A Little Jumping Around

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Exechorseluver

Kona in front of the jump at this weekend’s show.

It has been almost a year since I got my poodle Kona. Lauren yelled at me as I made my way home with him that night, but I have certainly won her over. Kona has won me over as well. I have other dogs but because I take him to the shows, the nursing home and even to Dairy Queen I spend more time with him. I think he has won over a few non-Poodle lovers he has encountered as well. Let me know if you have met Kona and enjoyed his poodly oodly self.

Point of this (although this post is called “Jumping Around” and I am going to do so a lot) is that even when I nicely asked Lauren to stand in front of the jump as the course was open for the riders to walk, she refused. She said it was embarrassing to stand in the giant arena and have your mother take your picture by a jump. Okay, I sat Kona down and told him to stay. He not only stayed, sitting pretty at the jump, but I swear he smiled as well. He was not embarrassed either.

Kona does have a little issue with other dogs although I am not clear why that is true. He has been around dogs (although I do not believe he thinks he is one) since birth. I have six other various shapes and sizes of dogs. But when we get out, if a dog is loose and comes toward him, friendly or not, Kona bears a quick retreat backwards, dragging me with him. At the show this week, we rounded a corner and big Corgi (who should have looked a little like Sneaky) came barreling up with two other canine friends in tow. Kona dragged me backwards. I came to two realizations at once. One, I was now standing in the men’s restroom with my poodle and two, the Corgi was Nordic owned by Bruno’s former owner and former husband of Sneaky. I mean it was like running from family, which sometimes is a good idea but not in this case.

The dog phobia thing got a little better as the weekend wore on and I was proud that I didn’t spend any more time in the Men’s room. Other things got better as well. Lauren had a good ride in the 1.05 meter class. Feather was quiet, accommodating and on her best behavior. Over the years, (I looked it up) Mickey placed in the 1.05m twice. So, it was a big day to have Feather make her debut in the event and place sixth out of 23 horses. I was hoping for a chance to see her go in the 1.05 Classic but Dev decided to end the show on a positive note and we all packed up and headed home.

In the totally schizophrenic world of south Texas weather we went from the 70s to the 30s again on Sunday. I have lost count of how many times I have covered and uncovered the plants. I thought it was funny when the weatherman said, “well, if you haven’t brought those plants in yet, they are probably dead so don’t worry about it tonight”. But then I am easily amused.

We had left for the horse show early Sunday morning and left all the horses out in pasture without blankets. I knew it was getting colder but thought we would get home first. We returned to Wharton with Feather to rain and cold temperatures. For once all the horses had been smart enough to come in out of the wet.

We called to set an appointment for rescue kitty Levi and Kona to be neutered tomorrow (told you I would be jumping around). The vet office, verifying they had the right cat, asked if this was the tiny grey male we rescued in October. I answered yes and asked how much he had weighed when he was last in their office. They replied he weighed 15 ounces. That was less than four months ago, and I guess you can say his stomach problems are a thing of the past. He now weighs over 11 pounds. Seriously. The vet reminded me that this was a cat not an Irish Wolfhound puppy. Oh, boy, I guess we will have to watch his weight.

Kona going to be neutered is causing me a lot of angst. I want to ask my supervisor if I can take the day off for a family member having surgery. I feel it would be appropriate. Don’t think she would. GEEZ!

Here is a collage from Lauren and the show. Thanks for riding along on this crazy train. May God bless you and keep you!

Lauren and Flagmount’s Irish Freedom at the Winter Series.

Kona Picture-contact info

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Exechorseluver

I wrote about this amazing picture by talented artist Amber Brooks previously but failed to give the contact information. I could not be more pleased with her work, her customer service, or her end product. Amber will being doing a drawing of Lauren’s horse, Feather, for Christmas.

If you want an Amber Brooks original of your horse or dog, you can contact her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/amber.powellbrooks

Thanks!!

Kona

Posted on October 27, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Above is a drawing rendition of Kona that I commissioned from a talented artist in Georgia. Like many breeds, poodles come in the color blue. It is deep navy, blue-ish almost black color. Dobermans and Aussies may have blue coats. To the untrained eye, Kona looks black, although after a summer in the sun, he has brassy, bleached tips on his hair, kind of like a Hawaiian surfer.

I realize getting a picture done of my dog is a little self-indulgent. But I saw (and bought) a picture that Amber the artist did of a poodle and I knew I wanted one of Kona done. It is so awesome! I could not be more thrilled. It is not finished yet but know it will so wonderful.

I bought Kona on my birthday. He has been so great as a companion to me, walking each night, staying by my side as I take the horses from pasture to pasture. We have perfected the trail ride with horse and dog. Another great thing is that if Lauren wants him to or not, he will climb up and through the dog gate to join her at the barn. Although, some may dismiss him as just a poodle, he is big enough to provide protection to her as she is alone on the property.

My friend Kathy makes fun of all the pictures I take (always looking for the next blog subject). Somehow no matter what my plans are, Kona manages to get in the picture. You can go back through my FB or blog pictures and find Kona in many of them. It is kind of like the old “Where’s Waldo?” game.

I love all my pets, horses equally, but clearly Kona is a special guy. It would be hard to imagine my world without him. If you ask Lauren who her favorite dog is, despite her deep love of Yorkie, PuppyGirl and her corgi, Sneaky, her answer is the poodle.

Lauren on Pixie with Kona right by her side

I take him along to most horse shows. He stands in the viewing area with his eyes darting around focused on the horses, clearly watching, moving and turning his head so he can catch each turn. I have six other dogs but a lot is perfect for me with Kona.

I can’t wait to get my drawing! Next, will be a drawing of Feather. That should be amazing too! Amber the artist specializes in dogs and horses. What a great holiday gift. Contact her via Facebook if you are interested.

Kona caring for Kendyll

Colorado Family

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Exechorseluver

I returned to my Colorado homeland amongst the worst storms and flooding in years. It seemed like a sign. I was looking forward to the fall splendor in the mountains and what I can see with the limited visibility is more like another Houston storm. Streets are blockaded, the entire county of Boulder is just “closed”.

I have not been here in over a year since I moved my mom back to Texas with me. I have been lucky enough to see Amber and her family several times but I have not been here. Lexi and Riley are both at the ages where they change a lot-two and four, respectively. Also, one of my last trips here, the family wolfhound suffered a horrific injury and had to be put to sleep. I had seen pictures of my new grand dog, Nellie, a female Irish wolfhound but had not met her.

Immediately, as I entered their home I was greeted by this huge, beautiful girl. I had owned a male wolfhound as had Amber, but this was our first girl. She was a wee bit shy. But she was huge! At least as big as either of our previous males, she measures almost seven feet (seriously!) from her nose to the tip of her tail. I don’t think she is done growing.

Riley with Nellie

She also has a sweet, calm, loving demeanor. No matter if the kids were crawling over her or rolling along on our rain soaked walk, she was a champ. I saw a year’s worth of photos of the dog! It was wonderful.

The sun is starting to peek through, Lexi, Amber and I have all had pedicures, and I am looking forward to a couple of nice days with my Colorado family.

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with my grand dogs Bailey and Nellie

Kona Goes to the Jungle

Posted on August 4, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Kona already hot at the top of the trail.

I am on a wellness and fitness kick. BORING-I know. Being on a fitness kick in south Texas in August is good because it is so freaking hot that you burn more calories just trying to keep your body cooled. It is also horrible because it is so freaking hot. The heat index yesterday was 106!

In the morning I did work around the barn. There was a lot to catch up on. I have a pedometer to keep track of my steps and had walked a couple of miles just doing chores. I decided to get back to the walking habit I used to enjoy in Florida-trying to walk three miles a day (most days).

Lauren and Blake were off to World of Hunting or some equally exciting trade show. I was off to the state park with Kona. The closest one was Bravos Bend State Park-known for its swamps and alligators. I was guessing that the dry spell we were in would have minimized the swamp and driven the alligators off the beaten path (I hoped).

I was smart enough to bring water but not smart to bring with us when we started walking. We headed down a path in the woods. Kona thought I was nuts. First, why were we walking when it was so hot? Second, where were we? I might live in the country, but Kona might as well have been dropped in the jungles of Southeast Asia for all that was familiar to him. In our rural little corner of the world, there are unlimited views, corn, grass and some more grass.

From the moment we stepped onto the trail, Kona acted like a high-strung Arabian at his first parade. He jumped at every little sound. The squirrels in the tree sent him spinning (I have no idea why we do not have any squirrels but we do not). The breeze rattling the palms sent him scampering away. As we continued down the path (headed toward the 40 Acre Lake-according to the map) Kona walked along with me but was ever vigilant, shying away from imagined foes.

I was really surprised. Kona has successfully negotiated many horse show venues, been inside Reliant Arena with no issues, hung out with the residents at the nursing home, but Bravos Bend park was undoing my poodle. I think his senses were overloaded with all the intense smells, the sounds of insects, animals and who knows what and the glimpses of unknown animals through the wooded knolls. As we walked along, we both got hotter but Kona never really settled in. Kona kept pulling me into the shade on the side of the trail as if to say, let’s stop here-we can hang out where it is cooler.

As we made the loop around, deer jumped out about 200 yards ahead of us. Kona halted. His nose to the wind. Pointing. He gave a little bark and would have given chase. He had no idea what those strange animals were but they looked a little like small ponies so at least Kona had something to relate to.

I think the only time Kona was comfortable was when we finally stopped at the turn-around point on a wooden bench. He immediately jumped up beside me as if to say ‘this is more like it!’.

We took a picture together (there may be something a little sad about taking a selfie with your poodle) and headed home.

Kona says “Finally, some civilization and a place to sit”.

New adventures – Kona hits the trails

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Looking out from my saddle through Mickey’s ears to see Kona on his first trail ride.

I have been left to my own devices this weekend. There has been a lot of activity at the farm on the weekends for almost a month now. First, we had a horse show, then the tragic weekend of baling hay and Ally’s broken arm, then off to Maui. Lauren headed out with Blake to go ‘mudding’ which I believe involves ATVs, alcohol and mud.

I had plenty to do. Scores of wash to catch up on, barn chores, gardening, house work, and a long visit with my mom were all on the list. Momma looked great with the new shirt I brought her from Hawaii along with earrings and a necklace! She even commented on how peaceful the place was which I do not think she has ever said. Upon Lauren’s recommendation, I had gotten her a caramel frappuccino from McDonalds and she was in heaven.

After a much needed trip to Wal-Mart where almost $300 immediately slipped through my fingers re-filling the frig, the dog/cat food containers, water and other ‘gee, it’s crazy hot’ items, I finally had a few minutes for me. I wished I had someone to ride with-we had planned to take Bruno and Pixie to Caroline’s tonight before Lauren ditched me. I love to trail ride. Lauren loves the arena. So, today after over ten weeks absence, I decided to head out to the wide, open spaces behind my little farm. Ideally, one should not ride alone. Ideally, a lot of things should happen, but you deal with it.

For the first time as well, I decided to take poodle Kona as well. And what horse should ride? That took about one minute to decide. Mickey, of course, the only one I really trust out. I had on my usual shorts, tee shirt, boots and as a nod to safety (and Diane Wilson) my helmet.

Kona was a little unsure at first. ‘Really, you want me to run behind that mean horse?’ ‘Yes, Kona, come on!’. Mickey can be a kicker, but thankfully Kona was wise enough to stay out of his reach. It has been since riding in Florida with my wolfhound and Tippy that my dogs and horses have gotten along for trail rides. Pretty cool for me!

Kona with my barn and homestead across the sea of green.

It wasn’t a long ride, but it was a great ride! It was also my fourth ride of the week which is pretty exciting as well. I am getting stronger, leaner ( when it is blow torch hot, you get lean fast ), and I am eyeing the big Bruno guy. Wonder what it would feel like to ride him? Lauren should not leave me alone, just saying….

Teamwork

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Lungeing the new Pixie pony helped out by my team of Kona (holding the rope for me) and little Lula.

I am lucky to have a great team of my family, friends and barn mates behind me as we go to shows, make decisions about our farm and our life. This was brought home to me in many ways over the last several weeks as I have struggled with getting back to whole after my shoulder surgery. So many times, in so many ways, people just stepped in and helped when we needed it. From friends and family that offered to help out at the farm, to those that simply held the door open for me as I made my way up at work through multiple keypass doors to my office.

Today we tried lungeing the pony for the first time. Lauren was riding Feather and Bruno was romping up and down the fenceline on the far side of the arena. It was not an optimum learning environment. I was in the arena with my loyal companions of Lula and Kona. I got Kona on Valentine’s Day. I had surgery the first of April so I have not been in the ring working horses much since Kona has been around. Lungeing is an art of moving a horse off his hind end in a circle around at the walk, trot and canter. It is a way to exercise, educate and improve the horse without being up in the saddle. We did not know if the four year-old pony had much instruction in lungeing. It is sometimes difficult to manuveur the horse as you keep yourself in the center of the circle while constantly urging the horse forward.

I was surprised as I moved Pixie forward that she understood the lungeing concept as well as she did, but what surprised me more was that my “team” of poodle Kona and dachshund Lula were right there in my little circle. It was a hazy morning promising to be the first hot day of 2013. I handed Lauren my phone to try to snap a shot of my determined entourage that kept pace with the pony and I throughout the entire work out. My favorite part was when Kona took hold of the lunge rope and stood resolutely behind me, making sure the pony did not pull on my shoulder or dash away.

Teamwork-I am grateful!

My team working the pony under the endless sky.

Sick Leave

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Exechorseluver

I resorted to taking pictures of the dogs today. Sneaky is Lauren’s Corgi.

It has been three weeks today since the orthopedic surgeon cut into my shoulder to repair my torn rotator cuff and remove numerous bone spurs. I am tired of sick leave. Don’t get me wrong, I am immensely grateful to have sick leave and not to be fretting over how I will pay the bills during this time but I am so ready to be back at work (did I really say that?) and back to be able to do the things I enjoy doing and need to do.

Lauren will rush from the house eager to be anywhere but here and I will agree to do something simple like put on Mickey’s and Feather’s fly mask for the night and send them out to pasture. Go try to put on a fly mask or halter with one hand. Good luck with that. Even if I am left with very simple things to do, I cannot do them. Frustrating!

At this point in my sick leave, my daughter, my mother and all my animals are sick of me. Yesterday, I dragged my mom and Lauren to the nail place to get our nails done. Fun for all but not necessarily in a group. Today I was lying down with my mom after lunch and she called the aide to come give her shower. She told me, ‘see you later’. Wow, that is harsh.

I am pretty fun but dachshund Lula says she is old and doesn’t want to go out to the barn again to look at the horses, We already went seven times. The poodle can usually be talked into to chasing the ball, which I throw with my right hand, using a “Chuck-it” that makes it go really far, but even he had enough of chasing the ball in the 80 degree sun today.

I don’t know. I started taking random pictures of the other dogs and even found a Welsh Corgi Facebook page to post Sneaky’s picture on. They are running from me now. I took some pictures of BrownDog but apparently there is not a Lab-Australian shepherd with maybe some Doberman mix Facebook page. Don’t know why.

Lauren and Kona at the final ‘rally’ at dog class last night.

Even the obedience class which was good for a few hours of entertainment on Mondays, ended last night. I have to say that Kona has learned a lot but most interesting to me was that Lauren who has been around and worked with animals all her life, had never been to a formalized training session. J-Canine Pet Resort in Rosenberg, with trainer Martine, did an outstanding job of helping both the owner and the dog learn productively. Lauren learned a lot about patience, giving good commands, providing strong feedback and getting the best from Kona. Wow, what kind of class was it? Because both Lauren and Kona learned a lot!

We will be going back for next step in training as well. Bravo!

I will stick out another week at home and get back to work next Monday. I am beginning to understand a little about why Bruno wanted to escape and his fascination with watching the cows across the road. You have to do something. By next week, I might drive everyone nuts.

A girl, a horse and a dog

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Lauren, Feather. Kona and the big Texas sky.

There were few things, actually not any, that I wished for and enjoyed more as a girl than my horse and my dog. It is nice to see some things survive generations and technological changes.

It was a beautiful day today (a why-you-live-in-Texas day) and Lauren got Feather out to work before going for a lesson tomorrow at Dev’s. I was hanging out with Kona, throwing his tennis ball with my good arm and snapping some pictures. Lula joined us and there were a couple of times she spotted the ball before Kona. She would hustle it back to me while Kona was running through the arena still searching for the ball. She may be old but she still has game.

But Kona got tired of my pathetic throws and decided that Lauren would be the answer to better ball playing. Off he charged to take Lauren his ball. He really didn’t understand why she could not grab it from him as he dropped it (a little difficult as she was up in the saddle!). I have to say for young Feather, she was completely undaunted by the ape-like dog running up and down the arena with her. We shot some video and Kona even cantered along for several strides before loosing interest in the horse.

Waiting for the throw!

Kona got several good romps retrieving Lauren’s long throws as she sat up high on her horse. In the end though, he just couldn’t understand why if he dropped it as he was supposed to do, Lauren couldn’t just throw it again.

The sand covered tennis ball dropped expertly at Feather’s feet.

Oh, a girl, a horse and a dog, life is good.

Poodle Creds

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Kona loves to retrieve anything you throw.

I have been enjoying my new poodle, Kona, although I am still a little hesitant to tell people that I bought a poodle. I hang out with horse people for the most part and they are pretty specific with the types of dogs they like-number one, no doubt being the Welsh Corgi and number two-the Jack Russell Terrier. I own a Corgi (Lauren’s dog) and she is fine but wow, the hair generated by one Corgi could clothe a small African village for a year. I have owned Jack Russells, a couple times. I will not own them again. They generate just a little too much excitement for my household. Breeds that are seen frequently with horse owners include the Aussies, the cattle dogs and the lab/retriever family. Other dogs like the Shepherd, Pitbull and Doberman are fairly well-respected, because honestly who doesn’t respect them. Maybe you don’t want to own them, but you respect them. But a big, curly Poodle, is pretty much a just a fancy dog, not good for much else.

Television in America has changed and one of the fastest growing shows is a reality show called “Duck Dynasty“. I have not watched it but my daughters do and apparently a lot of the TV viewing population. It is about a family that has made a fortune making duck calls. The family men all have long beards and like to hunt. The women are pretty. To me it is a lot like visiting any of my Texas neighbors only with more money and more witty things to say.

Recently, the men of the show, Willie, Jase, Si and Phil demonstrated how the traditions and rules of the hunt can be broken. Si, one of the elders of the Dynasty family, showed up to hunt with a standard poodle. Of course he was laughed at and ridiculed about how poodles were for royalty. Si replied, “well, just call me Prince.”

Si with his hunting poodle.

And of course, the poodle went on to out hunt the hunting dogs. By the end of the show, everyone was exclaiming over how smart poodles were.

Now, I do not care about the show one way or another. But this episode will go miles toward improving my poodle’s credentials in my little town and I appreciate that!

My Kona and I will start obedience classes next Monday night. We will just see how my dog stacks up against who ever else shows up. In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy his inquisitiveness, his intelligence and his love. Granny is having a good time with her new dog!

p.s. Bruno was up this morning neighing loudly for his breakfast. Lauren reported at noon that he seemed no worse for his awful day yesterday. I am not sure how Dr. Marsh at TAMU will assess his lameness with two feet sore instead of one but we have a few days to heal before that happens.

Exechorseluver

The life and times of modern day horse woman

Category Archives: The dogs who reside at Six Meadow Farm