takin' care of horses...

Something that fascinates me are the different kinds of jobs that people choose to do. Now, I know that sometimes people don't actually choose their job, maybe it's just "something" they are doing to get by, or perhaps the job just "fell" into their lap, or perhaps they have a "gift" to do that particular job... but either way.. I often look at people doing their "jobs" and wonder how/why did that person chose to do that.....



Case in point, our farriers. Now, I am extremely glad that they do the job they do.. where would our horses be without them? ( in big trouble) But honestly, what would make anyone want to purposely stand underneath a horse (hold him up while he stands on three feet) and trim their hooves. Even with the "quietest" of horses (and thankfully our drafts are very "quiet).. it's hard work!!!!






Dean and Ben arrive bright and early Monday morning. I love having them come, not just because they take such good care of our horses, but they are just really fun to be around. Like any good farriers, they are filled with all kinds of stories, and as the work continues, it is an hour of good fun, swapping stories and laughter.








For those of you who don't know.. a horse's hooves need to be trimmed about every six weeks. Fortunately for us, we do not shoe our horses, so it's just a trim.. but if a horse needs shoes, that has to happen just as often. The hoof grows like our fingernails do.. and if not trimmed and taken care of, it can cause a lot of trouble for the horse. The saying "no hoof, no horse" is one that is very true!!!!

We like to keep "good feet" on our boys.. so, I just make the next appointment when they guys come out. That way I keep on track and the boys for the most part, always have good looking feet....



here we are .. all pretty once again.






course, we can't forget Miss Mocha!!! Trimming drafts has it's own "thing" but doing a mini... poor Dean just about stands on his head!!!!













"aaawwww"... look at that cute little foot (compared to Duke's in the previous picture!!!)











"We're shoeing Mocha this time, right Sue??"

(ah... NO!!!)

Very funny Dean!!!!! (obviously one size does not fit all in horses shoes!!!)










Look at Miss Beeker!!! she had to come and watch all the fuss being made with the horses. What a silly chicken she is, she acts more like a dog than a chicken. She will follow me all around the barn, making her little clucking noises.. you can walk right over and pick her up anytime that you want. I just love this little thing!!!!!

Next blog, I will catch you up to date on the house work we have done over the past couple of day...

but for this one.. it's "the end"....

what month is this

While it isn't that unusual to get snow this time of year, it sure was "disappointing" to see it arriving late Friday afternoon. Especially when everyone has been saying "how early" things are, the trees are in bud, flowers and bushes are in flower, and just weeks ago we had temps in the seventies and we thought (ok so I thought) winter was on it's way out.

Camille could hardly believe her eyes when she looked out and saw the snow!!!!

So, the woodstove isn't done with it's job yet. It actually felt good to have it chugging and keeping the chill at bay.

No "lakeside sitting" for a bit....

Even the ducks don't care to be in the lake!!!!

Oh well.. spring can't be too far away.. and I guess we'll just continue to wait for it to "really" come!!!!

first six months

November 16















December 16













January 16













February 16














March 16

April 16..................

it's the 16th...

Which means.... it's time for the "birthday photo".. and here we are at six months!!! I can't believe "so much time" has already gone by, and I can't believe at "how much" Abbie has turned into a little person!!! We can already "see" some of her likes and dislikes, what makes her happy, what makes her cranky. She sits very well on her own, and by the way she is pulling herself up, I dare say she will be crawling by next month's photo.

We started out in the "red chair/Tatter" photo.. but Tatter wasn't in the mood today.

So, we moved Abbie to the floor.














And then brought Camille on the scene.











But it wasn't too long, before "everyone" wanted in on the photo shoot.... so.. why not!!!

"Hi everyone, it's me... Abbie"

"Now, I wonder what I can get into??"

"Where did all my doggies go? I can't wait til I can crawl after them"....

Happy six months!!!!

a day in the city....

A beautiful spring day found Chester and I (along with Kathleen & Kelly, Teena & Freedom) on a road trip to NEADS for some one on one time with trainer, Dave. Although it wasn't exactly warm, everything is beginning to bloom and show it's wonder, and the ride down was full of great sights and grand company.

NEADS headquarters, busy today.. we couldn't even find a parking spot. Clients working with their new dogs, puppies arriving and leaving from the puppy house. Raisers (like us) coming to work... this place was hopping.

Dave had a plan to bring us into the city and see how the puppies handle all the "stuff" there. We stared out on a street corner, giving them a chance to get used to the surroundings. Truth be told.. I needed this time almost as much as my pup... city girl? NOT me!!!! I had "forgotten" how loud a city is!!!!

Our first stop was a parking garage with a glass elevator. This thing rattled and jumped and seemed "unsafe" (it wasn't...) Now, I have this "thing" about elevators, given a choice - I will take the stairs every time. I don't know what I "like worse".. the feel of them or standing in a very small box. Either way, it's not my cup of tea... but "my" dog didn't seem to mind!!!!

After that, we walked the "streets", played outside of the hospital, around some parking lots and the like.

Then we moved into the hospital. Is Kathleen praying??? Well, prayer does help in dog training... but actually she is working on "under" and using this bench as a practice point... Chester and I need to do this same sort of work. Under is a good place to tuck a dog out of the way....











We talked with a lot of people.... one thing, three puppies training as "service dogs" draws a lot of attention. It was great fun, and always an ambassador, Kathleen handed out NEADS "booklets" and talked about being a puppy raiser.


"Oh goodie.. more elevators... and glass ones at that!!!"






Chester enjoying his ride.... (if you "look" out the side, you can see how high we are getting).....










This was a beautiful place to work. The center is a big court yard with shops, food, and vendors of all kinds. This "garden path" is actually the second floor... and there are the elevators in the back ground. We played on the stairs, talked with more people, got advise from Dave.....












and worked in the parking garage before heading back to the car. It was a fun, exhausting day... I'm not sure who was more tired... me or my dog!!!!









We stopped for lunch/supper at the Cracker Barrel (a favorite with all of us). Talked over the day's events, the things we want to work more on, and about the fun we had. Very tired dogs slept under the table while we ate....

and crashed in the back seat while we finished the trip home.

working in the city is so different from our life here on the farm. But since I have no idea "where" Chester will "end up"... I do need to do more "city work". Fortunately we have some great small cities not too far from here and it's just a matter of going there. I still have the idea of a day in Boston one day soon.... but for now, it's time for a good night rest!!!!

and today...

At the end of our driveway, there is an old (almost dead) tree, we need to check with our neighbors and see about taking it down (it's right on the property line)... but, we have also discovered that this beautiful woodpecker has made his home there. I imagine this tree is just full of bugs, so it's probably a good home for him.. guess we'll have to think about "what" we are going to do. I would hate to take his home away, but the tree really has to go.





Got a second coat of paint on the living room walls. I was already happy with the green, but now that we have an "even" coat, I like it all the better. This is how it looks with the afternoon sun - in what will be "Ed's corner" - actually his big comfy chair is in the basement and he would like to bring it up. I keep telling him "no" because I fear if that chair arrives, there might be more napping than working!!!! :o)





I had quite a busy day today. Abbie was with us, and this morning was my "Women's Fellowship" group. So, Abbie and I went to that. Then we went to the farm, and Ed came down and helped with barn chores. (thanks honey - it goes quick with both of us doing them!!!)




Because I needed to teach dog class tonite, I only had a couple of hours this afternoon for painting. I decided that I would do Abbie's room.. with the four "straight" walls, I thought I could get it done in a short time. (unlike the downstairs bathroom, which needs it's second coat, but takes so long to do) so, we opened up the paint and I got to work. Sadie has chosen a very soft pink for Abbie's bedroom.. I was unsure of it at first, but once it was done, I began to like it.

Camille kept a close eye on Abbie for us. Actually she did a good job of entertaining her as well... Abbie loves the dogs, and they feel the same way about her.

First coat done, it will need at least a second, and maybe third. This will make a cute little girl's room for sure. Sadie is thinking she would like a dark brown carpet, and then I would like to make the curtains for the windows... can't wait until we can do projects like that!!!!

.. after watching Abbie all day, the women's group, barn chores and painting a bedroom... it was time to teach three dog classes. Tonite was graduation night, so, really it wasn't a "teaching" night, just review and fun... but still...

Here's the puppy class!!!!

And then the beginner adult class... and yes, that is five labs and one border collie....

this was a quick learning class and we actually got into some advance work. They were so much fun to work with.. on top of that, they all had perfect attendance!!!!

"me" and my students!!!!

Chester and Camille come to all my classes, they are used to "hanging" out until needed. Looks like naptime for Chester - using Camille as his pillow.





So, the end of a busy day...and tomorrow.. Chester and I head down to NEADS for a day of training... looking forward to that..