June 30, 2005

Viva, Black Hills!

We are off and running - hopefully - tomorrow morning for our annual vacation to the little cabin in Nemo. It was so hard to figure out which horses to take. Craig limited the horses this year from four to three, since we needed a stall to bring hay out for the week since most of the spring grass will have been eaten or dried up by this time.

It is much more work to get ready for a trip than to just stay home. We had to line up housesitters, horse feeders, and volunteers to keep watch over the farm as well as paying help. I leave concerned about Haiaku, Precious, Little Tyrone (who has come up sore on a front leg), and all the rest that depend on us for tender care. To add to the regular, routine stress and anxiety, my 18 year old accidentally ran over one of my gray tabby cats named Rascal four days ago. I had wondered why Rascal was wandering the premesis with his tail dragging the past few days. I had started him on antibiotics, not knowing what exactly I was treating and on the verge of a vet visit when my daughter came home last night and I heard what I did not know - she admitted that she ran him over four days ago. I looked at her, bewildered, wondering why she would not have told me earlier. She said she was afraid I would be upset!!!! I guess self-preservation before concern for the life of a cat was paramount here (not pleased with this either), but Rascal is eating well and the vet is on call if we should need her in case he takes a turn for the worse. Betsy, our wonderful office help who also brings a day camper down for lessons, was kind enough to offer to take Rascal home and care for him while we were away, but Rascal didn't think much of the idea when we put him in a cage and got out and ran. So... he will have to spend his time indoors here while we are gone and my daugher, being responsible this time, will give him his antibiotics.

Sigh... my husband Craig says that something like this always happens to us before we leave for vacation, and I have to agree. Nevertheless, I feel very at peace with leaving knowing that the farm is in such good hands with our house sitter and volunteers, as well as my dear daughter.

We will be a family this week, with foster children either at respite or with relatives for vacation. It seems empty yet we must recognize our need for peace and time together without worry. I hope that our foster children have a great time at their respective places!

When we return Zeus and Josie and Lulu will be the new additions to our family. They will join Squire One and Latasha and Mighty Mack who are all still waiting for homes. Mighty Mack has a good start on saddle training while Latasha is still waiting. Squire is as saddle trained as you could ask for, and daily goes out on jogs with my foster daughter down the road or anywhere else you please. He so deserves a permanent home with someone who can appreciate the personality of this loving horse!!

When we return we will get ready for fairs, clinics (dont forget the hoof clinic on July 23 and don't forget to bring a horse to ride here at the farm!!)... and trail rides. Also Wild West Days are coming, Bark in the Park, and Super Night. We are proud to be part of a national radio talk show called Horsetalk, which airs weekly and we are honored to be featured regularly on this show, which is sponsored by Country Vet Supply among other major retailers in the horse industry. Richard Shrake will soon be a guest on the show as well, so we are in great company! I will let you know what stations are carrying this national talk show as soon as I get a listing.

Wish us well on our break - I will be thinking of you as I ride the Black Hills!

Hugs,
Susan