Woof Whinny Whisper

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

And Lunch?

And Breakfast?

I am going to name it Stewart in honor of Jimmy Stewart and his invisible friend, Harvey. I hope my new bunny stays forever and ever. Just look at those adorable little feet! And those BIG, BURRO-LIKE EARS!

Love is In the Air....

Mae and Wildflower share a moment of bonding.

Max and Sun have become close buddies.  I'm surprised by this as Mas is usually a bully.  Since our emergency this spring, the resulting moves for the horses and the stress involved have resulted in changes within the dynamics of our little herd.  Interesting indeed.... they are reaching out to bond with and reassure each other. ....

Quiet Conversation

I entered her stall and immediately her head flew up in alarm signaling that a potential predator had entered her space.  Though my own heart fell in disappointment I did not try to appease her and talk to her in sugared tones to convince her that I was no threat.  I simply stood there for a few moments, chin tucked downward and eyes turned away from her.  I heard her breathe in short, alarmed breaths and knew she was prepared to save herself from danger by bolting away from me.  Quietly but not slowly in the stealthy way of a predator, I propped my muck rake against the fence then extended my arm in her direction. Her breathing and her evasion posture elevated.

I stepped backwards.

She inhaled quickly but extended her nose forward.

I step back again.

She tosses her head, neck extended and stretches ever so slightly forward.

I step back.

She tentatively steps forward and extends her head and neck as far as she can.

I lean backwards now to give her more room to approach.

She begins to sniff my hand.

Suddenly she is here with me, sniffing me as my hand quietly rounds her nostrils, her mouth, her chin. She steps forward again and sniffs my hat, my face and I close my eyes and let this moment simply be.

She leans her strong, beautiful neck against my shoulder and rests her head against me. I wrap my arms around her and we stand as we have stood so many times.  We both exhale long and deep breathing in this moment that we completely share.

This beautiful red mare reaches deep into my heart. She has been wounded so badly by the hands of man and yet she seeks to make a connection. In my mind, that makes her one courageous horse indeed.  I am sick to think of how they starved her, deprived her of water, roped her, choked her, hog tied her and beat her.  The defiance they imagined in her was simply fear. I hold her tighter thinking of it all.

Right now she has reverted her behavior a bit because she is away from home. Still, she reaches out to me every time and I know how much potential there is within her. We have no true agenda and if I never swing a leg over her my heart will know no disappointment.  My friends say I will never be able to part with her but that is not true.  If the right home comes along, the right person... someone that wants to reach her, is willing to work with her that will lead her with confidence and benevolence and love... someone who will love her as my own heart does...

I will open my hands and heart and allow her to run headlong into her future and love her every single step of the way.  Beautiful, brave Cayenne... the Wildest Flower of them all....

HoneyBuilt

After the addition of the shade stall, we decided to add a shade to The Bungalows.  The Bungalows are temporary and they do have a roof but the afternoon sun still assaulted the inhabitants relentlessly.  HoneyBuilt swung into action! My sister put together the shade while I was off doing horsey stuff, I put in the rivets (smashing only two fingers in the process,) and Honey and I put it up last night under Sun's supervision. We are liking this product, Easy Gardner Sun Shade.  We'll let you know how it holds up.

Lacing the shade to the stalls with polypropylene rope.

Sun supervised the installation carefully.  Please note that the entire time we were installing this that Max could have cared less.  If there is hay in his feeder Max is not lifting his head. Period.

The completed shade. Now the horses will have protection from our fierce afternoon sun.  It is amazing to me how much cooler it is behind the shade.  And as soon as we finished Honey turns to the temporary shade we put up last week and says, 'Now we need to put this on the back of the other pen.'

Really?

Gimme Shelter

As you know, we lost our barn awhile ago.  We've farmed horses out everywhere until we rebuild but the running was getting to be a huge burden.  To that end, my husband put up The Bungalows and we brought our geldings home.  Then we decided to bring Wildflower Grace back home... that meant that one of the horses could be in the turn out and two could use the stalls.  The problem was shade....

So Hubby built this wonderful shade for us:

Honey added higher sides to existing panels and fashioned a roof frame.  Sis and I sewed up some shade fabric to cover it, added grommets and Honey laced it to the top.  Hurrah!  All ponies are happily shaded! 

Since these are easily portable and connect together with clamps, Hubby thinks we could sell these.  I dunno... what do YOU think?  We could call them Portable Shades by HoneyBuilt?

The Dance

Well hello you, it's been awhile. 

  

 

Okay, okay, let's get serious....
 

 

Are you ready, buddy?

Well, let's get to it then... where's your Mum?

Easy. No worries now...

All relaxed? Let's take a step. Just one will do.

 

Ready? Here we go...

 

And that is how Kerry rode her Mustang for the very first time. How do you feel, Kerry?

Yep.  I kinda feel that way too.

Some good men are STILL available!

Can you believe it?  Better snatch this one up before you're left standing there with only a leash in your hand and just longing in your heart for your own special someone.

Single, tri-colored male, looking for lasting relationship. Loves long walks, lots of cuddling, sharing meals in any light (or location,) and willing to share affection in open relationship with others.  Willing to relocate.  Please view more information at Giant Speckled Chihuahua.

uh-huh.... look in those eyes and tell me you're not melting.  Just try to. Go on, take a long, lingering deep look into those dark umber pools of love...

Hey! I mean, hay!

Our Visitor

Our middle daughter and her husband celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary by scuba diving in some exotic locale and in their absence, we got an extra dog.  So for this last week we have had Kaiser Soze in the house.  Kaiser is Zoom's litter brother and Albert is an Uncle to them both.  So on the top step with hubby is Uncle Albert, then little Zoom, her brother Kaiser and last but certainly not least, Mattie Payne.  Mattie is looking for a lizzard toad mouse bug quail rabbit or something else that skitters across the ground.  Mattie! Mattie! Look at the camera please!

Okay, okay.... keep up the border patrol.  Good job girl.

Happy Fourth Of July!

I hope that you take in a good parade. I hope that you have a wonderful meal with family and friends and community.  I hope you really know what that feels like, to be a part of something bigger than yourself, a part of something that although not always perfect, strives to stand for and fight for the greater good.  I hope that you are happy to be who you are and where you are.  Happy Fourth!