ColliesHorsesArtLove

Happy New Year ~ 2012!!!!!!!

Have a wonderful New Year's Day and a GREAT 2012!!!

Love D & T & All The Entais Collies, the Red Hunting Dog, Arabians, & Barnyards!!

Ali'i's 13th Birthday & Hat Creek Hustle 50 Miler

Ali'i's birthday was on Saturday so what is better to spend it with him than to ride a 50 miler in Lassen National Park???????? I'm not sure if he thought it was a good birthday present, because he probably would have liked to just graze on the 25 acres at home. He's so fat.

Friday morning we left at 8 o' second and were off past Redding to Lassen National Park for the Hat Creek Hustle 25/50 mile ride. I was pretty excited. We were going towards the snow packed mountain in front of us. I love road trips, especially when dogs & horses are involved.

Getting closer....another 20 or so miles. Fast even in Winnie. Hours on a horse thou.

Oooohhhhhh...............pretty pasture!!!!

Our set-up from the horsey side. Notice the slide-out. Roomy. Too bad we couldn't leave it like that when we drive. Wishful thinking?? Or wrongful?

Here's the doggie side.....the hole under Blondie got much bigger by the end of the weekend. In fact there were several fluffed up spots in all the collie pens. We fixed them before we left and threw pine needles over them so it looked like normal. Sorta kinda.

  

Here is Donna & Lily. Donna got a new Parelli halter/reins/lead rope. She told Fred it only cost $9.95. That's funny.

We were off for our pre-ride vet checks and arrived a smidge early, so we waited for the vet to come at 4 pm. Off a ways was a woman who was "training" her horse. A very pretty white arabian who didn't want to go forward. We can't say she was the sharpest of horse trainers, as she was kicking him to go forward and he would not budge at all. It was a scene out of my long ago past of watching people ride rent horses who just didn't want to move. But there obviously was a bigger issue with this situation. Donna was losing it and couldn't watch. She has really done a great job with her horses and the fact that she can ride races with them in a halter only says volumes on her ability to communicate with them. No one does perfect training all the time, but safety to me is always an issue for horse & rider. You just can never be too safe. And being stupid with your horse constitutes being unsafe.

A few minutes later, this rider decided to see-saw the horse's mouth with the reins as hard as she could. Not sure what she wanted to accomplish, but the only way for the horse to get away from pressure (and that is the idea in training ~ move away from pressure.....then release quickly so the horse, person, dog, etc understands that is what you want).............the horse moved away from pressure all right ~ he reared so high he fell back on her. It was so upsetting to watch. I ran to the ride secretary to tell her to get an ambulance out asap as there was a rider badly hurt. Within the hour one had arrived. It took them that long as we were a bit remote and the cell service was sketchy. Anyway, to tidy up this part of the story, she apparently will be fine, but she could have broken her back, etc, etc or even been killed. It was ugly.

With this visual in my mind, and an impending ride early the next morning I always think about keeping my horse quiet mentally. It was a reminder to me that higher education is a good thing when dealing with large & potentially dangerous animals.

These are not my slippers.

I don't know what the heck Donna is doing, but I know she was waiting for her tofu to be bar-be-qued. I think she was trying to get cell service with her arm. Ooowwwuummmmmmmm........

Ali'i wondering what kind of bedtime snack Lily gets. Tofu. Ali'i, you're fine with your hay.

Time for beddie at ridecamp. Donna and I were getting up at 4 am. I had a nighmare that it started raining on my saddle and I slept in til 5:15 and had only 45 minutes to do everything before leaving at 6:00 am. It's like having a bad dog show dream.

Sat a.m. Wake up Ali'i!! It's your birthday!!!!!

Donna Mickelson Photo

Our first loop was 10 miles and it was fast. For us. We were back at ridecamp by 7:30ish then there was a 30 minute hold after the horses pulsed down to 60. 

We started near or last and ended up passing some 7 riders. No peeing on this loop. We didn't want anyone to get in front of us.

Donna Mickelson Photos

The second loop was 25 miles. We rode out on gravel roads for many miles....it seemed like 90% of this ride was flat and for me, that's more exhausting to ride than doing hills, which I love. You get a break on your knees and body in general and I like to get off and run downhills if possible to save my horse and go faster. I also like the views. There was one hill that was 600' in elevation over the course of a mile. It was easy, since most of the training Ali'i's done is on hills. We got to the top (middle photo) and it had burned there, so it had a weird beauty to it, as Donna said. The thing that freaked me out is there must have been 5 different colored ribbons going thru all the burned out trees and I couldn't find ours, which was red for the second loop. I HATE missing ribbons because you can lose your placement and can go overtime, like Donna and I did for our first ride together 4 yrs ago. Anyway, Donna saw red, so we were happy. We were still on the trail.

Donna Mickelson Photo

Here I am running down a slight grade. We had passed one woman who was.....um, well, our idol. She was old and still riding. She gave us the trail so we kept up our pace because we didn't want to give it back even if she was our idol. Or old. Somewhere down the trail Ali'i stumbled and Donna told me he lost a front boot. (The gators on the Easy Boot Gloves http://www.easycareinc.com/our_boots/easyboot_glove/Easyboot_glove.aspx 

hold them on so you don't normally "lose" them forever, like the original easyboot http://www.easycareinc.com/our_boots/easyboots/Easyboots.aspx which was the reason for my original alcohol consumption.) Anyway, the slight annoyance of having to jump off and put on a boot and AgedIdolWoman on our heels, I jumped off Ali'i, flung the gator off, slapped the boot & gator back on and was climbing on again when I hear Donna say "I'm going to move over to let AgedIdolWoman pass. I said "No you can't!! I'm done!!". Off we were in 39 seconds!! It's amazing what you can do under pressure. But, I am sorry to say about 2 miles later she caught up to us and we let her pass. It's all about trail etiquette. 

We also had another rider who stayed right in front of us who I called Photographer Man. On the second loop he called back some 500' to us and told us about a photo op of some lave cave formation which I thought was a ruse to get us off of his ass. We didn't stop, but we decided we wouldn't be able to pass him without putting too much pressure on our horses to get past him. So, he was a given to stay in front. It just was his spot.

After the 25 mile loop there was a one hour hold. Ali'i got all "A's" on his vet card again, but he was tired. Lots and lots of flat trotting had wore him out.

Donna Mickelson Photo

Out again for the last 15 mile loop. Ali'i and Lily both were sleepy so we walked them several miles to get them going again. No one was out in front or behind for several miles when finally we hear pounding hooves behind us. It was Photographer Man. (He had come in before us, but stayed longer than an hour on his hold.) We all were too tired to care and just waved him on. We were in 18th & 19th place (32 starts), so we said "19th & 20th". No biggie.

Then two more woman blasted up from behind that we had been leap-frogging with. "21 & 22", we said. No biggie. We came up to the water troughs (we had done part of this stretch on the second loop) and saw them go up to the right, which was "orange", the last loop. We trot up the hill for a while, then I saw the ribbons go to the right again. Donna didn't see the ribbons then said "It would be really nice if those people went straight up the hill and got lost". I know she didn't mean it. Nor would I think of anything like that. But it happened. Later on Photographer Man said there was a party up there of lost riders. He said they went about 5 miles out of their way. If I don't see a ribbon every few minutes I start to panic. But, it's happened to me more than once. You get to talking with your riding buddy and forget to look for the ribbons.

Off we trotted. And walked. And trotted. We didn't see anyone for an hour and started talking about AgedIdolWoman and her cute horse. Lo and behold she was right in front of us!!! If she's like Lana, she's probably slightly deaf. Not that we said anything we shouldn't. We so want to ride rides at 90. Not that she was 90, but she wasn't 40. Or, even 50. I think she was 75 or so. But she did look like the kind of woman that when she asked for the trail, you better give it to her and her horse. She was weathered and mature and confident. All cool qualities in one of our idols. 

Donna Mickelson Photo

We were able to pass her and not ever see her again til we vetted out our horses for the final vet check. And we still thought Photographer Man & friends blasted thru that last 10 miles. We felt so alone. But on easy stretches when we picked up speed, we'd look back to see if anyone was behind us. It's so paranoid. But Donna & I do laugh at our paranoia. 

Donna Mickelson Photo

Most of the views were of forest, but occasionally we'd get high enough to see these kinds of views. Really, really beautiful.

Back at camp, we cleaned our horses up quickly and were off for our final vet exam. Ali'i again got all "A's" on his card except a "B+" for gut sounds. He had 3 different vets see him, so this last vet was very chatty. He took forever to check his gut sounds and then asked me what I feed my horse. "Pasture. And alfalfa & a mix at rides". Then he told me my horse was so round he could hardly hear thru his fat to hear his gut sounds. Oh my gosh!! He's been eating too much birthday cake!! That's the first time a ride vet told me my horse was fat! I agreed (which I do) so he needs to go back in the skinny pasture for a while.

Back at camp I took care of Ali'i, walked the doggies, and finally sat for a minute to have a snack & some Merlot. My left calf had taken a beating for some reason smashing something on my saddle, so I need to figure that issue out before the next ride. It was rather uncomfortable and started to hurt after the first loop. But, that's endurance. You're in pain. Don't be a baby and just suck it up.

Our awards dinner was at 6 pm. We sat with Photographer Man, Donna & Fred. Our completion award was a ti-dyed t-shirt with the ride's name on. If you see me wear it you may call me a dork. But, oddly enough, I kinda like it. Maybe 'cause I like the slogan. Like "Eat, Drink, Sleep", or "Dogs, Horses, Sleep".
 

The back of my shirt.

This am T had this interesting idea to be on the road by 8 a.m. That didn't sound fun to me, but I was up before 7 because he turned the generator on so he could make instant coffee. Donna's generator was on, but she makes real coffee. Instant or real coffee, it was too early. I slept really well last night, like for HOURS, and when I woke up I was so stiff from not moving I wanted to cry. I looked out the window of Winnie and Ali'i was curled up in a little ball. A little fat Arabian horse ball. I love him. The love of my life.

Finally, by about 9:30 we had everything packed up, pine needles brushed off the dogs and the holes fixed and manure spread. All we had to do was pull in the slide-out and we were off. Except the slide-out wasn't coming in.

45 minutes later and me trying to google on my laptop with sketchy cell service, T decided the only option we had was to start driving. (Since he and I both hate looking at directions, it never occurred to us to look at Winnie's manual. Dumb & Dumber.)

We drove all the way thru camp looking like total losers (I actually was hiding on the floor behind the front seats) and T's telling people the slide-out won't go in. Finally before we were going to turn right to get onto the main road (& 53 miles into Redding), someone told him we could probably crank the slide-out in manually. Wow!! That would make sense. For some reason I envisioned our Winnie not having that feature and we'd still have to drive into Redding with it out. Well, it worked. We were good. And on our way home! 

Fun weekend. I'm sore. Ali'i's tired. It's Summer's turn next! And, thanks again Donna for your photos! I love you!! Helmet cam next time so we don't let anyone in front of us!!

When Is It Time????

It wasn't today. But it almost was. I was so close I could have peuked. Or pueked. Can someone please tell me how to spell that word!!!! I seem to use it often!!!!

Zoe's kidneys are not functioning well enough for her surgery, so I was presented with several different options. One was to keep her on IV fluids for the night at the vet's, then bring her home to keep flushing them out over the weekend to get the levels at a normal enough range to handle surgery. But, then the chance of her kidneys not coming around is high and who knows what the mass is and if that can be dealt with. Do I put her thru this only to have her be miserable and go downhill in a week? I had decided to put her down. I drove to the office and filled out the paperwork. I wanted to do it outside on the lawn in the sun. Then the tech brought Zoe out from the back. She was so happy to see me. All bouncing, wiggly, looking like a perfectly normal 11 1/2 year old dog. I sobbed, walked outside and sat on the porch with her. She was all over me, wagging her tail and looking as happy as ever. I couldn't do it. I walked back into the office and told them "Not today". There is no "Command Z" for this one. 

God. What pain. I remember a dog pychic (Lydia Hiby) telling me Tais was not ready to go. A while later she was. She was 13 and her liver was going. She was in worse shape than Zoe, but I waited. Eventually she stopped eating and was up all night not finding a comfortable spot. It was time and it wasn't before. Zoe is not there today. She's eaten very well lately, in fact she gained a pound between Tuesday & today. She is so happy to go on her walks and sleeps very sound all night. Once a night she wants to go out, then she's fine til the morning. But, like I know, like I counsel others, you know when it's time. The dog gives you a look. Zoe was not doing that today. She was saying to me she wants to go home and go for a "W A L K".

These are photos from yesterday's walk. I doubled them up for space. I'm getting ready to take them for a walk today after blogging, except they are all sleeping in the garage with me. My head hurts. I just want to hug Zoe all day & night. And for long time.

Thanks Linda, Donna & Dina for talking with me today. And poor T. He has a hard time with all of this. The ebb and flow of life. We all go thru it no matter who we are.

I'm sitting down to take a photo and Zoe sees me. She likes to get close.

Squishy & Tirzah

Zoe waiting for all of us to get on the other side of the fence for the walk.

I love this photo. It's so cute with all the butts. That must be water flinging up behind the 3 girls. Cooool!!!!!

Cardiffness

Sabi ~ looking at us then taking a drink. 

Tahoe on the left. Look at the bump on his side.....I imagine it's a kick from Shiiq. Jerks. They just won't let it go.

I love this photo of the old girls looking opposite ways while the hoodlums run away from them. Cute. Their speed is much slower. In fact the only thing that gets Lana going is seeing a bunny.

Hopefully these photos aren't too small....but they might be!! Sorry!!

Thanks to everyone who said prayers. I really appreciate it. A whole lot!

Collie Company from Far Away

So, one of my blog stalkers and her husband came to visit us just before Christmas. Candice is seriously interested in a Cole X Soleil puppy dog and has been doing her research for some time now. Soleil is entered in shows and due to come in season soon, so I won't breed her this season but the following season, which probably will be next fall. Anyway, Candice & her husband are very sweet, quiet people (and YOUNG mind you!!) but they both are very mature for their ages. What a pleasant surprise ~ thou I suspected it from her emails. She was also able to see Cole & the Easy To Spot Collies on her way back from Southern California, so she has a good idea what our dogs are like.

Her words about Squishy were......."He's more beautiful in person than in photos"......aaaawwwhhhhh.......S q u i s h y . . .

And our French for the day...."Squishy est belle". Say it. "Squishy eh bell".

Candice might have said that Squishy was her favorite & the most beautiful....but I'm not saying that to get Jolene to visit or anything off the wall like that.

I was hoping they would get here before it got dark so we could go for a dog walk, but Candice actually got sick with food poisoning, so they were a day late. Not a problem. I had more time to do the PET feet and maybe think about cleaning the ceiling fan. (Like she'd really look up at my ceiling fan!!! Did you Candice???)

Here is a walk from last week on one of the drier days. The fast ones are Soleil, Cardiff, Squishy & Tirzah. The other 3 doggies get involved if the group races by. Lana only gets serious to run if a b u n n y is spotted. Other than that, there's not a real reason to waste energy.

 

Long but cute.

And, remember, "Squishy est belle". 

My Favorite Christmas Ornaments

Christmas Eve is my favorite holiday of the whole year. It was the one time that my family was all together and everyone was in a good mood. My dad got the tree, usually for free because he'd go when the lots were closing down looking like a homeless person in his dirty & torn work clothes. We'd decorate the tree, then have a Swedish type smorgasbord of food and "glogg" (glurg). My grandma & mom's cousin Marian would come over and lots of friends would stop by. Fun, house was clean, food was amazing and we always opened presents that night. It was an Estonian tradition and my dad was all about that. As time went on, our family seemed to disinigrate especially with my mom dying. She was truly the glue that held our family together and try as we might have, it was never the same. My dad had been diagnosed with manic-depression right before she died and soon after she was gone, I had to leave. For me it was like "Gone With The Wind" when Scarlett comes back from the war to Tara. Except she stayed to rebuild the family & home. I couldn't. I was out of there 6 months later.

Even though this is my favorite holiday, I still cry alot in December. Coming up to it brings up so much emotion and God knows, and I know, it's hard for a lot of people. And, gosh, my poor father, leaving his country, and never seeing his mother again, or his siblings, one brother he never met who was born after he escaped from Estonia. No wonder he fell apart. He wasn't a good communicator so when he was diagnosed with the manic-depression, he wouldn't shut up. He was talking for 24 hour spurts and writing his life down on pages and pages of indecipherable scribble. It was too late. So sad. He died a broken man.

A N Y W A Y . . . . those Christmas Ornaments.......I know there are others, somewhere in a box in some faraway home but these are the ones I brought here. Those warm and fuzzy reminders of a warm & fuzzy life (at least on Christmas Eve). If I could find my mom's Nativity Scene, these beautiful & delicate porcelain figurines of the Baby Jesus, Wise Men, etc, I would be a happy camper. That could bring really old warm & fuzzy memories into Christmas of my mom & childhood.

I have a lot of these type ornaments. I love the style. And the color, thou they are in a lot of different colors. I'm not sure if that is dust on the top of this...but it wouldn't surprise me. I told T when we moved here ~ "Please keep that maid of yours"....

I love these. There are 3 in different colors. Alicia and I bought them when she was living with me.

The Christmas Pig. Alicia's choice. It has wings!!! If Pigs Could Fly!!! This one not only is flying but holding a red ornament!

From Jolene.....who lives in IglooLand.......awwwwhhhhh......we have no snow Jolene just MUD.

Laura Weiss's ornament with Soleil & Squishy (& Zoe?).....it's on the window sill because it bent my tree in half.

A Suffolk Sheep (from "Crate & Barrel"). I got several ornaments at the store in Phoenix, AZ on a dog show trip Martha & I went on. She, Lee Runnels & I all got the bitch majors and those Arizonians were so nice. Just showed up with all their bitches to make majors and we took them every day. (I also apparently got a major on Lana's dad Topic, Ch. Society Niteridge Hot Topic thou my memory escapes me.)

Martha & I  were going to write a book called "From Chalk to Champion" because Kaia had NO HAIR, but she was so showy and moved so well. The judge was James Reynolds from Canada. Anyway, we chalked up Punky so thick her fur didn't move, AT ALL but it worked! I had just met Pierre and bought several gifts for the tree and his girls who I hadn't met yet. And, does this one have dust on it???? OMG!

Another Crate & Barrel wooden dove ornament. I have several of these in different colors. They used to hang from my drawing table light during the year.

One of Pierre's Army Men.....he had lots of them!

Pierre & I got this when we first got married. I honestly don't remember who gave it to us but I always loved how elegant the design is.

So sweet.....I'm taking care of this until Chantal wants it back......

The Bain Bear........

The Christmas Peacock ~ Alicia & I picked out 2 Christmases ago. 

And now my FAVORITE favorites!!

The Punky Angel. I have two of these.

These two ornaments were won by Kaia at Antelope Valley Kennel Club when she was about 3 years old. I showed her and Topic for Martha. I was Winners Dog with him and Winners Bitch with Kaia. I loved that show as it was in the High Desert in December and often times there was snow on the ground. You could get Hot Toddies and do Christmas shopping for all your dog friends at the vendors. Now all these shows are consolidated at one location and it's lost some of the spirit for me, though the fact that I don't live in Southern California might be a problem also. 

Anyway, Punky with a halo & wings. She was like that from the minute she was born. So, in case I haven't mentioned lately how much I still miss her..........

And, next to the Punky Angels.....this one from Crate & Barrel ~ Aaawwwhhhhhh.......so beautiful!

Dinner Tonight ~ Chicken Saute

So my friend Marilyn sent me a bunch of recipes. She said in the email "You say you don't like to cook, but you do." Omg. Is that like "You say you don't like to drink but you're an alcoholic???? Or you really like porn but act like it's really gross......h a h a".

Anyway, thanks Marilyn. You're the bomb.

I am not going to post a whole bunch of pictures on how I got to the end, but I'll put up a few. For those kind of blog posts, go to my idol blogger Pioneer Woman. She's way cooler than me. And her food probably tastes way better.

In the first photo is the chopped up ingredients. Garlic, mushrooms, Italian parsley (a must when you live with a real Italian). You know "The Godfather" and all....

This recipe also involves wine. I like that. It calls for a "Chablis, Sauterne, Hock, or Riesling. I have no idea what those are so I picked a Chardonnay. 

Does it really matter in the long run?? I have been drinking along with cooking, so Chardonnary, 7 & 7's, margaritas......????

Here is a picture of the Chardonnay with the chopped up mushrooms & LOTS of parsley. (Too much according to the recipe but whatever....)

Look at the chopping block. Lana won that years ago when she was a 6 1/2 month old puppy. She got a 4 pt major (back when 4 pts where way harder to win than now) under Carl Williford's first judging assignment. She was a beautiful puppy. God. I will always use this cutting block even though it's small. I love Lana.

Carl looks so young. I look like a double-chined freak and Lana ~ she is so pretty. I think I got rid of that outfit after I saw this picture. Or the hair. It's so ugly.

So, here is the food ~ complete. Yummy. T said it was "different". Then he said it was good and he ate a lot and is stuffed now and sleeping.

Add rice. Marilyn said to. I killed the broccoli and we have new plates. These are the extras. One of the 4 plates might have flung into the slider by accident....I was getting sick of them anyway.....my new plates are simple & beautiful and were $16.99 for a 16 setting at Ross Dress 4 Less. Such a deal.

Here is the recipe.

Chicken Saute

4 or 5 chicken breasts. (I picked something else that looked more tasty. Chicken breasts sounded too chewy and dry.)

Flour

1 Clove Garlic, finely chopped

Salad Oil (preferably olive oil.....I really only use that.)

1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced. This recipe says you can use a 1 (8 0z) can instead. Personally I think you are a wimp if you used canned mushrooms. Or anything canned. Just a plain wimp. LAZY ASS WIMP.

2 tbsp. chopped parsley.

1 c. white wine. (Here we go....Chablis, Sauterne, Hock or Riesling). Since it was a whole cup that I might have wanted to drink, I took the rest of some bottle of white in the fridge (4 oz) and added it with some of my Chardonnay. That way is stretched out the wine and it wasn't so shocking when there was nothing left in my bottle. BTW,  & FYI ~ T was drinking the Chardonnay also. It wasn't just me & the dinner.

Salt, pepper & herbs to taste. Didn't say what herbs. I chose not to use curry or cardamon but I know those are very useful in other recipes. Like if I cook for Donna. She has 28 bottles of curry in her cupboard. I know because I helped her arrange her cabinet. She's a freak about curry.

Sooooo....Wash & dry the chickies, roll in flour (I used organic flour). Simmer garlic in oil until golden brown; add chicken & brown. Remove to roasting pan. Saute mushrooms in oil for a few minutes, add chopped parsley and wine. Season this mixture to taste; pour over chicken. Bake uncovered in moderate oven (350 degrees) for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Baste frequently. (Can cover with foil over large Pyrex dish.)

The end. Let me or Marilyn know if you try it!

I Have Been Remiss....

....in blogging....no particular reason except sometimes I wonder why would someone blog at all? I could Facebook but as some of you know, I hate FB. So, I blog. But I have been remiss.

Cardiff & Khaliq are my new hearthrobs, Squishy has been STELLAR in training class. ALL the doggies (except Cardiff) went to my favorite vet an hour away for Heartworm checks (I don't do those ucky meds), 2 thyroid tests, one for Lana (she has to go every year) and Zoe, for the first time at 11. Zoe has a bladder infection (pooor Zo- E), but everyone's tests came back great on thyroid (and no bigger issues with the infection ~like pyo) and all negative on HW. I love my vet because she knows where I stand on natural rearing and she sees the results. So, she doesn't push stuff on me like some vets are known to do. She is worth the drive.

Ali'i is happy, as are all the horses. Aura was fitted with a new saddle (I returned a nearly brand new one, bought 2 years ago, so no $$ exchanged....yeah!!) and I'm figuring out what size EasyBoot Glove she'll wear. I have a size 2, 1.5, & 1 to fit. Shiiq & Sabi wear 00.5's all the way around. Ali'i wears 0.5's in the fronts. So, the scoop on this info is: Aura has nice big feet. 

We're going to see Secretariat this weekend with some friends. My first teenage idol. My first horse love. I'm sure I'll have a big post on that. I still can not watch The Belmont without crying, 37 years later. Truly, The Horse That God Built.

So, I sit here this morning and don't really have anything big to post. I thank God every day for my healthy body & mind (though I suppose my mind would be up for discussion with some) and am always glad to be able to have health. I love to park far away from stores because I am thankful I can walk the distance. And, of course, it's really never a distance. It's a joy to walk for me. My mom taught me to always be thankful. I miss her so much. She was so wise.

But, I have been remiss. Might be the email my cousin Karen sent me a few weeks ago that was so (shocking) and upsetting. Her husband, who she's been married to, for I will guess....30 years???, broke his leg a while back. Short story is, he wasn't healing and eventually was referred to UCLA. Her email to me at this point was that to save his life they were going to have to amputate his leg at the hip. All I could think about was "Lonesome Dove". Could I go thru with such a surgery? The thought permeated my mind for days and I just felt sick at the thought. But, with it have been so many prayers for Karen & Tom, and our family. Karen is so brave and so spiritual. She sent me several books after Pierre died that really saved me from the deep despair & grief that surrounded my whole being. I felt so much comfort, that this was my opportunity to grow and that I would see him again. What gifts.

In talking to her, she sounded so tired but had this incredible outlook on what was going to happen and how their lives were going to change. She could see it as an amazing opportunity to grow. An amazing opportunity to grow. Not how horrible it was going to be. Tom and Karen could see how important his journey was going to be for them but also for their grandchildren. His life and how he approached it would teach them volumes. Those children are growing up with incredible role models and how fortunate they are. Lives filled with riches.

Tom is doing well. Walking 3 times the distance that he is required. He's on his way home today and even though I know there is a lot of trepidation with the journey home and starting this new life, I am so proud of him. Karen calls him her hero. He is a hero for so many people, including myself. I continue to pray and look forward to hearing about his progress. So, this is my post for today. I am thankful.

 

Lana's Embarrassing Situation

Lana has issues. Poor girl. She's so sweet and doesn't want for much, just food and a comfy place to sleep. Problem is she likes to mark her comfy place and it literally took me YEARS to find out it was her. When I did a few years back, she was banned from the bedroom and marking the dog beds. Poor thing. But, I couldn't have that. Dog beds, when you keep buying them you consider getting a second on your home. So, she slept in the living room w/o the beds. 

Then we moved here and had hardwood floors and that beautiful area rug from T's other home. After living here 8 months there was a familiar scent that was becoming overwhelming. Tony can't smell very well, but I was to the point where I couldn't even sit in the living room. Parker was obviously marking on the dog crate and a few other spots in the living room, but that was different. I finally caught Lana in the peeing on the expensive area rug act. She'd get up, scratch the rug like she was making her beddie, then squat. Not a little dribble, but a full-on Niagara Falls squat. (And I thought it was funny when I vacuumed the rug that it was getting "stuck" in spots.) That was it. She was outside. Then the rug got cleaned professionally and it was worse. So that went outside to air out. 3 weeks later it was still hideous so I convinced Tony to let me clean it. 3 weeks after than and a lot of pure water, baking sun, vinegar and water, baking sun, and a final soap, water and pure baking, stinkin' hot sun the rug smelled good to us. So, it's in the house, but not without googling clothes for Lana's little embarrassing problem. I found this website and ordered her a very nice pair of "britches" and it's been 2 nights now with her happily sleeping in our bedroom and no, um, obnoxious marking. She's happy, we're happy. Life is good again.

http://www.kennelkomforts.net/

I left Lana's feet like this so Jolene will come and visit. Soon. For her 50th birthday, when she gets the AARP card in the mail too. (Or whatever the equivalent is in Canada.)

Collie Club of America National Specialty ~ 2010 ~ Pomona, CA

Another national over with and we're already thinking about next year! How crazy is that??

Driving on the way down I got to the base of the Grapevine and saw all these beautiful purple flowers all over the valley. I had to make a stop and take a picture, though it really doesn't do it justice.

I had left at zero-dark-thirty because I wanted to be able to have a lot of daylight to set up the Toy Hauler with all the punkies. I gave Tony a smoochy kiss as he was still asleep, but he did notice the Stuffed Lanas were not on the dresser. He says "Don't tell me you're taking the 'Stuffed Lanas'????"

That was a dumb question. Like they're going to bark and shit and get fur all over our pillows. (They were already in the Toy Hauler.) "Yes honey! It's the Collie National! They want to go too!!" (That and Gayle Kaye's Collie In America book which I was too exhausted to read.)

Off I was, taking my time and about as happy as I could be. Going in my Toy Hauler with all the punkies is just as wonderful as backpacking with the dogs. Simple life. No TV, just eating, sleeping and a whole bunch of collies.

The trip went great until I pulled into the RV section. Somehow I lost my ability to back and had 3 people telling me which way to turn my wheels. I must look like a total idiot because I always get someone to offer to back for me that is a true expert. I always refuse because I figure eventually (after 4 years) I could have the finesse of the best of backers. Not so. Somehow I kinked my plug-in by jack-knifing the ol' trailer and I lost my brakes. Well, they jammed. I couldn't move the van for the life of me. I guess that's what that brake cord is for. I was imagining my transmission blowing up and getting tranny fluid all over me and the dogs because that's what it felt like, but I don't know if diesels have trannies. Anyway, there is always an abundance of helpful men at dog shows and 2 or 3 showed up. One was Dale Heit of Timeless Collies. He offered to hold my plug-in together to give my van the juice back. What a guy. Stand between a big cargo van and a Toy Hauler while some yahoo blonde he doesn't knows tries to back in her RV spot. He eventually asked if I had duct tape (which I do from a year ago when the window seal broke loose) and he taped the line together. I just love guys who are so smart like that. 
 

Here are most of the punkies. Soleil is in a pen by herself. She couldn't wait to come in season just in time for the national.

Just looking at those awning arms makes me want to vomit. They're so violent looking! Imagine that awning rolling up REALLY FAST and your middle finger getting scissored between the metal arms. Gross.

Squishyness. The doggies, most of the time were either in the grooming area or in the trailer when we weren't there. At one point though, Seabiscuit had had enough and escaped to find some bitches to breed. Oh yeah. I heard on the loudspeaker that a sable boy was loose. Lana also went for a walk. Luckily it was a No. Calif. person who seemed fairly lighthearted about having my overly stressed Biscuit try and breed her bitches. At least the litter would be local.

Julie showed up later on in the afternoon. She's a better backer than I am, but she just drives one unit. It was really fun being set up with Julie and seeing all of her collies. We sat at her set-up for a while and I looked under my trailer because I could see Soleil's feet in her pen.

I was thinking what cute fluffy legs she has and those "snowball" feet. Then I realized they were the PVC legs on the bed. What a dufus!!!

Except then she was really standing there. Who needs TV when you can look at dog feet and be entertained???

After getting settled, Julie and I decided to breed Soleil. Since the breeder wants to remain anonymous on my blog, she will from now on be referred to the Breeder Who Prefers to Remain Anonymous. Or, BWPRA. More on that later.

On Tuesday, I went to Lancaster Station to visit with one of Pierre's partners, his captain (who is now a commander and retiring this week), and several wives and deputies. I always send flowers to the station on the anniversary of Pierre's death, and this year, I wanted to go to lunch with them, and they had flowers brought to the restaurant for me. I was really touched and didn't expect them to do that. I just wanted to see them on that day. It was a wonderful lunch and I really miss all of these people. Anyway, I had to transport the flowers back to Pomona, so I pride myself in how smart I am! (Except maybe backing my trailer or oh, keeping my finger out of the awning arms.)

Thank God I brought my Muck Boots (even though it wasn't suppose to rain) and keep an abundance of leashes in my van.

On the way back to Pomona I called Teri March who's husband (Dep. David March) was killed almost 8 years ago.( April 29, 2002.) We don't see each other a lot, but when we do (and this was in a Costco parking lot sitting in her car) she always has such insight into this process we're in. Because she's been married now 6 years and has 2 little ones with her husband, she was able to offer some advice I wasn't expecting and really needed at this time. I love you Teri. You are forever in my heart.

From there I stopped at the local repro vet and got a progesterone test on Soleil and some AI kits. I'm kinda a hillbilly when it comes to when it's time to breed. I watch my boy dogs. But, Julie wanted to pay for a test, so pay away Julie. I said Soleil would be ready by Friday and she was. I don't know who uses these AI kits from this particular vet but they look like they might be for very large animals. But, I'm kinda a hillbilly about AI~ing also.....so what do I know?? Anyway, they were tossed in the Toy Hauler until Friday.

Wednesday morning I watched Smooth class dogs but not because I was interested in any of them...

 

Here is Timeless Rivers Edge ~ Winners Dog at the CCA and littermate to a smooth Julie & I own. Isn't he darling???

Julie was doing agility and later I went over to help Sue Larson a little bit with stuff. I was the "chute fluffer". That was very fun. I felt like I was keeping up my exercise routine for Tevis. Then I helped hand out awards for a couple of classes. After that I went to start grooming our class dogs for the next day.

The next day Ty was entered but I pulled him. He was not going to show in that building, so I concentrated on Cory, his brother who was entered in American Bred. William Holbrook was judging dogs and gave us a 3rd in our class. I was pretty thrilled and Cory showed very well. He's easy, sweet and moves out on the leash.

Or bolts....Here we are coming into the ring. He was very happy.

Here's Tony. He was awesome at the show. He had left at 4 am to be there to see me show everyone. He even was holding a yucky slimy hotdog that Julie feeds her dogs. He used to not even hold the spray bottle for me, but now after holding the 1/2 chewed hotdog that another dog swallowed (and the handler insisted on pulling it out of the stomach of her dog and giving it back to us), a spray bottle must be ok. Just like training a Squishy, make some things hard, then the easy stuff is really easy!! Hehehehe!!!

Yeah!! Julie gave me his CCA Trophy Plate. I whined a little bit ~ how beautiful it was, but she has one for Cole and said since we co-bred and own Cory I could have it. Thank you Julie!! 

Isn't it lovely?????

From that class I was off to groom Soleil. She was in Bred-By Exhibitor and had 15 bitches in there. We didn't do anything, but I was ok with that. For me, just showing at the CCA is meaningful. And, she was very well-behaved! She only barked a few times and moved well.

This is Taylor, Miriam Stempler's Cole daughter. She has gorgeous side movement. Love watching her go around the ring. Not the best picture, but it's hard to get them from across the ring.

Fluffiest dog I've had in a long time! Isn't she cute???

After Soleil's class, June Bug went into American Bred. Shar, a poodle friend of Julie's showed her. She did a wonderful job. I really love June. She has Punky's coat, it looks like, but she's very cute, sweet and has a gorgeous outline.

 

That evening Julie, Shar, Tony & I and Dina went to the Host Hotel's bar for drinks and food. It was probably one of the worst $100 meals T & I have ever had. Dina and I had to send our margaritas back and get something else and I don't know what made us order steaks, but I couldn't even cut mine. Normally I'm easy to please and Tony is also. He inhaled his, but not because it was good, he hadn't eaten all day. From then on, we ate at the Toy Hauler.

Anyway, Julie made friends with a couple sitting next to us. They were relocating from Georgia, I think, to the Claremont/Pomona area. Anyway, they stood up to take a picture of all of us and I thought, "How cool is that? They want a picture to remember us by". Another blonde moment. It was Julie's camera. 

Friday finally came ~ the day of the scheduled breeding. Our BWPRA & husband were very busy showing til the very end of the day. Then there were pictures. Then they went to the CCA Quarter Century Banquet and BWPRA said she would call or text us when they were done and we'd do the breeding. I wasn't sure how I'd stay up, so T and I went to bed. At 11:05 pm, Julie called me and said our liaison was going to happen now. I crawled out of bed and tried not to fall on top of T and wake him up, or trip down the ladder. Outside Julie is waiting and we mention to each other how crazy we are. Come to find out BWPRA & husband are equally crazy. I think alcohol was involved, but I'd be drinking too if I had to take pictures at the CCA. Anyway, I walk Soleil and we meet up with BWPRA & Handsomely Studly and after a brief interlude in the grass, we are off to BWPRA's RV. She is very funny and tells us she locked her and husband out of the RV and he had to stuff her thru the kitchen window to get inside. She's very talented because not only can she get thru very small RV windows and not do any bodily damage, she is very talented with holding a dog with her legs while she multi-tasks with her hands. This is what I like about the hillbilly way of breeding. You just put them together and then you can have both your hands AND your feet to do other things!

Anyway, Handsomely Studly was very talented also and even though his little guys looked very small (or we lost some on the way to the RV), I really think had the ELEPHANT AI'd in that bag, it would all be relative! BWPRA & husband were very entertaining and I only wished I could have had the camera there. We planned to meet the next night for some more of the same and we were all off to bed (carrying Soleil so none of the guys fell out).

Sat morning came. Juniors were showing at 9am. I sold Layla, Ch. Entais Exquisitely to a great girl named Dannon. Layla unfortunately had to be spayed and Dannon was going to do agility with her, but her 9 yr old daughter Kaitlynn told her "Mommy, I'll take over Layla now and show her". A child with a plan.

Kaitlynn was so adorable and Layla was very cute with her. Kaitlin won her class of 5 (little) juniors and got to go in for Best Junior. She was a crowd pleaser and I think this won't be the last time she'll be in the ring.

Cute, cute, cute. Layla finished very easily, had some nice all-breed BOV's out of the classes (in huge specials competition) and also some Bred-By Exhibitor Group wins & placements. Kaitlynn and her showed like a real team.

Getting some advice from our past president Bob Futh. How cute is that???    

After Juniors I was off to start grooming Tirzah and Coley Bear. Julie was off doing some other stuff with him and found out she WASN"T going to win Most Versatile Collie. Apparently, even though he was in second place, winning Best of Breed wouldn't put him up there. The pressure was off of me, but Julie was sad.

Maybe if she would have given him a bigger crate he could have performed better. I thought I was chintzy!!!

The amazing dog still has a great attitude though!

Off to trim trim trim brush brush brush!

I called everyone I knew in So. Calif. that cared so I would have more than 2 people clapping for Tirzah and Cole. Pierre's 2 daughters Kristina and Alicia showed up with their boyfriends. They were great cheerleaders!!

Love you Miss you!!!!!!!

Almost ready but a quick run to the bathroom.

In case anyone is missing these, they are in the handicapped stall in the bathroom near obedience. (I seriously had to run back to the set-up to get my camera for a photo. Tooo funny!!!!)

In the Ready-Ring with Ed lining up dogs and my OES friend Marilyn. She looks like she's evaluating whether to brush Cole's butt up. Thank God I told her to keep her hands off!! Touché Marilyn!!

 

I was the first one in my group and when Carl walked up, I was trying to keep Cole's head down. He walked up and said "Move back". So I did and then he says "Oh, I can see why you were standing in front of him". I laughed and said "Are you being mean?". I thought he meant Coley Bear was not so pretty to look at. Carl got all embarrassed and said "Oh no, I mean, because you were keeping him from jumping on you". He apologized several times that that's not what he meant. I just laughed. I really like Carl and also loved watching him judge. To me, he was very easy to follow and knew what he wanted.

Anyway, we got dumped so.....seems I was right. Hehehehe......

        
Tirzah was in the last group. I got so many compliments on her and we got dumped also, but I knew at least her eyeballs were going to be too much for our judge. 

In the Ready-Ring.

Tony took a bunch of pictures for me. What a guy!!! LOVE YOU T!!!!

Photo Opp with Lee Runnels. She looks like she's holding a dead animal. Her Desi daughter won Veteran Bitch. She always makes me laugh.

Nervous brushing. Licky Licky is so tolerant.

That's it. I know you've probably seen enough photos of our dogs to last a lifetime, but in case you haven't and want to watch videos, go over to Julie's blog at: http://easytospot.blogs.com/easy_to_spot/

After Best of Breed was won (Ch. Fantasy's Rising Dragon ROM) we were off to start packing all of our stuff. Fluffy, dirty, chalky stuff. I hate that part.

Another breeding was done and this time BWPRA came to my Toy Hauler with the Elephant bag and tossed it next to Tony's cheese and salami he was trying to inhale. T is really getting so tolerant of the little things. Handsomely Studly was again amazing and now we just wait. BWPRA was very, very wonderful to deal with and I'm sure she thinks she's involved with the girls from Collie Breeding Hell, but she sure laughed a lot. So, we can only assume she likes us. Hahahaha........

The next morning, of course the finger smashing occurred and then a very, very long drive home. I didn't have rear lights on my Toy Hauler because of the plug-in chomping incident, so Tony stayed behind me the whole way up Interstate 5. It was good because he'd pave the way for me to pass, though he did mention he hopes it's a LONG time before he follows the ol' "Fun Runner". It's like driving into a brick way for 7 hours. After the awning incident, I might be getting closer to trading in the ol' Toy Hauler. 

Getting home was good. The goats were picked up by Adam a few days before because there was a goat death at the neighbor's home due to coyotes. We were so glad to see them safe and sound. Thank you Adam and Joanie. The bestest neighbors EVER!!

Awwwwwhhhhhhhhh.........home......

Now, my life is all about Tevis. 

The Snow Is STILL Here!!

I blogged all day. What a bum. Then I went out and took more pictures to blog. So here ya go!!

Aura. She looks a lot happier with the sun out.

 

Tirzah and Soleil. They love playing, but really seem pretty wild about the snow!

Zoe was a little slower than the young dogs.

I love this picture of Ty. I put him in this next picture, even though it's really kind of odd looking for a variety of reasons. I like the halo around him!

This is real! Squishy!!!

Tahoe eating some grass that finally surfaced. He's so pretty!

Tahoe & Ali'i. Sabi is in the background.

Zoe & Soleil ~ You gotta think if they were wolves my horses would be much more scared!! Actually I make sure my dogs are afraid of the horses. I usually don't let them get this close when everyone is out loose.

This photo was taken earlier today as the sun was trying to peek out. 

This photo was seriously Photoshopped as it was almost black when I opened it up. We went for a drive thru our neighborhood and as we drove home there was a lot of "fog" around the streams and ponds. You can kind of see it behind the trees, but this picture doesn't do it justice. Really intense!!!