Sunday Stills Challenge - Wildflowers

Our little Flower Girl

With few wildflowers remaining,
I found a couple in my photo collection.

Next year ... I'm going to remember to carry my macro
and not just drive by and say ... ahhhh, how pretty!

Check out Sunday Stills
for some beautiful wildflower shots!

Happy Fourth of July !

Open Bar At The Barn

Click photo to enlarge
Nord loves room service.
Is that a Martini hose?

Oh No! Not My Favorite Tree!

Click photos to enlarge
It's hard to imagine that I could be upset

about cutting down one little ol' tree.

Ok, I know most people won't understand this boo-hoo saga,
but that is because they probably have lots of trees,
like I wish we had.

I've seen their photos of horses grazing in big pastures,
with beautiful trees in the background.

Some have even shown photos
of forests near their homes.

Well, back to my ... tree.

When we moved here ... there wasn't a tree on the property.
For the first few years, we worked to create a make-believe forest.

We dug each hole, planted each 5 gallon tree
and over the years faithfully watered them, one by one.

I'll never forget the "before trees" scene.
As a tree lover, this barren hill was not the view I wanted.

The alpacas thought this was grazing heaven ...
that is until mid-summer arrived, and everything turned brown.

In time ... we had trees.
And among them, I had a favorite.

It was this California Pepper tree
whose branches would sway in the breeze,
reminding me of a Weeping Willow.

I know, I know ... it's just a common ol' Pepper tree,
but it filled the once bare space so nicely.

With all my admiration ... this tree was especially inspired to grow.
Soon, the fence and the chicken house that were nearby
began to move.

Something had to go.

A few weeks ago,
when the tree-trimmers arrived,
climbed my beautiful tree,
and revved up their chain saws,
... it was a sad-sad day.

Much too quickly
the beautiful branches disappeared.

And, now,
my favorite tree is just a memory.
I shall miss it very much.

However, I do think I'm going to survive
to plant another tree, just not near the hay barn.

Hummm ... I wonder how far it is
to one of those farms with all the trees!

Happy Birthday To The Best !

Click photo to enlarge
Kirk and Gabe
~~~

For years, we've shared the trails and traveled the world.
Wherever we are ... it is the best of times.

I'm grateful for every day and every year
we've shared together.

Happy Birthday to my greatest love
and my perfect friend.

Dogs Day At The Beach

Charlie and Katie
... early morning romp.

Humm ... done that,
now what?

Oh yah, it's off to the races ...
gotta clear out those sea gulls.

Ok, got that job done.

Now for the traditional
sea weed romp & roll ...

Ummm, yum !!
Yep, it's been a great day at the beach!

Royal ... Worry Time, Again

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Royal With Lots to Think About

If there were a "worry photo" of me right now, it would show someone in the advance stages of "frantic".

Forgive me if I play out the details of this saga, again, but it has been almost 7 months of walking a tight rope and I'm afraid I'm facing another walk ... on the same rope!

As you know, Royal is still in recovery from serious founder caused by incorrectly administered steroids that he never should have had. My vet was afraid we were going to lose Royal and was making barn calls three times a day.

I told him if we lose Royal ... that would be the end of me, too. He said, he knew that.

The last time I wrote about Royal was last February. Things were looking good. He was calmly cruising the aisles of the barn and barn turnout. His attitude was wonderful, but he was still in confinement.

Now, almost four months later, the situation is the same. The improvement is that his sauntering about is faster and more secure.

The farrier is here every five weeks to adjust his angles and put on new therapy shoes. We are still taking things one inch at a time.

Here is the worry:
Royal is past due for the West Nile vaccine. Much of my research has shown that a compromised horse will likely be thrown into laminitis following this vaccine.

Last April, my vet said not to worry, to go ahead and give him the vaccine.

But this is the same vet that said Royal was Insulin Resistance and that was why he was overweight and had laminitis. (humm ... it was his young associate that gave the steroids). No connection between steroids and laminitis was discussed by anyone, except by me.

I read through various lectures given at veterinary conferences on the subject, as well reading through numerous dissertations written by research veterinarians. The conclusion was, yes, steroids can cause laminitis ... and do.

I printed out my findings and had a discussion with my vet on his next visit.

He said ... "you read too much".

I was shocked.

This is the same vet that has worked with me for over 15 years, that has weathered through many serious situations and always rushed to our barn the minute I called. We've always had both a professional and personal friendship. We were both serious about whatever issues there were. We always ... worked together.

The only difference in the current Royal situation seemed to be ... it was his young vet that gave the steroids. I think he felt a responsibility ... but cannot "go there".

Time proved that Royal's weight was bloating caused by the overdose of steroids, which also caused laminitis. The steroids also threw him into an artificially induced state of insulin resistance.

As the bloating reduced, his blood work returned to normal, as did his body weight. However, we are still living with founder.

Now we have the issue of giving the West Nile vaccine ... while Royal is still in recovery.

The other issue is I'm not trusting my vet. He says ... go ahead, give the vaccine, don't worry.

Well, worry, I do. So, I started doing what I always do ... micro-detailed research.

1. I talked with the Director for Laminitis Research. = Yes, there was high risk of laminitis.
2. Talked to a major breeder and discovered several horses had been given live virus West Nile vaccines and within hours .... had laminitis.
3. Talked with three Equine Pharmacuitical research vets = possible risk.

Finally, on the fourth call to a research vet at a major pharmacuitical company, I got somewhere besides possible and maybe. He wanted all the details about Royal, the how and when and current status.

The bottom line was ... yes, "live" West Nile vaccines have caused laminitis in some situations.

He strongly advised that I wait two more months and give only "killed virus" West Nile vaccine to Royal for the rest of his life. The other choice was ... not giving him any vaccine at all and face the risk of West Nile.

So, that is where we are.

The West Nile "killed virus" vaccine is in the refrigerator waiting.

The time for a decision is here ... and I'm a nervous wreck.

Has anyone been in this situation? I'd be grateful to know your experiences.

Sunday Stills - The Color Yellow

Click photos to enlarge

This weeks Sunday Stills Challenge is ...
photos with the color yellow.

This called for my macro lens.
So, off I went to sit in my garden.

Soon, I noticed this very busy bee.
Amazing creature it is from behind the lens.

Next, I wandered by the pond.
At first everything looked white.
Then, with a closer look, there was yellow!

Sure do love life through a macro lens.

~~~
Be sure to check all the other "Yellow" photos.
Some great photos!

A Horse In The Garden

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Big Ben and Friend

Click photo to enlarge

Just down the road and around the corner
are Ben and his little "twinsie" side kick ...
along with assorted others.

It was a fun day when this big boy arrived.
Click here for earlier story.

They do steal the show around the neighborhood.

Sunday Stills - Black & White Photography

The Challenge of the Week is Black and White
using two subjects from past Challenges.

Subject One
Animal Husbandry

How great is this ...
Royal is black and white!

He is the love of my life ...

... a big boy, but so very polite.

... his kindness shows
in the softness of his eye.

Always with us, he is such
a wonderful part of our lives.

~~~
Subject Two
Religious Architecture

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Believed to be the oldest church
still standing in California,
Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded
more than two hundred years ago

It is the 7th of 21 missions statewide.

Known as the “Jewel of the Missions"
it is also home to the Swallows
that return to nest
in March of every year.

Located in Southern California very near the Pacific Ocean,
Mission San Juan Capistrano is a place of beauty and tranquillity,
and a wonderful place for a camera!

~~~
Be sure to check out Sunday Stills
for other black and white challenge photos
posted by my camera friends.

Hey! Remember Me?

Click to enlarge photos.
Little Rescue Boy
~~

It's been quite awhile since I've updated the progress report on Shadow. Much has happened in his life in the past few months.

He fell in love with Royal, he became Royal's babysitter while Royal was confined with laminitis, he learned that he could be alone without freaking out, which, to me, meant that he had learned to trust us.

He decided that this was home. He had that "I'm not moving" manner about him.

What he did not learn was to respond to his name.

I've never been so ignored by a horse. I'd whisper his name while grooming, I'd call his name while carrying a bucket of feed ... nothing.

I wondered if anyone had ever called him by his name. It was clear that "Shadow" did not associate himself with that name.

Maybe he had had many names in the past or perhaps he associated the name with how horribly he had been treated in the past.

I still look at that photograph taken last fall when we rescued him. It remains unbelievable that anyone could treat him so badly. (Click on "Our Rescue Horse" under Labels for the full story)

Last September

In the early days of this saga, many of you sent some really good suggestions for a new name. However, nothing seemed to fit. Finally I gave up and decided I'd let this boy pick his own new name.

We had many trial runs, but nothing seemed to please him. While working with him I'd usually say things like ... you poor little boy.

Since there were other things to learn, we went on with the business of helping him adjust to life in our barn.

The two horses had never been together... I mean, out of their stalls, together.

I knew that day would have to arrive eventually. But in the meantime, it seemed safer for both of them to just take turns visiting each other.

I didn't want Shadow to be overwhelmed by the Number One horse in the barn, and I didn't want Royal to get into any shuffle matches as he is still in therapy shoes.

I'm really not sure why I decided to take the chance a few weeks ago, but both stall doors were opened.

I stood back out of the way ready to handle whatever disaster might happen.

This was the scene ... not even the geese ruffled their feathers!

Royal didn't seem to feel the need to puff himself up and parade his authority and Shadow was just grateful to get close to Royal.

That was when I saw the two horses side by side. I'd never thought much about the size difference. There were so many other things to think about.

Looking now at our newcomer, I said ... why, you are just a little Joe.

That was it. Shadow became Little Joe and finally, Little Joey.

What is terrific is ... he likes his name. He'll even come from behind the barn when he hears me call him. Perhaps it is the gentle sound of saying his name, but respond he does.

And as for life with Royal ... why, he can even get close enough to sniff the big guy's royal tail.

How cool is that?

Yep, life is looking good for... Little Joey!

Sunday Stills -Flowers

Click to enlarge photo.
~~~
Iris from my grandmother's garden
greet me every Spring.
So many memories bloom bringing remembrances
of a little girl with pigtails and freckles
helping her grandmother gather large bouquets.
There were so many iris ... every color of the rainbow.

And now, I gather these blooms from my own garden
while thinking of her and those wonderful times together.
~~~
I just discovered Sunday Stills and have had a delightful time
looking at the photos posted by others.
Now I shall add mine to the list.

Thank you, Ed, for being such a great inspiration.
I've finally blown the dust off my camera

Single Mom Arrives With 10 Kids

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Arrival and Move In Day

It was Saturday of Easter weekend when we heard the paddle of many little feet.

We were busy digging new drainage lines in the backyard when we looked up just in time to see the arrival of mom and her kids.

She walked with confidence around all the construction and straight to the geese feeder. It was strange how she seemed to know her way around.

My neighbor told me that she saw this young lass come out from under out front yard trees, walk across the front lawn ... with 10 babes in tow. This young mom knew exactly where she was going, which was under our gate, into our backyard ... and home.

Perhaps this young Miss is the one that had been doing frequent "flyovers" and surveillance during the past couple months.

I quickly made a mud puddle, which is amazing in itself, since we were hard at work trying to clear up the mud puddle problem we had during the past rainy season.

Now, I was making puddles for the newcomers.

Amazing how adorable a puddle full of ducklings can be.

It was only a matter of minutes before the pond was theirs.

And it was even less time before we were no longer working, but just sitting around in our chairs watching this adorable line up of ducklings following mom from bushes to feeder to pond ...back and forth all day.

Before long, two male Mallards arrived claiming paternity and residential rights.

I'm told that this is now home for this bunch. And ... that they will return again next year for more breeding, more ducklings and more time on our pond. Let's see ... that would be mom plus her 10 grown up kids.

That makes the possibility of how many ducklings?

Hummm ............

With our two Canada Geese and our own resident ducks, I'm not sure this is going to work out.

Next spring, I think we'll need to make arrows pointing to all the area swimming pools. That just might be a better plan.

In the meantime, we're back to work, but frequently leaning on our shovels still watching the parade.

Ain't Love Grand !

Click photos to enlarge
Charlie and Katie's Girlfriend,
Their Vet

There was so much love floating around our house, yesterday.

"The Girlfriend" arrived and Charlie and Katie were beside themselves. They didn't have a clue that this was health check up day. The minute Dr. Kelly arrived, it was "Me-Me-Me" time.

Katie's tail was wagging like a grandfather clock, and Charlie was immediately ready to have his slobbery tongue examined at close range.

Charlie dragged his toys from the toy box and had them piled all over her lap, especially his huggy baby.

In between examining these two big smoochers, the cats got their chance to have their purrs checked.

Happily, everyone is in great condition, well, ok, maybe a bit overweight, but we'll work on that.

Dr. Kelly has a way of convincing all our creatures that this is nothing but a social call. How lucky we are to have her come to the house.

It's was one of those great "fun was had by all" days. And what peace of mind to know everyone is fine ... and that she is just a phone call away.

Charlie's "OH NO" Day!

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Charlie

It started like any beautiful sunny day, first the leash, then the ride in the car. Things were looking great.

Then Charlie recognized the parking space, oh yah, been here before! The Vet's Office!!

That is when he flattened himself on the floor of the station wagon. Yep, flat as a pancake.

We looked like abusive parents as we tried to drag Charlie out of the car. We tried treats, we waved his huggy toy around ... nothing worked.

It is nearly impossible to pick up a 100 pound dog that is acting like a complete lug.

Finally, Charlie arrived in the exam room having been drug on his rear in front of dignified poodles, adorable little lap dogs and more than a few arrogant felines.

Charlie was poked and stuck by all the tricks of the trade. He really hates this part.

But we are happy to say ... Charlie is fit as a fiddle.

You should have seen him strut his stuff out of the office. He puffed himself up to his now 105 pounds and trotted his way straight to the car.

The huggy toy was in his mouth all the way home.

I love this boy ... he's such a big baby!

~~~~
There is a P.S. to this story.

Charlie had a discussion with us about "that vet". Charlie has the ability to sniff out trouble people, and this vet was nothing but trouble. So we took his advice and got a new vet.

She is young and good looking. That Charlie is always thinking!

Now, I keep towels at the ready, since Charlie's "young chick" gets licked from head to toe the minute she arrives.

He's totally in love with her and anything she does is fine with him.

Don't you just love it when things work out.

I'm Ready For My Closeup, Mr.DeMille

Who Is This Guy!

Honest, he was never in any De Mille movies. And he swears he was not in "Gone With The Wind", either.

However, he was in "Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom".

Again, he says you'll know him.

For this movie, he says they called him "Harrison Ford".

Oh, Geezzz, try living with him ...

Who Is That Movie Star ?

Who Is He?

Several people have sent questions over time as to just who is that handsome movie star that snatched me away from my New York career and now kicks dirt around our barn.

I can tell you .... he was and is really something!

The most recent request was from Callie at Midwest Horse.

Her comment went like this:
"Not you'll ever reveal your hubby's fame, I have a friend who is an absolute old western movie freak! And he is on a mission to figure out who your husband is. Can you give us a clue? Just one movie, he's been in, perhaps? Pretty please?"

Now, who could resist such a request?

So, I had a talk with Mr. Hollywood and he said to tell you that every time you see a gun totting cowboy in a movie ... yep, he's the guy.

He's also quite sure you will recognize him. He says his stage name is "Clint Eastwood".

Do you really believe that line?

What movies?

Hummm, he says, maybe "High Noon", or "Magnificent Seven" ... or "Blazing Saddles"!!

And, oh yes, one you've probably never heard of ... "Paint Your Wagon".

But like any good cowboy, "he don't talk much".

Nope, Didn't Go Near The Mud Puddles!

Click to enlarge ~ they are a sight!
Those little rascals
"Charlie" and "Katie"

Great News and We're Celebrating !

Royal is out of his stall !

~~~

It has been a long time since I've given an update on Royal. However, today I finally checked in and saw the wonderful notes you have left for me ... cheering us on!

Thank you so much!

The last time I wrote I was waiting for the arrival of the vet ... and hoping for good news. But things didn't work out that way.

So much has happened since ... but I just couldn't write about it.

My Christmas wish was for Royal to be healthy and happy, again. Unfortunately, everything that could go bad ... did.

However, Valentine's Day was the big day around here. We are celebrating now!

Royal is out of his stall, wandering around the passageway ... and feeling good.

Royal's first steps were slow and easy,
but he was one happy fellow just to be out.

We had to block off the path to the upper hill.
One never knows what ideas a happy horse might have.

And, yes, we were finally able to remove the wooden clogs.

Here is a photo taken from a website
for anyone not familiar with these clogs.
~~~

Royal is now wearing therapy shoes, which he seems to think are quite comfortable. The latest x-rays showed things are looking good.

Royal's blood work is perfect, he is not insulin resistant and the laminitis is under control. Finally, the effects of the steroid overdose are believed to be gone. Royal has finally taken a turn for the ... good!

It will be quite awhile before he is romping up and down the hillside, or prancing his way to the arena ... but I fully believe those days are ahead for him.

In the meantime, when it isn't raining, Royal is enjoying every ray of sunshine that comes his way. We're taking it a day at a time and counting our blessings.

Life is looking good and
... I've got my boy back!

Happy New Year! - The Best Year for Everyone!

Merry Christmas to my wonderful friends!

Sending you wishes for a beautiful Christmas
from our house to your house.

Are You Lonely, Royal?

Our rescue horse becomes Royal's babysitter.
~~~

Thanks to all of you wonderful, fantastic, helpful friends that have made such good suggestions and have been great at just "being there" during these very long worry days/months.

This ordeal with Royal has been traumatic and we'll all be glad when it is finally over. They say it will take him about a year for recovery, but I just can't deal with that !

I've lost count on how many times the vet has been here, how many times I felt like crying because he said things weren't going so well with Royal, and how scared I've been that I might lose my boy.

But here is the latest report on Royal.

Remember after that steroid medication (that he should not have had) and how he blew up like a fat bubble wrap boy? Well, the welts and edema are almost gone. The blood work is showing that the insulin resistance situation is improving, and his weight is getting back to normal.

We still do not know if he is really insulin resistant or if the steroid medication caused the situation. But whatever, he is being treated for IR ... and laminitis and rotation.

Tomorrow, both the vet and the farrier will be here to remove his wooden shoes and see what we have underneath. More x-rays will be taken to see what the situation is and then they'll decide what type of shoes and pads he will have put back on.

His medications have been reduced, but he is still on his diet ... much to Royal's disappointment, even though he is much thinner.

In fact, I think he looks thinner than the day I bought him. He's always been a big boy ... you know, tall, dark and handsome.

Probably the toughest past of his confinement has been being stuck in his stall. I mean, take a look at it !!

It is a constant reminder that his mom needs to get out the paintbrush and get things back in shape.

Royal pretty much just hangs around looking out the window watching dogs, cats, geese, ducks and the world go by ... and, of course, waiting for me to show up for the 45th time just to check on him. He's such a good patient.

With all the rains, he has managed to stay dry. I suppose that is the good part of being stuck in the stall.

I'm counting on good news from the vet, tomorrow.

That's all I want for Christmas ... a healthy Royal, running up and down the hill to the upper paddock and calling out to me just to be sure I know where he is.

Just couldn't ask for more ....

Royal- Worry and Sleepless Nights

Click to enlarge photos
Royal ~ The Love of My Life!

~~~

Royal has always been the horse I could depend on. He's my army tank, perfect feet, perfect attitude, healthy as a horse, the one that just keeps on rolling with his beautiful, heavenly gait, day after day.

Suddenly, he is now suffering laminitis in both front feet, on 30 day stall rest just for starters, on Banamine twice a day, Ace twice a day. He has rolled wooden shoes screwed to his once upon a time, perfect feet.

As soon as we had the diagnosis, we did five days of ice/water soaking of his front feet for 15 minutes three times a day. Near the end of the process, Royal would just pick up his feet and plop them in the bucket. He seemed to know we were trying to help him.

The alarm went off when Royal was being such a quiet babysitter for Shadow. Royal is an active boy, always flagging that tail as he runs to the upper paddocks on a regular basis, or prancing his way down to the arena.

I've kept a detailed chart of the accumulating time bombs along the way. It seems things keep getting worse, the list of possible causes is getting longer.

I'm an absolute worried wreck and nearly living in the barn round the clock.

If you read through my panic post and see red flags along the way or have any suggestions, ... I'm listening!

I love this boy!

Late last August, a new young vet made a routine call to the barn. She recommended Royal be given some medication for those annoying "can't see 'um" fly bites. A short time later, Royal blew up the size of a house. He looked like he was a big roll of bubble wrap. I later learned the medication was potent steroids given several times a day.

Later, my regular vet came by and ran x-rays of his feet to get a base line in case of further problems. The results were ... perfect feet.

Then blood tests were run for insulin resistance. It came back positive. However, on second opinion, I learned that steroid overdose can cause artificial metabolic syndrome and excess weight and bloating. Whatever the cause, he now has laminitis.

Royal's menu is now 16 pounds of soaked timothy hay a day, along with 1 cup of Purina Low Starch feed with his usual vitamin/mineral supplement. (He's a big boy, almost 17 hands and big boned.)

Even though Royal's thyroid is normal, he was put on 4 scoops of Thyro-L daily to lose the weight.

Three weeks later, he has developed laminitis. X-Rays were done, again. It shows rotation in both front feet, numbering 7 in the right front and 10 in the left front. Now, he is in serious condition.

My farrier says he has seen this before. He believes the steroids started the process and the thyroid has caused the laminitis. He recommends slowly bringing him off the thyroid, since his new diet will bring down his weight. He believes to continue the thyroid for another 2 months will cause further problems.

Now, I don't know what to do about the thyroid medicine. The vet says to give it to lose weight fast and the farrier says no, that it is risky.

Both my vet and farrier are excellent. Just differing opinions. And I don't know what to do.

I've been reading Victoria's very similar problems. She sure has kept me together through this trial. I'm so glad to see things are on the mend with Siete.

My thinking, at the moment, is Royal does not have insulin resistance, and I'm very concerned about the effects of the thyroid and the laminitis.

My vet was here this morning and we discussed this thoroughly. He sees no relationship in the timing of the medication and the laminitis. He'll be back again, tonight and we'll be doing more blood work to run another test for the insulin resistance.

In the meantime, I'm going in circles, checking Royal constantly and worried sick.

If any of this is familiar to you, if you agree or disagree with my thinking, please post a word or two.

If you have suggestions ... any help is greatly appreciated.

Right now, I'm back to the barn ...

And ... Just When Things Were Going So Well

Click photo to enlarge
Shadow with his dad

Shadow has made a remarkable recovery from those starvation days two months, ago. He knows the feeding schedule, well, licks his plate clean and even hangs around for some good old fashioned grooming. He's rather proud of his handsome new pounds that cover those skinny bones of yesterday.

He has happily joined in his exercise program to build those muscles and get his hind quarters strong. He has even lost that strange rotation in his back leg. The vet was right ... build the muscles, get him stronger and he just might surprise you.

With Shadow's walk abouts in the neighborhood, he has become a bit of a celebrity as people admire those new muscles and shiny black coat, remembering how fragile he once was. It has been great to see him become so proud of himself.

We were thinking ... what kind of career would be best for Shadow. He is calm, well behaved, loves children, scared of nothing. Then I thought of my friend who taught at the Shea Center for handicapped children. Ah-Hah! What a perfect job that would be for him.

The plan was to spend 3 more months of muscle development, then off Shadow would go to the therapy center for his 90 day trial. If that didn't work, he could always come back and hang out in his paddock and entertain friends that go by.

~~~

That was then and this is now.
How times can change in 24 hours.

It was early in the morning when Shadow's paddock partner left for another home. I was there to be sure everything went smoothly and to help the owner.

"Angel" was still in the horse trailer when Shadow began his frantic pacing. There was not another horse in sight for Shadow to see even in the distance. He was alone. There was nothing to calm him.

Once again, he felt abandoned. Blind fear took over.

I stayed with him until nearly midnight, trying to help him, but ended up just watching him pace himself into a lather. I asked friends for a horse that needed to get out of a stall and stretch its legs to keep him company. But no luck.

The next morning, neighbors said he kept up the fast pacing the entire night. It wasn't until the afternoon that I located a mare to share the empty paddock next to Shadow. He immediately was calm, even though the mare continually tried to bite him.

The sad part was the mare would be going back late that afternoon and Shadow would be alone to do his manic pacing, again. He hadn't stopped for 30 hours, not even for food or water. He was losing those precious pounds. A plan had to be made quickly.

It was decided that Shadow would come temporarily to our barn. My friend, Nicole, had the job of walking a frantic horse away from his "home" and to a strange place.

When he arrived at my barn, Shadow continued to pace in the stall for another 3 days and whinny at night. We called the vet, who said that Shadow had such insecurity issues from so much abandonment, that Royal would be his only help.

Royal is not famous for being a babysitter. He has his own things to do. But, Royal patiently stood by Shadow's stall window and Shadow finally began to calm down and to eat and drink.

Now, I had to find Shadow a permanent home, quick. ( Remember, no room in my barn?) Since Shadow wasn't ready for the therapy school, I called every rescue place possible. They were all full considering the horrible plight of horses right now.

I didn't trust what would happen to Shadow and I just could not let him repeat his dreadful past. So he is still in our barn.

Shadow thinks he is home. He's finally calm, walks around with confidence and thinks he won the lottery. He's a good boy ... and, yes, he is a keeper. He's home, now.

Much to my surprise, Royal has been a wonderful babysitter, stands quietly by Shadow's stall. However, I know Royal ... he is standing much too quietly.

We soon learned ... life has changed, again.
Shadow is fine, but ...
There is something seriously wrong with Royal.

That is the next chapter!

I'm living in the barn for awhile.

To All My Wonderful Blogging Friends ...

Thank Heaven For Second Opinions!

Click photos to enlarge

Lalique
(La-Lee)
~~~

La-Lee is one of those cats that purrs her way into everyone's heart. She's a talker, a lap sitter, a tag along, and a pillow warmer. As you might guess, we got her from the Humane Society.

We had been looking for a Burmese cat. None were available, but we were told that there had just arrived a beautiful Tonkinese cat that sure wouldn't be there long. We jumped in the car and she was ours about 45 minutes later. I asked why such a beautiful cat was there.

It seems a girl was getting married and her future husband had said it was "me or the cat". Personally, I would have found a different groom and kept the cat.

Lucky for us, this adorable cat has been the center of our household for almost 12 years.


Last January things seemed to be going wrong with La-Lee.

For all of you who have cats, I'm telling you about our ordeal in the event you have a cat with symptoms similar to what La-Lee had.

Perhaps some of you have already been there and done that with your cat and wonder why it took me so long to arrive ... at the "second opinion" that saved her life!

It all happened gradually. This calm, sweet girl began acting nervous, then later seemed to be having "panic attacks". I rushed her to an old vet I'd used years ago. He said she was a Tonkinese and was "neurotic" and not to worry. (La-Lee has never been neurotic!)

However, things got worse. When holding her I could feel her heart pounding, and she was panting as though she couldn't get her breath.

Back to the vet:
This time he said she was having an asthma attack. It was decided she was allergic to the dogs. This meant she had to be isolated in the bedroom, permanently, forever. I also had to use a face mask to give her asthma medications.

Things still got worse, nights were especially bad. She was so hungry, yet she never ate. I tried every food imaginable. She seemed to like tiny bits of my left over egg or tuna salad with mayonnaise. Eventually, La-Lee only licked Nutra-Cal from my finger.

Back to the vet:
She was put on high powered steroids and penicillin. I was sent home with the syringes to give her the meds. I said there was no way I'd be giving penicillin shots, it is painful, requires a large needle ... and I knew La-Lee would have no part of that.

Back to the vet:
After a good scolding, the vet said ... let me show you how to give a penicillin shot. I knew what was coming! He held her firmly and attempted to give the shot. The cat jumped in the air, the syringe hit the wall and the vet was covered with penicillin. He was very annoyed, I was amused and La-Lee was furious. We were sent home with medications less troublesome. (I later found out it was tranquilizers mixed with antibiotics.)

La-Lee continued to get worse. She was now dreadfully skinny, had insomnia, cried all the time and was extremely restless.

Back to the vet:
This time she was given an ultrasound. The vet determined she had cancer throughout her intestines and if I loved my cat, I'd put her to sleep ... right then.

This didn't sound right and didn't feel right. I'd had enough with what I now considered to be a neurotic vet. I told him I didn't make hasty decisions and would need to take her home and give this some thought.

After calling all my friends to help me locate a specialist, I decided to rush La-Lee to the young vet that in the past had the unpleasant responsibility of coming to our house when it was time to say "good-bye" to a family pet.

I needed a second opinion, pronto.

Off to a Different Vet:

Dr. Kelly was all business. To put my mind at ease, she did an ultrasound of La-Lee's intestines. Several other vets, as well as myself, studied the screen. It was agreed by all that there was no sign of any cancer. Next came x-rays and then drawing the blood for a complete panel.

Dr. Kelly was quite certain by La-Lee's behavior and appearance (skinny, nervous, hungry) that she was ... hyperthroid and that there was probably a non-cancerous tumor on her thyroid.

When the blood results came back ... her diagnosis was correct. La-Lee's thyroid was alarmingly high. Had we not found this out she probably would have had heart problems and not long to live.

We had three options:
1. pills = which made her vomit
2. medication rubbed on the inside of her ear = this made her vomit
3. radioactive injections

Radioactive !! To poor La-Lee? How frightening!

But that was now our only option. I couldn't imagine sending her off to a special hospital for this procedure and then leaving her there for a week while she became ... non radioactive! But that is what we did and how fortunate we were that such a clinic was near our home, so off she went.

There were 18 cats that checked in that day, all being sent for the same hyperthyroid treatment and all kept in individual isolation "suites". I was amazed. I had no idea this was such a common problem in cats, especially 13 years old and over.

I coughed up the $ so that I could watch her on my computer screen from early morning to late at night. It was worth the peace of mind.

I'd sent along an old green T-shirt I'd worn for her to sleep on. Somehow, I think it made her feel better. It certainly made me happier.

Here is the first picture of her in the hospital.
She is not radioactive, yet.
But she knew ... this wasn't home.
She's tucked back under ... on my green shirt.

The next day she had her radioactive procedure. I didn't know what to expect, how she would act. Would she be a sick-er cat? I knew she would be lonely, since they couldn't pet her.

So I checked out my computer screen to see what was happening.

I certainly didn't expect to see this.

Hey! Any room service here?!

We all survived her week being gone. She is now healthy, loves to eat, is no longer skinny or nervous. She is back to normal ... purring, sitting on my lap and keeping all the pillows nice and warm.

That's her job, you know ... that is when she isn't walking in front of the computer screen or pawing her way across the keyboard.

Wow ... I sure missed her and how lucky we are to still have her ... thanks to a second opinion!

Problems With Your Printer?

Making the email rounds and too cute not to share!

Royal's Friends ~ Ben and Pal

Click photos to enlarge
Early Morning ...

Back home, again ...

~~~

Seems I need to explain this unlikely pair.
In a comment, Amy Jo asked how a "Clydesdale
and a little pony ever hooked up".

The pony has been living at this house for several years, along with goats and chickens, but no horses. Then while making the rounds of the neighborhood, lo and behold, there was a Clydesdale that had just arrived a couple weeks, ago.

The owners said Ben was from Wisconsin and I guess got tired of the snowstorms and so he was shipped to California. He seems quite happy with his pint sized room mate.

They do their munching at the bottom of the hill and then toddle back up to their barn.

I'm rather curious if the owners thought to measure the opening of the barn door before bringing Ben to live with them. Oh well, things usually work out.

Shadow's Carrot Girl

Click photo to enlarge
Wait A Minute, Shadow ...
I'll get the carrot for you!
~~~

3 year old Cassie stops by often to give her favorite pal his treats.
Shadow loves children and has regular fans who stop by.

Take a look at that boy! No ribs showing!
Yeah! He's come a long way!

Shadow Begins Exercise

Click photo to enlarge
Shadow ~ First Outing

~~~

It's been almost two months since Shadow began the long road back. I still look at that first photograph of him, and remember how uncertain I was that he would even make it. I just didn't realize the inner strength this horse had. He amazes me everyday.

He has a healthy appetite and is starting to fill out in just the right places. This week we began the muscle-up program, which means a slow walk on the flat along the trails that are conveniently in front of his paddock.

His hind quarters are very weak, but Dr.Secor assures me that keeping things slow and steady, Shadow should be able to develop the muscles to solve that problem.

My real worry is a strange rotation of the left hind leg. Sometimes it seems that he could possibly go down. At present, I'm avoiding turns towards the left, as that is a challenge for him.

He does fine on the straight for about 20 minutes, and then the leg seems to give out. I hope it is a muscle thing and not some old injury that will be permanent.

Here are some photographs that show the left hind leg rotation.

Would greatly appreciate opinions, suggestions, advice.

Beginning of walk on the straight

Turning left ... beginning rotation of left hind leg.

Turning left ... rotation and lack of support
~~~

The severity seen in last photo is generally after about
20 minutes of walking. On a good day, there is no rotation.

I try to remember it was only
8 weeks ago he could hardly walk.
It's a day at a time.

(Shadow is a Fox Trotter about 25 years old.)

We Live In A Dog House

Click photo to enlarge

Katie and Charlie

~~~

Every now and then Charlie has a good idea. In fact, this time it was a terrific one. He wanted a sister and that's sure what he got. These two kids were meant to be together.

I just don't know why it took me 48 hours to see that Katie was not going to be temporary.

In fact, when I think about that phone call from Carole describing this "perfect girl" ... I think this whole thing was a set up, ... this was no "foster for a few days"! This was a done deal, I just didn't know it.

Carole knew I'd keep this little girl and she also knew I'd say "no" if she mentioned my adopting another dog.

I'm such a push over once they get in the house!

The cat test was a breeze .......

But, there is no doubt ... life has changed around here!

The nightly romp

and ... so much for those toys.

Later, it's time for races.
This is when mom says ... "take it outside!"

Then it's back for TV.

Is this just one big pile of fur, or what?!

Katie Comes To Visit

Click to enlarge photos

Katie ~ The New Foster Child

~~~

As you know, Charlie wants a sister and I want a trial before adding another dog to our collection of animals. So, we're trying the fostering idea. Never done this before.

I called Carole at the Golden Retriever Rescue to tell her that I would possibly, maybe, think about fostering an older Golden Retriever, but none of the puppy stuff.

Somehow, with Charlie, our house has become his ... meaning we live in one big dog house. And now we were considering another?

Carole knew I was still in recovery from my breathless training adventures with Charlie. He had been a large pup when we brought him home to a place filled with ducks, geese, cats and horses.

What were we thinking?

At the time, we had been looking for an older female with perfect manners and then we saw Charles. Well, you know the rest of the story.

He behaves perfectly now, but I'm still in recovery.

So, in my conversation with Carole, I told her that this new foster Golden would have to be an older lady that would fit into our zoo.

I figured that would take quite awhile to find ... and maybe never, then I'd be off the hook.

Only a few days later the phone rang. It was Carole. She was all excited about having found the most perfect, sweetest, most adorable 8-9 year old female Golden that she had ever seen. This girl would be a perfect foster child for me. It went something like this ...

"Oh believe me, she is wonderful. You'll love her and she'll only be there a few days before she'll be adopted by another family."

We dashed over to pick her up. Carole was right. Katie was a sweetheart. She politely jumped into the back of the car. I later turned around to check on her.

It looked like we were driving "Miss Daisy". She was sitting so perfectly in the middle of the back seat, looking straight out the front car window. All that was missing was a flowered bonnet.

It is hard to mention, sad to say and difficult to fathom, but this lovely lass had been left at the dog pound by her former owners and then they drove away. I only hope they at least said "good-bye".

But now, she was at our house and our girl ... until she found her forever home.

Charlie was simply overjoyed! I don't think his tongue stayed in his mouth for more than a few seconds. He hauled all the toys out of his toy box pretending he would share.


Katie was patient with all the activity and tried her best to keep up with the road races up and down the hallway.

We found these two kids entertaining as we watched the rugs being rearranged into clumps and piles, along with toys being thrown in the air. Charlie was in his glory and Katie was a sport.

The two became instant friends. There were car rides together, long hikes on the trails, ball chasing in the back yard and outings along the beach.

My responsibility, other than caring for Katie as a foster child, was sending Carole daily reports as to how Katie was adjusting to her new environment, did she like cats, did she like Charlie, did she bark? All these details were necessary in order for her to find the home that would fit perfectly for her.

A few days later, I wrote up the ad for Katie, along with a photo. It was late at night when I clicked "send" and the write-up was off to Carole to be placed on the Golden Retriever adoption site, so Katie could find her new parents.

The ad went like this:

Katie is a sweet, gentle older girl that came from a local shelter. Sad to say, she was turned in by her owners who could no longer keep her. Katie is the ideal companion. She has perfect manners, is calm and quiet. She does not bark. She enjoys greeting people on her walks around the neighborhood and loves rides in the car. She gets along with other dogs and doesn’t mind well behaved cats. Katie would love to find a new home where she can pal around the house, stroll in the backyard or just watch TV with her new forever parents. If you are looking for a foot warmer that is sweet and adorable, Katie just might be the one.

~~~

Early the next morning, I checked the Golden Retriever website and saw ... our Katie!

I quickly called Carole and said ... "take the ad down! Katie already has a forever home."

Katie is a keeper and I'm a foster failure!
Katie is here to stay.

About That Sister For Charlie

~~~~~

When Charlie said he needed a sister, I wasn't real jazzed on the idea. But then I remembered that I've been called a soft touch and knew that I needed to uphold my reputation.

For sometime, we've been helping with the Golden Retriever Rescue in the Southern California area. For the perfect dog, this is the place to go.

We adopted wonderful Kayla from them ...

And, of course, .... Charlie.

If you happen to be in the Southern California area, please check them out. They are wonderful people. At the moment, there are 49 adorable Goldens looking for a forever home.

Here is a photo of one recently adopted.

Some dogs are found running along the streets, some in dog pounds, some turned in by their owners for various reasons. This is a sad time, now, as people are losing their homes ... so are their pets.

The dogs are picked up by volunteers and are placed in a hospital clinic where all their needs are taken care of before being available for adoption. It is truly remarkable.

If dogs need surgery or medical procedures ... it is done. I remember one dog that had been hit by a car. He was literally put back together. What a wonderful dog he was and eventually he found a wonderful home.


We have been volunteering at the rescue center and have the official title of ... Dog Walkers. Since the dogs are kept temporarily in kennels, they need to get out several times a day for a healthy walk. I thought it was a win-win situation. The dogs got exercise and so did we.

A few came home with us for a "play date" where they ran around the yard and had a jolly good time.


It was always difficult to take them back to the clinic, but I knew that somewhere there was a perfect family searching for that very dog. It was a wonderful feeling to see them jump into the back of a car and head home with their new family.

Some dogs are sent to foster homes where they get to sleep on the couch, play with the kids and chase balls while their photo is on the website. Before long, they are found by their new family and finally move to a home of their own.

Now, with Charlie's request for a playmate of his own, I contacted my friend at the rescue center and suggested that we might foster a girlfriend for Charlie, while I decide if two dogs are too many.

Well ... you know where this story is going.

Meanwhile, Back At The Farm

Charlie and Dad ~ Story Time
"... and the wolf huffed and he puffed ..."

~~~

Now that things are under control with Shadow and we are mostly standing around watching that sweet horse eat and put on weight ... I'll bring you up to date on Charlie.

As you remember, Charlie was a Golden Retriever that we rescued last February.

He has now reached the age of two and has pretty much finished chewing up our shoes, counter surfing for food and chasing cats.

He has actually turned into a regular gentleman ... well, almost, most of the time, gentleman.

He's dad's pal. They have regular routines, such as early morning walks and late evening story hour. They are rarely apart.

The car is now a dog mobile filled with Charlie's toys. You've already heard about his shopping escapades.

Lately, I've heard this rumor circulating around the house. It seems Charlie wants a baby sister. At the moment ... I don't think so.

It's a busy place around here ... and at this very second it's time to scoot back to check on my rescue boy. That sweet horse is ready for another feeding and perhaps a very short walk along the horse trail.

And then when I get back home, there is handsome Royal to groom.

Another dog? Hummm .... do we really need two?
I have a feeling there will be another dog chapter in the near future.

Four Weeks Later ... Part 5

Click on photo to enlarge

A Day At A Time

This heroic boy is on his way!

With four feedings a day, lots of grooming and a tremendous amount of love ... changes are happening. Here he is only four weeks since that first photograph.

So far, he doesn't have a new name. I've saved all of your great suggestions. Thank you, so much! I'm not sure which one will fit. I'm thinking in time his personality will emerge and perhaps he will name himself.

At the moment, it is the sound of my voice and the bucket that gets his attention.

During the past few weeks, I've been leaning against the fence watching in amazement as this boy has gradually lost his depressed, starved appearance. I now see a handsome, sweet horse starting to emerge and growing stronger each day.

The first major change I noticed in him was ... trust.

I'm not sure why he would ever trust a human being again, but that seems to be what he is all about. He is forgiving and simply loves people.

Since I'm at his paddock several times a day, I've discovered he now has a fan club. People stop by to admire his progress and give him words of praise.

There is the little 3 year old carrot girl who waits to give him a hug.

Then there is the van of young school kids that stop, roll down the window and give him a cheer. The mother says this is the best part of the day for her girls.

It is a wonderful sight to see my boy putting on weight, filling out between those bones and seeing strength gradually building up in his legs.

Being very clever, he has learned to walk faster from the gate to the feeder. In fact, he seems to have acquired the energy to be a little too eager at times.

I said, well, look at you ... you're in school now.

We've worked on patience, no pushing at feeding time and a quick learner, he is! Now, he politely steps back and waits for me to add the food and all the healthy things that go with it.

He seems to honestly believe there will be more food coming, again, in a few hours. What a wonderful thing that must be for him.

In a few weeks, he will slowly start his exercise program. This means walking a short ways up and down the horse trail in front of his paddock. Dr. Secor wants to build muscles without burning the fat we are working so hard to put on him.

Speaking of my vet, let me say he is a gem. Being one of the best vets in the area, he is much in demand. He works with the top competitive horses, as well as some child's favorite pony. He is an expert, efficient, thorough, and very compassionate.

When he heard about my rescue horse, he came as soon as possible. He spent nearly 2 hours going over this boy, building my hopes that we could save him and establishing an on going plan for the years he had remaining.

I knew the vet bill would be a big one. And when the bill arrived, I braced myself, but knowing it would be worth every penny.

Much to my surprise, at the bottom of the list of procedures performed that day, there was written ... N/C. I was stunned ... no charge!

Yesterday, I printed a card for my vet showing the first photo taken of one starved horse. On the inside I printed the "4 weeks later" photo above, with the following message.

~~~

Dear Mark,
It is difficult to find words to describe how much we appreciate you.
We always know that we can count on you.
You've been a part of the best times and the tragic times with our horses,
but you've always been there as a source of trust and comfort.
~~~
We want to express our gratitude to you for your generosity
in helping us with our most recent addition.

It is our hope to give this poor soul a few more years,
only this time filled with care and love.

With gratitude and countless thanks to you!
~~~

On the way to the vet's office,
I picked up a big bouquet of red roses,

not from me, but from our boy.

You're Mine, Now ! Part 4

Click on photo to enlarge

No longer hungry, no longer an orphan !
Sept. 11 ... papers signed!

It must have been all of your good wishes sent my way this past Thursday, because the meeting to sign the transfer of ownership papers went very smoothly ... no drama, no theatrics.

I thank all of you so very much! You kept me going.

When I drove up to Shadow's paddock, I saw "the young girl" packing her saddle and assorted things into her car. What a great sight that was! She seemed to be in a hurry ... that was even better!

I had the paper work all ready, my check for $1.00 and pen in hand. We went directly into the tack room and she signed her horse over to me without hesitation. For a moment, she faked a bit of sadness, but with a passing pat for Shadow, she was off and gone.

It has been since then that I have learned more details people had not wanted to tell, such as Shadow being left without food or care while his owner went on her honeymoon. Then there were long periods of time that he was simply abandoned, ... she was busy, I'm told.

But that is now the past. Shadow has a new life ahead of him.

I have no idea what I have purchased for $1.00, but I do know each day is going to be a better day for both of us.

Shadow has put on weight, due to those night time runs, and also thanks to my friends who risked I don't know what to sneak the feed to Shadow during the daytime.

His ribs no longer protrude so badly that I want to cry. It's a happy feeling to walk in the paddock and be greeted by a big nose eager for the bucket in my hand.

And it is wonderful to know he is mine.

The farrier gave him a trim and said his feet were excellent. Shadow was so off balance, I have no idea how he could possibly stand. Now he moves about comfortably.

When my vet heard I had taken on this rescue horse, he immediately made time in his very busy schedule to give Shadow a work over, yesterday.

This vet has been with me through all the ups and downs of owning horses. He said that seeing this horse and knowing he now would have the chance to live out his life in comfort ... made for a wonderful day!

Dr.Secor estimates that Shadow is about 25 years old and based on the severity of his weight loss did not have much time left. The vet was amazed at the weight Shadow has put on, and the beginnings of a shine in his coat.

Shadow is still weak and a bit unsteady at times, but we feel with nutrition, his teeth filed and polished to perfection so he can eat and process his food, plus lots of love ... he is going to be one handsome, healthy boy.

Everyone who has had the pleasure of seeing him is impressed by Shadow's sweet and gentle nature in spite of the long rough road he suffered.

Shadow is like a big puppy dog. I think that sparkle in his eye and his tag along personality is his way of saying ... thank you.

I wish he could somehow know how lucky I feel to have him.

~~~

The next project is to give him a new name to match his new life. Any suggestions? He is tall, dark and handsome, does that help?

I need to add a P.S. to the name change idea.
"Shadow" does not know his name, does not respond to it and I believe it came from the "the young girl" who had him only a few years and was rarely there.

Wish I knew what he was called in his previous life.

Shadow - Starving Horse Part 3

Click on photo to enlarge

"Shadow"

So Sweet and So Gentle

~~~
Negotiations To Take Ownership
Thursday, September 4

First, I need to explain, as some have asked, Shadow lives at a private residence with horse paddocks at the bottom of the hill which are rented out. Shadow's paddock is right next to a heavily traveled horse trail and next to a private stable and across from a fully operated Equestrian center.

I know ... it's hard to believe that through all the months that he grew thinner and finally to a condition of obvious starvation, nothing was done until my concerned friends called me. I haven't stopped working towards taking ownership of this horse since that fateful day.

Thanks to all of you who wished me luck for "the meeting" this past Thursday. I discovered I needed every ounce of your good vibes.

I hope to never go through anything like it again ... ever! Staying calm and patient at a time when the world is going crazy is exhausting. The only thing that kept my temper in control was one frightfully fragile horse within my eyesight and the goal that I wanted to accomplish... taking ownership.

At the beginning, things went very smoothly, "the young girl" seemed cooperative, we talked about my helping her, she admitted she couldn't afford the horse, and agreed I should take over ownership of the horse. Details were being worked out as to how and when.

Then, from the nearby stable, a head appeared over the wall. A rather hysterical looking middle aged woman called to the girl. "Do you know that people are sneaking over there everyday at the same time and feeding your horse!!!"

This person continued to describe "the people" and their cars. These were my partners in crime !!

"The young girl" who owns Shadow went ballistic. She had made it clear that no one was to feed her horse. That included me. All negotiations came to a screeching halt.

She stated that she noticed Shadow seemed to be putting on weight. I firmly said, yes, I have been feeding Shadow a special diet, otherwise he would die. (She has no concept that he has serious teeth problems and is unable to eat the alfalfa which is sometimes left there for days.)

The woman now took issue with me. Cutting her off, I asked for her name, who she was, what was she doing at the stable, did she have a horse there and what was her purpose. It seems she feeds and cleans there, as well as yelling hysterically over fences and doing surveillance.

Not done with me yet, in an attempt to gain status, she named people in the community that had told her about this underground network of caring for Shadow. She, unfortunately, was naming people who were my friends and had offered to give food and money for the care of Shadow in the event I took him.

At this point, I made it clear that I was done with her. She backed off and disappeared into what I assume were the bushes. (perhaps the dumpster)

I now addressed my attention to "the young girl" who was delivering impressive theatrics. Had it not been for the sake of saving Shadow, I would have walked out of this performance.

Taking a deep breath, I told her not to worry, that I would take care of "everything", (meaning the underground). Finally she calmed down.

It was all about her... all about people feeding her horse. Do you not find that amazing?!

At no time was any thought given to the starving horse standing right beside us !! It was truly beyond me. But I had a mission to accomplish and somebody needed to keep their wits about them. The evening finally ended quietly. She agreed to give me ownership in October.

When I arrived home about 4 1/2 hours later, I spent a few bouts of primal screaming before getting a grip on myself.

Saturday, September 6:

Tonight, I called Shadow's owner and said that considering she was having money problems, and had no time for Shadow ... I thought perhaps she would like for me to take ownership of him this coming week and she could save the cost of the now due September paddock rent.

That did the trick !!

We are to meet next Thursday, sign a bill of sale for $1.00 and ... Shadow will be mine.

Now, where to put him. Remember I had no room in my barn. After much thought I have decided to skip a few baubles and trinkets, and keep him where he is and pay his rent.

He will have a new mom, actually he will finally have ... a mom!

In fact, he will have three new moms. My partners in crime have become very attached to him and my wonderful friends are even helping to pick up some of the bills it will take to get him back in health.

And, oh yes, he will have a very wonderful dad who has supported me through all this trauma and drama, who has driven me in the late night hours to feed and is already fixing every nail and screw that is out of place.

Things are looking up. It will be a very slow process, but already Shadow knows he is loved and he is showing it more and more each day.

I cannot wait until Thursday ...

OK, I'm a little nervous ... we might have another theatrical production, things might change, but this time I really believe things will work out.

As Shadow improves, I will always keep this first photograph and remember.

I think of the wonderful words of Ralph Waldo Emerson ...

You cannot do kindness too soon
For you never know how soon it will be too late.

~~~

Stay tuned ... there will be lots more to this story.
Thanks for all your encouragement!

Shadow - Starving Horse Part 2

Click on photo to enlarge

"Shadow"

Sweet, affectionate, pretty
and so hungry.

Update - September 3

First, a huge thanks to Arlene at Grey Horse Matters who posted this story (due to my computer problems) and to Victoria at Teachings of the Horse who emailed me with helpful advice since she knew of some So.Ca contacts. Those are just two terrific friends!

And thank you, thank you to all of you wonderful people who have given me amazing advice and support! It is so very, very encouraging and helpful !! It has given me a Plan B !

At the moment, I'm working on Plan A, which is to meet with the owner, tomorrow, for a nice friendly talk about "what to do about Shadow". I'm so glad she agreed to talk with me, again. I'm approaching her with: "You are not a bad girl, I just want to help you" in the hopes we can reach a good conclusion for Shadow.

My goal is to get her to sign Shadow over to me. She has admitted she cannot afford the horse (lost interest), but doesn't want the "horrible people in the community" to be near her horse. Let's hope tomorrow works out and we don't have to go to plan "B".

At present, he is on a carefully planned rehab feed program, which is delivered by my "drop and run" partners in crime. The only problem is ~~ the horse now welcomes us and could very well give away our clandestine act of mercy.

Now ... for the other problem. I'm hoping to remove the horse from her control, which means I will be inheriting a horse (with no room in my barn) and then what?

Hang in there with me and please keep sending advice ... it's so appreciated!

~~~

Starving Horse - What Would You Do?

Click on photo to enlarge

Shadow

Sweet, affectionate, pretty
and so hungry.

~~~

Not far from my barn is a wonderful horse with a dreadful owner. The girl is young, doesn't know much about horses, doesn't have time, and is not willing for anyone to help her or this wonderful horse.

Yes, he is old, in his twenties, but still has much to give, if only someone would feed him.

I have offered to put him on our well proven feeding program for senior horses, to put him under veterinary care, do the work ... and pay the bills. She has said ... no.

Animal control was called, but were much too kind to her. All she needs is a statement that a vet has been there. She called her friend, a cat-dog vet, to provide the "off the hook" statement.

Shadow is surround by barns filled with well fed, healthy horses. He stands out in the crowd!

All of us in the area that love our horses are not allowed to touch the horse or help the horse.We can only stand by, feel sick, angry and helpless.

This is no way for a sweet, loving horse to end his days, far too soon.

Help! What would you do?

Royal Takes Long Way Home

Royal and his dad
taking the road less traveled

Gotta Get A Goat !

Orange County Fair
Kimberly Barnes

~~~

Even though I've never had one, I've always found goats to be entertaining critters ... the way they seem to crawl under, over and on everything and are never at a loss for finding things to eat, including tin cans, I'm told. (don't know if that is true)

There are countless stories of how goats make wonderful companions for horses. But I'm not sure Royal really wants one. He certainly has never mentioned it.

After reading an article in the Los Angeles Times written by Steve Lopez, I've got a new respect for goats. Seems they are inspiring. They just may be the answer to the shortage of veteranarians.

Steve had just been to the Orange County Fair ... read on!

~~~

Teenager loves the farm life -- and her cellphone too

The aspiring veterinarian digs into the hard work
of raising animals with gusto.
It pays off at the Orange County Fair.

~~~

If you're wondering what to do with another lazy Sunday, my advice is that you charter a bus and take everyone you know to Costa Mesa for the last day of the Orange County Fair.

I went last weekend and wished I had camped out there the last three weeks, filing daily columns. Where else could you hear the following announcement:

"Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the pig races."

There's world-class people-watching, deep-fried Snickers and Twinkies, a Barnyard Animal Fashion Parade, a hypnotist and a Vector Control information booth close enough to suck the blood of the guy in the adjacent Libertarian Party booth. And these are but a small part of what makes the fair a better bargain than Disneyland at a fraction of the cost.

But you know what? I was most transfixed by the sight of teens and younger children pitching hay and shoveling livestock dung without any adults making them do it.

What kind of kids are these?

Evy Young, a fair supervisor, suggested I talk to an 18-year-old goat farmer named Kimberly Barnes. I couldn't find her, but I found her goats in a pen that was plastered with the five award banners she and her herd had already won, including best goat in the show.

I also found an adult goat farmer named Richard Pigman.

I swear.

"I know," Pigman said. "It should have been Goatman."

Barnes should have been Barns too. But I'm getting off track.

"She's got a real good head on her shoulders," Pigman said of Barnes. "And she cleaned up on the competition."

Barnes is a 4-H member who's also president of her Tehachapi chapter of the Future Farmers of America. She had loaded her seven goats onto a trailer back home, hitched the trailer to a Dodge Ram pickup with a diesel engine and a stick shift and driven to the fair on her own.

I've known teenagers who couldn't get out of bed on their own.

While waiting for Barnes, I saw a teenage girl stooped over, milking a goat with both hands while talking on a cellphone cradled between neck and shoulder.

At first I thought it was some sort of competition, but I didn't see any other contestants. This girl filled a bucket of milk while on the phone, then led the goat back to its pen without interrupting her conversation -- a blue ribbon performance.

When Barnes arrived, her Saanen and Alpine goats could not have been happier. She checked their food and water and scratched their ears. "Mama loves you," she said.

It was a white Saanen named Kit that took best-in-show, and Kalani and Carmen San Diego were taking home some hardware as well.

Barnes said she was thrilled, especially since it was her last competition before she leaves for Iowa State University later this month to begin her freshman year. She wants to be a veterinarian.

But there was one event left. She and two other winning Future Farmers had been chosen to square off in the livestock arena to show their skills in handling a cow, a sheep and a goat. Barnes had never won the round-robin competition, and she wanted the belt buckle that goes to the champion.

"I really love showing," she said, in part because it's the culmination of lots of hard work.

For five years, she's been up before the sun, milking and feeding before school. The same chores are waiting for her in the evening. She drinks the goat milk raw and makes cheese, but doesn't sell it. This is all voluntary, with no financial payoff.

"I'm biased, but I think she's pretty special too," Barnes' mother, a teacher named Heather, told me by phone.

Barnes, perhaps the most pleasant teenager in the contiguous 48 states, said she fell for the farm life as a little girl when her family had animals running around on some open space in Aliso Viejo. Her grandparents had a cattle ranch up in Stockton, and her dad, who died two years ago, raised goats to clear brush for fire prevention.

But she could be out surfing, I told her. Huntington Beach was five minutes away.

It's very satisfying, Barnes said, to learn how to properly raise an animal. With a goat, you have to work on "general appearance, dairy character and a mammary system with capacious udders."

I'd say she nailed it. Her goats bear more than a slight resemblance to Pamela Anderson, except that the goats are natural.

As for Barnes' devotion to her hobby, it's not as if she's missing out on life beyond the farm. She said she hangs with friends, goes to the mall, noodles around on MySpace. She has a boyfriend too, who's not a farmer.

"And I love my cellphone," she said.

But the animals are fun to be around and rewarding in many ways.

"They're nonjudgmental," for one thing, Barnes said, and each one has a distinct personality.

"A lot of the kids I've known are into appearances, talking about who's doing this and that, being popular. They're into fashion and looking like everybody else. That doesn't matter to me," she said.

"Not to make it sound like a cliche, but with the animals I've learned a lot about responsibility while doing the things I've always wanted to do."

OK, I'm giving her another award:

World's Most Mature Youngster.

What Barnes really wanted, though, was the buckle. And she wished her father could have been there to see her compete. He'd have been proud, she said.

Barnes seemed a little nervous after putting on a crisp, ice-cream white uniform for the round-robin competition.

She studied her hand-written notes on livestock and checked out the cow and sheep she was about to handle, along with her prize goat, Kit.

She and the others spent about five minutes in the ring with each animal, leading them around and posing them on command. A trio of judges watched every move and peppered them with questions. The Holstein wasn't terribly cooperative with Barnes, but she gave it couple of tugs to let it know who was in charge.

Later that evening, the results were in, and Barnes called her mother.

"I got the buckle!" she said, and her mother screamed.

~~~

I'm not sure that we'll ever have a goat or two in our barn, but there sure is room for a veterinarian named Kimberly Barnes.

Room With A View

Click on photo to enlarge

My view of Royal from my desk ...

and Royal's view of me from the barn.

It seems that Royal has figured out
the exact place to stand where
he can see me, perfectly.

He also knows the minute I leave the room.
I hear a loud whinny, which, of course,
means he gets my undivided attention.

He's quite irrestible, you know.

Captain Charlie

Click on photos to enlarge

I'm the ruler of the sea!
No, really I am !

~~~

I'm even in charge of the pilot house
and have the attention of all the crew.

See ... don't I look adorable !

They even ring a bell when I come aboard.

I just love having my
very own deck chair.

Sure would like to take you all for a cruise.
~~~
I'd even wear my
Charlie, the Captain, hat!

Happy Father's Day !

We're out the door with our perfect dad
for a fun day on the water.

We're heading to Dana Point Harbor
and what a beautiful day!

We'll add photos when we get back!

To all of you!
Have a wonderful Father's day!

Charlie Goes Shopping

Click on photos to enlarge

Dad said that I'd been such a good boy
he'd take me shopping and that
I could pick out any toy I wanted !

We looked at the toys on both sides
of the aisle and on every shelf.

I knew right away which one I wanted.
See that Hula Girl on the floor?
That's for me !

Dad said to check all the toys ...
'cuz I could only get one.

But it was the Hula Girl.
I was sure!

I gave her the road test ...
even twirled her around a few times.

Yep ... she's the one !

So it was off to the checkout counter.
Dad said I could even pay
for my new girlfriend, myself.

When the other lady finished,
I walked right up to the counter
holding tight to my new Hula Girl!
What a great day !

Meet Charlie

Click on photo to enlarge

Now really, who could resist this face?

~~~

It is for sure we weren't planning on a semi-puppy and definitely not a male.

So how did this adorable creature arrive in our household, to run races down the hallway, surf the countertops, keep us busy throwing tennis balls, not to mention early morning hikes that last for hours?

We had done the puppy thing years ago when our kids were small and we could toss the whole bunch of them, dog and all, outside to run off their energy.

But now, we had become accustomed to the quiet, gentle manners of our sweet Kayla.

When she returned to Heaven, we cried our eyes out. The house had a strange feeling about it without her sweet face to welcome us home. She was a happy girl with a big smile.

Click on photo to enlarge
Kayla

We knew that a home is not a home without a Golden girl in front of the fireplace or at our feet.

So, we contacted our friend at the Golden Retriever Rescue of Los Angles. She had found Kayla for us years, ago. I asked her to find us a mature girl that could warm our hearts and dry our eyes ... one that was calm and experienced in the manners department, like Kayla.

I spent morning, noon and night on the rescue website looking at all the dogs that needed homes, each one irrestible in their own way, but requiring a particular family. Some needed children, some a swimming pool, (got that right) and some just wanted to spend their days resting on the couch.

Carole told me to be patient, that the right girl would eventually come along.

It was late one night when I clicked the rescue site, again. And there was that face ... a young dog or older puppy, whatever, it's all the same ... and it was a male. I grabbed the phone, called my friend and said, I must see that dog!

Carole said ... but, that's not what you are looking for.

Eight o'clock the next morning we were at the kennel hugging the most adorable big boy I'd ever seen.

Since he was so incredibly handsome and had been found wandering the streets of Los Angeles, I called him the "down and out in Beverly Hills", kid.

Click on photo to enlarge

After signing the official adoption papers, Charlie was on the way home and our new life began. We were about to be owned by another Golden Retriever.

~~~

We were soon off to the dog park ...

Click on photo to enlarge

Charlie carefully looked over
his potential romping friends.

Click on photo to enlarge

And the race was on ...

Click on photo to enlarge.

He enthusiastically gave each new toy
his undivided attention.
~~~
He figured anything went in this household,
considering what the cats did to the chair.

This place was great!

Click on photo to enlarge

Charlie's favorite toy was ...
a Canada goose.

(humm... just like the ones in the
backyard that are just for viewing)

Click on photo to enlarge.

Yep ... Charlie was liking it here!

Click on photo to enlarge.

It felt ... just like home.

~~~

Charlie is a keeper ... he makes us feel young.

I can highly recommend this form of exercise. It keeps you healthy, saves on those membership fees at the gym and it sure makes you happy.

And ... while I'm at it, let me say that nothing warms the heart more than giving a warm hearth to a homeless dog.

Try it! You'll love every minute you look into their eyes. They are always saying ... thank you.

How lovely ... a blog award.

What a delightful surprise to receive this award from Grey Horse Matters, a wonderful place to go for an enjoyable read with important information for everyone that loves and cares about their horses.

And many thanks to Every Rider, who honored me with this award over at my other site, Simply Marvelous. What a thrill Every Rider gave to us by showing a video delivery of the handsome new foal, Riley.

Passing On The Award:
I'd really like to pass this Award on to all the wonderful people who write such interesting blogs. However, I shall restrict myself to three. I send this Award to:

Turkey Creek Lane:
This is a place filled with inspiration and wonderful photographs. Jolynna is an animal lover who seems to do everything with ease, whether it is cooking, gardening or capturing photos of the fascinating life that surrounds her.

Mud Ranch:
It's a wonderful place to visit, filled with stories about horses, Hereford cattle, sheep, dogs and one very adorable baby. With terrific photography, this a captivating place to hang out.

ProPhoto By Lori:
This is the place for some incredible photography, whether it be horses, wild life, nature or the happenings around the farm. And you can always know ... at Lori's place there is always something happening. A great place to visit.

Thanks to all of you for inviting us into your lives
and making this world a more interesting place.

Little Coco Creates Big Excitement

Click photo to enlarge

Little Coco

At the Equestrian Center where we are surrounded
by the big horses ... the 17-18 hand warmbloods,
the Friesians with their thundering hooves,
... all was quiet at the far end of the barn.

People were whispering,
children were standing on feed buckets
straining to see over the stall door.

This was an event.

We'd waited far too long, or so we thought.

But a few days ago,
bright and early in the morning
a tiny miniature foal finally arrived
into our world.

Interesting how this little thing
has stolen the show from the big boys.

He's a cute one!

Happy 1st Birthday To The Girls!

TO
APRIL and MAY

~~~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

It seems like only yesterday
that they were babes in my arms.

How did time pass so quickly,
before they packed up their things
and moved out on their own?

It's so difficult to be a mother
and have to let your babies go.

To think it was only a year ago ...
but first I must explain.

You remember sweet Alberta,
my helper and garden companion ...

the one that followed me inside
should I leave the door open...

the one that was always at my side.
... a mommy's girl.

~~~

Sadly, the day arrived
when she was no longer my shadow.
She said her good-bye
and became a very special memory.

~~~

I could not imagine life without a Canada Goose. Since growing up in the Midwest, I've had a love of their musical honking and the glorious sight of them as they filled the skies.

Little did I know that someday I would find out what wonderful pets they make, what unique personalities they have and how they bond with people ... almost like a dog.

Then we had the chance to adopt a Canada Goose that was homeless, I didn't know what to expect. But I never imagined that Alberta would become the love of my life.

And now, with no Canada Goose to keep me company while I trimmed the roses, the search to find another became an urgent matter.

The Canada Goose Chase

I searched for breeders nearby, then the entire state of Califonia, and eventually the entire United States. But no breeders were found.

Finally, I located a large Commercial Game Bird Company that sold Canada goslings during the Spring ... with a minimum of six. Not being sexed, that could possibly equal 3 pairs.

Didn't think that was a plan. Things weren't looking good.

Not willing to give up, I explained to the man on the phone that even though they were a huge company, it was of upmost importance for me to find one Canada Goose. Could he please help me!

He said to call him the following spring and he would see what he could do. I'm sure he thought he was rid of me.

The following spring, I called, again. The news was bad. John explained that there would be no shipments of Canada geese to California. They were sold out and most shipments were going to the East Coast.

The East Coast?! Didn't they have enough Canada Geese back there? Aren't those the fine people that complain about the flocks of Canada Geese everywhere?

Desperate, I considered getting on the plane for the "East Coast" with a bird net in hand.

A few weeks later, I got a call from a stranger with a rather gruff sounding voice. "Are you the lady that needs a Canada goosling ?"

He was in California and had a incubator full of eggs ready to hatch. He would call at the first "peck". I was now on OB watch.

Good ol' "John" had come through for me. Perhaps, it had been my sobbing that did the trick.

When we got the call, we were out the door and on our way to Northern California.

TRIP 1:

Leaving at 4 a.m. ... we drove 450 miles and arrived just in time to see her step out of the shell, stand up and say "Hi! World!"

I reached out, picked her up and instantly became ... mom! It was the last day of April, and that became her name.

It would now be a quick trip to get this babe home. So, with the required, very official California Wildlife Fish and Game license tightly in hand, we were on our way.

Sixteen hours and 900 miles later we were back where we began ...
with our Canada gosling.

FIRST ... THERE WAS ONE

The bathtub in the guest bathroom was now a brooder
with heat lamp and thermometer in place.

She looked so tiny .... and lonely.

TRIP 2:

So, it was back in the car and another 900 mile trip...
it was now the first day of May.

THEN THERE WERE TWO

April and her sister, May

It was a big world out there for them.

Safely in their "hawk proof" grazing pen,
they followed my hand and soon got the idea
of the proper goose grazing technique.

And how they grew!

Now, they are our lawn ornaments,
our entertainment and Royal's attendants.

They were worth every one of
those 1800 miles.

Happy Birthday
sweet girls !

Early Morning Visitor

Click on photo to enlarge

Heron Arrives For Pond Fishing

Click on photo to enlarge

After flapping my arms like a bird ...
it takes off and lands on the barn roof
to see if I really mean it.


Click on photo to enlarge

Still not sure,
he goes for a more distant view
on the roof of the house.

~~~

He'll try, again, tomorrow.

Camera Day ~ Dressage Clinic

Click photo to enlarge

"Floreal"
Danish Warmblood

~~~

Yesterday, it was Dressage Clinic Day at the Equestrian Center. Even though it was a hot day, I grabbed my camera and was soon sitting in the sun clicking as many photos as possible.

These horses were special ... they belong to my friends. I was really proud of them. In spite of the heat, they gave their best.

Click photo to enlarge

Floreal

Click photo to enlarge

Floreal, born in Jutland, Denmark,
is the son of the famous "Olympic Ferro".

Floreal is just getting started
and is already thrilling us all.

Click photo to enlarge

Floreal with his devoted mom, Peggy
and his rider/trainer, Mary.

Click photo to enlarge

Alfredo, the Dressage Clinician, works a new dressage horse,
a beauty, and an absolute calm, tranquil horse.

Click photo to enlarge

Mary
Rider and Trainer

After a day of riding one horse after another,
Mary takes a break in the shade.

~~~

And now ... the big one!

Click photos to enlarge

"Tango"
Dutch Friesian

Click photos to enlarge

With the sound of Tango's thundering hoofs,
we ended a wonderful day.

Hey! I'm Back!

Where did you go?

~~~~~

I wish I could tell you that I've been cruising the world, sitting on some sunny beach or even lazing around home watching the soaps and eating chocolates. Unfortunately, that just ain't so.

Thanks to you who wondered where I went. Geez ... it's wonderful to be missed!

Well, we've been playing in the mud, .........lots of mud.

Remember my long ago *tale of woe* about those horrible rains we had and complaining because poor Royal was tromping through the mud. Everything was such a dreadful mess!

And ... I was getting soaked while digging trenches in the rain to keep the water out of the barn.

I definitely was not my sweet, adorable self.

And the poor animals were getting so tired of this “Sunny California” stuff, while they were up to their knee caps in mud. They desperately were searching for higher ground.

It's been dig up, dig out time around here. Serious dig out.

It has taken us about a month of clearing out the muck and yuck, putting in still more drains, packing that miserable California clay, and adding decomposed granite.

We've been attacking the entire barn areas, upper hill pathways and upper turnouts.

Just walking to the top of the hill is a workout, but to haul the clay down the hill and the DG up the hill, well that's undue punishment for living at the bottom of this hill.

What?! No room for power machines, you say?

Oh yeah, this has been done the old fashioned digging and heavy wheelbarrows way.

We actually had temporary insanity ... thinking we were going to do it ourselves.

With a quick trip to the nearby Equestrian Center, we begged and pleaded with the work crew to help us out. Drama works!

We were now ready to stand by and watch. That didn't last long.

The first of four trailer loads of DG dumped in driveway.

With the mountains of DG and two commercial dumpsters in front of the house, we knew we were improving the neighborhood.

But nothing compared to the ambiance and aroma as when the dumpsters were finally filled with all the yuck and muck.

And, yes, we do clean up after our animals. Rain does that, you know.

The guys arrived at the crack of dawn ready for hard labor. After the big dig out-clean up, it was time to start hauling the DG to the top of the hill.

They had a real system. One pushed the wheelbarrow while the other two pulled a heavy rope tied to the frame until they finally arrived at the top.

I lost count how many trips they made.

Then came the noise makers, the earth pounders, the DG pounders and some kind of noisy floor sander looking thing.

It's possible we could have set off a good ol' California earthquake!

They pounded their way up the hill ...

... and back down the hill
over and over again.

The alpacas wondered what in the world
happened to their peaceful kingdom !

They finally reached the summit ...
Royal's favorite hang-out.

The upper pathways were finished
and with the next rainstorm
it should no longer resemble a ski slope.

All the turnouts now had drains everywhere.
Things were looking good.

Now it was time to do the barn.

Just what were we going to do with Royal?

With 6 workers, 3 pounding machines and DG dumped outside his stall door,
just how much could a boy take?

Check out the video. Is Royal cool, or what?!

">

Royal's Grooming Crew

Click on photos to enlarge

Keeping this boy all spiffed up is a group project.

The girls are pretty fussy about things,
especially when it comes to Royal's overall presentation.

Yikes, Mom!
Did you know Royal has mud on his hoof?!

Ok, I've got it covered back here!
~~
April believes in doing a very thorough job.
She pretty well checks on all details.

Eventually things meet her expectations.

Royal stands patiently while being poked all over
by two Canada geese. He rarely even moves.

And when things finally meet their approval,
there is hardly a spot of dirt left.

~~~

Finally, he wanders his way back to his stall.
And, usually trailing behind are his two grooms,
just in case there might be an itsy-bitsy bit of dust.

This is a serious job, you know.

And ... when the shoer arrives,
well, all I can say is he'd better get it right.

But then you've already heard about that.
If not, click below, you'll see what I mean.
"Pete and The Girls"

Royal's First Movie

Royal

~~~

Royal's mom has been trying to learn how to make a movie.
Below is try No.1 ... about this handsome boy.

We would both be simply thrilled if
you could stop by YouTube and check it out.

Just click on his name below
and we'll hope it takes you there.

Midnight's Royal Ebony

We both thank you!

Old Photograph Tag

Calamity Jane

~~~

Past Photos Tag Game

~~~

I have been tagged by Callie at MidWest Horse.
We are to post "old photos" of ourselves and
then tag other friends to do the same.

~~~

Well, here goes.
Not sure how old these photos are supposed to be,
but I had to get a ladder, reach to the top shelf in the garage,
blow the dust and cobwebs off the boxes ... to find these photos.
Sooo ... it's a good guess they weren't taken yesterday.

Here I am in Mexico on my first equestrian outing.
Notice the riding attire and perfect equitation.

I do recall I had bug/mites/insect bites
from the horse blanket.

But all in all, the creature was sweet,
I'm not sure he moved, but at least I didn't fall off.

I know you are wondering if I'll be able to
clear the 3' jump around the corner.

This is my young colt, Viking, a sweet, sweet boy.
This was my first horse and I was thrilled
to jump right into his training program.

~~~

Now, it is my turn to tag friends
for the fun of seeing their old photographs.

Drum-roll and here they are:

Turkey Creek Lane

Carpenter Creek

Mud Ranch's Real Dirt

Smellshorsey

Oh my, there are just so many friends
whose photograph albums I'd like to see!

I do hope they all get ... tagged!

Happy Birthday, Mark

It seems like only yesterday

I was surrounded by your smile

And held my dear sweet baby boy
so closely in my arms ...

I studied every line and toe
upon your tiny feet ...



I thought you'd stay that way forever ...
never thinking you'd grow up.

~~~

But then the day did come ..
away from home you moved.

So empty was the place you left
... so impossible to fill

I truly thought my heart would break
But knew the time was here.

How proud I've always been of you
You are what I knew you'd be

A grownup charming VIP
But still a son to me.

I'd like to turn back the clock
and have my child, again.

But even so, some things don't change
no matter how the years may go.

You'll always be my little boy
The babe that filled my arms.

How happy now to wish to you
Another year of joy.

And in your memory box you'll find
your very first birthday candle
along with well worn books and toys.

~~~

Each one to me a treasure
of my one and only son.

~~~

Happy Birthday, Mark !

I Love You,

Mom

To My Valentine

~~~

My heart to you is given
Oh, do give yours to me
We'll lock them up together
And throw away the key.

~~~
by Frederick Saunders

~~~

To the wonderful man in my life,

who shares my love for all our creatures ~ great and small,

and the person who has made my world a beautiful place to live.
Each day with him is ... Valentine's Day!

Spread The Love Award and A Very Happy Valentine's Day To Everyone!

What a lovely surprise to receive this award from my special friends
Victoria at Teachings of Horse and Callie at MidWestHorse.

I wish to thank them for thinking of me.
How delightful!

The award was designed by Mica, whose idea it was
to share this gift with our blogging friends.

What a wonderful world it is to connect with people
in the blogosphere and become friends along the way.

So now, ... I send this award to all of you in appreciation
for having taken the time to browse through my pages
and for sharing your lives with me.

~~~

May your Valentine's Day be filled with love.

The VOTE Is In! ~ The Envelope, Please

Click on photo to enlarge

Mousetrap wants to thank all of you wonderful people
who helped him to make such a serious career decision.

The vote totals were:

0% = Move To Hollywood
55% = Stay On The Farm
37% = To Ask For Raise
8% = Retire

He has decided not to move to Hollywood.
However, it did require some concessions on his behalf.

1. MouseTrap now has his own personalized Director's Chair
2. He is available for all "Cat-Calls" in Hollywood.
3. He has a Star on Sunset Boulevard

The Management willingly granted all requests
knowing that MouseTrap was essential to the farm.
~~~
There were, also, a few necessary
changes made to MouseTrap's farm contract.
1. no more night duty
2. unlimited sleep hours
3. no more pest patrol

We are happy to report that MouseTrap is happily back
to running the farm ~ and living his life of leisure.

Click on photo to enlarge

Once again, everyone is happy on the farm.

What?! They are not?
Is that another fracus I hear?

Oh no, we're back to contracts, again.

Click on photo to enlarge.

Hey!! Have you heard of Aflac?!

We need to talk.

Mouse-Trap Considers New Career

MouseTrap is seriously thinking
about show-biz.

It has something to do with being
the official Biotin-Plus Cat
for all of their ad campaigns.

Nevermind, that it is a horse product.

His fantasy is to have a career similiar

to Morris, the 9 Lives Cat.

That would, of course,
include a personalized chair.

Therefore,
MouseTrap has been reviewing
his responsibilities around this farm.

It seems there are too many,
and, thus, he is thinking about
moving on to other opportunities.

According to him, this is his work list.

Supervising the entire hay barn,
and being on constant guard against
all manner of beasts, both large and small.

Sharing all meals in a timely
and courteous fashion.

Thoroughly washing up before
returning to work.

Holding down all bales
of very heavy shavings,
and keeping them neatly in place.

Guarding the entire farm from the roof top
for invaders, vagrants and intruders
or any threatening mice or other wild life.

To be prepared and in constant alert
for any coyotes
that wander into the coyote cage.

To keep dad company at all times.

Being the official guard and door man,
which includes keeping the geese out,
and the house cats ... in.

To keep dad's work gloves warm
for those cold mornings.

To carefully guard the family silver
from possible thieves during the night.

MouseTrap is seriously considering the
possibility of a career change,
as well as fame and fortune.

MouseTrap would greatly appreciate
your help in making this decision.
Should he stay on the farm
or seek advancement in the city?
~~~

Please help by voting in the box
on the top right hand side of the page.
~~~

MouseTrap thanks you.

Yikes! I've Been Hit By The "Me Me Me" Tag!

It seems that while I’ve been reading all the interesting “Me-Me Tag” lists which other people have written ... I’ve been tagged 4 times, humm ... or was it 5?

Here’s the deal. If you are tagged, you are to write 7 unknown details about yourself.

The rules of the game are this:
Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you. Then tag 7 people and link to them. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.

Now, I would like to express my profound appreciation to my "very dear friends" who tagged me. Ummm ... thanks. Be sure to check them out (and keep an eye on them.) They are: Scary's West, Teachings of the Horse, Regarding Horses, and Mud Ranch. (sorry if I missed anyone).

Two tags were to Simply Marvelous, but were sent over here since she doesn’t talk much.

I’m not sure I can come up with 7 things ...four times. However, I am sure no one wants to read 28 things about yours truly. But ... here goes:

List of 7 things for: Scary's West

1. Ok, I’ll just jump right in and get it over with: I wore hot pants, knee boots and long hair to my waist during my senile years. (Oh, stop laughing, it was”groovy”, then.)

2. I’d rather clean the barn than the house. Any cobwebs scattered around the house are from Halloween. They might be there next year, as well.

3. I worked at Paramount Studios, took my sister to lunch at the commissary. She swears Tom Hanks was making eyes at her.

4. I have sweaters from my high school days and still wear them.

5. I hurried off to a big horse show once, wandered into the wrong building, there was a horse sale going on, bought a horse, never got to the horse show.

6. I have English hunt prints on the walls of the barn stalls. We have no cribbers. Looks mighty spiffy.

7. I love convertibles, but never put the top down.

~~~

List of 7 things for: Teachings of the Horse

1. I live in Southern California, but would rather live in New England or Virginia or wherever I can have a big farm with lots of trees and green and can collect horses.

2. I’m still upset “Babe” didn’t win the Oscar.

3. I came home on the final voyage of the Queen Mary sailing from France. I was a young music student in Paris. No, I am not ancient.

4. Refrigerators are not my friend. I’d rather do windows.

5. I’m a professional musician, started piano at age 3, gave first recital at age 6, performed in Europe, made recordings and (tah-dah) got paid doing this.

6. I gave my kids the “Jungle Book” video/DVD for Christmas this year. They are adults, but it was a “mom” thing.

7. I collect cook books, old and new, but don’t like to cook. Love reading cooking blogs. Have thrown dinner parties. So far, people have survived, everyone except me.

~~~

List of 7 things for: Regarding Horses

1. I get restless when not remodeling or at least tearing something up or down, whatever the case may be.

2. I still can’t part with my very high heels.

3. While in Spain, I accidentally wandered into a silent monastery, was amazed how friendly they were as they wildly waved their arms at me. I was quickly shown the gate.

4. I'm somewhat of a fashion setter. I select outfits that go with my paddock boots.

5. I went skiing in Colorado, but had more fun hanging out by the fireplace.

6. I make lists for everything and then spend time looking for them.

7. I married the greatest guy in the world. I immediately hung a “taken” sign around his neck. It’s still there. He's a keeper.

~~~

List of 7 things for: Mud Ranch

1. I raced catamarans. I was the one hiking out over the Pacific Ocean in a trapeze. Oh, yah, I got dumped plenty of times.

2. If there are Fritos in the house, I’ll find them. I do not share.

3. I love my spinning wheel, very relaxing working with wool from our alpacas and then making afghans and other comfy things.

4. My name is on the wall at the LA Music Center (no, it’s not graffiti). It is near that of Bob Hope and just under Peggy Lee. Check it out, really, no kidding.

5. I love to throw parties, but would rather be alone.

6. I spend time making blog tag lists about myself, instead of cleaning my house, or painting the walls I haven’t finished. Thanks, you spared me.

7. I’m an animal collector, have a real soft spot for anything that needs to be fed, petted, groomed, looked after and loved.

Yehhhh... that's 28 things!


If any of you are still around,
you deserve some kind of badge of courage.

Now ... it’s my turn to do the tagging.
I’ll be back.

It could be ... you!

A Day With The Camera ~ Dana Point

The rain has stopped ...

the sun shows promise


... off to the seashore


and Dana Point Marina.

Sunshine !

The Mast Jungle

Feeding Time

~

California Brown Pelican

Out To Sea

Love ... Named Kayla

We were reminded again last week
about the tough part of loving our animals.

It was only a short time ago that we noticed
things were not right with Kayla.

From the water intake and sleeping
I thought she might have diabetes.

However, the news from the vet was
that she had a tumor on the spleen
and had days to live.

Unbelievable to us!

The exact diagnosis was Hemangiosarcoma.
Surgery was not an option.

We were sent home to enjoy her final days
until she slept away from us.

~~~

Only a week ago we were in bliss
thinking all our animals were in such good health.

Kayla died about 1:15 last Saturday afternoon.

She had a wonderful morning that day
making her rounds checking on all the animals.

She was her usual happy self following us around
with her beautiful smile and her tail wagging.

We truly believed there must have been a mistake.
This girl was going to make it.

But it was not to be.

Kayla came in the house, collapsed on her favorite rug
in front of the fireplace ... and went to sleep.

We were with her.

If it is possible to think there is a perfect ending,
I suppose this would be it.

~~~

Now, we are left with tears and heavy hearts.
The price we pay to love them.

I'd like to share a little of our life with Kayla.
She loved the Animal Channel, even the scary stuff.

She loved music, especially the songs her dad sang to her,
like "Girl of My Dreams" or "Daddy's Little Girl".


She loved everyone ~ animals and people, alike.

She was always a hit at Home Depot where everyone
spoke to her by name and greeted her with pats.

She was Miss Popularity at the Equestrian Center
where she patiently waited under the
"No Dogs Allowed" sign.



She was a California beach girl
and had many miles on her odometer.

Wherever dad went ... Kayla was right there.
She was a daddy's girl.

Kayla was a gift.

This is the last photo taken of Kayla.
It is a treasure, as was she.

She was the sweetest dog in the world.
A beautiful golden retriever with soulful eyes,
a gentle spirit and the gift of love.

I would like to share with you
a few moments with Kayla.
Please click here.

Royal Struts His Glide Gait

My Dinner Is Ready !

Click photo to enlarge.

We don't need kitchen timers with MouseTrap around.

Did I mention ... no cats are allowed on the counters.

Simply Irrestible

Alexandra

She arrived in the world like all the other alpacas on our farm
... sweet, gentle and adorable.

~~~

In our farm brochure it said:

Peace and quiet and the beauty of nature
are more than a luxury,
our alpacas have made it a way of life.

But Do They Get Along?

Royal in Alpaca Pen

~~~

Many times I have been asked how our horses get along with the alpacas. I suppose this comes from the unlikely combination, as well as the fact that it seems horses are afraid of llamas.

Llamas, of course, are much larger, somewhat more imposing and apparently too strange for horses to consider casually. Whereas, the alpacas are about the size of a large sheepdog.

On the day of this photo, Royal made the choice. He could have stayed in his own quarters and not pushed the gate open and joined the alpacas, but on up the hill he went. This boy has a mind of his own and loves being with them.

At night he could stay in his stall, but much prefers to stand outside the alpaca pen with his head over their gate. I think it has something to do with their peacefulness.

The alpacas have a wonderful philosophy of life ... it is all about being calm. It is really rather nice to sit on the bench and try to absorb their tranquility.

Have I Mentioned The Alpacas?

Click photo to enlarge

Hobi Bear, Rembrandt and Napoleon

~~~

Probably the most enjoyable, peaceful creatures on this earth!

Life is simple with them. They are quiet, gentle and easy care,
great for the environment and my roses simply love them.

We have raised alpacas since 1989
and were one of the first farms in the U.S.
to know the pleasure of their company.

I really must take out their photo album and tell you all about them.

Each one was special and always adorable.

Here are just two of our babies.

Alexandra ~ sweet beyond sweet.


Juliette ~ An armful of love

Oh yaaahh ... this is more like it!

MouseTrap gathering those rays ...

Royal's Day In The Sun

After all the rains and being stuck in his stall,

Royal finally got out for a royal romp in the arena, today.

Rain In Sunny California ?

Ok, we can't have sunshine all the time.

I know all of you living in Oregon and Washington
are thinking I'm a ... whiner right now.
Really, I'm not.

Well, maybe a little bit, but there is good reason.

You see ... we live at the bottom of a steep hill and all the water heads directly to the bottom ... right to our back door.

We've put in all kinds of drains to direct the torrents of water away from the house and barn, but so far we're still wading.

Poor Royal needs fins and a snorkel mask,
because it is a swimming pool around the barn.

It's really just a royal mess!

Also, I want to be sure you know ...
I am not sitting by the fireside eating chocolates
and watching soaps.

Nope, I'm out there clearing drains, digging new trenches
and scooping the water out of the barn
and getting soaked to the skin and my hair is a mess
and I'm getting cold and the shovel is really heavy
and I'm not liking this.

But as I said ... I'm not a whiner.

I'd show you more photos, but it is just too awful!

But Alberta is having a grand time.
She has tried out every water hole ... hasn't missed a one.



We did escape for awhile to the park nearby.
Really very pretty over there.

But now ... back to the farm.

Any mud & rain experts out there?
Sure would like suggestions.

Cats Hired For Patrol By Los Angeles Police

Usually I read about all the problems with feral cats and what to do about them. Some suggestions are enough to make me build a soap box.

For time eternal, we've heard that we have too many cats. The truth is ... we do. However, spaying/neutering cures that. But in the meantime we also have too many rats.

Well, hallelujah, somebody in Los Angeles finally figured out that cats are useful in our world ... that they have a purpose.

Enter ... The Los Angeles Police Department:
They have recently "hired" feral cats to control the rats in the department. (I mean as in ... rodents.) It is called the "Working Program".

To be honest, they didn't need to have so many City Council meetings to come to the conclusion that cats make history ... of rats.

I have "Mouse-Trap" in my own barn that could have proven that without tax payer money.

Well, on with the story ... as it appeared in the Los Angeles Times.

~~~~~

LAPD Enlists Feral Cats For Rat Patrol
By Carla Hall,
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
December 29, 2007

They are the homeless of the domestic animal world -- colonies of feral cats that roam residential neighborhoods and lurk around office buildings and commercial garages, scavenging for food.

Unlike other strays that might rub up against a leg hoping for a crumb or a head rub, these felines are so unaccustomed to human contact that they dart away when people approach. Feral cats cannot be turned into house pets. When they end up in municipal shelters, they have little hope of coming out alive.

But one animal welfare group has figured out a way to save their lives and put them to work in Los Angeles. The Working Cats program of Voice for the Animals, a Los Angeles-based animal advocacy and rescue group, has placed feral cats in a handful of police stations with rodent problems, just as the group placed cats in the rat-plagued downtown flower district several years ago -- to great effect.

Six feral cats were recently installed as ratters in the parking lot of the Los Angeles Police Department's Southeast Division, and another group will be housed at the Central Division early in the new year.

Rats had been burrowing into the equipment bags that bicycle officers stored in outside cages; inside the facility, mice were sometimes scurrying across people's desks."

Once we got the cats, problem solved," said Cmdr. Kirk Albanese, a captain at the Wilshire station at the time. "I was almost an immediate believer."

The cats don't generally solve the rodent problem by killing rats and mice -- although the cats are game for doing so if they catch them. Rather, the cats simply leave their scent.

Once rodents get a whiff of feline presence, like gangsters under a gang injunction, they move on."It's the smell of the cat and the cat urine," said animal rescuer Jane Garrison, a member of Voice for the Animals' board, who selected the half dozen feral cats for the Southeast station.

Sandra Magdaleno feeds and cares for the
Southeast station patrol cats in Los Angeles

According to Garrison, it takes about 30 days for a feral cat to be comfortable enough to consider a new location home turf. Garrison said the Working Cats program can be used anywhere.

"We are willing to put cats in any safe area -- businesses, hotels, industrial parks, even residences -- and we will do that for free."

Soon the ferals may get a chance to work their magic on the legions of rats that make their home behind Parker Center, the Central LA Police Department.

"They're coming out of everywhere," said Officer April Harding, who works in media relations. "One time I stood in the parking lot and just watched in horror, like it was a movie."

Thom Brennan, commanding officer of facilities management for the LAPD, said, "Nobody was more skeptical about it than I was. It sounds like too easy a fix. But everywhere it's been done, it's worked. . . . I think I'm convinced it's a viable program that will help us."

There has never been a shortage of people willing to care for the cats at any station.

"If I were a wild cat, that would be a great job," he said. "Your meals are there, your housing is there, you're at a police station so you're safe."

Cheers !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Many thanks to all of you out in the blogosphere
who have enriched my life throughout the year.

Here’s wishing you and your family
a very Happy New Year.

'Twas The Day After Christmas ...

As the family story goes ...

Santa had left the packages by the fireplace with care.
The celebrations were over and all was quiet in the house.

When what to everyone's surprise,
it was discovered there was one yet remaining ...

I made my arrival into the world
around 4:00 a.m. on Christmas night.

So, officially my birthday has been known not by a date,
but by a title ... "the day after Christmas".

That is when my sister became
"the big sister".

~~~~~~

Today, on my birthday, my sister sent the following message.
I want to share with you what a wonderful sister I have.

She wrote ...

~~~~~~

I remember.

It was in the middle of the night, right after Christmas day,
a cold and snowy winter's night when the covers felt good --
and a really cold time to roust people out in the dead of night.

Mom awoke me from my sound sleep
and told me she was going to the hospital for you.

She said, "If you need anything
call your Auntie Olga across the street,
she knows you are alone
and she will come over in the morning.

For a seven year old, it was a surprisingly big assignment
to be left in charge in the middle of the night.
But I had no qualms.

I really looked forward to you being in the crib in the folk's room.
Isn't it grand that you exceeded everyone's espectations?

But Auntie Olga did not come over in the morning.
I was next awakened by dad telling me that you arrived at 4 am.

Mom would later say you arrived fast
and have been quick ever since.

Happy Birthday all day.

With more love than you will ever know,
Your sister, Elizabeth

Glad Tidings To All ~ Merry Christmas!

Wishing You The Peace of the Season
All The Year Through


May Your Days Be Filled With Happiness

And Your Home Be Filled With Love

About The Christmas Dolly ...

We know it is Christmas time around here
once this little moose-girl is comfy on her chair.

But there is something about this cat.

For MouseTrap, anything new, different, or moved
immediately becomes something to sit on and eventually sleep on.

Now really, how comfortable can it be to sleep sitting up?

'Tis The Season All Through The Neighorhood ...

AND THE WINNER IS ...

Christmas Boat Parade ~ Dana Point, Ca.

A few days ago, we were off to the Dana Point Harbor
for the annual Christmas Boat Parade.

We were bundled up in sweaters, parkas,
wool scarves and boots for great fun!

The breeze off the water was ... cold !

This is the event where boat owners
decorate their boats for the Christmas holidays
and parade around the harbor.

Palm trees on boats seems to always be popular.

The boats are mostly decorated
by the boat owners and their families.

A few hire professionals to do the job.

Pretty much ... anything goes.
Each boat has music that matches the decorations.
This boat treated us with Hawaiian songs.

Dana Point is a beautiful harbor
only a few miles from our home.

We sat on the back of our boat enjoying hot drinks
with our friends and cheering each boat that went by.

Click below to see the great Christmas
fun that we all had while watching the decorated boats
and enjoying the Christmas celebration.

Dana Point Christmas Parade

Kayla ~ Daddy's Little Girl

You're the end of the rainbow, my pot of gold
You're daddy's little girl to have and hold
A precious gem is what you are
You are my bright, and shining star

~~~

You're the spirit of Christmas, my star on the tree
You're the Easter Bunny, to mommy and me
You're sugar, you're spice, you're everything nice
And you're daddy's little girl

Can I Come In, Yet?

As you may recall from an earlier story on MouseTrap, he arrived as a youngster late one stormy night. Since we already had two cats guarding their domain in the house, MouseTrap was offered the hay barn as his personal residence.

That worked out real well for quite a long time. Every corner of the barn was his from top to bottom ... and there was nary a mouse to be found.

MouseTrap became friends with the chickens, horses, ducks and geese. He was soon hanging out with Kayla, the Golden Retriever, almost acting like a dog as he followed us around the yard and horse corrals.

They were pals. The only difference was ... Kayla could come in the house.

Then it got cold.

That is when MouseTrap called for begging support.

"Hey, mom ... please let him come in"!

Amazingly ... that worked.

He had hardly arrived in the house
before he went to work.

There just had to be a mouse in here, somewhere!

Now, with two cats watching his every move,
MouseTrap knew he had to act really cool.

There could be none of the hissing, claws routine ...
or he'd be back in the barn.

C-o-l-d ... remember?

The chair with the blue towel worked for awhile.

But this cat is an adventurer.

Oh yah ... now this is great !

The sunny place by the window was pure heaven.

Well, for a little while.

Lalique found this completely unacceptable.

This was not her plan.
In fact, she considered a good swat appropriate.

It was time for some diversion.

Let's see, maybe a little cat-nap will help.

Oh yes, he's a clever, clever cat !

Without one fight, MouseTrap was part of the group.

Only, he had it even better.
He was an "inside-outside" cat.

MouseTrap was still in charge of the barn.

There was only one desired place left ...

... on dad's lap.

~~~

"... all is calm, all is bright ..."

It's All In The De-tails ...

Holly Jollying ... Am I Breathless, yet?

I'm dashing, and prancing ...

The ladders are out.
Christmas decorations are all over the front lawn.

The boxes of ribbons and garlands
are down from the attic.

I've got my list of just who
has been naughty and nice.

Now, I'm off to fight my way through the joyful crowds
... presents, you know.

Oh ... yikes, the Christmas cards.

Be back later!

FuzzBuzz ~ An Armload of Love

Fuzz Buzz was a chosen child.

She was only a baby when we heard that she needed a home,
a place where she would always be loved.

It's unbelievable to think that this beautiful bundle of fur
had been abandoned in an apartment.
Fortunately, the local rescue shelter had found her.

We heard about this beautiful kitten and rushed to see her.
One look and we knew she belonged with us.

We quickly filled out the papers promising that
we would keep her happy with us, forever.
Soon, she was on her way home.

Kayla and Fuzz-Buzz were constant pals.

They both liked doing the same thing ...
just lying around.

Life was cool around this place...
nothing to worry about.

A favorite place to be was sitting on mom's lap.

Fuzz-Buzz was a non-stop purr machine,
a love-bug all in one package.

Fuzz-Buzz was also an expert in keeping Lalique warm.
She was a personal thermo-blanket.

It was certain you would find them always together.

~~~

Yesterday, we had to say good-bye to Fuzz.
Cancer is a dreadful thing.

We're going to miss this big bundle of love.
Our home just isn't the same without her.

When we took her as a kitten,
we promised to keep her happy,
but she is the one that made this house
a warm and cuddly place.

How lucky we were to have had her.
How sadly she is missed.

~~~

Just A Few More Barn Books ...

Ok, I've given up on building that stable in England that I was dreaming about. But what a delightful time I had looking at the properties "for sale" in that beautiful country. There were so many that offered such a magnificent lifestyle for the horses ... and me.

Have you ever searched those sites and seen some of the castles those horses live in? You really must try it sometime.

But here I am in my abode far from my fantasy and I'm now on to another interest ... old barns of America.

I made a trip to the library to gather an armload of books about the barns built during those years so long ago and about the lives that had been such a large part of our American history.

So, getting all cozy on the couch and covered with animals ... I began to look at these wonderful barn books and wondering what stories they could tell me.

Page by page presented more and more questions. I wondered what kind of animals lived there. Did they have any Percherons? Did the children learn to drive those gentle giants when they were barely knee high to the horses?

I have always had a fascination for barns and have traveled many places taking photos of old barns. Some were still standing in all their glory, some tilting from the winds they have endured over the centuries.

But the barns I found truly interesting were the ones that were but a shell of their past, only remnants of the life once lived. Tall grasses were growing through the broken windows and the barn doors were no more.

Each book on the floor beside me had a character all its own.
Each barn a story.

I thought about my grandparents who had left Denmark to homestead in North Dakota, so very near the Canadian border. Through their determination and courage they built a sod house for their then four children on the barren unturned soil. They weathered the storms to live out there dream in a new country.

In time, there were 7 children, a farm house and a magnificent barn, which is still standing and remains a landmark in the area. It was in this barn that my father worked as a child and helped to care for the horses.

And, today, it is that same barn which still proudly stands ... filled with the memories of days long past.

Each book held me captive with pages of interesting designs,
beautiful locations ... and unique histories.

In many of the photographs, I felt a loneliness for the cold of winter
and the beauty of the fresh fallen snow I had known as a child.

Then I came to the last book.
I was in trouble again.

It seems I ended up where I began ...
dreaming of a barn so beautiful I could claim any stall for myself.

But to be honest ...
I think I'd rather have that old barn in North Dakota.

My grandfather's barn ...

It's such a part of me.

~~~

This stable just might work ...

Lately, I've been thinking that we need a new barn. The one we have is fine ... it's just that I'm not content unless I'm building or rebuilding something.

I think I mentioned some time ago that we have remodeled 7 houses (while living in them). And I'm getting itchy, again. My father was an architect-builder and I was the tag along. It's in my blood.

Then ... I saw this book, just page after page of beautiful stables. But the cover picture had "inspiration" written all over it. Isn't it just divine with that black horse in the archway?

I mean that could be Royal.

And just think how many horses I could collect. Maybe I could finally have several draft horses. How great would that be!

I just don't know why my "Hollywood" heart-throb thinks I'm going over the top. He says, "We don't even live in England".

Oh ... that's the problem?

The way I see it, this would require at least 20 acres of manicured lawns and beautiful pastures. I haven't seen many of those ads in Southern California, so perhaps we should move to England.

I eagerly began searching the sites for a "stately home" as they are called over there. That was a fun thing to do while the football games were going on and Kirk didn't have a clue that we just might be heading off to the United Kingdom. After all, we have a new barn to build.

It was during a commercial that I brought up the subject.

Ok, here's the bottom line.

I get to keep our barn, I can't move to England and I'm supposed to stay away from book stores until this blows over.

Well ... it was great while it lasted. As for the football, I have no idea who won, but it's for sure ... I lost my game.

Tomorrow, I'm looking around this place. Maybe I could find a few walls to move, or something.

Oh, if you're planning on a new barn just click here.

The garden, today

My tranquil corner of the garden.

What A Delightful Surprise

Thanksgiving Day Roses
Cecile Brunner

~~~~~

The house was all decorated for the fall season
and the Thanksgiving spirit.

Long ago the Cecile Brunner Roses
had finished their bloom.

Each spring and early summer they give us
a glorious display over the front entry gate
and then that was it until the following year.

Early Spring

~~~

But on Thanksgiving day there they were
covering the arbor over the front entry gate
with their sweet pink flowers.

This was a first.

As friends and family arrived
they were greeted with cascading roses and
the lovely fragrance of Spring.

What a wonderful Thanksgiving surprise.

Happy Thanksgiving To All

So Many Blessings ...

A house full of creatures
and a home filled with love ...
so much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving!

With Camera In Hand ~ The Last Leaf of Autumn

Click photo to enlarge

Regarding Gates ...

The View From The Top

Click to enlarge

We thought it only right that Royal should have the best view.

So, with a tractor and lots of pushing and shoving around of a
great deal of dirt, we created switch backs and plateaus on the upper hill for that pretty boy.

There was one stipulation. He had to share it with the alpacas.
Oh, we haven't told you about them? Well, another day.

The agreed procedure was ...
when the gate was closed, no uphill adventures.

Royal has been very cooperative about that
and spends most of his time wandering around the barn areas.

That was until ... today.

This is the pathway to the hill ... with the view.

Notice the bar across the uphill path?
That took Royal only a couple days to figure out.

Chain has now been added.

Around the curve of the pathway is another gate.
Sometimes, this includes a guard at the gate.

(you might notice the strange, tall fence,
... Royal trims roses.)

This is one of the places where Royal wanders.

Notice the gate?

Yep ... it happened, again.
(It's a man thing, I think)
~~~
Remember the other gate that was left open?
(Click here if you forgot.)

Stairway? Not a problem.

He trotted his pretty self up those stairs,
past the closed gate, and around the bend.

He was on his way!

MouseTrap witnessed the whole scene ...
"Was that a horse that just went by?"

Hey Mom ! I'm up here.

Just love this view.

~~~~~~

Pete and the Girls

Click to enlarge photos

"April" and "May" in their front row seats
keeping close watch on Royal.

Yep, we're still watchin'.
Hey Pete, are you sure that's the right size?

~~~

Getting those little girls to stay on the side out of the way was an accomplishment. They are Royal's pals and they see no reason why they cannot wander around underneath him while he is being shod. That is where they are when he's eating.

They also follow him around the turnouts, even the one at the top of the hill. Now that is quite a hike considering they are only 6 months old and the world is still a big adventure for them.

Royal is so great around them ... he'll walk the long way around to avoid getting in their way.

Interesting friendship they have.

Remembering Mom

In Memory of Mom
On Her Birthday

She was kind and gentle, a wonderful friend to everyone.
I am grateful to have had her for my mother.

I think of her everyday
and miss her more than words can say.

Back To Tranquility

Alberta enjoys her leisurely swim.

After the trauma of the fires in California
it was wonderful to appreciate the peacefulness

of our farm and to count our blessings.

FIRES! Safe, So Far, But Surrounded

UPDATES - BELOW

Volunteer horse people with their horse trailers
have been driving into the canyons searching on ranches
and in pasture for horses needing to be rescued.

The frustration has been with the owners that will not leave
their homes and the horse trailers are turned away.

Now, those areas are under severe risk,
and the horse trailers are returning
in the hopes to get in to rescue their horses.

The fires are covering Los Angeles to San Diego.

At the moment, the race tracks, fair grounds
and nearly all equestrian centers are filled
to capacity with rescued horses
with more truck loads of horses on the way.

We are all working together to locate private equestrian
residences with empty stalls or barns.

At our farm, we have an empty foaling stall
and turn-out areas and have made those available.

We feel so fortunate to be safe.

UPDATE - WEDNESDAY

Yesterday, the horses were being gathered from horse ranches
and residences that were in the direct line of fire.
Most of those homes are gone now.

There were also horses in pasture in the fire areas
that were rounded up and taken to safety.

Today, we are on watch for other horse communities
that are now in line of fire.

And ...we are finally getting Federal help with more
airplane coverage to drop water on the raging fires.
(why did that take 3 days to get?)

That gives us hope that the fires will no longer
be burning out of control.
Also, the tremendous winds have calmed down.

Presently, we are all on stand-by, except for the
wonderful volunteers that are now caring for the rescued horses,
while their owners are trying to put their lives back together.

If anything good has come from this ... it is that we are
forming an Equine Emergency Central for our area
that will have information for all horse people.

However, we know that rounding up trailers and
going to the emergency sites ... just in case,
will still be the procedure.

Yesterday, people took their trucks to equestrian centers
and took trailers that were parked there.
That is how desperate the situation was.

In the future, we will also have lists of rescue sites
that will be prepared to take the horses,
so we don't have to go begging for places to put
the trailered horses in situations such as this.

Cheers to all the bold and brave people that
just grabbed halters and lead lines, jumped into
their trucks and took off to gather horses at risk.

We worked the telephones for places to put the horses.
Today, we hope the phones are quiet.

UPDATE FRIDAY

Happy to say that things are quieter, now.
We've had a great turnout of volunteers
to care for the rescued horses.

Owners are now coming to the hold-up locations
to care for and be with their horses
until they can return home.

Other horses will stay at the centers
until they have new barns built.

This entire ordeal has made us all aware
of how many wonderful horses
and horse people there are in this world.

It has also been amazing to see people
come forward that are not experienced with horses,
but have been willing to offer their help.
They have been great at keeping water buckets filled and
giving lots of attention to the horses.

This tragedy has brought many people together
that will remain friends.

There are countless stories to be told.

We all remain grateful for the amazing bravery
and dedication of the horse community,
who jumped into action in the middle of chaos
to save the lives of countless horses at risk.

~~~

This link is about our part of the rescue.
RESCUE

~~~~~

Horses Rescued ~ Scenes To Remember

The Aftermath - Horses Waiting For Owners

So many thanks for your comments!
It kept us going.
It's great to know how many people care!

We are all a community ...
no matter where we are located.

The Open Gate Saga

Did you close the gate?
Sure did ...

A Lovely Day For Cruisin'

So nice when things are calm
and peaceful on the farm, again.

Whew! That hawk business was really frightening!