Fear and Friends

I heard the awful screaming again. Both cats were at the door. Both spent the night in the house. This never happens. They are afraid, also.

I have left a trail of horsey friends all across Texas. It always hurts most to say goodbye to the people who share the love of horses. Now it is my turn. My horsie friend is moving away. I will miss the companionship. I will miss her talent. I don't put just anyone on my horses. It is a safety issue as well as a training issue. Diesel and Becca can both be alot of horse.

I moved to Port Lavaca for the fishing and the beach. I stayed for the people I met here. This is a wonderful town. I've made it my home. Forever. I madly miss horse people, though. I have met no one that rides English. I have not heard of a single trainer (as in train me, trainer), let alone a good one. I miss having an arena. Even more, I miss having an arena with other riders. Camaraderie. I miss it terribly. I've said this before. I still feel it. And now, my riding buddy is moving. My only riding buddy. Damn. Double damn.

On the upside, I had another good ride today. Riding Buddy rode Diesel and had a great ride. It was a good day. I like those. It makes me want to ride more. Once a week is not enough. My ride on Prissy was comfortable. She's worth a million bucks. No lie. Nothing but years can create a bond so strong. There will never be another like her. There will be others that are great. But, Miss Priss is the love of my life. That sounds weird. I feel it deep down. This is it. Savor every moment. My life is blessed.

Mourning

I have 3 horses, 2 dogs, 2 turtles, and 2 cats. I think. Emmie has been AWOL since last weekend. I heard cats screaming last week. Now she is gone. I fear she has been run off by the bigger, meaner kitties. I fear I have a bobcat. I fear she has met an early end. She had not left the vicinity since moving here.

Last night, I heard screaming and went out to scream at Pumpkin. I found Blue at the door wanting in really bad and Punk in the back yard sitting peacefully. No mad cats. No strange cats. No Emmie. My thought then was bobcat. Who knows?

Emmie is a plain, black cat. She is aloof, shy. She does not seek out human attention. I am the only person that can touch her. This is a nice way of saying wild. Crazy wild. Out of 10 pets, she is the least committed. I wish I knew what happened. I have this feeling that she is gone. I hope she felt unwanted by the other cats and went next door. I hope she comes home. She left for days at the old house. She just never left here. I still have hope. I go outside a dozen times a day hoping to see her. And every time I come back with renewed sadness. She's just a wild cat. I miss her terribly. How do we get so attached? I have 10...or 9 pets. How does it hurt so bad for every one? If she is gone I would like to bury her and plant something. Just to know what happened...

Second First

I survived my second first ride in a new place. Diesel was L- A- Z- Y. I actually had to dig in to keep him in a trot. However, I asked for a canter on his weak lead and he picked it up immediately and stayed steady. Nice, but I don't like that I had to fight for a straight line. Also, he evaded the bit the entire ride. Dodo. Overall, a good first ride in a new home and first ride in almost a year. Who'd have thought 25 minutes would leave me so sore. Must ride more. I wish the wind would cooperate. It is howling. So bad I gave up on watering my new grass. It never hit the ground. Crazy.

I rigged a new set of reins for him. He is so big my standard reins are not quite long enough. So I laced together an old set of split reins and I'm gonna rough it. Functional if not pretty. I can't wait to try them out. We'll see. I hate riding in the wind. And tonight I wouldn't dare to ride. Talk about fruit loops. They spun out of the barn half a dozen times just cuz. Running, bucking, silly. It's a sign even I can't ignore!

Birthday Season

Diesel turned 8 last week. How come he doesn't act 8? He is a goofball. You should have seen him earlier. It is cold and rainy and he was not happy about being wet. He was pawing and shaking his head. Most of all, he didn't want to be alone. Hollering like a fool. His ladies were out grazing and were completely ignoring him. The more they ignored, the more he bounced around. Eventually, the rain picked up and they returned to the barn. He was happy as a lark. As if they came back for him. What a fool that boy is. Gotta love him.

Becca turns 16 next month. Priss will be 23 in May. And my 8 year old thinks they are his own personal harem. Ha! They've been around the block too many times for that. I love my crew.

Chunky Monkey!

Chunky Monkey! Chunky Monkey! Monkey! Monkey! Monkey! Chunky Monkey!

Can't you just hear my excitement? Becca is a cow. An itchy, furry, fatty patty cow.

She has really not been herself since the move. She's been aloof. Flighty. She really doesn't handle change well. Tonight I got some Becca love. This comes in the form of a hug and wet kisses. For the first time since we moved here she snuggled. I am so glad to have my girl back.

Soon we will have green grass. This is bad for the Bec. This means restricted turnout and a grazing muzzle. She is not going to be a happy camper. In the meantime she munches on old, dry grass just outside my window. How lucky am I? My life is blessed.

I'm in LOVE

Diesel is such a gorgeous creature. He knows it. He demands attention when he moves. I can't wait to work with him some more. He is just plain fun. I hope to ride Sunday. Who knows what the wind will be like? I'm ready for a nice, calm day. One can only dream.

Scruffy is breaking records every day. I am so proud. Of course, he destroyed a roll of paper towels today. But no spots on the floor. Go Scruffy!

I wonder what my horsie friends are up to. Ana, Haley, Margaret. I hope your life is full of fantastic equines. My life is blessed.

Secret Weapon

Scruffy has been 3 days without an accident. He is about to explode when I come home. He goes and goes and goes when I let him out. He has NOT gone in the house. I am such a proud parent. He really is a good boy. Nevermind the 2 pillows he destroyed last week. My secret weapon is limiting water. That sounds horrible. I take the water up when I am at work. No water, no yellow explosions. Plenty of water the rest of the day. Come home ASAP. Can you see my smile? Good dog. My life is blessed.

I have been lunging the ponies. Diesel is such a gentleman. This weekend I will ride. Bec is a fruit loop. Lunge, lunge, lunge. Diesel is my man. He is so handsome. And obedient. He lives to please. Great quality in any kind of man...especially the 1200 lb kind. My life is blessed.

24 Hour Chip

I should start a 12 step program for the little pisser. He got his 24 hour chip today. And I was late getting home! No tinkle spots. I knew he had it in him. What was different? I took the water up during the day. I hate to do that for so long. But, it worked. I really think he tries to hold it but cannot. When he has "accidents" it is like he unloads a flood. He's a little dog and it is alot of pee. Maybe I can train him after all. Stay tuned for more exciting potty talk.

Chunky Monkies and Mo-rons

I should change this name to 2chunkymonkies. Prissy is no longer chunky. It is winter. She's old. It is down to me and Bec. Bec holds her weight well (code for she's a fatty patty). Priss will chunk up in a month or two. She is by no means skinny. Just thinner than normal. She actually looks pretty darn good. The grass here is native and will not green up until April. Then, Becca gets to wear a muzzle. I've been grooming them a couple of times a week. I love the pony time. Everyone is starting to shed out and is itchy. I'm happy because I have no choice but to spend time with them.

Now for the mo-ron part. I've always been a little foolish when it comes to the ponies. My arm is doing quite well. The shoulder is aching less and less. It was only 3 years ago that I ate it on Becca- bareback, windy, halter only, first time in a new place. Tonight I rode Prissy. First time riding here. Bareback in a bridle. The thing is...I feel safe on her. She is predictable and conscientious of her rider. She tripped a few times. I barely felt it. She compensates for you. She is truly worth a million dollars. Miss Priss is the horse of a lifetime. The others have great qualities. She is just the one. Every day with her is special. She has her quirks. She grunts, she's head shy. She was not always so good. I have to keep that in mind. She was a fruit loop in the early days but she always took care of me. Miles and miles of riding. The others will get there.

Tonight I had a great ride. She was perky but not spooky. I took her out of the round pen and she did fine. Next time I will put a saddle on and really RIDE. After my ride, I groomed everyone. I'm afraid they will get thorns in their feet so I have been picking out hooves almost every day to check them. Talk about concrete. We need rain so bad. I flood near the trough but it just hardens and gets stuck while sucking the moisture out. It is too cool to hose them down.

Diesel set back while grooming tonight. It is sooo my fault. Scruff was hanging out too close and I lunged and fussed at him. All I managed to do is scare the big boy. Neither went anywhere. Diesel just broke the twine I had him safety tied to... and stood there. Scruffy is driving me nuts. He needs to get out and run. Which he did- right over to the neighbors. He came back eventually and followed me and Prissy. Way too close. Priss is a saint. I hope Scruff got some energy out. He is just about out of toys and pillows to destroy. I don't mind when he eats toys, the pillows are another story. He confuses them. Both are filled with stuffing to pull out. I am his last chance. If I give up he has nowhere to go. I do have thoughts of letting him go. Gretch would be alone. She doesn't handle that well. I went from 4 dogs to 2 in no time. It is definitely a better number. It breaks my heart that Spooky loves living with my parents so much. I'm glad but heartbroken. She hasn't visited in two weeks. And she won't for two more, at least. I miss her.

This is about the most random post ever. Welcome to my life. It is what it is. And it is blessed.

Short Friends

Today's thoughts are about our short friends. How could I live without them? Every day I admire my behemoth horse, Diesel. When I tilt my head and rest on his shoulder, he is taller than me. He's got the look. You know the one. I admire him every single day. He's special.

But what about the fluffy mutts that live with me? They are not spectacular. They make people stare out of the rediculousness of matching their parents together (especially Gretch). She has a bad hair day every day. Her ears are enormous. She wiggles with her whole body when she greets you and whines like a baby. Yet, I could not imagine life without her. She snuggles every night. Gretchen is the best kind of companion. She lives to please her people. Doesn't matter who is around, Gretch will make you happy. I can't imagine life without any of my pets, though I know the day will come. This one has created an amazing bond. She's dedicated and willing and smart and obedient. Who'd have thought? She was a handful as a youngster.

This brings me to Scruffy. He's bad. I say this alot. He runs off and pees in the house. He bounces off the wall and destroys toys within seconds. Seriously....seconds, as in, less than 1 minute. He, too, sits in my lap. Snuggles at night. Not so willing, not so obedient. Someday....I keep saying that. Someday he will be a good dog. The bond with him is growing. I could possibly live without the other animals. Maybe. But, never will I live without a dog. Even when I am old and feeble.

Here's to man's best friend. They are truly special. I love mine dearly. My life is blessed.

Gretch just farted. Run for the hills.

The Crew

It seems like everyone has settled in nicely. My fluffy pups sit on the couch with the Blue kitty next to me. The other cats are nearby. I was most worried about the cats. I've never moved an outside cat before. I worried for weeks about how they would handle it. We are not far from the old house and I was afraid they would go to the wrong home. They took it all in stride. I kept them in the barn for 3 days before releasing them. Tonight is their first night out. Blue came in. Blue does what Blue wants.

Scruffy has now run off twice. He comes home. Just like before. It still gives me a heart attack. I love that bad little dog. Gretch used to sit on the back of the couch and look out the window. There is no window behind it here. She's sitting up there anyway. Her tail is wagging me.

The horses enjoy their new freedom...and grass. We fenced in a portion of the pasture for them. If I had to guess, I'd say it is 7 or 8 acres. They will be up to their bellies in grass in another month or so...if we get rain, of course. Last night must have worn them out. They all took several naps today. Getting to know a new place is stressful. And they all got extra exercise checking the fenceline.

The turtles don't seem to have any troubles, either. Squirt is still in the aquarium in the house. His shell is still healing. He'll get moved outside as soon as it warms up. Seymour is acting a bit shy. He misses the hibiscus flowers.

I moved my grandmother's rain lilies today. They will be in pots for awhile. I can't imagine getting any beds made anytime soon. I have the time to nurture Bitsy's lemon and that is about it. My to do list is rather large. I crossed out a few things today and managed to get my first nap in eons.

It is time to get cleaned up. I'll try not to disturb the sleeping beauties on the couch.

The End of an Era

Bye Bye Boogies.






Eighteen years and it was not enough. But, time was up. She went quickly and quietly with no resisitance. Three days into life in my forever home and I have already buried one of my own. I hated to have to make that decision. The reality is it was the right one. She did not suffer. She was not yet in pain. Life made her weary and the tumors were undoubtedly growing. Bitsy rests next to a newly planted lemon tree.





Last week, before the move, Buddy came home with obviously serious wounds. I believe the coyotes I heard so close the night before attacked him. The infection took hold. When I came home I knew I had to end his pain immediately. I did what I have never done before...pull the trigger. There was no time to call for the vet. His lady friend, Pumpkin, lay next to his grave for a week, mourning.





The creatures that we share our lives with touch us so deeply. Savor every moment. Rescue new ones but never forget the lost ones. My life is blessed.

Good Grief...Bad Grief

Good news is the house keeps on plugging. No close date, yet, but it is coming soon...few weeks at most. Just some last minute things to install. It looks like a house. It seems like it has taken so long that it feels like home already. However, it really hasn't been long at all. Just last February I was searching for land. Biggest project left is the fencing. Anyone interested in helping. Ha Ha.

Bad Grief. Bitsy will not make the move to the new house. She is nearing the time to end it. She will be 18 on Saturday. Lots of great years. She cannot hold it well anymore and is very feeble. She will tell me what day is right. I am prepared.

I already have her "replacement". Funny how there are always too many that need a home. How is that possible? I take so many! And Scruffy....what was I thinking? Yesterday, he shredded all of the trash and moved it around the house. He chased that with an entire jar of Vaseline. Who does that? It sprays out as a clear, high pressure liquid. I hope he was clear before I left for work this morning. What a mess. My life is insane. With all his trouble making yesterday, Bitsy didn't have even one accident. What a relief.

The stories I will be able to tell. This dog is a handful. He's bad. But I love him very much. He's cute and he snuggles ALOT. Someday he will be well-manered. Working on it one day at a time.

Hello 30

Good grief. I'm 30. Same as yesterday but feeling the pains of responsibility. Insurance and mortgage and 12 hungry mouths to feed.

The house is coming along. I have cabinets. Closing at the end of the month. Fencework is stressing me out. We can't start until the house is done. Dirt work and leveling must come first.

Internet comes when I move in. Can't wait. I visit the neighbors for their WiFi. And it is rude. Must go.

Most Exciting House Work

Getting bricks! You didn't really think I meant house cleaning, did you?

New Houses are EXCITING!!!!!

Here are a few recent pics of my new house. Too cool.

Disaster Strikes

WARNING: Graphic pictures at end.

The first disaster was my neighbors moving out and taking their wireless internet. Now I am without- torturous. I will be up and running again when I move into my new house...probably the end of January. Patience.

Then, there was the electricity miscommunication. I have electricity but the new landlords are jumping through hoops to get it sorted out on paper. Then, the dog ate my Ariat mule. My favorite pair of working-outside- shoes.

Last Sunday, I lunged all 3 ponies. Priss is old and stiff but not lame. Becca is fit but fat. Diesel is no longer lame on his sliced heel. Only took six months. As soon as I find the time, I'll begin conditioning him to ride again. Don't hold your breath. This is my shining good news.

The horror was what I found last Sunday after my pony time. Spooky almost killed Gretchen. I have no idea was spurred the attack. They have been fine together for many years. Gretchen has over 60 punctures in her hind legs. Her neck sustained deep punctures. I found the house covered in blood. Furniture was moved. Gretchen was hiding in the corner. Spooky was hiding, stunned in the corner. It was a massacre. I have no idea how Gretchen survived. Tuesday, she had to have surgery to removed dead tissue and insert drain tubes in her neck. She didn't eat all week. She is finally showing improvement. This makes me so happy. But, my heart is broken over Spooky. She is living with my parents as an only pet. This arrangement may not be long term. I cannot allow this to happen again. Spooky was, up until this week, known as my all time best dog. Heartbroken doesn't even begin to describe what I am feeling.

What's Happening?

Lots. I check on the horses every evening with a flashlight. My neighbors must think I'm a crazy person...out in the dark pointing the flashlight at legs and bellies. No new boo boos. Lots of cranky looks. Too cold, not enough hay. So they think. I feed 3/4 of a bale a day. Pigs.

The dogs are keeping me busy. Scruffy is always up to shenanigans. Bitsy is going downhill. It would be so much easier if she was not bouncing around with a smile on her face. She's old. She's stiff. She has trouble getting in her recliner. She gets the runs easily. But, she's happy and not in any clear pain. I wonder if she will see Christmas. Every morning I get up and expect to see her in a forever sleep. But no, she pops up and bounces around the house.

Speaking of house....I have walls and roof and windows and an a/c unit. No brick, yet. Lots happening. Paint today, electrical tomorrow. Will I have everything ready for move-in in January? Probably not. Working hard. Until next time. My life is blessed.

Dingleberry

I love him. He's gorgeous. He's comical. He's well mannered. He's lame. I really miss riding Diesel, aka Dingleberry. He likes me. He misses being exercised. His topline is awful. Problem- I can't exercise him...his foot hurts. He's wearing the hoof flat in front. I hope this isn't career ending. Trail pony career, that is. I'll get the farrier's opinion again next week. He was positive after the last trim. I have awful luck with pets. Accidents, metabolic disorders, arthritis, skin conditions, chronic ear mites, separation anxiety with the pisser. Scruffy is a challenge. That's putting it nicely. Until I get him better trained, I am missing out on quality time with everyone else. I make a concerted effort to give everyone attention. I'm neglecting Pumpkin, though. She's mad at me for keeping Blue and Scruff. I did get a few hugs today from her. She's not totally angry. I am totally tired. Maybe the house will really get framed this week. That's what they say. That'll energize me. For now, gotta get back to my mountain of papers to grade.

The Boys

I have several boys in my life. Let me tell you about them.

Squirt is a little red eared slider. He has issues...not sure if Seymour tried to eat him or if it is bacterial. He has extremely damaged peripheral scutes. Mild bleeding. He has been moved into the house where it is temperature and moisture regulated. Damage has not worsened. I hope he pulls out of this. He is active and eating well.

Diesel is my big boy. Very big boy. He likes to hang out with me. Today, he followed me around the round pen while I poop scooped. When I was done, I lunged him very lightly. He trotted around the 60' pen 3 times each direction. Just enough to know that he is still a bit lame on his foot and that his four foot tenderness is still there. He's always been a tenderfoot. Big baby. He loved the attention, though. Cued perfectly, even with cooler temps. Love that boy.

Blue is my kitty man. He always liked coming in the house. Since it has gotten cool he is almost always inside. He should've been born a dog. He follows me everywhere. He even goes out and follows me when I walk the dogs. Comes back in when I go in. Feeds the horses with me. Watches just outside the round pen as I lunge Bec. Crazy cat. And he has stolen Bitsy's spot on the recliner. Just as well...she hasn't been able to get up there for a few days. I will have to make a decision soon. I've been saying that for over a year. All I know for sure is that it isn't quite time, yet. She has a wonderfully plush blankie to sleep on right now.

Scruffy is my challenge. He hugs. He sits in my lap every time I sit down- including now. He is the sweetest little thing. Around here, 20 pounds is little. Here's the thing. He's a pisser. He doesn't mark the house. He unloads his full bladder on the wall. Once while I'm at school. Quite often, once again when I leave him to take care of the horses. Why not take him with me when I go out? He runs off. He doesn't respond to his name. He chases cats. He loves to get under the house...comes out brown instead of white. He gets out of his harness when chained up. Why don't I crate him? He pisses on the crate and gets the wall AND himself wet. He's bad. Bad to the bone. We are making progress. He hasn't pooped on the floor lately. Any given day you can find me outside walking Scruffy ten times telling him what a good dog he is...potty goes outside. Soon, I will have to let him go loose and trust that he comes back without getting run over. Scary.

Man, I wish I had a fenced yard. I have lots to look forward to. I should have that wish by Spring Break. And a house...if they ever get started. All of the supplies are there, everything except the workers. Framers will start soon. Last Monday was the day...still waiting not so patiently.

I am blessed to have the boys and girls in my life. All 13 of them. I am insane. I admit it.