About Exechorseluver

A writer and horse lover (animal lover) at heart. With a few year's exception, I have mostly worked outside the animal field. I am pretty good at what I do. But at the end of day, I want to be with the horses, cuddle with the dogs and sit quietly as the sun goes down with a cat on my lap. Spending time with my family and especially my grandchildren is number one for me. My little farm gives me a perfect life.

Another show day

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Exechorseluver

Lauren and Mickey hit the ground running winning their first class at .80 meter with a pretty good margin. The next class was tougher. Mickey was starting to get tired, day three class number 8. That is a lot jumping and running. Mickey jumps when Lauren guides him perfectly to each jump. Second to the last jump of 13, Lauren had fallen out of position and Mickey-Stopped. Dead stopped. Lauren got him going again, donning the crop and spurs but was penalized by the clock and for the “refusal”. Normally, it is very difficult for Lauren and Mick to come back after this type of issue. I was afraid for them as they went in the ring for the first of their adult low jumper classes at 1.0 meter. It was higher and harder and they were struggling. They cleared all the fences and ended with a time of 41.04 seconds. There were some fast horses in the class but they had problems and Lauren and Mick won their first Adult class! Extremely proud of them doing so well and coming back after a refusal.

I had the last of my tests this morning so was there to see this round. No more tests until Tuesday.

Update

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Exechorseluver

Just a quick note-Lauren had a good day! She was second in her first class by 3/10th of a second. Apparently, Dev told her to push harder and she won her second class by ten seconds just like last year. Tomorrow and Saturday, they will be back in the ring again. Hoping for a championship, but if not, these last two days have been great for them.

I have had stomach problems for the last couple of months. I have been having tests with more to come over the next five days. If you are the praying kind, I would appreciate your prayers.

Sure I will be fine-but thank you and God Bless-

Cindy

Horse Shows

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Exechorseluver

Grand Champion MayFest 2011-hoping for a repeat!

Last year at this time, I watched Lauren and Mickey at the “AA” rated MayFest show in Katy,TX. We had been doing alright with the move from hunters (slow, steady and pretty) to jumpers (fast is as fast does). But the best the Lauren and Mick combo had ever come up with was a second place ribbon and only at a lower rated “B” show. It was with delight and astonishment that Lauren and Mick won their first jumper class last May. I remember being so excited that I texted my friends. I actually was beside myself with joy. I could not believe they had done so well. They were riding against adults (Lauren was still rated as a junior rider then) and against professional riders. It was like the switch had come on and they just got it.

I will always remember the feeling of that day. I hurried back to work and did not see their subsequent classes but got a text soon after to tell me that they won the next class also. And where time is measured in hundreds of seconds, they had won by ten full seconds. I texted everyone again. When they won the third class the next day, I started wondering about being so joyful. The first and then the second blue ribbons were so amazing. But by the third I wondered if I was being a braggart. My friend Gaylyn came with me the next day. I had always respected her as a horsewoman. I certainly wanted Mickey to do well. I did not have supreme confidence that he would. We stood in the stands as he won again. She was astounded. She still thought of Mickey as the sour little horse that Lauren rode as a kid. Her first words to me as we watched the clock stop on the new fastest time were, “Have the Davangs seen him do this?”

The Davangs were our mutual friends from our old Sugar Land barn and it meant the world to me that Gaylyn was so impressed with Mickey and that she thought our other friends would be as well. It was one of the better days of my life.

Today, the MayFest started again. It will be the first show for Mickey and Lauren since Lauren’s bad fall in February. Lauren had her last finals at school today so trainer Dev Branham took Mickey through the paces.

I learned that they came out of the first class blazing fast. And no one could catch their time. Dev said he was a little surprised and quite delighted with the little brown gelding he rode. First place was Mickey’s to start off the MayFest. They returned for the .90 meter class. Dev had tuned up his attack plan and even though the fences were higher, their time was faster still. No one caught them. They won this year by four seconds. It was still a big margin of victory. Dev said Mickey was a blast. He really had a different sense of him, riding him rather than watching Lauren on him. He called him handy and quick. He walked away with two blue ribbons for the day.

Tomorrow, Lauren will be back in the saddle herself with Mickey. They will be riding again for the fastest time. I hope history repeats itself and MayFest is our fest again.

Friends

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Exechorseluver

Friends, I have learned, come from unlikely situations and develop in unusual times. I found who my best friends were when I was flat on my back for months with a broken pelvis. I still cherish the times sitting around my darkened room talking with dear friends who gave up an afternoon or Saturday morning just to visit with me. I will never forget Becky, my Doberman Wally and I, all up on my bed, chatting and making the long hours shorter. The Lindas did so much, for which I can never re-pay them. But it was a time to learn to let friends help. Some came from Houston, changed my bed and cleaned my house. Others were new friends who developed as the summer days grew shorter into fall. But I learned a lot about accepting help and hopefully something about giving back when it is my turn.

One special friend sent me a get well card literally everyday for over three months. Each day Lauren would go to mailbox to retrieve my new card and it would always be there. She made an arbor of cards around my doorway that I could see from my bed. It is the little things that touch your heart. I can’t remember to send a Mother’s Day card on time and someone could send me cards for 90 days straight? That is a friend.

Facebook has reunited me with friends from my younger days. Camille, Sondra, Liz, Thom and others, it is so great to catch up with you after all these years and know you are doing well.

My animals develop friendships as well. Again, from unique situations, friendships grow. Our tiny Yorkie, Gia, has developed friendships with Sneaky, the Corgi. When we go for our walks, little Gia will clamp down on Sneaky’s chaps (her fluffy back legs) and hold on tight. Sneaky should be the herding dog but Gia does a great impression of one running and snapping at Sneaky’s back legs. Sneaky, who does not even tolerate Lauren touching her back feet, will for the most part, put up with this annoying ritual. She will occasionally turn and yap at Gia but mostly just powers on along our walk.

Chloe and Gia-friends.

Gia has also taken up with Chloe the cat. Being old and less than agile, I am sick of chasing the puppy around the yard. I started putting a leash on her when I go out to hay the horses at night. Perfect solution. Gia runs with her pink leash trailing behind. Chloe, entranced, runs behind her, pouncing on the leash periodically and jarring Gia to a stop. Chloe never lets her get out of her sight. And since Chloe comes when she is called, it all works out.

Leo loves Kid. He will stand with Kid tirelessly all day long. They can be found scratching each other’s back and taking turns at the water trough.

Lula loves Kena. Or Kena loves Lula, I am not sure. But they can often be found cuddled together. They have no idea the picture of contrast they present.

Pairs of the cats, seem to have taken up with one another. Orange, a big Tom cat, is constantly in the company of Siobhan, a delicate, pretty neutered female. He says he knows how to pick them. Our oldest cat, a neutered female named Alice is always in the company of Matt the Cat. I don’t know why they pair off. Perhaps they have learned their own lessons about friendship.

Orange (or L’Orange as he says) with pal Siobhan.

Lauren, my youngest daughter, and partner in this farm, is also my friend. Sometimes, that is difficult because I must count on her to be an adult and accomplish endless daily chores. If things do not get done they have huge ramifications. It can be hard to be her mom and her friend. We must count on each other. But we also keep each other company and support one another through the daily process of living.

When I count what is important to me, my girls, all of which are also my friends and my outside friends take on the most important meaning. It was once said you could tell the caliber of man by the friends he keeps. Don’t know who said it but it is so true.

Manipulation

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Exechorseluver

There are many forms of manipulation. I have eagerly utilized many over the years to get my kids to do what I want them to do. For instance, a two-year old is better with the choices “do you want a bath with bubbles or without?” because either answer gets them in the bathtub.

I have manipulated my daughters with offers of clothing, dogs and horses (depending on my need for their compliance). Certainly, I have been manipulated by them and others over the years.

And then there is the actual physical manipulation. Like when you visit the chiropractor. I have gone a few times. I have friends who swear by their chiropractor and relish a visit to get corrected. I have had so many actual broken bones that I have somewhat shied away from chiropractor on the grounds that I need to protect my fragile bones.

The master manipulator

Over the years, I have had my horses worked on by a chiropractor. Seriously. The doctor (usually a people chiropractor that started working on horses) would come to the barn, stand on the back of his pick-up truck and proceed to snap, crackle, and pop the horse into better form. It made sense that the horse could suffer from the same issues we people do with their spines, necks, shoulders and hips. I know many equestrians who have regular chiropractic visits for their mounts. I had one dramatic time when my old horse Kid, had been lame on his front leg for months. One visit with the chiropractor and he was good as new. It makes you a believer.

We bought our horse Leo a year ago. He did pretty well when he was doing the basic walk, trot or canter (or so I thought) but when jumping, he was a mess. He threw his body over the jump with no control over his limbs. In horse shows, audible gasps could be heard from the crowd because of the way he jumped. Unlike our horses, Mickey or Feather, who are lovely to watch over fences, Leo was all (if you will forgive the expression), asses and elbows, if that paints a good visual for you. He showed an incredible ability to get over any jump we put in front him and he was always willing to try but it was not pretty to watch. We had decided that while Leo was a great guy, he ate a lot, more than any other horse we own and he was not moving ahead with his training program. He went to Camp Dev this winter. This is a special time for the horses when they get the undivided attention of our trainer, Dev Branham. They beg to come home to the easy life. Dev didn’t have much to say for Leo except that he just couldn’t use his body and he tended to just fall apart when cantering or trotting.

We put Leo up for sale. People would call about him but we would always find various reasons why they would not be a good owner for him. I think we made excuses to keep him. While I have a sense of responsibility about my horses and do not want them ending up at an auction or dead as horse meat somewhere there have been some good potential owners that have come to see him and we have just rejected them.

My friend and veterinarian, Dr. Lynn Criner, had told me she was doing advanced studies in myofascial trigger point release and chiropractic equine medicine. The word myofascial means muscle tissue (myo) and the connective tissue in and around it (fascia). When stressed or injured muscles form trigger points, like contacted knots, which can cause pain and tightness. In addition to the usual horse chiropractor, she is also a hunter/jumper rider (so knows the body mechanics involved) and she is a vet so she intimately knows a horse’s anatomy. I considered it a big step ahead of the regular chiropractor.

I figured I might as well book a visit and see if anything could be done for Leo. I had nothing to lose and great horse to gain by giving it a shot. When Dr. Criner first examined Leo he was immediately and obviously sore along his spine, pelvis and pole (the top of his head). And just as obviously, when she did certain trigger points on him, you could just visibly see him relax and if horse could sigh, he sighed. Then Lauren rode him so Dr. Criner could observe him. Looking at him from the rear, his tail hung sideways (not straight) and his hips were seriously uneven.

Now comes the stupid part. I thought the horse moved pretty well. I have photos where he looks pretty good. But the minute she pointed out the errors in his movement, I clearly saw them. His poor right side swung in and across his body to compensate for whatever issue he was having. If and when he did move well, it would ultimately fall apart as he could not sustain it.

After seeing him ridden and jumped, Dr. Criner set out to correct Leo. In a series of manipulations and trigger points, Leo stood before me, squarely on all four feet. You are saying of course, he stood on all four feet-that’s what he has, but prior to this he would not stand square with his weight evenly distributed. He would lean on hoof or another. She worked on him over an hour. There were the snaps and pops that I associate with chiropractic manipulation but there were also the huge and immediate relaxation of muscle and sighs of when something just felt right. He was the best of patients for her (thank God it wasn’t Mickey because he would have never gone along with all the helpful therapy).

Two things I would note-when Leo came to us, his chest had been hurt. One side of his chest was clearly larger than the other. As his injury healed, the disproportionate size of his chest did not change. I assumed it was swollen and just never got better. Dr. Criner said his sternum was out. She manipulated it back. Immediately, and for the first time since I have owned him, his chest muscles were equal on each side. Likewise, a lot of horse don’t like their ears or the top of their head touched. Leo is vey tall and easily would stretch away from my touch. Again the doctor said this area was in need of adjustment. She stood above Leo on a four-foot step stool (I know I should have taken pictures) and manipulated him. Down came his head, he started licking his lips and sighed loudly. Today, I can easily touch his ears and his head. It doesn’t hurt any more.

Although he is so much better, it will be awhile before we will see if we can re-train him to use his body correctly. For so long he has compensated for his problem with poor body mechanics that it will take some time for him to learn it is not going to hurt if he does what nature intended for him to do.

He worked as well today as he has ever worked. Tomorrow we will start some exercises to teach him to jump right using his body. And we will see. In this case, a little manipulation may have a big pay-off. Thanks, Dr. C!

See how his back legs are even and parallel? Never before could he stand with his weight on all hooves and evenly distributed.

Baby Showers

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Exechorseluver

I did not look up the history of baby (and/or wedding) showers but my general understanding is that the new baby or new wife were to be in essence “showered” with gifts.

Little has changed the days of my first baby shower, for Amber, many years ago. My daughter Ally, was blessed, like I was, with good friends spending thoughtful hours preparing a party that would be fun and have wonderful food.

It is the idea of showering the baby with good tidings and gifts that is so great. People that loved my daughter came together to make sure she and new baby, Kendyll, were off to a good start. The time spent making the unique cake (a zebra striped dress and shown over a pregnant torso), the great favors and decorations was obviously a lot.

Jordyn, as the only child at the shower (although is Jordyn ever really childlike?) entertained us all with her happiness and enthusiasm.

I am thankful that I have a family with such friends that my daughter and new grandbaby can be ushered into the world with such love and care. I am only sad that Kendyll’s other grandma could not be with us as I know she deeply wanted to be.

Thank you Melissa, Stefani and Britany for such a special day for my special girl and her special girl-to-be.

Fences

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Exechorseluver

After over nine months of waiting, I have a new fence along the front of my property and along the front of my arena. I put the fence in five years ago but between last summer’s drought that loosened all my poles and with horses getting their hooves stuck in the wire, my fence has not held up well. I have been worried as line after line of wire has broken or come loose.

I had nine months of waiting for the fence man to call me back. The fence makers in my town are busy. There may be job issues in other places but it seems in this town, no one (remodelers, painters, plumbers, fence makers, sand delivery men, or any other type of handy man) is ever eager for additional work. They are all busy. Must be a good position to be in. The guy who fenced my back pasture has been telling me he has had “cows to move” . He told me that in the summer, in the fall, at Christmas time and again this spring. Where is he moving all these cows? These are busy cows.

So, finally I got a referral from him to another man who was too busy building fences for others (at least he wasn’t “moving cows”) and he gave me a third referral. After three weeks, the third referral fence man came and I got my new fences up. I must say it was almost worth the wait. He was a perfectionist and it looks great. My cats were first to try it out. It created a sort of gymnastic track for them. Everyone worries about exercise now, you know.

Chloe doing her daring high-wire act on the new fence for her cat audience.

Fences, a sturdy one like this, are imperative when you live just off a state highway. In the last five years, our horses have gotten out, through or around the fence a few times. These episodes have included me racing manically up and down the highway trying to lure them back with feed, while praying cars wouldn’t hit them or me. I had chased them a mile or so down the road, when they all suddenly reversed and headed back toward home. I was closing in on a capture as I had almost caught Mickey when my 90-year old neighbor came out to the road. He was armed with a broom which he waved athletically at the horses. The horses, reversed again and headed away from home at a gallop. I am hesitant to admit that I cussed the old man out for scaring off my horses, but I was more than a little bit crazy. Eventually, I caught up with them and got them home safely. The old man died soon after that, but I am pretty sure it was unrelated to our adventure.

The horse escapes have included me being at work and overhearing co-workers talk about these horses that got loose and were trashing some farmer’s cornfield. Out of curiosity only, I asked what the horses looked like, and of course, they were mine. By the time I got to where they were being held, they were loaded all together (four of them jammed in a stock trailer), terrifed and white-eyed. I was actually stunned that Mickey had loaded in a trailer. That was amazing in itself. There were three sherriff’s cars there. I guess it was like a local crime spree. It cost me $175 to get them back that day. When I hesitated about paying, the sheriff offered to take them to the auction barn. Still, better than dead.

In yet another escape attempt, I was chasing them across my other neighbor’s property when she popped her head out of her house to speak to me for the first time in three years to tell me to get the horses off her lawn. Really? Did I look like I was willfully sending them across her lawn? Here’s the thing, Lauren weighs 120 pounds. Mickey over 1000 pounds. If he decides he is going, then he is going.

So, this fence is a big deal to me. It makes my property look better and be more secure. This fence is a symbol that my life is now better and more secure. Fences between me and my silent neighbor are priceless. Fences that hold in what is dear to me, keeping my animals safe and secure is also priceless. The fence had a price but it was well worth paying.

Chloe-daring to look down. If only the fence kept the cats off the highway it would be perfect.

Grandbabies

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Exechorseluver

I was never the kid that baby-sat. Never the teenager that loved little kids. Actually, until the moment that Amber arrived in my arms, I had no idea I even liked babies. Likewise, I had no idea what to do with one. Thankfully my dear friend, Liz, a pediatric nurse, was there to help me, in the early days. Then she and her family provided almost a second home for Amber as I worked nights and weekends at the hospital. And so it began.

Later, when Ally and Lauren came, things were easier in a way. But I was still hurrying so fast to work, run a household and manage three children that I know I never, really, took time to enjoy them. Sure I marveled at their accomplishments and was proud of them as they grew and excelled but I was always running so fast just trying to keep up.

Now, with my oldest at 30 (do you appreciate that, Amber, that I keep telling your age?), Ally at 24 and Lauren now 19, things have changed. The grandbabies have forever changed the way I look at family.

Jordyn

Jordyn is the oldest at four and I have spent the most time with her, due to geographic restrictions of the other two being in Colorado. The summer Jordyn was two, she spent three days a week with Lauren and I while her parents were working. While of course there were things that were harder with a two-year old, and sometimes Lauren and Jordyn both acted like toddlers, overall, it was one of the best summers I remember.

We spent days doing horsey chores, playing countless hours in the backyard, going to the beach and just letting Jordyn teach us to enjoy the little things about summer. We went to horse shows and barrel races. Jo rode in an exhibition barrel race with friends Kallyn and her sister, also named Lauren, helping her stay in the saddle.

We don’t see Jo near as much as we did that summer but have started picking her up from school on Wednesdays so she can spend some regular time at Granny’s farm. While she still loves the horses, dogs and cats, she also loves Justin Bieber. She is planning their wedding. Things change, but it is so great to have her in our lives. Hopefully, she will learn to love riding as much as Lauren.

Riley-my first little boy

Riley is two and lives in Denver. I have been fortunate enough to visit regularly (as my mother is there as well) and he knows his Granny. He believes I live at the Denver Airport (when I am not on the farm) and is forever after his mom, to just go to the airport and pick me up. I think he believes I just wait there for them until they come. Riley and I are friends and understand each other. We like the same books, the same animals, the same treats, although he does like some car, tractor, truck stuff better than I. He has come to the farm a few times, most recently for the Houston Rodeo and always has a blast. I, the mother of three girls (did I mention Amber was 30?), have never had a little boy around. I treasure his smile and the way his eyes lit up when I watched him take his first solo ride on Mr. Kid.

I cannot wait for the day when he is old enough to fly to Granny’s by himself. I want to learn more about this little man with the bright, inquisitive mind.

Lexi Faith

Lexi, is nine-months old now. While I have seen her a handful of times (since she also is in Denver), my most recent trip had her showing serious reluctance to hang out with Granny. For the first 24 hours or so, there was no way this little one was spending any time with me. Slowly, we had a breakthrough. By the last night we were sitting together in the rocking chair. I was singing my stupid made up baby songs that the kids all love. Amber actually got to take a shower without worrying about what Lexi was doing. Lexi is going to be a beauty like her momma. I can’t wait to spend more time with her!

Finally, we have Ally and Luke’s next child, Kendyll, due in July. We will add another girl to our girl happy family. I am sure she will be as smart and talented as all my grandchildren. It is just what a grandmother knows. I know this is all a cliché-but grandchildren are amazing gifts. I am blessed in so many ways!

The Dogs of Six Meadow Farm

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Exechorseluver

The current dog members of Six Meadow Farm are quite diverse. There is not a pattern here. From oldest to youngest, the members of the dog household include:

Lula-the grande dame of Six Meadow Farm

Lula, is an eight-year old, miniature dachshund bought for Ally to offset the break-up from her high school boyfriend. Somehow, Ally has moved on and started her own family with her own dogs, and I have Lula. Lula is my current favorite. She goes to the barn with me, rides the horses with me (seriously), hangs out with the cats and puts up with the puppy. She is tiny but determined and holds her own in a household of mostly bigger dogs. Mickey chased her down and almost stomped her yesterday. I need to be more careful. I would hate to have something so preventable happen to her.
Sneaky
Sneaky, is a five-year old, Welsh Corgi bought for Lauren as her bribe for moving away from all of her friends. Corgis are cute as puppies. You can hardly walk through a horse show barn without stepping on several. I am not their biggest fan. I find Sneaky a little annoying, a little obnoxious and hate all her hair. I swear I could re-create another Corgi from the hair I sweep up weekly. On the plus side, she is loyal, compassionate, determined and loves Lauren. She does have a big personality and watches over all that happens on the farm.

Kena

Kena, is a three year old Doberman and is a very sweet girl. She loves to please and actually smiles when she is trying her hardest. Kena needs to go to obedience school, more to socialize than to learn (although that would be a great by-product). Since we have owned her, there has been so much going on; she hasn’t gotten all the attention and training she really deserves. Sidenote-it took us about a week to teach the Corgi to sit, lay down and to stay. My daughter, Amber, taught the Doberman all those things in about an hour. Just saying…

Muffy

Muffy, is a two-year old, spaniel mix, and who could resist this face? Obviously not me! Muffy was found in the corn field during one of our rare spells of snowy, icy weather. She was tiny and sick. She gave Parvo to Kena even though Kena was inoculated. She is still scared of her own shadow. But I found out when she started sleeping in my room after Wally’s death, that she has the sweetest soul. First thing when I open my eyes, she is waiting quietly for me. Then she helps me greet the day, cuddling with me, and just delighted that I have awakened. Believe me, no one else cares that much. She is very special and I have called her my best surprise of 2011.

Browndog

BrownDog will be two this spring. She appears to be a Doberman or lab mix. As a puppy, she showed up in pasture one hot summer day. Jordyn spotted her and I knew she was there to stay. We named her Daisy but are more apt to call her “BrownDog” (all one word). She is big now, loves to chew, loves to dig, eats anything, and is a little quirky. Of all the dogs, I trust her the least. She is very territorial about her food and apt to snap at any of the other dogs if challenged. If she snaps at Lula or Gia, they will be gone. She is very sweet to people and would never leave Lauren’s side if given a choice.
Gia, a three-month old, Yorkshire terrier, was clearly bought when my impulse control was not functioning. In fact, I bought two of them and gave her brother to Ally. I was nuts. With that said, I do like the breed. They are little but hardy. Gia takes her walk with the big dogs each night across the pastures. She keeps up with her little one-inch legs. She is game for tasting any nasty, dead animal or scat we encounter. She trees cats three times her size. I will never forget owning Jessa, a little Yorkie in Florida and taking her to the pet store to buy new bowls for the giant Irish wolfhound. Three Jessas could have fit in the wolfhound’s water bowls. Jessa was never intimidated by wolfhound’s size and neither is “Puppy Girl”, as we affectionately call her, intimidated by the giants that surround her.

Gia aka"Puppy Girl".

On Having Dogs-

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Exechorseluver

Wally, in the front, with Abby in the back.

When I was little, my mom did not like dogs, certainly not dogs in the house-dogs. When I was in third grade, my mom went off to Oklahoma for a week. My dad took vacation time to watch my sister and I. As soon as my mom was on the plane, we were off to a breeder and purchased a four-month old, Miniature Schnauzer puppy. At the time, I thought this was by far the biggest event ever. We were finally getting a dog. We were surprising my mom. Biggest secret ever! I realize now that my father would have never, ever purchased a dog without my mother’s approval but that knowledge was year’s away from occurring to me.

So, I had my first dog. His name was Scamp. He endured a lot with me. Croquet sets, lawn chairs with brooms, tires stacked sideways and anything else I could find would be set as a jump course. Of course he was not a horse, but there was no lack of trying to make him into my version of one. He weighed 15 pounds but he tried hard. He was the first of many.

I went from small to large. I developed an affinity for Dobermans. I owned them and for a while, bred them, striving for great temperament and conformation. I have owned many types of dogs over the years-from a huge Irish wolfhound (still so dear to my soul) to tiny Yorkies and Shih Tzus. I would be hard pressed to tell you my favorite. The wolfhound was my most challenging dog. We started off the worst in our obedience class and ended up first after six weeks of hard work. I am proud that Ryan and Amber took my advice to get a “gentle giant” as they are called.

Ally holding Nicki (Shih Tzu), young Lauren, Mac, the Irish Wolfhound and Tippy (Bearded Collie). Clockwise from top

I love the miniature Dachshund I own now-she is currently one of my favorites.

Over the years, I have not discriminated. Here is a partial list of what’s been in my home:

Dobermans-my most common dog to own. I had two when Amber was born (over 30 years ago), many more throughout the years and I have two (one is a mix) now
Dachshunds (both miniature and Standards)
Cocker Spaniels
Border Collie
Bearded Collie (great breed of dog)
Irish Wolfhound
Keeshonds
German shepherds (love them-hate the tail and the hair)
Shih Tzus
Yorkshire Terriers-in Florida and again now
Jack Russell Terriers (never again-little too much crazy for me!)
Welsh Corgi
Miniature Schnauzer
Poodles (toy and standards)

Obviously, I am all over the place with what I love. I like the Dobs because they are smart, have short hair, no tails and don’t slobber. My truest companions have been Dobermans. I am a supporter of the Doberman rescue (here in Houston it is HADR.org). Wally, who I lost this last year, was my best boy for so many years and came from that rescue. Abby, also from the Doberman Rescue, was one of the finest dogs I have ever owned. She was six when she came to our home. Considered by many to be too old to adopt, we enjoyed eight more great years with her including earning her AKC-Good Citizen designation.

I try to get rescue or adoptive animals whenever possible. We have supported so many over the years. I have six (I know that is a crazy number) dogs right now. Two just showed up and joined our family. When you live in an area of low people population and a high animal population, there are not the resources for lost, starved or stray animals like there are in the city. As an animal lover, I cannot stand to see one hurt, starved, or on its own. I am a sucker. I understand that. Fortunately for the animals there are several of us that exist. I have threatened multiple times to take an animal in the dark of night and drop it off near my friends, Gaylyn and Becky’s houses. They are animal lover like I am and would certainly take care of anything that showed up at their door. So okay, I have never done that-but know an animal could count on them if needed.

I love dogs. I love all kinds of dogs. There are some better fitted to my life-style but someone who can simultaneously own a Shih Tzu and wolfhound obviously just enjoys the company of dogs.

Exechorseluver

The life and times of modern day horse woman

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