God Smiled at Me Today

God smiled at me today and it was good.  VERY GOOD.

Having worked on mending three broken ribs this past six weeks, this was THE day.  A fine day to ride, too, with the air cool and crisp and a sky without clouds.  Being astride my gelding, Irish, was so incredibly lovely, so powerful and liberating, so immensely endearing that I am still, as of nine p.m. this night, giddy and yearning for more.  Tomorrow.

There were other blessings as well.  The first was an answer to a prayer.  Following an extensive job search, my son, Nick, landed a part-time work today.  Work that will provide income and the flexibility to pursue an internship with Oregon State Parks.  YAHOO!  Go Nick!

Next, Dr. Megan Jurasek of Banks Veterinary Service ultrasounded the tendons and ligaments in Whisper's left rear fetlock to hock region.  Miraculously, the deep flexor tendon, suspensory ligaments, and tendon sheath are in very good shape.  Running through the various options, Dr. Megan helped me design a "low-impact" exercise and supplement (Legend) program to make Whisper pasture sound.  For the first time in well over a month, I am guardedly optimistic.

Finally, the good doctor and I worked together to get Sombra's, Lei Lei's, and Sprite's nails trimmed.  All three dogs were very good sports, a big improvement over going to the vet clinic for a trim.

While these events seem discrete, they "feel" connected.  It was an incredibly difficult start to this year -- broken ribs, emergency life-saving colic surgery for Jetblue, and what could have been a terminal injury for Whisper.  Now, things are on the upswing.  Good and strong and comforting, the pulse of the universe surrounds me.  Like a pasture fence post at dusk, I am again aglow and connected.

God, if you're still awake, I'm smiling right back at you!

Making the Switch to Dr. Megan Jurasek, DVM

Recently, I decided to try a relatively new veterinarian in our area.  I had been meaning to do so for some time and a single event at the old clinic -- a doctor insisting on prescribing a medication that could potentially make an aggressive dog more so -- provided added incentive.

It's a good thing, too.  The move brought me back to someone I've known for a long time, Dr. Megan Jurasek of Banks Veterinary Clinic.  I first met Megan when my son and daughter, Nick and Rosie participated in Washington County's Horse 4-H program.  Megan was one of the older kids, a smart, funny, kind young lady with some very big dreams.  Now, she's taking care of my family's four dogs and sole cat.

A week ago, I took my ailing nineteen year-old Beagle/Whippet, Princess, to Dr. Megan.  Princess's system was a mess.  The pain medication she'd been taking had wreaked havoc with her system and she appeared to be failing.  Within hours of seeing our new vet, Princess was on the mend and I felt better,too.  A few days ago, Princess was frolicking in the living room with our yearling Miniature Pinscher/Rat Terrier, Sprite.  It's been an amazing transformation.

The best part of seeing Dr. Megan is the sense that we are working together to manage Princess's care.  That may mean skipping certain vaccines or opting to use flea control only if necessary in lieu of a new heart medication or prescription food that keeps Princess's system balanced.  Dr. Megan is genuinely mindful of my desire to reconcile Princess's needs with my budget, something that never seemed to occur with the old clinic.

Making the switch feels good and I'm happy to be supporting one of the "kids" I know, a smart, funny, kind young woman who is well on her way to achieving her dreams.

"I hope to make people realize how totally helpless animals are, ow dependent on us, trusting as a child must that we will be kind and take care of their needs...  [They] are an obligation put on us, a responsibility we have no right to neglect, nor to violate with cruelty." ~James Herriot

Keep Your Friendships In Repair

The title line for today's post is a quote from American essayist, lecturer, and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882).

Frenchwoman Stephanie Fournier, a good friend to my son, Nick, had an unexpected surprise this morning as we snapped a few photos down by the riding arena.  The first frame, with Stephanie holding my Rat Terrier/Miniature Pinscher cross, Sprite, was textbook perfect.

Sprite, who is normally ultra reserved with all visitors, has always had a huge soft spot for Stephanie.  Today, the little dog decided to declare her love in no uncertain terms.  Sprite planted a big wet kiss on her favorite new friend!

Expertise

One of our most valuable assets is our ability to draw on each others strengths.  Such was the case today when Rosie returned home to Sweetgrass to help guide Lorenzo and me through a few tough spots with Drifty.  Over the years, Rosie has gained a lot of expertise when it comes to training nervous and dominant mares and her continued studies in the discipline of Dressage benefit our riding as well.  We're grateful for her help and proud to call her ours.  Here's some snapshots of Rosie and Irish with Lorenzo and Drifty.

 

Bad Horse, Good Horse

Over this past weekend my filly, Jetblue, was a regular bronc.  It's not surprising, given that Jetblue had life-saving surgery to repair a right lateral displacement of her bowel five weeks ago.  Since then, she's been on stall rest with twice daily hand-walking.  For the energetic coming two filly, it's been a very long five weeks.

On balance, Jetblue has been a model patient.  But this weekend through Monday, when Lorenzo had the chance to get away and spend time with his family, when it was my son, Nick, who walked Jetblue, the filly got her naughty on.  She balled up, bucked, kicked, struck out with her front hooves, and tried to bite Nick.  At one point, she even slipped on the pavement, tumbled to the ground, and scraped up two of her legs.

It was a dangerous situation and I urged Nick to use a stud chain or a crop.  He was worried about getting Jetblue even more riled up, so he gutted it out instead.  Nick's safety and that of Jetblue's was enough to make me bring out a big gun.  Yesterday morning, after the horses were fed, I doused a few softened Berry Good horse treats with ACE, a safe and effective sedative.  Jetblue gobbeled them down and we waited about forty-five minutes or so before Nick attempted walking her.  Thankfully, the ACE made Jetblue manageable, although it didn't seem to curb her desire to bite.

So this morning, when Lorenzo returned, I explained the situation.  He felt fairly confident that Jetblue would be fine.  Amazingly, she was.  The difference?  When Lorenzo went to halter the filly, she did what she'd done to Nick all weekend long -- she pinned her ears, snaked her head, and became threatening.

Lorenzo's response to the cranky filly was far different than Nick's.  Hard and fast, he grabbed the crop leaning outside Jetblue's stall and smacked the filly once across her chest.  Jetblue immediately backed down and when Lorenzo once again invited her to be haltered, she did so willingly.

Is Jetblue a bad horse?  No, she's just a young, frustrated horse who is not able to get enough exercise during this critical post-surgery recovery time.  Did Lorenzo do the right thing?  Absolutely.  A horse that is bucking, kicking, biting, and striking is a significant safety issue.  Diffusing her ill intentions early on  helped make the whole experience safer for both handler and horse.  Doing so was the price of admission to see Jetblue's "good horse" side.

Lorenzo Walks Jetblue

My Calendar, My Life

The calendar keeps the record of my life here at the ranch:  due dates, births, significant events, fertilizer and horticultural oil applications, birthdays, check-ups with the doctor and dentist, farrier and vet appointments, clinics, horse shows, vaccinations, classes, writers' group meeting, vacations, deaths and more.

The notations are not anything fancy, just a quick few words scribbled on the date and near the time.  Sometimes, if I'm so moved, I embellish the entry with a smiley face -- a love note to this very blessed life of mine.

One of my favorite times of the year is when the frost is no more and it's time to plant peas.

The New February Sky Is Not Given to Glory

In the next couple of years, we are looking to downsize our house and possibly acquire more acreage, the new Sweetgrass Ranch.  It's difficult to find anything that remotely compares to our present location as evidenced by a quick drive by of a Yamhill County property earlier today.  There wasn't anything wrong with the place -- it even had a nice view if you don't mind big power lines...

Tonight, the sky lit up and I felt the immense power of this sacred ground that houses me, my family, and our many critters.  It was enough to inspire a snapshot and a poem.  Wherever you are, I hope you find this same sense of "connection" with your home.

Sunset Over the Horse Paddocks at Sweetgrass Ranch

~~~~~

February Sky and South Wind

by Susan Fay

~

The new February Sky 

Is not given to glory

She's a woman of strong convictions

Her life, a grand story

With a cloak that speaks of winter

Its shades muted grey

Her resolve is oft icy

To many a fine suitor's dismay

Yet the lads, they come calling

With offerings galore

There are crocus and daffodils bloomin'

Soft fine pussy willows and more

There's but one gent among them

Can unchain a February heart

He's seductive, the South Wind

Oh so smooth, oh so smart

His warm advances, they undo her

As her cape starts to flutter

Revealing a heart longing and lively

With warm tones gold as butter

As the sun takes his leave

The lovers join in a fiery dance

February Sky and South Wind locked

In an earthly romance

Their affair, one of great passion

With interludes of quiet and calm

In time they fashion

An ease, a truce, a balm

And witnessing their great love

The whole world wakes anew and sings

As South Wind and February Sky birth their fair child

The long awaited Spring

The poem -- "February Sky and South Wind" by Susan Fay -- is copyright 2012.  If you would like to use this poem for any reason, please contact Susan at susan.fay@coho.net or by using the comments function of this blog.  Use without permission is prohibited.