What a Day!

This was one fine day! The temperature got up to +11C (+52F) and the sun was out! Water was running off the fields like crazy. Spring may have finally arrived. I was going to saddle up Biz and go for a nice quiet ride. It was quiet, but busy. Lady (yellow lab) and her small boxer buddy decided to come along. Brooklyn and Boots showed up also, along with a chocolate lab from somewhere in the neighbourhood. I could not get all 5 in the picture because Boots is a bit of a loner. I think dogs have a sixth sense that tells them when somebody is going riding. No dogs in sight to five in front in 4 seconds flat.

I tried several times, but could not get them all. The small ride turned out to be 2+ hours. Needless to say, the dogs were somewhat pooped.

 Me, I hope I can still walk in the morning.

Boots disappeared about 1 1/2 hours into the ride. We are riding on the county roads and side roads, plus a few fields that were in the sun. During the day, there is not much traffic, and what there is slows right down for horses and dogs. Generally, there is a good natured wave, a smile and perhaps a laugh.

The latter happened today when one of the County workers stopped his truck and said "You need another dog". I told him that I had another one when I started out, but he disappeared.

I also asked him if he'd seen any foxes around

You know "a boo-halloo!"  Just kidding. No one fox hunts in these parts.

When we got home, Biz, Brooklynn and myself, (the others branched off at their homes) this is what we found.

Overall, I would say that Biz is our best all'round horse at the moment. She is very trusting, quiet and well behaved. 

Alpine will be getting a few more miles on her to get her up to the level that Biz is at. Yesterday, she decided that she was going to go into the ditch. She bounded in, sunk to hip level ( mine) and panicked! First time I have been on a horse that was rearing and jumping at the same time. It was a good little rodeo until she managed to get out. I had to lead her for  a couple of hundred yards until she calmed down. If you are a horse,  there are many horse-eating ditches around just waiting to suck you in.

All in all, a very good day!

Humph!

Now when you look at me, 

how can you say I am fat! 

I am NOT fat. 

I am not even circumferentialy challenged!

I am just fluffy!

( and lovable)

Enough, Already!

December was the third warmest on record and so far this January, we have had double digits on three days of the 5. Yesterday we set an all time record of +12C ( 52F). The upside it was nice to be out even though it was very windy. The downside is instead of about 2 feet of nice fluffy snow, we have hard, can't dent  -it -with- a- shovel- ice, everywhere. Don't let the first two photos fool you. It is ice out there. I had to sand the driveway to get up to the house. The plowed walking paths are treacherous. The horses are walking on tip toe, and horse back riding is out of the question.

Although Boots is an outside dog, now and again he will come in to eat and then crash. He is a dog and not an ostrich, and yes we can see him!

Borderline cute? Or what?

Boots

This is how he got his name! A favourite sleeping spot as a pup.

At 8 weeks old he was awfully cute

 He filled out to look like a typical Border Collie, intent, alert and hard working.

His first love is trying to herd horses. Horses don't herd well and I have seen him get kicked 38 times ( and counting). The results are, cut ribs, cut face, broken off tooth and a dog that is stone deaf.

 Somehow, he maintains his ability to look cute!

 An outdoor dog at heart, he refuses to come into the house, except for a small nap now and again when it's really cold outside.

That's our Boots!

Sushi

What else do you call a koi that is rapidly outgrowing his 35 gallon tank?

We've had him/her for about 3 years ever since he was a fingerling. Other than the dogs and the horses, the fish are the only ones with names. Currently he is about a foot long. I guess one of these days I'll have to take a trip back to the pet store and see if I can barter for a replacement. Anybody got any other suggestions? I hate the thought of him living up to his name.

Besides, the rule still holds that you should never name anything that you could eat. 8-}