AND THEY CAME
IN GROUPS OF THREE... that is how most who saw us as we traversed
across the northwest would describe us during our wonderful
journey to bring new horses to their new adopters. We had three
children (Zach, Rachel and Jordan), three dogs (Wolfie, Tina
and Cookie) and three horses (EV Mack, Bold N Rare, and Fargo)
accompanying us for the thousands of miles it took us to go
from Wisconsin to destinations west of the mighty Mississippi.
We packed the truck with plenty of Little Debbie snacks, bottled
water, and juices and sodas, and made sure we didn't forget
the tv/vcr combo that plugged into our cigarette lighter! When
you are toting a 4 and 7 year old, entertainment seems mandatory.........thinking
back on the days when I was growing up, the scenery outside
my back seat window seemed more than sufficient to keep me occupied,
but I did pack a few coloring books and books to read. I saw
Shrek more times than I care to let you know, and headphones
that plugged into the tv/vcr kept the audio from blaring into
Craig's tender ears en route.
We tried to plan for many days in advance of our trip, but things
always come up. You know how attached I am to my pets (and children
but they always come with me), and this trip was no exception.
On the day before my scheduled departure, Wolfie became worse
and stopped eating. Craig thought that he sensed we were leaving
and would not take treats, but I thought it was something more.
I rushed him in for an emergency appointment on Sunday at noon,
and the vet was at a loss. His hypothesis was that if Wolfie
had not responded to ALL the antibiotics we have used with him
since May, it might be something more serious. He suggested
that we do another set of x-rays and an endoscopy. He also suggested
that if I left him at home, that I might want to say "good
bye" to him before I left, since he may die while I was
away for 11 days. THAT DID IT! No way was I going to leave him
behind. Dr. Timan prescribed some Orbax as a last-ditch effort
to combat his nasal infection, and we were good to go, hoping
that Wolfie would survive, whether he came with us or stayed
home.
I drove home,
scared to death to ask Craig if we could take Wolfie on our
trip. After all, he is more than tolerant of my shenanigans
most of the time, but this might be asking a little much - to
haul a 100 pound dog along with us on a thousand mile + excursion?
My tears flowed, realizing that I may have to leave him behind
if I couldn't convince my hubby........
When I got home I believe Craig could read my mind - without
me even saying anything he let out a resounding "NO".....................I
immediately lost control and went crying into the house. Craig
followed, feeling badly that he had answered before I could
even ask. We discussed the situation, and after me promising
to keep Wolfie clean and in the goose neck dressing room of
the trailer, he resigned himself to Wolfie coming along. He
simply didn't want to have to live with the guilt that my dog
died while I was away on a trip (which didn't happen anyway).
My son Jordan, 14, was afraid that if Wolfie died on our trip,
we would have to haul him all the way back to Wisconsin in the
horse trailer to bury him. Somehow the thought of that completely
grossed him out. Too bad...................we weren't leaving
him!
So on Monday morning, away we all went - 3 kids, 3 dogs, and
3 horses - on an journey west. Wolfie made the entire trip without
complaint - as long as he was with us he was happy. No barks,
no growls, no breaking doors down. A couple at the Battle of
Big Horn Museum in Montana had to get out of their RV and take
pictures of Wolfie - they were impressed. Wolfie just got in
and out, in and out, until we got to Nemo and our cabin in South
Dakota. We stayed for two days, and rode horses on Centennial
Trail in the Black Hills. EV Mack acted like he had been doing
it his whole life as I rode him past pines and wildlife, and
Bold N Rare was just simply astounded at all the change that
has occurred in her life since last summer and followed behind
my husband's horse in awe. I did try to ride Bold N Rare as
I had done two weeks before, but she took off like a bucking
bronco after I tacked her up, and after catching her I didn't
feel like pushing the subject of a possible encounter with a
coyote or deer while on her back! It was a surprise, knowing
how absolutely gentle she is 99% of the time - guess I caught
her on a bad day?
Getting to Montana was equally easy - we passed Devil's Tower
and realized that our cabin in South Dakota is only 49 miles
from Wyoming! The trip across Montana found us hungry - I swear
every Flying J Truck Stop that we came to I ate a bear and a
half, and probably gained the weight to show it (I've been doing
Tai Bo since I got back!!!). Wolfie wasn't too crazy about waiting
for us in the dressing room of the trailer, and one time chewed
up his water bucket and put some nice holes in the carpet. The
next time we stopped we put Tina in the back with him, which
worked out well for Wolfie but Tina was shaking like a leaf
for the whole trip! Still, it gave him confidence.
Montana was golden and beautiful, and going through the mountains
before Bozeman was amazing, and cold and windy!!! Undaunted,
the horses unloaded from the trailer and met Jean, who had adopted
Mack. A Standardbred and a Thoroughbred Jean already owned came
out to meet the horses, and before long they were settled in
on the mountain. I stood on top of Jean's property with the
two horses while the wind whipped through my hair and the horses'
manes, and suddenly realized that my job was finished - and
it was time to cut the heartstrings as I bid the two horses
farewell. I also realized that this may be the last time I would
touch them or talk to them ever again, and I began to sob!!!!!
Luckily, no one noticed, and I quickly brushed the tears away
and what I didn't brush away quickly evaporated into the atmosphere.
We were invited in for coffee with Jean and met her husband
- and she even welcomed the three kids and three dogs!!! When
it was time to go, we got into the truck and Bold N Rare spotted
us as we were leaving the driveway, and began to follow the
trailer along the fenceline. I lost it again........!!!
Now I know everyone
is settled - EV Mack has been riding in the mountains with Jean
and is doing GREAT, and Bold N Rare is home in San Jose, California
with Cathy and arrived safe and sound. They have truly fallen
in love with her and her gentle ways, and she has served as
a fabulous representative of the breed to others at the boarding
stable. These two adoptions occurred sight unseen, and the adopters
are tickled - that is a great testament to the Standardbred,
isn't it?????
We stayed at a motel in Livington, Montana and Wolfie handled
his stay like a true gentleman. The kids go to swim, we ate
pizza and junk until we blew up like little piggies, then we
were off to South Dakota for a few more days of "r"
and "r". Wolfie began to respond to the medication
and began to eat!
Back in Nemo, we could hardly wait to get to Moonshine Gulch
in Rochford to see our friends and have a burger. We went on
a Sunday and there was a serious cribbage tournie going on there,
and it was almost standing room only. Moonshine Gulch (see pictures)
is out in the boonies of the Black Hills, yet Garth Brooks,
Jay Leno, and a host of other celebs have found their way there
and left autographs on the walls! The owner is close to my heart,
as she nurses orphaned fawns and injured deer in need of rescue,
rehabilitates them, and re-releases them out her back door when
they are healthy. We love to share stories of our hooved animal
friends with each other.
One night was
spent in Deadwood as Craig and I played a few slots and had
dinner together. I came out the winner by putting a dollar and
a half's worth of pennies in a slot machine and winning over
$63!!! Yay!!! I felt so lucky!!! We went to Rapid City, Battle
of Big Horn Museum (Custer's Last Stand), and we went caving
in old gold mines. Jordan went rock climbing (see pictures)
and we even went for a dip in the creek behind our cabin. The
fishing was fun, and fish are in the freezer for the next time
we make it back to Nemo. We played Tiddly Winks, Bingo, and
some mean poker games! What a blessing to enjoy the family and
everything around us.
I have still been trying to catch up since we came home. We
just picked up Liberty in Iowa and her is here, while T-Bone
and Callie wait to go to Iowa to their new family. We showed
horses last Saturday and plan to continue to show horses this
week and weekend. The only sad thing I have to report is that
Wolfie had his endoscopy completed yesterday at La Crosse Veterinary
Clinic, and they confirmed a sarcoma in his nasal cavity. He
has cancer..........................the last thing I wanted
to hear. They feel it is inoperable, and he is now on prednisone
to take down swelling of the mass. The steroids seem to be helping,
as he is breathing through his nose, yet he has lost a few pounds
since our last vet visit. Hopefully the steroids will bring
back his appetite, and I definitely don't want to see him suffer.
Now when I look at the pictures of him in South Dakota and with
us on our trip, I have no regrets...............................he
was with us, where he wanted to be. If any of you have any suggestions
on how to help shrink a cancerous mass in the head area, please
let me know. I am going to consult with my veterinarian who
is into homeopathy when she comes back from vacation and see
what we can do. After all, no matter what the age, they deserve
our best to help them, right?
I am here - waiting to see you and show off the horses! In the
meantime, love, live and laugh!!!
Always,
Susan
