Life on the Ranch

before we bought our place we used to play at the creek down the road and imagine ourselves living on that beautiful piece of land...we thought life would be perfect if only we could find a way to make it ours -  we would be happy always - as we all know its much more complicated than that...

In Remembrance

of two very special beings that shared a time with us on our sweet little parcel

Chester

December 5, 2010
as you lie out on the porch wrapped in a warm blanket on this cold, rainy night  i am tempted by the urge to bring u in to sit with me by the warm fire i've just lit.  but u  are on a journey to a new adventure - a place u must go alone... 

i can't imagine life here without you my faithful friend

the little head nudge, the big sad brown eyes, the big fluffy tail always wagging, holding your "spot" in the kitchen, chasing the ball, the "chester dance" , fetching the stick in the pond, the " i'm so grateful for you" look that always was there for us 

" but mom i'm already attached" was theo's response after spending time with you at the gymkhana in town when you were a puppy

you were his dog but stole all our hearts - we couldn't say no - you were the puppy left abandoned by your pack on the highway set for a destination of the shelter 

we saved you from your fate you taught us all how to love just a little deeper and enjoy life just a little more

the barrage of rain continues... what a sad day 

mother nature even weeps your loss.  maybe you are just going home - back to her embrace - part of a bigger plan having served your time well here on this temporary parcel
loving, being loved, giving more than you ever received... 

but never holding a grudge always a constant reminder of unconditional love

farewell my sweet boy... you have lived well and been truly loved

Old Red

January 27, 2010

how do you say goodbye to a loved one?  there are no words to describe how sad it is without you-you grumpy old guy

you were a hero - standing your ground to steady the little girl on your back as a truck was approaching, weaving through barrels making your child feel like a champion, parading down main street with your little girl in pink chaps feeling like a princess/cowgirl, pretending to be a champion jumping horse because that's what your boy decided he wanted to be that day (you were a champion to us) when he decided a knight/warrior was the next fantasy for a couple of years (you even learned to become a jousting horse) when your boy was scared you would dip your head closer to his level and soften (as if to say "i'm here buddy it's ok")

you had a hard life prior to arriving in our care.  It took you all of the 11 years you lived with us to really finally trust - once you were sure that you would be fed, have your heard (all mares- except Mr. Darcy - but he doesn't count) , be warm in the winter (only the best blankets, stall in the rain) and cool in the summer (your muzzle always drenched in the cool water trough-you were always the one who would sneak a dip in the pond)

i always had a special place in my heart for you for taking such good care of them.  you even took care of me - keeping me buffered from the herd as they would come charging in for their evening meal unaware of anything or anyone in their path.  you knew when i was sad - i would get the soft eye from you and that special head dip too...thank you old friend i will miss you more with each memory

we were not there on the day or hours that led up to your passing.  i am hopeful that it was peaceful , that you looked up and caught the pending breeze promising a field of green, bursting with wildflowers...and along your journey you dipped your muzzle in the cool waters of the pond, looked back one last time and were content and happy to have finally been loved