Numbers

Yesterday's Pony Auction raised $77,225 for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department. The highest bid, $8,100 was for a "buyback" foal - one that the Pony Committee wanted to keep on Assateague for a better breeding program. "Buyback" bidders know in advance that the pony will be returned with the wild herds to Assateague; after their purchase, they have photos taken with the foal, and are entitled to naming the pony for the Chincoteague Pony Registry. The black foal with the white heart on its shoulder was sold for $4,300; the new owner plans to make videos of the foal listening to her playing the harp. The highest bid for a foal going to a new home was for a palomino colt, purchased for $5,000. The young lady who now owns him specifically wanted a palomino, and this was the only palomino foal this summer. - The herds will be swimming back to Assateague this morning at slack tide, and will be allowed to disperse naturally across the Virginia end of Assateague Island. ... Speaking of money, Tim Tebow signed his first NFL contract yesterday afternoon and will be at his first training camp as a professional football player today. His contract was signed for 5 years, and if he makes all of the goals, is worth $33 million. Even if he doesn't reach all of the goals, his contract, without incentives, is worth $11.25 million. Go, Broncos!
Enough of us tenants protested about the short notice of spraying that we won a reprieve until Monday at 9 a.m. Lovey and Neddy are doing well, but have been upset because I'm cleaning and not paying enough attention to them when I'm home. They both come at my call, and Neddy is continuing to be almost as vocal as Lovey. Rosie and Remy were upset yesterday when the surveying team was in the yard - I finally pulled all the blinds down, and was shocked that even though the men were clearly audible, the dogs calmed down since they were out of sight. Shama and Danny are quite a pair - Danny is in his own little world, unless he's on the leash, and is definitely an individual. Shama is still a puppy and just wants love, attention and approval. All of the critters I'm currently taking care of are wonderful. Especially my long-suffering kits!