'They're hilarious': B.C. hobby farm home to endless animal antics
A B.C. family has trouble getting their chores done on their farm each morning because of the antics of a pair of unlikely best friends – an elderly miniature horse and a rambunctious young golden retriever.
Dani de la Mare lives on a five-acre hobby farm in the Fraser Valley. She tells CTV News the horse – named Strawberry – came to live there just over eight years ago.
"He lost his playmate about that time," she tells CTV News, saying Strawberry's attempts to find a new buddy among the other animals were rebuffed.
"He's so playful and so devilish that he was just looking for anything to play with. He even chases my chickens, wanting to get some action out of them."
About a year and a half ago, a pup named Riley came along. It was not, de la Mare says, friendship at first sight.
"When (Riley) matured to a height that she could handle the miniature horse, she started terrorizing and teasing him. And he wanted no part of her because apparently he had just hated dogs," she says.
But one day, an impromptu tug-of-war over some feed changed everything.
"They raced around and around the horse trailer trying to catch each other," de la Mare says.
"Now they've become tight friends. It's a daily occurrence, they have this wrestle for about half an hour every morning until Strawberry goes out onto the pasture for his afternoon lunch … They love each other."
For the past eight months, each day has brought a new delight for de la Mare and her family. The animal duo will fight over sticks or a ball, or Strawberry will chase Riley around the property at a full gallop.
"I get (Riley) to jump up and over Strawberry's back, which is quite cute," she says.
"We get nothing done while they're playing … You just have to stop and actually laugh out loud. They're hilarious."
While Strawberry seems to have endless energy despite his age, de la Mare said Riley often gets tired and cools off by taking a dip in the pool or water trough.
De la Mare says word has spread to the neighbours who send their kids over to watch the show. And she wanted to share the story in hopes of spreading more joy.
"It's very entertaining. It makes our day every day."
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Spencer Harwood
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.