My sheepdog, Binkie, really could use a job. He happens to possess amazing instincts. If you have anyone in your life who is in disarray, or conducts himself in a disorderly fashion, or who simply annoys you, I have the solution right here, Binkie. He is really quite entertaining, as well. While, barking, he leaps and spins on a dime, all in one fluid motion. It's hard to think fluid because with all the fur he looks like he's a fat lump, but in reality he is thin and waif-like underneath it all. All the horses ignore him, but our mare, Charity and she simply runs along the fence line with him, tossing her mane and snorting.

The horses and dogs are constantly disciplined when they do something he deems unruly. If he finds something anyone is doing has made me angry, he begins working for me again. He stops herding when he checks me and finds I am not watching. Why the heck should he waste his good energy if he isn't being noticed?

Now, if you didn't already know, horses LOVE to roll out in their pastures, usually after being bathed and usually in a favorite muddy spot. This really triggers Binkie...you can see his eye tick, as he begins to get riled up into herding action.

Now, of all my dogs, and there are five of them, Binkie being one, he has one nemesis, my four year old lab stud, Quinn. Quinn is Marmaduke, if you know that comic strip character. He has never walked into a room, in his life, he bounds in, ears flapping, tail wagging and tongue slobbering, with a silly grin on his face. This is really comical to watch, because like a shark, Binkie lays in wait for this moment every morning, yes, you can see that same tick in his eye as he launches after Quinn in full bark and herd action, until he kicks him out the door and wipes his paws of such a low life.

One of Binkie's favorite chases for the day are the barn cats, but they have pet doors for quick escapes and mounds of hay bales to hide behind, if the first doesn't stop him. Binkie also has a very hard time allowing my husband to kiss me goodbye in the morning, we've tried diversion, darting for the kiss and dodge ball, tossing something else he can chase.

Well, so, just let me know if there is someone in your life needing a little herding action, I have a sheepdog for hire.

n.
p.s. you can spy a pic of Brinkie in my gallery, he's the one with a tick in his eye!

Well, I've been thinking lately that I get along splendidly with animals from all walks of life,this does not hold true for me with people from all walks. Like just the other day, after a ride on my horse, I return to the barn to find the ponies running amuck in the center aisle while gorging themselves on the the contents of the treat container. I toss my horse quickly into the first stall, fully tacked, so as he too won't get any ideas in his head, about joining in on the fun.

I walk up to the ponies, with my hands on my hips and quickly grab the container before they get any ideas. While they are cleaning up the rest of the treats all over the floor, I am pondering my next move. Well, I did not have to think long the largest, Elvis follows me for the container right into a stall. Good only one more escapee left!

The smallest pony, S'mores eyeballs the container and I rush into the next stall with him in hot pursuit. Now, this may seem like a simple
solution to you, but I have not had the easiest time in the human relations department. Although I always mean well, I am sometimes misunderstood. Maybe, if I can figure a way of influencing people with sweets I could be better understood, or perhaps just attract more followers. But, is it followers I want? No, they get annoying and I hate when they start worshiping the ground you walk on. It's pitiful.

What I think it is that I want is to simply be understood on the first round and not have to go back and re-explain myself. That means better communication skills, both on the giver and the receiver. Don't ya think?? I never have to re-explain myself with the animals, I might have to be more forceful or cunning to get my points across, but I am rarely misunderstood. Gotta love them! That's why I've got to write what I know about, so I don't have to grope for thoughts or stump my readers. I don't want anyone falling asleep. God, I'm putting myself to sleep and it's only afternoon. Maybe, that's why my husband keeps a filled jar of candy on his desk at work, to get them where he wants them... awake.

The look on my horse's face this morning when, I came down and just let him go out and play, was priceless, he looked at me as if I just gave him a jar of treats. It was pure joy that I wasn't going to make him work. I guess we all could use some treats in our lives,
And, here's one for you...Bye!

n.

After all these years you'd think I would give up the hope that some woman or man out there would say, "Wow, you are mine there is no doubt about it." Being adopted is something you always live with, because most states have closed records. I was hoping with the age of computers that if, perhaps there was someone out there looking, like I would be if I had given up a child, that there would be a bit of a hope they may find me. What is with this culture, that kids are relinquished and never sought after again?

I have a very healthy ego, I do not know why, it has indeed been an enigma to me in most of my adult life. For most of my adolescent years, I suffered from extreme shyness, and the abominable blushing that would make me want to suction quickly into a mole hole. I still blush, but it is mostly in passing. And, who the hell cares?

"A Child Waits..."
In my local paper three children need a home, they are Beverly, Clarence, and Danny, three beautiful siblings.

Already, I feel I know them, want them, and would try, if the system were not so difficult, to adopt. We have already tried to adopt in the MN system and it was always a no, they would give a child to a couple, especially one with no children. I will keep them in my heart and hope if fate intervenes, they could join this happy farm, this happy family.

hugs and good night.
n.

We have eight horses and to never have had one colic is pretty amazing. But, our newest addition, Hannah, had come close to getting compacted. Because of the amazing world of the internet, I quickly googled for equine colic. After reading the first two articles, I quickly called our vet and she was out in a half hour. Hannah was not eating or drinking, she would attempt like she wanted to eat, then she would stop. Well the articles said to take away all food until the vet makes a diagnosis. The doctor gave her an anti-inflamitory, and a shot to calm her, put her hand up her rectum and pulled out manure. (I know this is graphic but this really happened). She examined it and said it was good we called because she was close to becoming impacted. The grass in the paddock is all dried up and this was not good for them. So, Hannah then had a hose put in her nostril and pushed down her neck into her stomach (amazing). A mix of oil and water was pumped into her stomach. Within a short time she was back to her old self. However, in the midst of observing this procedure on Hannah, I heard a rush of dogs escaping from the house. My dog Reilly, the Golden who was with me in the barn decided to go back in and he opened the front door and let all the other dogs out. I had to rush to the car and try to find them in the dark and after a drive around their usual haunts I returned and heard their collars clanking in the dark. I yelled for them and they all jumped in for the ride back home.

I was still running on adrenalin when I finally came in to eat about l0 p.m. So, it took me a while to wind down. I did one more check in the barn, and found them all peaceful and munching. I filled up the water buckets and said my good nights. Well, it felt like a week, after that one night. I rested the next day and feel much more like myself now.

I'm sure people wonder why we have so many animals, but it seems they keep finding us. Hannah found us from my volunteering for the riding for the disabled. She had jumped a split rail to be with some other mares and she hurt her leg and was supposed to be lame for life. I couldn't help myself when they said she needed a home. She limped into her stall the first time she arrived and then she healed so rapidly, it was dubbed a miracle. I think it was her running with the herd that brought her back. Before she was standing still in a muddy paddock, not moving much. As all my children grow up and leave the nest I keep saying I am trying to downsize, but Hannah needed us and we had the space. She is a loving, gentle horse and my daughter's gelding Luke is quite smitten with her. He even lets her in his stall to dine together...quite the couple! Speaking of couples, my husband and I are celebrating our 2lst anniversary tonight and I am going to say good bye and get on some party clothes! Have a great weekend all you party animals!

n.