The Youngest

Case on Ginger

After we endured temperatures below 0 this past weekend, we were rewarded for our perseverance with sunny and 60 today! Whatever! I am so weather weary! This weekend we’ll be springing ahead into daylight saving time and winter hell will be almost over!

I slipped on a sweatshirt and my riding pants and was surprised when I asked my youngest son, Case, if he wanted to go riding with me and he said, “Yes.” He went on to say “Someone needs to take the buck out of Butter!” Guess he heard me complaining about my short ride on his horse last week and pretty sure he thought he would do better! I put a saddle on Windy, he barebacked. The only dry place was down the road.

I am pleased to report there was no buck in Butter. And even though Case hasn’t had his butt on a horse since November, he rides like it was yesterday. He’s probably even better. He’s taller and stronger; just more grown up. Wish I had grabbed my camera... he was in his basketball sweatpants and athletic shoes, AE sweatshirt and his riding helmet! Equestrian chic? Not!

Case has a nice seat and if he had the passion, he could do anything… rodeo and speed events would have been most likely. When I was planting the seed, we didn’t have the right horse for him and he lost interest. His natural abilities go beyond riding; he excels at all the sports he participates in. And the traditional sports are more his thing than the horses. As someone who has never had any natural ability to do anything except talk too much, I find it uncanny he’s from my loin!

Nonetheless, I enjoyed our time together this afternoon… just riding down the road.

A New Addition

Madeline & her cat, Tommy

About ten years ago, I found myself without a dog. My old dog had died the previous summer and our 7 year old English Springer Spaniel, Macy, passed away unexpectedly a few months later. The house was unbearably lonely. I found another springer, Madeline, a few weeks after Macy died. It wasn’t long after Maddie settled in, that I was at the Humane Society helping my mom pick out a dog and noticed a St. Bernard in a pen waiting to be adopted. I mentioned it to John later that evening and was surprised when he returned there the next day. He didn’t get the dog I saw, but came home with a big black dog. She resembled a Newfoundland, but we were told she was Lab/Saint cross. For the next 9 years, Jo-Jo was a part of our farm life. We lost her to bone cancer about 1-1/2 years ago.

Jo-Jo

I thought about getting another giant breed after Jo-Jo died. I like having an outdoor dog to alert us to people coming onto the farm and keeping the wild animals at bay. I ended up finding Ritz, a white German Shepherd. He was 6 months old and bigger than a puppy per se, but something different. After meeting him, the kids unanimously voted we take Ritz home. He came to us with a kennel, his own set of bath towels, a huge box of toys and great medical records. He had every shot known and was bathed weekly at Pet Smart by his former owner. He’s forgotten his cushy start to life living here with us. And other than losing a couple teeth to a horse kick, I’m pretty sure he is about as happy a dog can be!

Puttin' on the Ritz

This past Friday, there was an ad on Craig’s List for 8 week old Saints and priced right – free! My heart started pounding. I was very tempted to call and tell them "YES! I’ll take one or three!" As a friend said, I could ask forgiveness later, right? But I didn’t. Instead I called John and tested the waters. Either he was in a good mood or knew he wouldn’t win the battle. I got the green light.

When Case and I picked up the puppy, we noticed his more humble beginning than that of Ritz. I couldn’t help but think of the Ritz Carlton vs. the Motel 6. So that is how the puppy got his name. Bodett. Tom Bodett. Of the Motel 6 fame. (I’ll leave the light on for you…)

Meet Bo.