The Bomb

Dear readers, some readers may find this post offensive, in poor taste and immature.  If this is you, please stop reading.

Growing up with three brothers has prepared me or toughened me in ways only someone with brothers can understand.  Anyone with siblings can understand the various and creative ways a brother (or I suppose sister) can come up with to torment the other people within the family.  Being the younger sister (I have two older and one younger brothers.) I was put through trial by fire.  Literally.  

Living in a testosterone flooded house often led to things that boys find hysterically funny that girls often just don't "get".  One of these things was the joy of the fart.  Why and how a noxious body smell can be hilarious I just haven't quite figured out.  I will admit to having an unnamed girlfriend who suffers from "rotten butt" and has no shame around it (bless her heart).  But for the most part, farts and girls just don't go together.  The vast majority of women I know try to keep any body sounds and smells a dirty little secret.  My brothers took great delight in doing things like pinning me to the ground and farting on me.  Torturing me with stink.  My childhood has long since passed but tonight I received a refresher.  

While outside playing with the dogs I had noticed Reba's dish had been cleaned up.  Blaming Joey, I re-fed Reba and put them up for the evening.  It was not until I was cozily ensconced on my couch that a different culprit became clear.  Or should I say smelled clear.  Tessa, who has allergies, is on a different brand of dog food than the outside dogs.  Tessa, who normally is only able to steal a bit here and there had a wicked cloud of stench following her.  

At first it was only a slight nosy twitching scent.  And then it became horrifyingly clear.  Tessa had the toots!  After a particularly virulent one I kicked her outside hoping a trip to the facilities would help clear the air.  I genuinely thought it worked as there was a blessed nostril peace of air occurring.  

Often during quiet times Tessa and I like to have a snuggle.  There she was sitting happily on my lap when the unimaginable occurred.  I felt a strange vibration on my belly.  I thought it was a little odd but didn't know what caused it until the dead rodent smell wafted upwards.  

Tessa farted on me!!

I'm still not over the trauma.  Let's just say it'll be a long time coming before I let my dog sit on my lap again.  

*shudder*

Queen of the Barnyard

Moxie is the undisputed Queen of the Barnyard.  She has taken to riding Whiskey - to the water trough, around the corral - all with a look of undisputed glee on her furry face.  You would think Whiskey would have some objections to the fur ball on her back when she is sans blanket but it doesn't seem to faze her.  

My favorite part is when the cat looks down at the dog with a clearly superior and mocking expression.  The cat seems to be saying "Don't mess with me, I've got horsepower!".  The dog meanwhile does the head tilt.  You can just see Joey wondering why the world seems so topsy turvy.  

One night I tried to pull the cat off the horse to switch blankets only to have the cat grab on.  Tonight while treating Whiskey, the cat scaled the panel beside us and leaped onto the back.  I received a classic cat dirty look when I tried to remove her.  As I rubbed the lotion into Whiskey's skin the cat sat and watched with intense tail twitching interest.  I half wondered what the horse would do if the cat pounced onto my hand.  A wreck in the making?

The cat and the horse seem to be fast friends.  The horse even watches her step when the cat is running between her legs.  Tonight trying to lead Whiskey from point A to point B was an exercise in patience as she wouldn't move until she saw the cat.  Yes, she actually moved her head, looked in the direction of the cat before taking a step.  Is the horse aware enough to "watch before she steps"?  Something to ponder on a winter's evening.

Snowy Sunday

With delightful soft white flakes gently falling, I had to make some plans for my poor bald Whiskey.  Worried about the cold and frost bite I put her in the stall *erhm, shed* yesterday.  While not heated it would protect her from the wind and wet snow.  Sam had said I could begin blanketing her as long as I alternated blankets everyday.  Lovely plan, one problem.  My winter blankets that fit Whiskey were sent into a local shop to be cleaned and repaired.  They are finished, however every time I drive into town the shop is closed.  

Doing some creative problem solving I figured out if I put my fitted wool cooler on first - it's a bit small leaving her bum hanging out - layering a cotton sheet next, putting the winter hood on and attaching it to the sheet, finishing with her summer rain sheet for all weather protection on top, she would have some warmth and snow protection.  Meaning I could release her from jail during the day and bring her back in at night.  So this morning I began my trial run.  

And rather quickly realized my extra large hood was too small!  I could not attach any of the head attachments.  Thank goodness my mom is a superstar seamstress.  Explaining my problem she has lengthened the straps so I can make it fit.  I'll already have to purchase another hood (this one will be headless) and really didn't want to buy two as it's not an item I use often.  

While Whiskey hangs out in her rustic house she's found a new friend.  When I went out this afternoon I was startled to find Moxie (the cat) sitting on her back, both of them happy as could be!  I ran back into the house to grab my camera.  When I snapped the shot Whiskey moved forward, the cat walked up her neck and leaped off the poll of her head to land on the wood support of her "stall".  I knew Whiskey was quiet but I really didn't think she was this quiet!

I've attached some pictures.  The first one is a look at one of her nasty bald patches.  The next two are of Whiskey and Moxie.  I tried to get a picture of the cat walking up the neck but my camera was too slow!

         

The Results Are In

Sam called this morning with Whiskey's biopsy results.  At this point in time I'm not entirely sure if I'm relieved or anxious.  While some things were not particularly definitive, there is enough to confidently say she has some kind of low grade allergy.  Sam explained that in dogs it's very common to see recurrent skin infections, so it stands to reason horses wouldn't be that different.  The other thing is there were trace amounts of fungus but because she had been so inflamed the tests didn't work particularly well.  The revised treatment plan is to treat her with Imaverol (not sure on the spelling there) which is often used to treat things like ringworm.  In addition, Sam will do some research into a long term treatment plans.  It may mean some messing around with drugs and steroids.  

Because Whiskey has been such a stellar horse and I had been trying to breed her I asked if this could be genetic or hereditary.  Sam said there hasn't been much in the way of research done on the topic it is likely something that can be transferred.  Being the type of person I am if there is any question of potential complications I won't breed her.  Even though she meets all the other criteria:  great disposition, athletic, trainable. 

On that note, I had stumbled across a broodmare for sale on Kijiji.  While the mare is not broke she has pretty good bloodlines.  So now I'm on the fence trying to decide if this mare would be a good purchase.  I'm not sure if I can give up my dream of breeding my own performance horse, even though I know there are tons of babies for sale and people need to have very good reasons for breeding to help reduce the glut of unwanted horses.

What do you think?

My Vet Rocks!

My vet rocks!  While I fully and completely don't appreciate having more vet bills I do appreciate the fact that I can call up the clinic, speak directly with my vet and have space made for my animal to be seen.  

On Sunday, I went out complete with latex gloves to check Whiskey's gross pustules.  And let me tell you they rank up there on the gross scale.  (I'll try to get home in daylight to catch some pics.)  When I went to pull on them huge, oozy chunks of hair came out.  Leaving behind angry looking bald patches.  Let's just say this is not normal!  Deciding not to treat her as my normally calm quiet horse was giving me the white of her eyes when I touched these things, I made an internal note to call the clinic on Monday.  

Sam, my superstar vet doesn't work Mondays but I left a message (with the receptionist) and when I didn't hear back I called the vet tech today and within 15 minutes the vet was on the phone with me.  Within 2 minutes of talking she decisively told me to bring her in when I can and they would make time for me.  So as soon as I was done work, Whiskey, Tessa and I hauled butt into the clinic.  

One glance at the nasties and Sam was grabbing a biopsy kit to get samples to send out to the lab.  There are a few concerns.  One being that Whiskey has some wacky autoimmune disorder which can manifest in skin lesions.  Another that she has a rare version of ringworm (before the cream it didn't resemble ringworm in any shape or manner).  And the final that she has an allergy to the medicated cream.  Whoooo Hoooo!  Call me lucky!  When your vet agrees that they're gross you know they're truly nasty!

We should hear back by Friday from the lab and hopefully we'll learn something definitive from them.  Sam agreed we shouldn't touch them until we know what's going on.

Odds and Ends

This weekend was all about finishing some started projects.  I short listed six names for Izzy (I know, I know - it's January!). The names are as follows: Hot Hollywood Hooker (Thanks Chelsi!!), Iza Cuttin Jac, Smokin Hot Hollywood, Sweet Hollywood Girl, Ima Hollywood Hand, Ima Bella Jac.  Which one is your favorite?

I've also decided on a name for my doggy and farm stuff.  The dog side of things I'd like to go with Progression Training and my farm stuff (a nod to my grandfather) Bar EM Legacy Farm.  All very exciting for me.  I should have the website up and running by the end of January.  

Another thing I've accomplished is Izzy and I are registered in a Steve Rother clinic this spring (ground work only) which should be pretty exciting.  I've never gone to a natural horsemanship clinic so this is definitely outside of the box for me!  He comes highly recommended and I'm looking forward to learning some new skills.  

Finally, I've been treating Whiskey's skin nasties, but some of them have become swollen and hard with the cream, so today I'm out to see why.  I may give them a day or two off without treatment to see what happens and if nothing changes a phone call into the vet clinic will be occurring.  

Making a Friend??

Mouth flapping in the wind I stood in shock and awe.  I wanted to run and grab my camera but didn't want to upset the delicate balancing act going on in my back yard.  I think Tessa was making a friend?!? 

Tessa has a long and venerable history of being a grouchy bag.  She was well socialized as a puppy but as she aged she wanted less and less to do with other dogs and more attached to her human pack.  Lately she has been mostly house bound as she recovered from her broken leg.  This afternoon when I went to put Reba and Joey back in jail I brought her out to enjoy the outstanding weather.  

The dogs all came bounding towards me, which is often not a good thing when Tessa's in the 'hood, but tonight she went bouncing off with them.  Curious to see what would happen *read doggy war* I stood back and watched.  And was stunned with what I witnessed.  Reba was wrestling with Bella, which means Joey becomes odd man out - usually choosing to hang around my legs making his attempts to play with me.  

Today with Reba and Bella occupied, Tessa went racing off with Joey in close pursuit.  Thinking he was living on the edge I prepared to intervene.  Only I didn't have to!! Tessa would move like a cutting horse and Joey would bounce around her.  I couldn't quite tell if he was having fun annoying her or if there was mutual pleasure involved.  When they'd go racing I could hear her teeth snapping but she never made contact or dived towards him.  Then the most amazing thing happened.  They stopped running and bouncing and sat looking at each other.  Tessa began licking Joey's face, periodically putting her paw on his shoulder.  And then Joey reciprocated!!  Including putting his paw on her.  I thought for sure he was done for - that she'd beat the tar out of him for daring to touch her.  But Queen Tessa tolerated it.  

It was fascinating to watch the doggy dynamics.  When Bella became curious and came over Tessa was on her feet staring at Joey, who was lying down wagging his tail.  Bella, then also went down and began to wag.  It seriously looked like Bella and Joey were saying "Come on Tessa, this is how you play.  We like you and want you to play with us."  Tessa broke off her stare and began running around with the other dogs!

I have a rudimentary understanding of dog language and behavior but now want to learn the fine points so I went on the Chapters site and looked up some dog behavior books.  There are a couple that I'm interested in ordering.  I will admit to being picky.  Let's face it the animal world is full of self-professed experts on behavior but I want the science behind it and am more interested in the text book side of things.  

I have to wonder is Tessa starting to act like a dog?  Is she really willing and interested in playing?  The drama unfolds...