Big Girl Pants

I've had to put on my big girl pants and make one of the hardest most heartbreaking decisions.  There comes a time when you need to be an adult and make decisions that aren't necessarily best for you but are best for the animals in your care.  That is what I did even though I do feel like crying.  You see, I've been so stressed and so worried about all the things on my plate that I came to the decision that something had to give.  I've been feeling as though I haven't been doing a particularly good job at anything.

This is not a decision I've made lightly or rashly.

I've been extremely worried about Guinness.  I've been worrying about how he's ready to work with yet sits in the field because I don't have time to work with him.  I've worried about sending him out for training, getting him back and having him sit, because I'll be working on school and working on work.  I've worried about Guinness ending up wasting away.  I love him so much.  I can see so much potential in this great little package.

So I sold him.

I didn't sell him for much.  I was more concerned about finding the right home.  He's gone to a home that is super excited to have him.  A home with teenaged girls who will love on him and develop his potential.  A home that wants to keep him as "their" horse.  A forever kind of home.   The kind of home I'd like to provide but can't at this time.

Fascination

This cracks me up....

Diva has developed a fascination with the toilet.  Particularly when the toilet flushes.  She will rush up, cock her head and watch.  Curious, I did some multiple flushes.  Yep.  She stood there and watched.  Funny little dog.

Work, Work, and More Work

I finished a university work binge, only to settle in to a work work binge.  I feel as though I'm treading water to keep from drowning.  My poor dogs have been spectacularly patient with me.  On Sunday I brought them to work with me.  I needed time in the classroom and didn't want to leave them behind.  There were two other teachers in the building.  Both dogs were appropriate in their greetings.  Ryder trotted around with his ball.  Playfully dropping it for them to throw.  Diva ignored them.  (Which for Diva is super positive.)  Both dogs happily followed me around. listening to what I asked of them.  We were in the work room photocopying science, (Ryder was FREAKED by the photocopier!), when we walked out we walked into a crowd of people.  Surprised I froze.  (Never expect to see people on the weekend.)  My principal was touring some people through the school.  Calling dogs into sit (no leashes), I waited.  And waited.  Realizing they weren't going to clear the area anytime soon.  I knew we'd have to go through them.  Calling dogs in close to me I began moving along the wall to pass them.  Ryder trotted along with his ball, completely ignoring the people.  Diva tucked her tail and got a little tense but also moved through the people.  No barking, growling, or snarling.  Progress.

The work week brought more evening work.  The dogs didn't always get their walks.  I took them into the yard to play race and chase.  Diva looked at me.  Looked at Ryder.  Looked at me.  Looked at Ryder.  And ran to the horse pen.  Ignoring her I continued playing with Ryder.  After a couple of minutes I used my most enthusiastic voice and called for her. 

Ready for this???

She came.  Not an amble.  But she came in a full out run.  I was stunned.  She never does that.  I always have to go out to the field and chase her out of the pen.  Leaning down I gave her hugs and dog treats.  I was so proud of her!  She's really coming out of her shell.  She's bonding with me.  Finally.

Other news coming soon....

Recharge

Life has been clipping along at an alarming rate lately.  It seems I am perpetually tired.  On the weekends I've been taking the time to recharge.  For me this means nature, physical exercise and dogs.  I've been hiking with my dogs in the grazing reserve.  It's not exciting walking down the oil lease road, but with fields filled with deep snow, and trails converted into cross country ski paths, there really isn't much of any option.  I love watching the babies kick up snow as they race.  I love the sound of snow crunching beneath my hiking boots.  I love the isolation.   I love how my muscles work to keep me upright on shifting snow.  Most of all, I love the joy on the dogs faces as we pull up the winding road to the staging area.  The squeaks, groans, and panting that ensues as they realize we are going into the beloved park.  It never fails to bring a smile to my face no matter how dreary the day.  

Silly Cat

It's cold here.  Very cold.  Yesterday with the wind chill factored in it was around -43 F (or -42).  In other words, blooming cold.  Last night I fed the horses an entire, very rich square bale.  That was their evening feed.  This morning, I fed more.  It did warm up to a balmy - 32C (-26F) today though.

Moxie Cat lives in my little barn.  She keeps my hay free of mice.  This morning she was in the rafters (on styrofoam type insulation).  Giving her the stink eye, I figured she made her way up there (not sure how) so she can make her way down.  Tonight, ten hours after I did my morning chores, I found her still in the rafters, calling me with all the desperation only a cat can muster.  Sighing I called her.  She trotted towards me above my head.  Looking around for something tall enough I braced my ladder against the wall and called her over.  Would the cat use the ladder to descend?  Of course not.

Trying to get it stable enough I began to climb my way up.  She excitedly danced around my head.  Grabbing her with one leather clad mitten I tried to drag her off the roof onto my shoulder.  Like all contrary cats she dug in her claws and refused to leave her refuge of the roof.  Taking more steps up the ladder, I reached a hand up and behind, all the while calling her over.  Tentatively testing me with a paw she began to walk onto my arm.  Encouraging her, I shifted a shoulder up.  Once I felt her claws dig into my thick Carhart coat I began to carefully make my way back down to the safety of the floor.

Dumping her off, I glared at her.  She happily wove around my legs purring and meowing.

Nutty cat.  Tonight I hope she decides to sleep in the insulated house I provide her.  (The barn is insulated but still...)

Can We Do It?

Can I have my dogs ready to compete at the Canadian Border Collie Association Championship?  They're behind in their training.  Particularly Diva.  But here's the kicker.  For the first time ever, this trial is happening when I'd be able to attend it (normally it falls when I'm back at work and can't take time off) and it's a mere 10 ish hours away.  These two factors are making me wonder if the dogs and I shouldn't make a run at it.  It would mean being really focussed with their training on stock.  It would mean putting a lot of miles on the truck driving and getting in the practice time.  It would mean committing to attending and competing at trials.  It would mean I'd need to be able to get my dogs through a course.

Can I do it?

My New Saddle

This is a Bob's Custom Duane Latimer Reiner.  Today I traded my English saddle for it.  And I might just add that I'm super pumped!  Number one - this saddle is worth more money.  Number two - I might actually use it.  

*doing a little dance*

When I think of this saddle this is the soundtrack in my head:

Less the make love part - thank you Sarge!  (Seeing as how the thought is still making my skin crawl...)

Time, I know.  Time.

Still doing happy dance...