hhhmmm. The first time I heard about this, I though - therapy with hippos'???? What in the world will they come up with next. Nope. Nothing to do with water, either.
Hippotherapy " is a physical, occupational or speech and language therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement. Hippotherapy literally means "treatment with the help of the horse" from the Greek word 'hippos,' meaning horse. Specially trained physical and occupational therapists use this treatment for clients with movement dysfunction. In hippotherapy, the horse influences the client rather than the client controlling the horse. The client is positioned on the horse and actively responds to his movement. The therapist directs the movement of the horse; analyzes the clients responses; and adjusts the treatment accordingly. This strategy is used as part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional outcomes. " (whew... what a mouthful!)
Why the Horse? The horses' walk provides sensory input through movement, which is variable, rhythmic and repetitive. The resultant movement responses in the patient are similar to human movement patterns of the pelvis when walking. (and the description continues on in more dictionary/medical terminology).
They even have an Association that specifically relates to all aspects of this therapy....
American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. (AHA Inc.) promotes the use of the movement of the horse as a treatment strategy in physical, occupational and speech-language therapy sessions for people living with disabilities. http://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/
Imagine that. I thought that maybe it was named that because someone looked like a hippo lying on the back of a horse???? Who was watching me flounder around on the back of my horse a while back??? Was it YOU!????!??! Hiding in the bushes???
I certainly know that I don't need a dictionary, or a therapistfor that matter, to convince me of the therapeutic properties of a horse. Not only does my back always feel better after going for a ride on my horse, but my spirits are lifted, I breathe easier and I always have a feeling of contentment when I get done with a ride.
Some nights, just being able to stick my nose into my horses neck, comb his mane or brush his body as he is munching on his hay, all settled into his clean stall for the night, is enough to help me shed the tension and emotional exhaustion that life normally brings into my days and weeks.
A warm, sunny afternoon, in the field, with my arms wrapped around their neck, my nose wishes it could bottle the scent of fresh, warm horse, fly spray and grass that immediately puts a smile on my face.
When my wonderful therapist, who I love, gets done putting my brain on it's weekly puree cycle, there is nothing quite like barn chores to help you sort through shit while you sort through shit, if you know what I mean. I sleep well at night after hearing the contented nickers, the munching of hay and night noises as the geldings settle in the barn, happy and safe.
For a time, about seven years ago, when things were very, very bad, and I was in and out of the hospital over a 4 month period of time, it was my horses who kept me going. The girls will grow up (blessedly) and move on (and out) with their lives. My husband has his work and his love of hunting. My horses were there every morning, whinnying for me to come feed them breakfast and let them out to pasture. That is what got me out of bed. My morab, Aba, would bang his foot on his stall door until I would drag my butt out of bed and get up to let them out.
There is never judgement. They never, once, didn't come to greet me when I went out to see them, no matter what time of the day or night. They didn't care if I was still in my pajamas. They didn't care if my hair had been combed or my teeth brushed. They just knew I needed them to lean on, to brush, to talk to. They never offered their opinions. They knew how to hug. They couldn't tell others what I had told them. They can't be subpoenaed. They don't lie. They always listen carefully and never interrupt. They were there for me just as I was there to care for them.
There is never a more honored feeling to have than knowing that your horse trusts you and cares for you, that he will carry you on his back, keeping you safe, watching out for your well being. There have been few things in my life that give me that feeling. And once you have felt it, you want to feel it all the time.
If this does't make you want to go right out and get a horse of your very own, then I don't know what will! My dogs do the same thing for me. And so do the cats. But horses are my first choice (after my husband and my girls. OK. Sometimes even before my husband and my girls...).
You should try it some time. Visit a local barn. Try brushing a rescue horse. Help with stall cleaning and throw some hay in the loft. But the caution is this - once you get going, it's darn near impossible to stop.... :)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Just one of those days....
Woke up late this morning - like 1 1/2 hours late. My tailbone is killing me. I missed my morning appointment. It rained, it poured buckets. I'm tired. I need to go to bed. My tailbone is killing me. I worked an extra hour at work. Emma had a soccer game (they won, 3 to 2). The kitten won't stop climbing on the computer keyboard. And I still need to go out in the barn and clean stalls and fill water buckets before I can go to bed. And my tailbone is killing me. Blah, blah, blah...
I injured myself about 10 years ago. I tore all the muscle off one side of my tailbone. It was absolute torture. It took about 6 weeks before I could actually go from sitting down to standing up (or vice versa) without feeling like I was going to pass out or throw up from the pain.
It's bbbaaaacccckkkk. I don't know what I did last night, but when I woke up this morning I couldn't even get out of bed. And today, working at the library, getting up and down to the copier, the books, the check out desk... ohy, vey.
So, now I'm headed out to do barn chores. In the rain. :( I just want to sit down and cry.
Talking about crying, I have a funeral to go to this weekend. A very good friend of mine found her soul mate. They are both older in life, having been college sweethearts and then going their separate ways, only to find each other and that romantic spark, again....
Then he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And he beat it. Got a clean bill of health. Got married :) and at his 6 week follow up was diagnosed with cancer in the liver (if I remember correctly). They gave him 4 to 6 months to live. He lived almost a year after that. He just passed away last weekend.
I've been humbled by many, many things in my life, but when R and his wife, B, wanted to come to our monthly cookout - as one thing he wanted to cross of his 'bucket list' - I was overwhelmed and honored.
It was a wonderful cookout. And, not knowing, we even had his favorite dessert, strawberry shortcake. He was gone less than two weeks later. I wanted to stop by and see them the week after the cookout, but I just couldn't make myself stop. I've been to too many funerals already this year. I really can't do another one. But I will. Because B was there for me and my girls when I went through a difficult time a few years ago. Because even though R didn't know me very well, he was always inquiring about how I was, how things were going, encouraging me, treating me as if I were a long lost friend that he truly cared about. Caring about me, my family, my animals, my girls... and truly sharing his love, life and self with my friend B.
R will be missed. I still can't believe he's gone. I'm so glad he is no longer in pain or suffering, but am so sorry for the loss for B.
Ok. Now if I go out to do barn chores in the rain, no one will know if it is rain or tears running down my face. Off to snuggle with my equine shoulders to cry on.
I injured myself about 10 years ago. I tore all the muscle off one side of my tailbone. It was absolute torture. It took about 6 weeks before I could actually go from sitting down to standing up (or vice versa) without feeling like I was going to pass out or throw up from the pain.
It's bbbaaaacccckkkk. I don't know what I did last night, but when I woke up this morning I couldn't even get out of bed. And today, working at the library, getting up and down to the copier, the books, the check out desk... ohy, vey.
So, now I'm headed out to do barn chores. In the rain. :( I just want to sit down and cry.
Talking about crying, I have a funeral to go to this weekend. A very good friend of mine found her soul mate. They are both older in life, having been college sweethearts and then going their separate ways, only to find each other and that romantic spark, again....
Then he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And he beat it. Got a clean bill of health. Got married :) and at his 6 week follow up was diagnosed with cancer in the liver (if I remember correctly). They gave him 4 to 6 months to live. He lived almost a year after that. He just passed away last weekend.
I've been humbled by many, many things in my life, but when R and his wife, B, wanted to come to our monthly cookout - as one thing he wanted to cross of his 'bucket list' - I was overwhelmed and honored.
It was a wonderful cookout. And, not knowing, we even had his favorite dessert, strawberry shortcake. He was gone less than two weeks later. I wanted to stop by and see them the week after the cookout, but I just couldn't make myself stop. I've been to too many funerals already this year. I really can't do another one. But I will. Because B was there for me and my girls when I went through a difficult time a few years ago. Because even though R didn't know me very well, he was always inquiring about how I was, how things were going, encouraging me, treating me as if I were a long lost friend that he truly cared about. Caring about me, my family, my animals, my girls... and truly sharing his love, life and self with my friend B.
R will be missed. I still can't believe he's gone. I'm so glad he is no longer in pain or suffering, but am so sorry for the loss for B.
Ok. Now if I go out to do barn chores in the rain, no one will know if it is rain or tears running down my face. Off to snuggle with my equine shoulders to cry on.
Horse "Training" at its very WORST, Parelli style
I did not see what I just saw. I'm literally sick to my stomach. I was catching up on my blog visits and, once again, Cathy at http://www.fugly.com/ delivers. There is a YouTube link of Pat Parelli "training" (and you don't know just how loosely I use that term) a horse named Catwalk at the Royal Festival of the Horse in England.
This poor horse. This is not training, it's pure out and out abuse. The lady who did the YouTube clip said she was so upset by this that she walked out after a short while but this abuse went on for TWO hours. In front of an audience.
Now, I don't know about anyone else, but if I had my name associated anywhere with the Parelli's, it certainly wouldn't be any more.
Shame on them. Not only do they do a great disservice for all true horse trainers in America, but in the world. If I were a 'horse trainer' I wouldn't be announcing that too loudly these days.
If I had a horse in training, you best be damn sure I would be on my way to visit my horse at the trainers and camping out for a few days watching them work - not only with my horse but with a few other peoples as well.
Shame on you, Pat & Linda Parelli. You should apologize. Not only to the horse (he should be allowed to kick both of you in the head) but also the horses owner, Robert Whitaker. This horse is going to take years - even if it is at all possible - of patient, gentle, consistent work to get over the abuse and trauma you inflicted upon him.
You should apologize to every single person in that audience. You should explain to them that you are inadequate and incapable of training a horse in a humane, gentle, non-forceful way.
Eeeewww. You just both make me want to puke. You both are so very lucky that this horse had a slightly more sane brain in his head than the two of you and didn't explode on the both of you and kick the ever loving crap out you.
If you think I'm over doing it, go to YouTube and search for Catwalk and Parelli. I will warn you that if you have any sense of compassion for animals at all, you will have trouble watching this.
This poor horse. This is not training, it's pure out and out abuse. The lady who did the YouTube clip said she was so upset by this that she walked out after a short while but this abuse went on for TWO hours. In front of an audience.
Now, I don't know about anyone else, but if I had my name associated anywhere with the Parelli's, it certainly wouldn't be any more.
Shame on them. Not only do they do a great disservice for all true horse trainers in America, but in the world. If I were a 'horse trainer' I wouldn't be announcing that too loudly these days.
If I had a horse in training, you best be damn sure I would be on my way to visit my horse at the trainers and camping out for a few days watching them work - not only with my horse but with a few other peoples as well.
Shame on you, Pat & Linda Parelli. You should apologize. Not only to the horse (he should be allowed to kick both of you in the head) but also the horses owner, Robert Whitaker. This horse is going to take years - even if it is at all possible - of patient, gentle, consistent work to get over the abuse and trauma you inflicted upon him.
You should apologize to every single person in that audience. You should explain to them that you are inadequate and incapable of training a horse in a humane, gentle, non-forceful way.
Eeeewww. You just both make me want to puke. You both are so very lucky that this horse had a slightly more sane brain in his head than the two of you and didn't explode on the both of you and kick the ever loving crap out you.
If you think I'm over doing it, go to YouTube and search for Catwalk and Parelli. I will warn you that if you have any sense of compassion for animals at all, you will have trouble watching this.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Must have been the heat.
It must have been the building heat from the last 10 days that finally put me over the edge yesterday. It's been building for a while. At least the pool is up. How many days do you think it took 3,500 gallons of bone chilling well water to heat up to the point that it was very comfortable when Mike and I went in it tonight to soak away all the heat? Three days. Yep. That was all. The water temperature was in the high 80's when we went in it late this afternoon. Soaking and visiting and absorbing the cool, not to cool water. Bliss. Something to remember six months from now when I are cursing the cold, bitter winter snow and ice.
So I was reading through another blog www.fugly.com who calls it like it is in the horse world (even names names and gives people a big old helping of her usually right on opinion) and I came across another blog that specifically relates to something near and dear to my heart - Craigslist.com... it's where I find the listings for New England Horses under $800 that get posted on http://missyshopeerr.freehostia.com - I've posted about Brandi here before and the work that she does trying to link horses in need of new homes with people looking for horses. She also does Chey/Annie Project For Slings for Horses.
So, anyways, when my insomnia rears its ugly head (and truly, he is an ugly beast that doesn't seem to be able to be completely tamed) I found this new blog.... http://clhorseads.blogspot.com The Worst of CL Horse For Sale Ads. I did a little more digging and found her other blog http://FaraeTailDreamsArt.blogspot.com and found out her name was Beth from Phoenix, Arizona where she does some awesome things with dragons, sculptures and re-models horses!!
AAAANNNNNNDDDD! when I sent her copies of the post that set me off on the tyrannical rant that I posted yesterday, she referenced me in the posting that went on her blog!! SO, Beth, thanks for the spot on your blog and here's a spot for you on mine!!!
I will continue to send you Craigslist ads that drive me crazy about the horse world. There truly are some people out there that shouldn't have a drivers license, be able to breed - themselves or anything else - and should probably just jump off the nearest cliff to be smashed to bits by sharp rocks and drift out to sea to feed the fishes.
So, back to reading blogs and searching the craigslist ads for Brandi to post on her site... it's so nice creating work for other people (grin).. I know Brandi would be lost if I didn't send her more work to do, what with her 4 children under the age of 9 and moving in just a couple of weeks into their very own house! Congratulations!
I've been working on another post and another rant, but need to review and edit before I hit the publish button. Need to keep all the Is' dotted and the Ts' crossed.
Keep cool. Hang out in a nice cold room. Drink a nice drink with plenty of ice in it. Relax in the shade. Don't burn in the sun. More to come....
So I was reading through another blog www.fugly.com who calls it like it is in the horse world (even names names and gives people a big old helping of her usually right on opinion) and I came across another blog that specifically relates to something near and dear to my heart - Craigslist.com... it's where I find the listings for New England Horses under $800 that get posted on http://missyshopeerr.freehostia.com - I've posted about Brandi here before and the work that she does trying to link horses in need of new homes with people looking for horses. She also does Chey/Annie Project For Slings for Horses.
So, anyways, when my insomnia rears its ugly head (and truly, he is an ugly beast that doesn't seem to be able to be completely tamed) I found this new blog.... http://clhorseads.blogspot.com The Worst of CL Horse For Sale Ads. I did a little more digging and found her other blog http://FaraeTailDreamsArt.blogspot.com and found out her name was Beth from Phoenix, Arizona where she does some awesome things with dragons, sculptures and re-models horses!!
AAAANNNNNNDDDD! when I sent her copies of the post that set me off on the tyrannical rant that I posted yesterday, she referenced me in the posting that went on her blog!! SO, Beth, thanks for the spot on your blog and here's a spot for you on mine!!!
I will continue to send you Craigslist ads that drive me crazy about the horse world. There truly are some people out there that shouldn't have a drivers license, be able to breed - themselves or anything else - and should probably just jump off the nearest cliff to be smashed to bits by sharp rocks and drift out to sea to feed the fishes.
So, back to reading blogs and searching the craigslist ads for Brandi to post on her site... it's so nice creating work for other people (grin).. I know Brandi would be lost if I didn't send her more work to do, what with her 4 children under the age of 9 and moving in just a couple of weeks into their very own house! Congratulations!
I've been working on another post and another rant, but need to review and edit before I hit the publish button. Need to keep all the Is' dotted and the Ts' crossed.
Keep cool. Hang out in a nice cold room. Drink a nice drink with plenty of ice in it. Relax in the shade. Don't burn in the sun. More to come....
The road to hell is paved with good intentions...
Ok, I see it every day. It still pisses me off every day. These people that go to auctions (or cruise Craigslist or Horse/Com, the local feed store tack message center or other 'free to a good home' posting places) with a truck and trailer, maybe a few hundred cash, or their friend with a truck and trailer who just happen to have a few extra hundred in cash lying around, or better yet, hire someone with a truck and trailer. Who 'feel so bad' for this poor little, worm-infested, year old stud colt. Feel so bad that they just 'have to buy get it out of there.'
Then they bring it home, full of great feelings of saving this little one from harms way. Out of the meat truck. Out of danger from being used as a stud when it grows older to breed more and more little beings who wind up at auction to suck in the next do-gooder who feels sorry for it.OK - I'm going to pause here... I'm going to restate something I said a while ago. I LOVE DO-GOODERS!!! The world would not function without them. I am one of them. I have many friends and acquaintances that are DO-GOODERS. I LOVE DO-GOODERS! (ok, we got that???)
To a home that does not have proper fencing, shelter, hay, FUNDS! etc. We rush around, putting up temporary fences that do not hold them in. Fencing that they run right through because they have no idea what tape fencing is. Being bedded down in garages next to the lawn mower and the Christmas ornaments. Robbing Peter to pay the vet, farrier, hay guy, grain store, etc... (who needs electricity, fuel and groceries anyways??)
Then, reality comes and bites them in the butt. HARD. VERY HARD.
It's wonderful to rescue. To take that mangy, flea bitten, worm infested, fur ball and with lots of love, vet bills, hand feedings, cleaning stalls, worming and groceries, turn it into a beautiful animal who is trusting, loved and cared for. For the first three, six, nine months or so.
But when they are feeling better, putting on the weight and getting their energy back, they become biting, kicking, stubborn, time-consuming, fund-consuming, overwhelming, time-sucking bundles of energy.
Then, we get these. These are excerpts from actual ads I've been reading.- 'I got him from an auction and his paperwork says he is a quarter horse. I just do not have the time to train him. He is not gelded and walks good on a lead. $500 or will trade for a rideable horse.'
And this - 'purchased several years ago for daughter and now she is off to college, so horse must go, too.'
Still more - 'Free Pony or she will be put down. 12 year old mare. Diagnosed with soft tissue damage in right front hoor (i would assume this is to read hooF), needs 6 months to a year of stall rest. will let you talk to vet. she's a great mare, very loving. She did pony hunters in 07, 08. Daughter went on to horses but still rode her constantly. Too nice a pony to be put down, PLEASE help this pony.'
And this - '10 year old palomino quarter horse. Cannot be ridden due to knee injury several years back. does receive msn and joint supplements with her feed. she stood for stud two years ago, but she didn't take. I think she could handle the added weight of a pregnancy as long as you trim her down a bit before winter. She is a mare and most comfortable with women, she leads and loads easily but the farrier has to be cautious, she has a difficult time doing the back feet due to her right front knee injury. I sometimes have her wear shoes to balance her. She can be a bitchy mare at times to other horses, but that attitude comes with being a mare. She is a sweetie, but now that my daughter has left home, at my age having horses is difficult, and I do not ride, so why keep horses?'
And, continuing, this - 'Was a rescue and he was severely underweight. Was told he had come from a huge breeding facility. 17 years old and a prove breeder. He bred both my mares and one is due in a couple of months. He is pastured with my mares and cows. He shows no aggressive tendencies and when he breeds he is very gentle (no kicking or biting). I was told he was broke to drive, but I don't know how to drive so have never tested him in that area. When I put someone on his back he had no idea what was happening so I am assuming that he is not broke to ride. I have gone off to college and can't expect my mother to take care of both my mares and foals, along with a stallion, so a good home is what I am asking for.'
and, this - 'two year old mini horse for sale. He nips a bit but that is because he is a stallion. He comes when he's called and very well behaved. Easy to feed this guy, he's a cheap date. We are sorry to see him go but we have to move and can't take him with us. We can't deliver but he can be picked up in a truck with a ramp.'
THUNK. THUNK. THUNK. THUNK. THUNK.
That is the sound of me slamming my head against the wall beside my desk.
I'm at fault for this, too. The knee-jerk, emotional reaction to save a helpless animal. In my defense, I do rescue to adopt out to appropriate homes. Some come to stay, others only stay long enough to get the great start they need before heading out to make another family feel blessed. Some are returned (as per agreement that is signed) and either stay with us or find another suitable family.
I realize, forget, remember, bemoan, forget, that the good feeling often doesn't last for the whole time they are with me. The twice a day cleaning of the wound, the daily cleaning of stalls, e-v-e-r-y s-i-n-g-l-e d-a-y, feeding, meds, worming, hay, turn out, fly spray, fly mask, farrier, blanketing, cleaning and filling stock tanks, buying hay, stacking hay, ordering hay, etc. etc.
And that doesn't even begin to get into the handling, training, grooming, desensitizing, exposing them to the world, the vet, the farrier, the cat, the dog, the other horses, the chickens, the blanket, the lead rope, the bridle, the saddle, etc. etc. etc.
After a while it gets to feeling really, really old. This, my dear people, is called BURNT OUT.
The consequences of taking on an animal, ANY ANIMAL, should be a commitment FOR THE WHOLE LIFE OF THAT ANIMAL.Not euthanizing them if they can't run and jump and carry around your butt any more. Not discarding them because they start shooting blanks or they continue to breed because you don't have enough sense to separate them and NEUTER THEM!!!!
Eeekkk. Sorry... guess it's kinda late now, but I'll post it anyways...
~~~CAUTION - SOAP BOX WARNING~~~
Spay, neuter, vet, socialize, train, shelter, feed, love your animals.
For their whole life, until it is too painful, too sick, too injured for them to continue on.
Then give your animals the truly most blessed thing you can give them... your arms to hold them as they pass from this world into a world of no pain, no sickness, no injuries. Love them enough to let them go.
Don't dump them off onto someone else. Don't abandon them when the going gets tough. I don't even have a problem with you dropping them off at the vets and you can't stay there until the end. The vet techs I work with are wonderful people and they will be there with a comforting pat, a calming hand. Don't pass them around, like a bad penny, not caring where they might land and who might abuse, misuse, mistreat, abandon them.
Kittens are adorable. Puppies are so very cute. Baby horses are amazing things to watch (wanna see some really cute little girls, go to http://www.hof-mendenhall.com/ OMG! I met their two little fillies yesterday!!! How absolutely stunning their few month old babies were!!!!)
They always grow up. To become cats, dogs, horses - who live for 10, 20, 30 or 40 or more years.
365 days, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, counting on you to do what is best for them to become productive, socialized, well rounded, well cared for beings. FOR THEIR WHOLE LIVES!
Ok, I'm starting to ramble now. Please, please remember. For their whole lives, unless you can find someone (and check up on them) who will care for them if circumstances (situations do occur when you cannot) prevent you from doing so. But if you wouldn't leave your kids when you move, don't leave your pets. And if you practice birth control because you don't want more kids, then please practice pet control if you can't handle any more animals!!
I need more coffee. And I have to bring more water to the chickens. And the teen-ager is whining for something to eat. And the dogs need to go out....
summer days...
This heat is killing us... it was confirmed a 'heat wave' the other day because we had over 90 degree heat for more than three days in a row. Don't know if we broke any records for this area, but I know it broke my patience and a fan.
The chicken babies had to be moved under the shade of a tree. The horses got hosed down with cool water. We put up the pool in the back yard and it only took 3 days for 3,500 gallons of cold well water to turn 86 degrees.
The dogs are lying on the floors in front of the fans, panting. We put some ice cubes in a dish for them to chew on and they were leaving little puddles of water all over the place. Kinda shocks you for a minute, then the rush of thought that says ... oh, a puddle.... then remembering that it's ice cubes, not leaking dogs, lol.
Too hot to ride in this heat, to hot to cook, too hot to work (and my dear, darling husband is putting on a grey metal roof in this heat :( He's been coming home to soak up the cool air of the fan and sizzling the heat off in the pool. Hey, that might be the reason it's warming up so quick.
Now for the update I hinted at the other day. Tommy's on again, off again lameness is bad arthritis in two legs and ringbone in the third. Even with corrective shoes and pads, he is still not pasture sound. And, unfortunately, the other day when Joe was here to shoe the horses (even with 5 bute in a 24 hour period prior to him coming) he was too sore to shoe him again. He wasn't even sound with the pads, bute and glucosamine :( All the work we did to bring him back up to weight has put too much pressure on his legs, joints and feet.
Pisses me off that he is in this predicament. From being rescued and starving a year ago to getting back to good health, and now this. So, no hate mail, no nasty email messages, but we are giving him the summer and trying to keep him comfortable (most mornings we have to make him get up out of his stall and go out to pasture). We will most likely lay him to rest in the pasture next to my old geldings, Abacus and Shiloh, under their favorite resting tree. It's the best thing I can do for him.
On a much lighter note, we do have a new addition. Yurik Ferdinand Byrnison. Big name for a cute, cuddly, little kitten. (Iorek Byrnison is the polar bear warrior in The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman; Ferdinand came from The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf) Ferdinand was my favorite story when I was young. I still have the much loved copy of the book and 45 record (do all of you know what a record is these days??? My girls laughed when they saw it!). For those of you that don't know, I am an Assistant Librarian and my girls and I read and listened to Philip Pullman 'His Dark Materials Trilogy' years ago and I loved the name Yurik (Iorek)... so, my youngest daughter and I have been having a skirmish over which name is going to win (I pulled rank, which is always an option when you are the mother) and we came up with a combined name.
I will post pictures of the little bundle of scratching fur ball as soon as I confiscate my camera back from my husband. lol
Speaking of fur balls, he just climbed up my llllleeeeegggg. Ouch. Those little toenails are sharp... gonna go feed the little monster!!! He's trying to catch the words as they type on the screen. Very difficult to type as I have to keep correcting words as his little feet are typing along with me....
The chicken babies had to be moved under the shade of a tree. The horses got hosed down with cool water. We put up the pool in the back yard and it only took 3 days for 3,500 gallons of cold well water to turn 86 degrees.
The dogs are lying on the floors in front of the fans, panting. We put some ice cubes in a dish for them to chew on and they were leaving little puddles of water all over the place. Kinda shocks you for a minute, then the rush of thought that says ... oh, a puddle.... then remembering that it's ice cubes, not leaking dogs, lol.
Too hot to ride in this heat, to hot to cook, too hot to work (and my dear, darling husband is putting on a grey metal roof in this heat :( He's been coming home to soak up the cool air of the fan and sizzling the heat off in the pool. Hey, that might be the reason it's warming up so quick.
Now for the update I hinted at the other day. Tommy's on again, off again lameness is bad arthritis in two legs and ringbone in the third. Even with corrective shoes and pads, he is still not pasture sound. And, unfortunately, the other day when Joe was here to shoe the horses (even with 5 bute in a 24 hour period prior to him coming) he was too sore to shoe him again. He wasn't even sound with the pads, bute and glucosamine :( All the work we did to bring him back up to weight has put too much pressure on his legs, joints and feet.
Pisses me off that he is in this predicament. From being rescued and starving a year ago to getting back to good health, and now this. So, no hate mail, no nasty email messages, but we are giving him the summer and trying to keep him comfortable (most mornings we have to make him get up out of his stall and go out to pasture). We will most likely lay him to rest in the pasture next to my old geldings, Abacus and Shiloh, under their favorite resting tree. It's the best thing I can do for him.
On a much lighter note, we do have a new addition. Yurik Ferdinand Byrnison. Big name for a cute, cuddly, little kitten. (Iorek Byrnison is the polar bear warrior in The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman; Ferdinand came from The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf) Ferdinand was my favorite story when I was young. I still have the much loved copy of the book and 45 record (do all of you know what a record is these days??? My girls laughed when they saw it!). For those of you that don't know, I am an Assistant Librarian and my girls and I read and listened to Philip Pullman 'His Dark Materials Trilogy' years ago and I loved the name Yurik (Iorek)... so, my youngest daughter and I have been having a skirmish over which name is going to win (I pulled rank, which is always an option when you are the mother) and we came up with a combined name.
I will post pictures of the little bundle of scratching fur ball as soon as I confiscate my camera back from my husband. lol
Speaking of fur balls, he just climbed up my llllleeeeegggg. Ouch. Those little toenails are sharp... gonna go feed the little monster!!! He's trying to catch the words as they type on the screen. Very difficult to type as I have to keep correcting words as his little feet are typing along with me....
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