Not good news~Rommel

Our German Shepherd has canine lupus. He has deteriorated since last spring. His collar is now so loose is just dangles on him. His hair is almost completely gone underneath his body. He is drinking a LOT of water, but now he has lost his bladder control. It's time to make that final call to the vet.

Rommel has been a WONDERFUL dog and companion. He has NEVER growled at anyone. He barks and protects our property, but he has never been agressive. He, too, is a gentle soul, like my horse Beauty. Why do the good always die young? He is only 6 years old. I'm going to have to call the vet today. It just isn't fair to him when he is in this position. He knows he isn't supposed to pee on the carpets or in the house, but he can't help it. His kidneys are failing.

I wanted to post some pics of him when he was younger to remember him.

WE LOVE YOU, Rommel.

Ghost-like clouds~SkyWatch Friday 071709

These ghostly clouds were over the Waputki ruins in Arizona as we got there late one afternoon. SkyWatch Friday for July 17, 2009.

Aren't they unusual?

Taking a break from blogging

I am taking a blogging break while I mourn the loss of my chestnut mare, Beauty, who died suddenly and tragically on June 25, 2009. I found her dead in her corral the next morning. As far as we can tell, she got cast in her corral and wasn't able to get up. What a waste of a beautiful, caring, and loving creature. Beauty was only 5 years old and the ONLY horse of mine that I have ridden so far. My cousin helped with her training and Valerie is just as devastated as I am. It is never easy to lose a faithful pet and Beauty was my faithful and loyal companion. She picked ME as her human and always whinnied to greet me when I arrived at the ranch. There are no more whinnies from the other horses now. They just ignore me. I miss her sunny and warm personality, her goofy attitude, and the white patches of hair on her butt.

I LOVE YOU and MISS YOU, Beauty! She was a feedlot rescue and at least she was given a good, loving home and was spared the horror of slaughter. Please, if you can, give to the horse rescue of your choice so that more horses like Beauty will be spared from slaughter. Thank you.

We're home, finally!

Hubby and I took a short vacation to Northern California last week. We drove up Highway 395 through Ridgecrest, stopped at the BLM corrals there and fed the mustangs! What a bunch of goofballs! They must get fed carrots a LOT because they sure knew what carrots were! Then, up to Yosemite, over the Tioga Pass. Have you ever drive up that pass? Phew! WHAT a climb! We spent 2 nights in Merced, CA and spent the next 2 days in Yosemite, then drove BACK through Yosemite and DOWN the Tioga Pass. I know, I know...we MUST be nuts! We saw 2 bears there during our trip. Then, on to South Lake Tahoe. That driving day was another stormy day. Apparently they'd had snow just 2 weeks prior to our trip last week! It was cloudy the whole time, but we got some beautiful photos! From Lake Tahoe, we took some side trips, down to Genoa, Silver City, Virginia City, Reno, and Markleyville. Then, yesterday we drove back down 395 and stayed in Lone Pine. We took the road to the Mt. Whitney portal in the afternoon and the next morning, we arose at 5:00 a.m. to get some morning photos. Then, back home through Ridgecrest, stopping to feed the mustangs AGAIN, and home! Right now, I have Ripley asleep ON MY FEET so that I don't go anywhere EVER again!!! Here are some pics of our trip...enjoy!

Ripley has a new trick!

Ripley has a new trick. I was wondering why the cat food was disappearing so quickly. I mean, I have 3 cats that I feed outdoors, on top of a table. BUT...their cat food was disappearing much too quickly. So, one afternoon, I heard scratch, scratch, scratch, crunch, crunch, crunch and YUP! Caught in the act was Ripley! She was up on the table, eating the cat food! Yikes! I don't have any photos yet, but I'll lurk around and try to get some. Silly dog!

Ripley update~~May 25, 2009

Ripley is doing just fine. Our newest addition, the kitten, Abby, is also growing and settling in! She now sleeps with me at night. She burrows down in the sheets and sometimes wakes me in the morning by licking my face! This morning she was down by my feet, beneath the sheets! Here is Ripley out by the newest crop of sunflowers. She is leaving them alone, thanks to me constantly yelling "GET OUTTA THERE!" It seems to be working!

Look what's up on the roof!~Sunday Stills 051709

Yes, that's Daisy, our little female kitty. She loves to get away from the dogs and climb up on the roof and then peer down at them! She's safe from them up there. All of our cats that have survived have climbed up there, some to get away from the coyotes that used to run down our street. I don't see coyotes anymore, but the smart and survival cats still use our porch roof for safety and security. Sunday Stills for May 17, 2009.