SAR Training Video

A short video of one of Tucker's SAR training drills. It was so neat to watch - all of the pieces are in place and now it's time to tune him in!! Enjoy!!

From the Manure Pile to the Rubble Pile

Winter returned with a vengeance! But we did cope and now we are once again enjoying milder temperatures. The footing is horrible, horrible so I worked on "barn skills" with my red heads *Lucy and *Ruby. Cross tying, stall etiquette and gate etiquette. There is nothing dramatic nor anything remarkable to report except that I was out there and enjoying their company. They really are a nice bunch of horses - I am still devising ways to draw people out to at least just hang out with them.

Swimming and skating are still very enjoyable events in my week. While I have not seen much change on the scale I am feeling different. I am also noticing subtle changes in my body - tone in my biceps and forearms where there previously was none; plus I can also clearly feel the bottom of my rib cage. It's odd but the fat I have left is getting softer and flabbier. I am not sure what gives and in many ways it makes me very uncomfortable - at least I was solid before, it seems to be such a digression. Oh well, it is what it is.

The swimming is teaching me that water is the great equalizer. In the water I can see I am in decent shape - lots of strength, decent aerobic ability and endurance to spare however many of the exercises are now bridging the gap between water and land. Sadly, on land I have all of the grace of a beached whale. It's taken me a few days to come to terms with this but the bottom line is that although I've come a long and totally respectable way, I still have a long and respectable way to go. I fail when I am tasked with bearing the weight of my own body and there is only one solution to that problem. So off I go.

SAR training (Search and Rescue) has taken on a new dimension. For Tucker this means he is now learning the in's and out's of working a rubble pile. He is working scent well enough but the rubble adds dimension to the puzzle. He needs to learn to use his body in ways he never has before. He is a strong, young dog but it is hard to watch him try to negotiate these newest obstacles. We'll keep plugging away at it but this is going to be a challenge for both of us both physically and mentally but I think once we master this new environment we'll both be better for it.

Dog Days of Winter

It's been a busy few weeks. My biggest strategy for the new year is to be busy, busy, busy and I am. Twice a week I do deep water aerobics, once a week I take a skating lesson and once a week I take Tucker to SAR training. In between all of that I have a full time job and spend some time with my horses. I'm exhausted by bed time but I'm having fun. I'll be starting Rally Obedience training with Tucker at the end of the month.

Dory had an exciting day yesterday. It was her first trip into town for a walk. Car door and house/business doors closing made her nervous but otherwise she did very well. She was also introduced to 4 new people - Dan the farrier was out to trim feet and she was very sociable with him. A far cry from a couple of weeks ago when Pat was here delivering hay - she cowered and hid. She also had her first visit to the booze store - you know you live in a small town when you bring your dog to the liquor store to get treats! The staff there are all animal lovers - Jill and Orval were happy to meet Dory and she reciprocated. It's hard to believe she has been with us less than a month. She has changed so much in that short time.

So with all of the positive there is still one item outstanding on my "get it done" list. I still haven't ridden. I am starting to play with the idea that I have simply lost interest in doing activities where I am alone. I haven't lost interest in the horses themselves - I loved going to the playdate and am planning to attend a clinic there at the end of February. That said, left to my own devices I'll find something else to do if it means being in my barn by myself. I am thinking of advertising free on farm weekend leases in order to get some people out and riding. It is a shame that I have so many beautiful horses, a nice property with trails but no one to enjoy them.

Playdate Photos!

Finally collected a few photos of the playdate which was held on December 28th in Lunenberg, Ontario. The day was hosted by Drogheda Manor. Curlies were well represented. Karalee attended with her weaning colt Quinness (who happens to be a grandson of our very own Wyoming Gold!) Donna brought Linus - his first ever time off his new farm. Lots of new experiences! Karalee let me play with her 11 year old gelding, Hunter.

For anyone who might be looking for a prospective PNH partner Karalee has several nice ones in her barn. Quinness is for sale - as are some others. All are in great condition and well handled. Visit her website at www.whirlwindcurlies.com I've been a particular fan of Othello since he was a little one. He has matured into a great big gelding with tons of personality and drive.

Time Doesn't Fly So Quickly

Birthdays, Christmas, New Years - all occassions when it seems time flies by so quickly. I do admit now that I am contemplating covering up the greys in my hair, I am feeling a sense of life accelerating. Every New Year's Eve I sit down with a great bottle of wine - a vintage, not every day wine, and write out the balance sheet and income statement for the year. This isn't a financial one - it's one where I take stock of what I have, what's keeping me from being where I really want to be, accomplishments and failures. In accounting terms I am determining net worth and changes in position.


It is the Eve of a new decade. It is far too easy to lose sight of the big picture when taking a yearly measurement. So for fun here is a quick analysis of the last decade.


2000 - 18 months into a new marriage, 2 months in a new home, just met Bruce and Marlene, my first three curlies were "inutero" babies. Within the next 20 months I would meet Trish & Darrick and Chuck & Adria, become very unhappy with my job, quit that job, sell my new home, move to Virginia for 4 years, have a seat front row and center for 9-11, leave Virginia and start all over again. Pets were Boomer, Kyla and Bobby, the 5 month old puppy. Sadly the theme of the year, and the next 9 years to follow would be overall unhappiness.


End of 2009 - been back in Canada for 4.5 years, still not happy with the job but it's fixable, in a home I enjoy, a barn full of Curlies who are my pride and joy, Boomer and Kyla have left us and Bobby the puppy is now over 10 years old, Pip, Tucker and Dory have joined the family, circle of friends has increased dramatically. In a nutshell it seems like not much but the 10 years certainly didn't happen in the blink of an eye.


So the 2009 re-cap - what makes this year different from so many others is how many people I've allowed into my life. Since becoming involved with the world of Curlies I have gained several very wonderful friends. I adore each of them but they are "far away" friends. Now that I am feeling better about things some new, local friends have wandered into my life. For the first time ever I don't feel like I am walking on thin ice around them. They accept me for who I am, and I accept them back. We are far from hip pocket friends but we make a point of getting together 2 to 3 times per month and have a great time each time. We are varied bunch - different ages, different interests, backgrounds, tastes but with the common goal of just experiencing the world for what it is. They are without a doubt the greatest change in my life for the year and the main reason why my overall assessment of the year is an unprecedented "bloody fantastic."


On the agenda for this year? Year number 2 of my new lifestyle. I will admit that although I demonstrated remarkable retraint the first 3 weeks of December, I dabbled in holiday treats resulting in a 3 pound weight gain - my first monthly gain this year. I am sure significantly reduced exercise played a roll; I am not the gym type and the ice on the sidewalks have kept me at home. Seeing this gain coming earlier in the month, I signed up for twice weekly Aquafit and once weekly skating lessons starting next week. I bought a new pair of ice skates on Boxing Day; my first pair in nearly 20 years!! I am pleased as punch with them!

I took a necessary break from the horses for the better part of the year. I had a long chat with Trish when she visited earlier this month and even she commented that sometimes we just need a break and not to beat myself up over it. The horses don't care so long as their every day needs are being met. My sebbatical lasted 8 months - it ended earlier this week when I attended a Parelli playdate with a group in Eastern Ontario. Though Parelli isn't my scene anymore I thoroughly enjoyed a day out with the horses and visiting with Donna and Karalee. I have spent the week mapping out goals for each horse on the property and am gung ho to get started. While I signed up for RAC 2010 I did not sign up for the ground portion. I found last year I used it as an excuse not to get on. This year there are no excuses - I am lighter and fitter, my young horses are old enough. As a friend in Virginia once commented - I just need to "get on the damned horse." So off I go!!

A Home of Her Own

Dory arrived home on Christmas Eve. The holidays are typically not the ideal time to bring home a new pet however in our case it is the optimal time. Our work schedules are relaxed so we have the extra time to help the new arrival settle in.

She shows every sign of having been severely mistreated. She cowers when we reach for her, she has moments of anxiety, she is about 15 pounds underweight, her ears are being treated for a massive infection, her white hairs are stained yellow from the months of being forced to lie in her own waste.

Much of Dory's story is mystery to us however we do have clues which support a clear hypothesis. She did come with her North American Purebred Dog Registry papers. Her registered name is Paws "R" Us Black Gold. A quick google search reveals that Paws "R" US kennel is a "commercial dog breeding" operation in Shawville, QC. The same google search also reveals this breeder has recently won a libel case against an individual who accused them of being something other than a "commercial dog breeder." That's all I am going to say about that.

She has settled in wonderfully and is quickly learning the art of attention hogging. Seeing her happy, bouncy and enthusiastic truly warms our hearts and assures us we made the right decision in choosing to adopt her.

Dory

And so the ad read as follows......."Dory is a 4 year spayed female Newfoundland who's calm and sweet demeanor is so much part of her breed. Newfies come in two distinct categories, the solid black, with whom most people are familiar, and the Lanseer which is black and white and generally a little less heavy coated. It seems that Dory is the proud bearer of both lines as her black coat is relieved by white on chest and feet. We were privileged to spend 11 wonderful years with a Newfie who's sire was a Lanseer and who, in appearance, could have been Dory's brother. Dory's life up until now has been a wasteland of neglect exacerbated by the indifference of people who should have cherished her for her beauty and gentle nature. She will thrive and blossom to her full potential in a loving, caring home where she will be appreciated for her incredible spirit and enduring faith in human kindness. Any family who welcomes Dory as a new member will delight in her affectionate ministrations and be charmed by her guileless and trustworthy Newfoundland character. Dory is wonderful with other dogs and has great leash manners, although she is prone to getting underfoot in the interests of being close to her person and rewarding them with adoring glances and gentle nudges for the privilege of being walked. Dory is up-to-date with routine shots, house trained and spayed/neutered."