Meet George...

So, I am packing and sorting, and the boys say, "You Gotta Come See This! It's a Hound Dog!"
My first thought? Oh Joy...another dog.
So, I go see and I know that at least a few of my readers are going to know exactly what type of hound dog this is.
Poor guy. A conservative estimate would place him at least 25lbs. underweight.

And little man says, "Can we keep George?"
Me: "Who is George?"
Little man: "Him silly can we please?"
Me: "We'll see."

So, I call the Sheriffs Department. Nope, no notices about good old George. Call the shelter. Uh huh.
Call the local vets. Strikes 3 and 4.
What I can't understand is I know these dogs sell for BIG money.
Certainly more than I have ever paid for a horse.
So, why is no one looking for George?

I will give you a clue about Georges ancestors. They are lion hunters. No joke and no play on words.

He sits, lays down, and shakes with both front paws. Starving but the damnedest polite dog when it comes to food I have ever come across.
I just don't understand.*shakes head*
Poor George.
And poor me. You know if The Lord is going to continue directing these lost souls here it sure would be nice if they came with a gold coin in their mouths.
You know for the little things.
Food, heartworm medication, and neutering and spaying.*sigh*

Did I mention he follows me to the bathroom? I don't like dogs. Someone should tell him that.
Course he opened the door just like my cat and sat there and looked at me.
Might be hope for him yet. Especially if he acts like a cat.
He has the most God awful bay. Ear piercing actually.

Where Oh Where...

Okay...WARNING!...today is my cranky day. The farmer still does not have his corn out of the field so that we may fence.
HELLLLLOOOOOO...it is November.
And no, the field is not too wet. He just has not got around to it.:(
I know. Take a deep breath.
But jeez...that is over 3 acres that needs to be fenced and I really was not planning on doing it after the freeze.

You know how sometimes you just wake up tired? Yep, that is today. I am going to go and take my bad temper out on cleaning my area rugs.
Hell, there are only 5. 7'x9'11 and 8'x12' and 3 5'x8'. How long can that take?
Considering one is a chenille like finish I am thinking the whole day.
YAY! *sarcasm*

2 of the dogs who did not pass their work training trials are going to new homes on Friday. Which will bring us to a grand total of 3.
Yes 3. Not 15+ as one person claimed.
I am not much of a dog person. I know...I know...but after losing Nelson it is almost a given that I won't meet my next canine friend for another 10 or so years.
That is just how it works for me.
I will be feeding these 3 until then only because "they" think they are mine.

I was doing a head count on the kitties so that no one gets left behind. I think at this point there are 3 kittens, 2 Mama cats, and 3 boys.
As Francesca lives in the house it isn't possible to forget about her.

5 geese, 3 hens, 1 rooster, and one guinea hen, comprise our poultry population.
And 14 f*cking equines.
I can't believe I said that. But I did. And 4 of them need to find new homes.
Like yesterday.
Boy I sound tough and uncaring don't I? Sound being the operative word in that sentence.

I never wanted to have 14 horses. Never...never...NEVER... I think it is stupid for one person to have that many. If they have a breeding program, or a school barn, or something, that is different.
And I think it is stupid for one person to try and make up for the irresponsibility of several people.
Ask me how many horses I personally have??? I dare ya!!!
The answer is a reasonable and responsible 3.
I have my 2 yr old Doc O'Lena gelding. My 2 yr old Nick Shoemaker bred filly. And my yearling Topsail Cody stud colt. *gasp* Yep...juju bees and all.

Micah has Reyna and Copper. Andrew has the yellow horse for now. And hubby has Jasmine.
And there is our obligatory Pepsi.
That makes a grand total of 8. So...why do we have 8 more?
Don't let the math confuse you. We still have ownership of Nesta and Molly even though they are in sanctuary.
After years of study I have concluded it is because our Christianity gets in the way of our common sense.

And you know what? I am done. I am done cleaning up after irresponsible animal owners. They will always outnumber my efforts.
Sad but true.
I am not a good beggar. And after hearing someone elses description of what we do?
Yes, apparently we take free horses from the community.
That was unbelievable to me. I have never once in my whole life taken or received a free horse. Nope.
I have always found that in order to save something from someone I have had to pay for the privilege of doing so.

I did warn that today was my cranky day right? Well I am going to let rip and then I will go and clean rugs and forgettaboutit.
The community we live in for the most part provides abysmally for its equines.
Twice yearly farrier visits, twice yearly deworming. That is considered good care.
WhooHoot!!! And fuck you seriously.

I paid $100 for a filly that had her tendon sheath opened up and her ear tips missing.
After having the vet tend her for another injury when I did not even own her. But I sure did pay that bill too.
And that was after getting another frantic call about her being trapped under a feed box in a manger in a tie stall.
Yeah...these professional horse people can be scary in the depth of their knowledge.
3 weeks of hydro and wrapping and all sorts of anti-infection treatment and fighting to keep the sheath attached so that it could heal properly.
$300 vet bill for that injury alone. Probably another equal amount in supplies to treat her.
Free horses my ass. May I direct all further questions and complaints to 1-800-UP YOURS?
And for the record??? That is the cheapest FREE horse I ever received from this community.

And then there was the 3 year old filly with the smashed pelvis and let's just leave her behind the barn without food and water she will die eventually right?
$50 for the horse
$55 for transport
$180 for the vet
$70 for the farrier
$25 for anti-fungal
$30 for the coggins

And the blind mini

$30 for purchase
$20 for transport
$198 for the farrier

God the list goes on and on. I traded an $800 saddle for Eli and Nesta. For them to have the right to retire.

Pappy and Cutter cost us about $1000 to provide interim care until they could go on to sanctuary.

I won't list all of the 40+ equines we assisted this year. Or, the money we spent.
I will say thank you to Kris and Jan for their help.
And I will say to the nay sayers KISS MY FAT KINDA WHITE ASS!!!

And in conclusion rescue is big business. You better have several jobs to make the world go round.

I cannot believe that anyone would have the nerve to challenge our work when it appears all they have ever really done is create more of it for us.
And if, one more individual takes it upon themselves to "talk" about what we actually "do" as some sort of authority?
The proof is in the pudding so to speak. I am at this moment PRO SLAUGHTER because a greater portion of the equine loving world are STUPID SELFISH AND CARELESS with their responsibilities and I do not have Bill Gates money to rectify the situation.
And truthfully, I would need his and Oprah's and a few more big hitters to even make a dent.
Damn...I know you bought an $80 bit but did you remember to buy hay?

Ask someone wearing boots and a ball cap or an honest to God COWBOY hat where their hoofpick is.
That more than anything will tell you the truth of what they really know.

Okay my spleen feels a little better...LOL

Is It Monday Again???

Oh Blessed Windmill. I have wanted one for so long...

East side of the livingroom. One big east facing window and one facing south.

West side of the livingroom. One big west facing window and another facing south.
The livingroom has an entry from the south facing porch.
Is anyone loving my pocket doors as much as I am?

We spent yesterday getting a new to us truck. A young mans project. His Father was a Chrysler mechanic until he retired. So, I presume, the young man had something to prove, not to mention, the best help a body could ask for.

It is a Dodge out of Texas. With a 1 ton rear end and 3/4 ton leaf springs. The best U-joints money can buy, and a Magnum V8 motor.(This was part of his sales pitch)
Everything that could be done has been. And he was so excited that we lived on a farm he threw in 5 extra tires and a pinto hitch.

It has a roll bar and two antennas. This cracks me up and makes hubby go Ooh.

It was a very enjoyable experience meeting these folks. And we did meet the whole family.
And we got a pretty nice little truck. For a runaway price.
$300.
And no I did not horsetrade the kid. I asked him his price and I paid it. How could I not?

So today, I will be cleaning rugs, carpets, and upholstery. And if, I have batteries taking some pictures.

Am I excited? Yes. And very... I am looking forward to having peace for my family restored.

Now What???

I have not been out and about taking pictures of anything. My house is a disaster, what with the packing, and pit stopping.
I need to finish washing blankets. If only, I had time to make it the laundromat for the several hours it will take.

I have a preliminary list of whose is going where equine wise. Is that a proper contraction?
Who cares...
I am going to try and get out in the next couple of weeks and go see my girls at Sanctuary.

Micah has a Halloween party this weekend. We need to pick up the truck on Monday. And then, all hell can break loose, because it will be moving time.
My girls are coming out to, in their words, help me decorate.
Translation? Free shop my stuff.

I will say that for the first time, in a long time, I am excited to make home out of a house.
Did I mention, there are pocket doors? Beautifully finished and working pocket doors.
The door from the kitchen to the diningroom swings both ways.
The staircase still makes me go Oooh and Ahhh.

There is a window seat in the diningroom. And the closets. Oh my word the closets...
I am thoroughly jazzed about this house.

The livingroom has four huge windows facing south. And it is perfectly proportioned for my rug.
I have certain things that are my favorite things that were not appropriate for where we currently are.

I love homemaking. Micah has been following me around as my assistant offering suggestions about what should go where.
He is just too cute.

I think we are all thrilled about a bath tub that can hold and let go of water through standard channels.lol

I am making soap this winter. For the first time in about 5 years I am making time to do so. I love making soap...

I am also refinishing the boys furniture into a new look. An antique blue with hammered iron hardware I think.
He has decided that he wants his tv moved into the livingroom. He wants to be in the hub of things.

And the water there has way less iron so perhaps it will be possible to have my whites be white again. Can you imagine???

Oh crap! I forgot to call and order the propane tank to be delivered. Gotta run.
Have a great day everyone.
Pictures next week for sure.
I still owe pictures of the heifer don't I?
Life has a way of...

Controversial? Maybe. Dead on? Definitely.

This is the work of folk artist Steven Chandler. Otherwise, known as, The Georgia Red Mud Painter. Let's just say, that I was immensely moved by his work. Which, I found reference to on a blog. Authored by a rather witty firebrand that goes by the moniker of BustedUpCowgirl. *very funny blog*
I do not feel the need to add any words. As, it is my contention, that this artist' work speaks for itself.
You can, if you so choose, read more about his work and motivation/inspiration here.
*fine art*

He was willing to donate the proceeds of this particular piece to a TB retirement home. But apparently, that was not good enough for those rabid, thong wearing, money throwing, mud wrestling, anti-slaughter, kill em with hope FOBs.

I am leading out with 2 bumper stickers. "Alex Brown Racing Killing Equines With Hope Not A Captive Bolt" and "Who Needs Slaughter When We Have The ABR?"

This is my swan song on this issue, and I will leave it to the very capable hands of, BUC and Steven Chandler. True artists both of them. In painting a very clear and true to life picture of, what exactly has gone wrong with rescue, and equine welfare, in the hands of Mr. Brown and his seemingly mindless minions, I mean...followers.

When people quite literally, get off on the ceaseless, and tireless, feeding of some bottomless pit of self-gratification by prolonging the misery of animals, I am done and I am out.
This isn't rescue. This is not equine welfare. It reminds me of that "Alien" movie where Sigourney Weaver sees the alien alter of herself that begs to be killed.
It is, in a word, "sick."

Back to happy stuff soon.

Well it is my Monday...

Been up since 6:30am. And what a day it has been already. Ooops...I mean morning.
God is surely smiling upon us.
Round bales, meadow hay, and alfalfa grass.
The price? Beautiful. $30 and $60 a ton.
Praise God!!!

Hubby is off to look at a truck. YAY!!! I am reconciling accounts from this weekend. And life is looking all right.
I traded some paint work for some fencing.
Even better.
And life at this moment feels pretty okay.

We went as exhibitors to Minnesota EquiFest this last weekend and that was very fine.
We met some good people. And people who are wanting to do more and better with their equines.
It was cool.
The folks who put it on are fabulous!!!
We will definitely be back next year.
We are also doing Horse Expo this next spring.

The vote is in. People like good tack reasonably priced. Who knew? *giggles*
Micah had a very good time. Until the ride home when I accidently packed him under the tack.
Kind of kidding. It was funny.

And we are looking forward to our move. YEEHAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So what is new with everyone!?!

Pssst CnJ...I brought it home. Sold my Monarch instead. THEE TRISTAN BELONGS TO ME DAMMIT!!!lol
Maybe next year my ass will be smaller and I won't want it anymore.*snort*
Kept my bridles too.
There are some things a person just should not be giving away.

So What Happens Next?

Everybody is going to have to wait until I have a nap. Sorry... I actually do need more than 20 hours a week sleep to function well.
Even more to be witty.

And I need to go and absorb what I witnessed today before commenting on it.