it out again and see what's ail'n it. Y'all take care in this severe weather. Check on your neighbors--even it they're not old or crippled. We ALL need check'n on every once in awhile. Oh, BTW, Jesus Christ is comin back for His own real soon. Now read Matt. 24:44. hoot.

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), December 30, 2000.

Hoot, try mixing some apple cider vinegar ( about an ounce) in Old Jake's feed, it will help his digestion and act like a general tonic. Also, check his grinding molars for sharp edges, he might need his teeth "floated", or filed down the rough edges so he can chew properly.Mules generally live a loooong time, so cheer up!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 03, 2001.