Shirley's World: September 2011

Friday, September 30, 2011

A Bouquet Before the Rain

I went out in the front garden yesterday and got this one bouquet picked before the rains started.

It hasn't stopped raining since and now it's turned cold.

This is still a summery looking bouquet for October 1st!

I'm linking this up with "Pink Saturday"

At: How Sweet the Sound

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Shirley

Now What!!

I found out this morning that the owner of the barn where we board is in danger of losing her lease on the farm. That means we'd have to be out of there by the end of November!

I don't think I can stand much more!!!

It wouldn't be hard to find a place for Echo and Preacher but Satire is a special case. I'm just praying for some miracle for Carol and the farm!

Good Advice!

I saw this on Facebook.

I need to keep this in mind while I'm so stressed!

Shirley

Sunday, September 25, 2011

STRESS!!!!

I have discovered that there's NOTHING that causes me more worry and stress than something wrong with my animals!!! And that goes triple for Satire!

I have been a wreck for 3 days because Satire coliced Thursday afternoon. I was there and we called the vet right away. Because of his history last year, she tubed him and gave him a gallon of oil. And some pain medication.

He had no food except grass for two days until things started moving through.

No poop, no food!!

Yes, a big pile of manure can be a beautiful thing!!!!

We were pretty much at the barn all day and part of the nights. The barn owner keeps checking on him too.

Well, thank goodness he is doing much better now and is up to 1/2 rations today and more tomorrow if everything continues to be good.

This is him today. He is feeling just fine and doesn't know what all the fuss is about!

Of course I feel another 10 years older and my stomach is a mess! My daughter hasn't slept or eaten either.

I feel a little more relaxed tonight because he had such a good day today.

He had a good roll in the saw dust. (The good kind of roll!)

Please offer up a prayer for this beautiful soul. We love him so much.

He's quite spoiled from all the attention that he has gotten this whole past year.

When you're not giving him what he wants he reaches out and shakes his stable bag!!!

Shirley

(a nervous wreck)

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Cooking for Two

I had been thinking about adopting a rescued dog for the past 6 months. I really thought for sure it would be a pointer but then Monk seemed to just come into my life. The rescue he was being fostered at has a dog at the barn where I keep my horses and she mentioned they had just gotten this St Bernard only the week before that had been abandoned by his family of 7 years!! Since I love big dogs I asked to meet him and then decided to foster him for a couple weeks while I decided. Well I have adopted him, medical problems and all. You see he is a senior (for that breed) and is heart worm positive with already heart damage. He needs a loving home for the rest of his life.

He is the kindest, gentlest soul you'd ever meet and is also the most inactive couch potato I have ever had! If you need a pillow, he's got that covered!

He has one main maintenance problem. He doesn't want anything to do with actual dog food; especially kibbles! I wonder what they fed him in his before life! He had to eat to get this big!! (145 lbs) I've never had a dog that wasn't food motivated!

So, since he needs food in his stomach to take his numerous medications, I now cook for two! Him and I! We're eating the same thing.

Monk . . . are you training me?????

Your new mommy!

Oh yes, and Rocky now wants chicken added to his food too!!!!

Friday, September 16, 2011

The Season of Burrs!

When you have horses and they go out into a real pasture in the fall, you know about burrs!!

Both Echo and Preacher had their forelocks, manes and tails full of them!

You have to keep up with it ever few days or you'd really have a mess and probably have to do some cutting! I will stand there and untangle and fuss for an hour before I'd ever cut their manes or forelocks!

Thank goodness for Cowboy Magic Detangler. I load up the tangled areas and let it sit on there for a few minutes then just start taking the burrs out one by one. Some just slide out.

Echo almost fell asleep while I was doing it today. It must feel good to have someone fuss with their hair.

Satire watched and walked around the barn while Echo was getting his "hair done".

Shirley

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Babysitting day & Monk

Today was my Wednesday babysitting day.

I was cooking food for Monk while the kids were watching one of their TV programs.

Now, he won't touch a kibble! but he eats anything I cook him or anything from anyone's plate!

Am I being had!!!!!!

He loves being with the children!!

And they love being with him!

What a great dog!! Slobber and all!!

Now, here's the first glimpse of my chicken coop : ))

My son brought the wood or most of it and I primed it and that's where we are so far.

Nope, I won't be getting chicks till spring!!!

Shirley

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Misc. Stuff

The other day on my way home from my yearly doctor appointment and blood work, I stopped in here for breakfast. I was starving as I hadn't had anything to eat since the night before. I had never been here before; little restaurant in N. Royalton. I had just the best breakfast here!! It tasted extra good, maybe because I was so hungry but I liked this little place.

This past Saturday I went up to the barn to help Michele do some work in Satire's stall. Michele also decided to leave Satire off lead out in the arena while we were out there with him. There were no other horses. He hasn't been loose in 3 months since he hurt his R. front tendon. He should soon be allowed out in a paddock. Michele unhooked him but he wouldn't leave her side.

I think he thought he was still attached but he followed her where ever she went.

I have been lax in writing on my blog. I've been busy with Monk. He is now started on his pills for the heart worm. (Doxycycline) It won't kill the worms as he isn't strong enough for that treatment but it's supposed to weaken them.

Anyway, I had just got him to start eating actual dog food and now he just wants people food again! So I'm back to cooking for Monk.

I'm about to sign the adoption papers because I think he's found his home here with us.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Thoughts and Starbucks

Today was one of the few days I have when I'm not going to the barn or watching the grandkids or have anything else scheduled. On these days I, of course have to go do my shopping if I haven't fit it in after the barn or the kids. I went to the grocery store and JUST got what was on my little list.

Then I stopped at the library to take my books back and pick up another couple audio books. That's the only way I get books "read". I listen to them while I'm driving. Even if I'm just in the car for 5-10 minutes, it's like reading a chapter each time. Works for me.

I ended up at Starbucks. I enjoy going in there for a Latte or right now my favorite is a Carmel Macchiatto. Hot, never cold. I don't like cold, icy coffee; even when it's hot outside. Next time I'm going to try their new Pumpkin Spice Latte, maybe more into fall. Pssst, I had a cheese danish too : ))

I always have a gift card for Starbucks because that's all I ever tell people I want. Love it.

I'm not sure why I enjoy relaxing in Starbucks. Maybe it's because at my age, it's the only really sort of trendy thing I do! If I had an iPad, I'd be playing with it in there too. For now it's just me and my iPhone.

Shirley

Monday, September 5, 2011

Today in Monksville

I took Monk to the barn with me today. I have to tie him up while I'm doing my things with the horses and I am out of his sight at times.

This is what he thought of me not being right by his side!!

He's quite a needy big guy : ))

He loves to go in the car but I think he's more comfortable staying at home with Rocky while I go somewhere.

Shirley

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Cooking For Monk!

I've been spending more time cooking for Monk than I have in years for myself!. It's because he has to eat with the antibiotics he's on and he went off his kibbles for a few days! Tummy troubles. So he's been eating mostly chicken or turkey and potatoes. I held my breath tonight and slipped some kibbles in with it. He ate it all : ))

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Rocky: "My BROTHER??????? Are you kidding me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shirley

Friday, September 2, 2011

Ava & Jack meet Monk

Last week when my grandkids left, I told them that when they came back this week there would be a great BIG surprise!! Linda their Mom didn't know about Monk either, so everyone was delighted!!

This was the first greeting at 8 am.

It was a nice day and they played with Monk all day either outside or in the house. Except, of course when Monk was sleeping, which is a lot of the time!

Ava kept calling him Mudge. I kept saying "no, Monk" and she'd say "No, Mudge". Well when Linda came home from work I found out they have a book about "Henry and Mudge" and the drawing of the BIG dog looks like a St. Bernard!! So this is her "Mudge".