My Boy and My Dog

I made it up to see my horse. Despite a stuffed up nose and an annoying cough. You know, I had the energy, so I did it. The clouds burned off and it was a warm sunny afternoon. My Boy was in the middle of his dinner and gave me a little hassle about being caught. For some reason, he also does this after not seeing me for a week. It's like he's forgotten what humans are or something. My sister had her vet out to finish her mare's strangles booster earlier this week. She talked to the vet about My Boy's head shaking episode. Her vet seemed to think it was not an allergic reaction, but maybe a mild cold. Maybe that's who got me sick?! But really, I was a little worried. His nose does seem slightly more drippy than usual. The mucous looks a little light greenish. But I know what bad mucous looks like, and this is not bad. My sister's mare had the scariest horse mucous I have ever seen last spring. And I heard the strangles virus can cause green mucous. My sister is watching for that in her mare. And My Boy had that vaccination a week and a half ago. So I plan to keep an eye on him. And worry. Because that's what I do best!
I was excited to try on My Boy's new Parelli halter. I thought it looked quite good on him.
This is what half of the arena looked like when we got there. It has rained a lot in the past few days. I debated on whether or not I should get out the canoe or the water wings. But I decided that My Boy and I could handle it. He likes to drink out of the puddles. It has been an obsession for him since last winter. He would even break the ice on top of them. It is not like we don't give him a huge stock tank of water. I read in an issue of my Appaloosa Journal that it is a good thing if your trail horse can drink water from a variety of water sources. This could come in handy someday. I, however, will not be drinking out of puddles. Should we become lost, I will most likely become dehydrated and perish.

By the way, my new white Parelli yachting line did not stay very white in this arena today. Oh well. I'm over it. My Boy and I played some of the Parelli seven games. Okay Pony Girl, what do you want me to do?

I have done similar games with him off and on. Loosely based on the little Parelli I have learned from my mom. And some general desensitization and moving away from pressure techniques. I was happy with My Boy's effort today. Despite having only half of his dinner. And it being warm out. And having those annoying gnat flies dive bombing his head. I think this Parelli stuff will be fun. Something new and challenging. He needs that. Gotta keep him on his hooves. He gets too bored and too cranky. I want to show him that our time together can be enjoyable.

We ended with his favorite thing. When I put him away, he did not linger near the gate like he usually does, and watch me go. He high-tailed it back to his hay. Where's the love?I just love this little horse bell hanging on the gate post of My Boy's pasture. I do not know where it came from. I decided I'm going to start ringing it when I go to catch My Boy. Maybe it will work like a clicker and a few months from now, I will just ring the bell and he'll come running. His mane and tail blowing in the wind. We will see. It will be an experiment. It worked for Pavlov, did it not?

I saw a lot of wildlife on the Painted Creek tonight. Lions and ravens and bears, oh my! Here is Simba.

You have to wear earplugs around this cat. I swear it. I think she is deaf. She talks to you non-stop. She missed her calling, singing in a kitty choir.

Here is the raven. He is keeping a watchful eye on the horse pastures.

And the bear. I think he caught that fish in the pond. Hope he avoided that Pond Monster.

And here is my dog Bailey. Some might argue that he is really NOT my dog.

But here is a story to prove that he might be. When I got to the farm tonight, my sister's boyfriend had already fed the horses. The dogs go along to feed. Bailey always wanders off into the woods for an adventure. The other dog, Sadie, came back to the house with the boyfriend. When I showed up, I went inside to change into my horsey clothes. The boyfriend was calling Bailey. And calling him. I went outside and started gathering My Boy's things. The boyfriend is still calling Bailey. Look, let me show you how it's done, I said. I call and whistle twice, TWICE for Bailey. I see his dark body running high speed across the back fence of My Boy's pasture. Tongue out, he gallops across the yard, right to me. I give him a big hug and a cookie and turn to the boyfriend. And you say this isn't my dog?