Tara Marie started working with us this summer, and she’s been taking some stunning pictures of The Doctor’s House. This one looks like it could be a painting – she’s really captured the peacefulness of the place, and Bridie’s beauty. We’re busy with weddings this weekend so I’ll cut this short, and wish you all a Happy Sunday – God bless.
Pony Break
Have you hugged a Newfoundland pony today? Well, at least now you can say you’ve oohed and aahed over one! We’re away on vacation, but we know our beautiful ponies, goat and sheep are all holding down the barn, quite literally, at The Doctor’s House. And our wonderful caretaker Perry is taking good care of them like always. Makes us realize that there’s no place like home!
Newfoundland Sleigh Ride Revisited
Since it’s getting to be that time of year, we thought we’d re -share one of our favourite parts of winter – Clifford’s sleigh rides! We still love this video (especially Sunny the Goat wagging her little tail!). We don’t have this much snow yet, but when we do – watch out!
Our Little Ponies
Recently, our good friend Shirley George visited us at The Doctor’s House and took lots of stunning photos – you can see some more of them here. Of course, our favourite shots were of the Newfoundland ponies (enjoying their new fence, we might add). They’re our favourites probably for the same reason that, despite all the riches and beauty of this place, almost everyone seems to love the ponies best. They’re so gentle and friendly, love people, and of course are just beauties, too. We have to ask – have you pet a Newfoundland pony today?
To see more photos of the ponies in actin, check out this album on our Facebook page!
Days of Yore
Here’s groundskeeper and husbandry expert, Perry Oliver, using a scythe to cut fresh grass for our horses. They’ve already eaten most of the grass in their current pasture, so we’re creating another one for them that should keep them going all summer. In the meantime, they need their daily greens!
We couldn’t operate The Doctor’s House without all the skills and wisdom Perry brings to the table. His knowledge of animals’ physical needs and psychiatry is amazing, and he keeps all our four-leggeds happy. And schything is a dying skill that not many can do anymore. Everyday, some new task pops up that makes us really grateful to have Perry on board, as he redefines ‘Jack of all Trades’ and then some.
Our Ponies’ Debut!
We love our ponies and so do our guests, so it was only a matter of time before they got a little online-love! Thanks to Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism for their recent blog featuring all the wonderful things to do on the Western shore of Conception Bay. And thanks to blogger, Dominique Chiasson, for staying with us, writing such a nice review of The Doctor’s House, and including our girls, Bridie and Shamrock in it. They’re our rescued Newfoundland ponies, and we’re happy to get the word out about how special they are!
And thanks again to recent guests Stephen and Kayla for the beautiful photo of Bridie.
Beauty is a Beauty
There’s lots to do to get The Doctor’s House for our first weddings in July, but this might have been the most fun. We’ve planned on having Beauty give carriage rides to our couples – but we had to be sure she was up to the job. So we had local expert Dave Knight come out to see if she could perform the task. She passed her test with flying colours, and now we can’t wait for this beauty of a Beauty to help create magical weddings. We think our horse drawn carriages will be quite romantic!
Bridie and The Berry
Everyone leads busy lives these days. We certainly do, as we navigate a new industry, and we know all our friends and colleagues work hard, too. Add in all our devices and on-the-go culture, and it’s hard to unplug! That’s why we love our animals, big and small. They force you to slow down, without your screens and cell phones, and live in the moment while you care for them. Here’s The Berry and Bridie, our Newfoundland pony, going through their evening ritual. It’s truly a blessing!
The Great Escape
Talk about a comedy of errors – especially for someone like Jerry who is mildly afraid of horses! A few evenings ago he was working reception at The Doctor’s House, when through our glass door he saw blurred images moving past quickly. Knowing they couldn’t be human, he ran and opened the door – to see our 4 ponies and Eweness the Sheep on the gallivant. They’d found a hole in the fence and taken full advantage.
The Berry was away, and Perry, our caretaker, was unreachable – so it was up to Jerry, slightly (just slightly!) afraid, to figure out how to get our animals, now on the loose, back to the safety of the barn.
So he got some apples and a bucket and went looking for the beasts. He found them in the furthest field from the barn, all smiles, munching on the fresh green grass and enjoying the sweet taste of freedom.
Shaking, a little, bucket in hand, Jerry approached Monty – the leader of the pack. As Monty munched on his first piece, Jerry put on his rein, held the old bucket in front of his nose, and led him easily (with heart pounding) back to the barn. To his relief, the others followed their leader neatly behind him.
Back at the barn, Jerry released the horses to look for the hole in the fence. He found it quickly, but not before the four ponies took off in full stride again, down the field and out through the hole, back to where he had last found them – laughing at him all the way.
So Jerry fixed the fence and started after them again. Thankfully, by this point, The Berry had returned, so she much more confidently led them back to the barn.
Here is the picture we took the morning after the Great Escape. The animals are clearly not as happy to have given up their freedom – but they are much safer now that their little adventure is over. And, it’s not like we don’t make sure they get plenty of exercise! 
Last Sleigh Ride of the Season
There are few things in the world more delightful than Clifford out with his Newfoundland Pony, Annie. His wife Shirley sent us these shots from last week, from what they believe will be the last sleigh ride of the season. She reports that the paths have broken down in the woods, and the sun is gaining its power, so it’s time to put the wintertime fun away. But we’re sure these rides were a bright spot in an otherwise dark season! 
Thanks for Clifford and Shirley for sharing this fun event. And if you’d like to see this sleigh-ride live, then check our this video!