It was awfully windy yesterday afternoon and evening. There were multiple wildfires in Boulder County, along with fires in other counties. The worst is outside of Evergreen, about 25 miles west of Denver (the area that Diana Mott Davidson writes about in her Goldie's catering mysteries) - one person has died in the fire, several homes have been burnt, and the fire is still completely out of control. All of the fires in Boulder county are at least 60% contained. We're expected to be hot, dry and windy through Saturday (with an estimated high of 80 on Sat.); but only 62 on Sunday... In any way, it's fire danger weather. I can smell smoke right now....
I've been having a good time with Rosie and Remy; currently my kits are outside playing in the sun. Rascal and I have been playing chase with each other, and I've given Brandi a lot of attention. Today I add Oly, Annie and Bentley into the mix. Oly had a cast put on her foreleg yesterday and is not happy about it - but her nerve sheath is torn, and the leg needs to be immobilized for the sheath to repair itself. The hens gave me a dozen eggs yesterday - and there were five different colors of eggs. Tinkerbell was asleep under the covers, as usual, when I visited her, and Twister came out for love and for his meds - he knows he doesn't feel "right" if he misses his "special food" that contains his thyroid medicine.
VT has been doing such a good job of patrolling the shopping center next to my apartment that the landlords' decided to give him a week's paid vacation, to see what would happen. Since he isn't in view, there have been 5 times the amount of calls to the local police about panhandlers, drunks, and merchants complaints against shop-lifters. I guess he's a good "enforcer." He'll be back at work tomorrow, or Thursday, he told me. I've reached Stalin's death in my history of Russia, so I have about 60 years to cover before reaching the end of the book. I have really enjoyed it. (Especially when I read that, after the Allies had won the war, Stalin was to ride a white stallion in a victory gallop across Red Square. The horse threw him twice the morning of the celebration, and Stalin was quoted as saying,"F*** this! Zhukov can ride the d*** horse!") It's little things like this that make history come alive for me.
Showing posts with label dogs horses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dogs horses. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Horse, Cat, and Neighborhood News
It's once again 25 and sunny outside - the kits are running in and out, and I'll need to close the door soon, as it's getting chilly at my desk. Nedi got a wild hair about 5:30 this morning, first, running through the apartment and tipping over the water bowl. He ran several routes, then got Lovey involved in the running, and finally jumped on top of her, so the fur flew, very briefly. Just as I was about to return to sleep, Nedi sat down by the water bowl, and started tipping it on its' side, sloshing the water everywhere. When I got up, an hour later, I had to mop the floor because there was a giant lake on the tile. ... I'll be moving into Oly, Annie and Bentley's place late this afternoon, as their Mom says she is definitely staying overnight.
For the first time ever, the 2012 American Youth Horse Council's annual symposium will be in Virginia. The event is set for March 23-25 in Herndon and three members of the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team will be making their appearance at this national event. On Saturday afternoon, three special workshops and events are held as part of the symposium and one of those events is a special breed demonstration. And the breed that is featured this year, for the first time ever, is the Chincoteague pony. The three ponies that will be shown include two wild-born ponies that made the swim over from Assateague before being purchased, and a black and white mare that has one blue and one brown eye. She is a direct descendant of Misty, and her sire was Cezanne.
Spread the word to all the kitty faithful, Achilles the cat is free. Employees at the Denver Air Center, a ground services provider for private pilots at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield, are reporting today that Achilles, the young Bengal cat that this week spent more than a day and half stuck in the business's ceiling, has been safely coaxed out of hiding. He came in on a private flight, and while his owner was using the restroom, she turned Achilles loose - not realizing that a ceiling tile was missing, due to repair. Achilles leapt up, and disappeared into the ceiling. His owner had to leave him behind, due to business. Food, water, and a litter box were supplied for the youngster, first on the floor, then in the ceiling. A new plate of tuna was placed out for him, and during the night, he came down and feasted - and decided to stay down. The owner's relatives have already taken Achilles home, to stay until a return flight to California is arranged.
And, locally - An advisory group decided Wednesday night not to recommend a plan to build a bike path along Fourmile Canyon Creek in north Boulder amid concerns from nearby residents that the path would affect the environment and character of the neighborhood. A measure to move forward the city staff's recommendation for the bike path failed before the Boulder Greenways Advisory Committee. The group suggested the city look into other possibilities in the future, such as paving an existing path nearby that connects Sumac Avenue to Riverside Lane. The City Council is expected to take up the issue in March.
The recommended path would have connected 19th and 22nd streets between Tamarack Avenue and Riverside Lane, providing a bike route for students of nearby Crest View Elementary, 1897 Sumac Ave. The board looked at four alternatives for helping connect 19th and 22nd streets. Two involved multi-use paths along the creek -- one concrete and one crushed gravel -- while the other two involved sidewalks along either Tamarack Avenue or Riverside Lane.
The city staff recommended a concrete bike path 10 feet wide for cyclists and pedestrians. They said the creek path would help provide a path for students who live in the area to bike to nearby Crest View Elementary without using the streets. (See: http://bcove.me/xg4mlkjn )
Fourmile Creek is the seasonal creek that runs through Githens' Acres, the area where I do most of my house-sitting and pet-walking. The traffic is sparse enough that I walk Rosie and Remy in the middle of the streets (there are no streetlights, sidewalks, or bike paths in the residential areas), and only occasionally do I need to "curb them", so a vehicle can pass by. And the neighborhoods were built piece-meal, with no true over all plan, so that the streets funnel all the wildlife traffic directly through the area that the city wants to make a 10-foot wide cement strip through.... I am so happy that the advisory committee decided not to endorse the City's plan!
For the first time ever, the 2012 American Youth Horse Council's annual symposium will be in Virginia. The event is set for March 23-25 in Herndon and three members of the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team will be making their appearance at this national event. On Saturday afternoon, three special workshops and events are held as part of the symposium and one of those events is a special breed demonstration. And the breed that is featured this year, for the first time ever, is the Chincoteague pony. The three ponies that will be shown include two wild-born ponies that made the swim over from Assateague before being purchased, and a black and white mare that has one blue and one brown eye. She is a direct descendant of Misty, and her sire was Cezanne.
Spread the word to all the kitty faithful, Achilles the cat is free. Employees at the Denver Air Center, a ground services provider for private pilots at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield, are reporting today that Achilles, the young Bengal cat that this week spent more than a day and half stuck in the business's ceiling, has been safely coaxed out of hiding. He came in on a private flight, and while his owner was using the restroom, she turned Achilles loose - not realizing that a ceiling tile was missing, due to repair. Achilles leapt up, and disappeared into the ceiling. His owner had to leave him behind, due to business. Food, water, and a litter box were supplied for the youngster, first on the floor, then in the ceiling. A new plate of tuna was placed out for him, and during the night, he came down and feasted - and decided to stay down. The owner's relatives have already taken Achilles home, to stay until a return flight to California is arranged.
And, locally - An advisory group decided Wednesday night not to recommend a plan to build a bike path along Fourmile Canyon Creek in north Boulder amid concerns from nearby residents that the path would affect the environment and character of the neighborhood. A measure to move forward the city staff's recommendation for the bike path failed before the Boulder Greenways Advisory Committee. The group suggested the city look into other possibilities in the future, such as paving an existing path nearby that connects Sumac Avenue to Riverside Lane. The City Council is expected to take up the issue in March.
The recommended path would have connected 19th and 22nd streets between Tamarack Avenue and Riverside Lane, providing a bike route for students of nearby Crest View Elementary, 1897 Sumac Ave. The board looked at four alternatives for helping connect 19th and 22nd streets. Two involved multi-use paths along the creek -- one concrete and one crushed gravel -- while the other two involved sidewalks along either Tamarack Avenue or Riverside Lane.
The city staff recommended a concrete bike path 10 feet wide for cyclists and pedestrians. They said the creek path would help provide a path for students who live in the area to bike to nearby Crest View Elementary without using the streets. (See: http://bcove.me/xg4mlkjn )
Fourmile Creek is the seasonal creek that runs through Githens' Acres, the area where I do most of my house-sitting and pet-walking. The traffic is sparse enough that I walk Rosie and Remy in the middle of the streets (there are no streetlights, sidewalks, or bike paths in the residential areas), and only occasionally do I need to "curb them", so a vehicle can pass by. And the neighborhoods were built piece-meal, with no true over all plan, so that the streets funnel all the wildlife traffic directly through the area that the city wants to make a 10-foot wide cement strip through.... I am so happy that the advisory committee decided not to endorse the City's plan!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Chilly Out...
We got about an inch of snow yesterday - it's already gone from the roads and most of the grassy areas, even though it's only 25 degrees out this morning. Our back yard is another story, and the snow still covers about 90% of the ground. The forecasters say we'll have another snow like yesterday's on Wednesday. My kits have been running in and out, and are now curled up on the afghan for a nap. ... Suki has been buried in the Snow family garden, next to Banichi, Paddle and Lily. She will be missed. The only times I ever saw her in a "bad mood" were when Boo, her daughter, was either dragging her around by her collar, or when Boo would not let go of her tail. She was a very happy dog, and willing to try anything new - food or exercise. She loved the water, and she loved to pull either a sled or a person on skis.
Black Caviar, the undefeated Australian mare, won her 17th race in a row. It's reported that she might be running in Canada next month. .... What caused me to raise my eyebrows was that Rachel Alexandra and her new colt, born January 22, were taken to the Rood and Riddle Equine Clinic "as a precautionary measure" because RA still seems to be suffering from the pains of her delivery. I've been around multiple horses before, during, and after delivery, and the only one I know that experienced any trouble ended up having to be put down with an incurable illness. So my question is, what is really happening with Rachel A? In the one photo released of her and her colt, she doesn't look like a happy mother....
Black Caviar, the undefeated Australian mare, won her 17th race in a row. It's reported that she might be running in Canada next month. .... What caused me to raise my eyebrows was that Rachel Alexandra and her new colt, born January 22, were taken to the Rood and Riddle Equine Clinic "as a precautionary measure" because RA still seems to be suffering from the pains of her delivery. I've been around multiple horses before, during, and after delivery, and the only one I know that experienced any trouble ended up having to be put down with an incurable illness. So my question is, what is really happening with Rachel A? In the one photo released of her and her colt, she doesn't look like a happy mother....
Today is my Mother's birthday. She would have been 91, if she was still with us. I will celebrate her birth; she raised two separate families - her own younger brother and sister, and Kathy and me. She grew up working hard, hunting and fishing, gardening, clamming, crabbing and oystering. Her Mom taught her how to can fruits and vegetables, and her Dad taught her to make and bottle beer and root beer. She loved a good laugh, loved to tease, loved to read, loved a good party (it had to include music, dancing and drinking) and loved a good cigar. Rest in peace, Mom.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Chinook!
I thought it was windy yesterday. My mistake. We have a "High Wind Warning" posted for today until 5 p.m. - we've already had one gust clocked at 73 mph, while Pinecliffe has recorded a gust at 93 mph. I know that tree branches are down everywhere, and I'm glad that I can scoot around, and in between, things with the Mini. Plus, it was 52 degrees when I arose this morning - usually, it's in the teens or twenties. Finn is trying to destroy one of his felt tug-o-war toys, but isn't having much luck. Last night he eviscerated Dino the dinosaur, who was made entirely of felt. If he keeps on at this rate, he won't have any toys left... except his antlers to chew on. Getting ready to head over to my apartment and spend some time with my kits... I also need to do some grocery shopping for myself and for Sunday's family gathering.
The folks in the government have come up with an alternative plan for the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and the Assateague National Seashore on Assateague Island, according to The Chincoteague Beacon: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials met with representatives from federal, state, and county agencies and elected officials from Chincoteague and Accomack County on Dec. 21 to review public comments on the first draft of alternatives for the Chincoteague and Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuges comprehensive conservation plan.
The refuge initially solicited public comment on a first draft of management scenarios between Aug. 14 and Oct. 31. At the meeting, the planning team clarified the attributes common to all alternatives and discussed proposed refinements to the draft alternatives based on public comments received.
Some key elements included in each proposed alternative include:
» A one-mile long recreational beach will be maintained;
» Some level of parking in the vicinity of the recreational beach will be maintained;
» Personal motor vehicle access to Assateague Island will continue to be permitted;
» The Chincoteague ponies will continue to inhabit Assateague Island and management will be specified in the agreement with the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company.
"The surrounding community is understandably concerned about the future of Chincoteague and Assateague Islands, and how we are managing these public lands as they continue to be affected by sea-level rise and climate change," said Refuge Manager Louis Hinds.
"This meeting was an excellent opportunity to come together with our community partners, clarify the management scenarios, and talk about how we can refine the alternatives to consider comments we received."
The refuge plans to release a newsletter this winter that will summarize public comments that were received, clarify the proposed alternatives, and explain the next steps of the CCP process, which will include completing a draft CCP/Environmental Impact Statement.
The EIS evaluates potential impacts that would result from the proposed alternatives. The public will have an opportunity to comment on the draft CCP/EIS.
I am looking forward to January 13, when I will be able to sleep in my own bed again - and with Lovey and Nedi. Rosie and Remy, and Skipper and Finn, are great house companions and pretty good bed companions - but getting to sleep with my own kits will be fantastic.
The folks in the government have come up with an alternative plan for the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and the Assateague National Seashore on Assateague Island, according to The Chincoteague Beacon: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials met with representatives from federal, state, and county agencies and elected officials from Chincoteague and Accomack County on Dec. 21 to review public comments on the first draft of alternatives for the Chincoteague and Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuges comprehensive conservation plan.
The refuge initially solicited public comment on a first draft of management scenarios between Aug. 14 and Oct. 31. At the meeting, the planning team clarified the attributes common to all alternatives and discussed proposed refinements to the draft alternatives based on public comments received.
Some key elements included in each proposed alternative include:
» A one-mile long recreational beach will be maintained;
» Some level of parking in the vicinity of the recreational beach will be maintained;
» Personal motor vehicle access to Assateague Island will continue to be permitted;
» The Chincoteague ponies will continue to inhabit Assateague Island and management will be specified in the agreement with the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company.
"The surrounding community is understandably concerned about the future of Chincoteague and Assateague Islands, and how we are managing these public lands as they continue to be affected by sea-level rise and climate change," said Refuge Manager Louis Hinds.
"This meeting was an excellent opportunity to come together with our community partners, clarify the management scenarios, and talk about how we can refine the alternatives to consider comments we received."
The refuge plans to release a newsletter this winter that will summarize public comments that were received, clarify the proposed alternatives, and explain the next steps of the CCP process, which will include completing a draft CCP/Environmental Impact Statement.
The EIS evaluates potential impacts that would result from the proposed alternatives. The public will have an opportunity to comment on the draft CCP/EIS.
I am looking forward to January 13, when I will be able to sleep in my own bed again - and with Lovey and Nedi. Rosie and Remy, and Skipper and Finn, are great house companions and pretty good bed companions - but getting to sleep with my own kits will be fantastic.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Irene and Critters
I finally feel as if I can heave a sigh of relief regarding Assateague and Chincoteague and Hurricane Irene. I have not yet been able to find photos from either place showing damage or flooding, but I'm sure that some will appear soon. The only photo from the area that I can find is of a large tree that fell across Pungoteague Road between Keller and Pungoteague:
It has been amazing to watch the video that shows historic covered bridges in Vermont being washed away by wildly flooding rivers. I do know the power that water can generate, and I've always held it in awe. Irene, you have certainly proved to others that rain and wind are immensely powerful opponents.
On Saturday, Uncle Mo lost the King's Bishop Stakes by a nose to Caleb's Posse. Stay Thirsty won the Travers Stakes over Rattlesnake Bridge, while Shackleton finished a disappointing eighth out of ten. On the west coast, Acclimation won the Pacific Classic and The Factor won the Pat O'Brien Stakes. The Breeders Cup Races are only 9 weeks away.
Nedi surprised me by avidly slurping up a mango-pineapple smoothie this morning. I thought it would be too acidic for him... I was wrong. Lovey is crunching up some Party Mix Beachside treats on the end of my desk, while Mocha is watching an old western on TV. I have already walked the red kids and the Shih Tzus and have taken care of Alexy's kits. It'll soon be time for me to head back in their direction. I need to finish tidying up the kitchen before Alexy gets back from London, and move my overnight gear over to the Munsinger house. Tomorrow I'll walk the little guys, walk the red kids, walk to my shrink appointment, visit my kits, and then drive Kathy and Jim to the airport, as they leave for Alaska tomorrow evening. It's taking them a while (longer than expected) to wean Boo off her pain and nausea medication after her radiation therapy, so I'll be there every afternoon while Kathy and Jim are gone, to give Boo her reduced 2 p.m. dose of meds. Mike will be giving her the morning and evening doses while his folks are gone. - With Colorado setting record high temperatures every day this past week, it seems hard to believe that it's almost September!
On Saturday, Uncle Mo lost the King's Bishop Stakes by a nose to Caleb's Posse. Stay Thirsty won the Travers Stakes over Rattlesnake Bridge, while Shackleton finished a disappointing eighth out of ten. On the west coast, Acclimation won the Pacific Classic and The Factor won the Pat O'Brien Stakes. The Breeders Cup Races are only 9 weeks away.
Nedi surprised me by avidly slurping up a mango-pineapple smoothie this morning. I thought it would be too acidic for him... I was wrong. Lovey is crunching up some Party Mix Beachside treats on the end of my desk, while Mocha is watching an old western on TV. I have already walked the red kids and the Shih Tzus and have taken care of Alexy's kits. It'll soon be time for me to head back in their direction. I need to finish tidying up the kitchen before Alexy gets back from London, and move my overnight gear over to the Munsinger house. Tomorrow I'll walk the little guys, walk the red kids, walk to my shrink appointment, visit my kits, and then drive Kathy and Jim to the airport, as they leave for Alaska tomorrow evening. It's taking them a while (longer than expected) to wean Boo off her pain and nausea medication after her radiation therapy, so I'll be there every afternoon while Kathy and Jim are gone, to give Boo her reduced 2 p.m. dose of meds. Mike will be giving her the morning and evening doses while his folks are gone. - With Colorado setting record high temperatures every day this past week, it seems hard to believe that it's almost September!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Critters and Bits
It's a humid Thursday - my kits are on the patio, and I have both fans blowing in hopes I won't sweat to death. Rosie and Remy had a great walk this morning, and I was able to keep us in the shade for most of the time. Cloudy and Shady are doing well, but you can tell they miss their real Momma. I've been reading a book a day, and will have to get new ones either this afternoon or tomorrow from the library. I'm really in the mood to do genealogy work, but with everything here at home (all my programs and previously gathered info), and with me away most of the time, I'm getting frustrated. And Chokey, the neighbor who complained about everything, has completely moved out. It sounds as if folks are preparing the place for a new tenant today.
Bits and pieces; odds and ends - Michael Matz, the show jumping rider and dressage rider turned race horse trainer, was blind-sided by the sudden withdrawal of 11 horses from his stable by the owners of Barbaro. The horses, including Barbaro's two full brothers were split between two other trainers. .... A British trainer has been banned for four years because he ran a horse in eight races after he knew the horse had "palmar neurectomy" surgery. This removed the feeling in the nerves of the legs from the knees and hocks down to the hooves. The horse wouldn't even know if it had broken a leg! The trainer, Howard Johnson (no relation of mine, though), retired immediately upon the decision of the British Racing Board. He also had three runners come back positive for pain-killers. I would have banned him for life, full stop. .... The Chincoteague Fire Company now says that they have "out-grown" the old fire station on Main Street, and are seeking a place to build a new station. They had a car show at the high school to start raising funds to buy the land and build the new place. .... In the last week, there have been four armed robberies of women here in Boulder. All have been conducted by a Hispanic male, armed with a handgun, and using a bicycle as his get-away vehicle. Last Thursday, three ladies were robbed of their purses, backpacks and pocket contents, while walking on the Boulder Creek Path near the University Rec Center by the man brandishing the gun. Monday evening, the man robbed three women who had been sitting at a picnic table near the Boulder Justice Center (again, on the Boulder Creek Path), he showed them the gun and had them walk into the Creek. Then he took their belongings - purses and backpacks - and rode away on his bike, discharging the gun into the air as he left. Tuesday night, the robber was hiding in an underground garage (next to the Creek Path), and robbed a woman as she was returning home. This time, besides showing her the gun, and getting her purse and belongings, he also made her pull up her skirt (showing her undies), and then grabbed her hand and made her touch his crotch. At that point in time, another vehicle entered the parking garage, and the man ran away. I'm glad I'm wandering around Githen's Acres and not the Creek Path at the moment!
Bits and pieces; odds and ends - Michael Matz, the show jumping rider and dressage rider turned race horse trainer, was blind-sided by the sudden withdrawal of 11 horses from his stable by the owners of Barbaro. The horses, including Barbaro's two full brothers were split between two other trainers. .... A British trainer has been banned for four years because he ran a horse in eight races after he knew the horse had "palmar neurectomy" surgery. This removed the feeling in the nerves of the legs from the knees and hocks down to the hooves. The horse wouldn't even know if it had broken a leg! The trainer, Howard Johnson (no relation of mine, though), retired immediately upon the decision of the British Racing Board. He also had three runners come back positive for pain-killers. I would have banned him for life, full stop. .... The Chincoteague Fire Company now says that they have "out-grown" the old fire station on Main Street, and are seeking a place to build a new station. They had a car show at the high school to start raising funds to buy the land and build the new place. .... In the last week, there have been four armed robberies of women here in Boulder. All have been conducted by a Hispanic male, armed with a handgun, and using a bicycle as his get-away vehicle. Last Thursday, three ladies were robbed of their purses, backpacks and pocket contents, while walking on the Boulder Creek Path near the University Rec Center by the man brandishing the gun. Monday evening, the man robbed three women who had been sitting at a picnic table near the Boulder Justice Center (again, on the Boulder Creek Path), he showed them the gun and had them walk into the Creek. Then he took their belongings - purses and backpacks - and rode away on his bike, discharging the gun into the air as he left. Tuesday night, the robber was hiding in an underground garage (next to the Creek Path), and robbed a woman as she was returning home. This time, besides showing her the gun, and getting her purse and belongings, he also made her pull up her skirt (showing her undies), and then grabbed her hand and made her touch his crotch. At that point in time, another vehicle entered the parking garage, and the man ran away. I'm glad I'm wandering around Githen's Acres and not the Creek Path at the moment!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Pony Penning - and Anger in Denver
Today's Salisbury Daily Times says that 68 foals were auctioned yesterday for a total of $93,725 at the annual Pony Auction on Chincoteague. (Having been there many years myself, and taking notes of foals and prices, my numbers have never added up to what the CVFC announces - I've always wondered about that.) I do know that the purchase price of one of the buy back foals is being donated by the CVFC to the Ronald McDonald House charities. I will post auction photos at the end of today's blog. Today, again at slack tide, the stallions and mares, the buy back foals and the foals too young to be weaned from their mothers, will swim back across the Assateague Channel. There will be very few people on hand to watch this swim, as opposed to Wednesday's. Most gates on Assateague Island will be left open, and the herds will be allowed to drift and graze their way back to their usual territories. Then the gates will be closed once more. I'll continue to post Pony Penning photos from this year as I receive them from friends.
My kits and the doggies are all doing well. We're on our 15th day (in a row) of temperatures in the 90s for Boulder, and I'm so happy that we haven't been as hot as Wichita, Kansas. (My heart and love goes out to you, Sarah!) .... I am very upset with some children in Denver. A 10-year-old girl saw some other children abusing a 4-month-old kitten (now named Marvell); she ran to the group, yelled and threatened them, and was able to rescue the little grey tabby. She had observed the kitten being swung in circles by it's tail, as hard and fast as the other kids were able to spin it. The kitten spent more than 4 hours in surgery - it had a broken tail, internal damages to it's lungs and kidneys, it was bleeding from the eyes, and has suffered some brain damage. Marvell had also had his whiskers burnt off with a lighter, as well as having the tips of his ears burnt. The vets don't know how well the kitten will recover from the brain damage, nor just how severe that damage is. The kitten was named "Marvell" because the vets were so amazed that he was still alive after all the trauma that had been done to him. - The Denver and Aurora Police Departments are seeking the group of children that tortured the poor little guy. - The vets hope that Marvell will be able to be adopted into a loving home, once he recovers.
In the horse racing world, Versus TV will show The Diana Stakes and the Jim Dandy Stakes from Saratoga live tomorrow (5 -6 p.m. EDT). .... The $1 million Haskell Invitational for 3-year-olds will be run Sunday at Monmouth Park. There is a field of 8 running, and Shackleford, the only colt to run in all three Triple Crown races and come out without injury, is the betting favorite, breaking from post position 5. The race is 1 and 1/8 miles on the dirt. .... Uncle Mo has now had two work-outs over the track at Saratoga for his return to racing. Folks say that he is looking and running well.
My kits and the doggies are all doing well. We're on our 15th day (in a row) of temperatures in the 90s for Boulder, and I'm so happy that we haven't been as hot as Wichita, Kansas. (My heart and love goes out to you, Sarah!) .... I am very upset with some children in Denver. A 10-year-old girl saw some other children abusing a 4-month-old kitten (now named Marvell); she ran to the group, yelled and threatened them, and was able to rescue the little grey tabby. She had observed the kitten being swung in circles by it's tail, as hard and fast as the other kids were able to spin it. The kitten spent more than 4 hours in surgery - it had a broken tail, internal damages to it's lungs and kidneys, it was bleeding from the eyes, and has suffered some brain damage. Marvell had also had his whiskers burnt off with a lighter, as well as having the tips of his ears burnt. The vets don't know how well the kitten will recover from the brain damage, nor just how severe that damage is. The kitten was named "Marvell" because the vets were so amazed that he was still alive after all the trauma that had been done to him. - The Denver and Aurora Police Departments are seeking the group of children that tortured the poor little guy. - The vets hope that Marvell will be able to be adopted into a loving home, once he recovers.
In the horse racing world, Versus TV will show The Diana Stakes and the Jim Dandy Stakes from Saratoga live tomorrow (5 -6 p.m. EDT). .... The $1 million Haskell Invitational for 3-year-olds will be run Sunday at Monmouth Park. There is a field of 8 running, and Shackleford, the only colt to run in all three Triple Crown races and come out without injury, is the betting favorite, breaking from post position 5. The race is 1 and 1/8 miles on the dirt. .... Uncle Mo has now had two work-outs over the track at Saratoga for his return to racing. Folks say that he is looking and running well.
Nick Raymond (l) and Tyler Marks hold onto a rearing foal during it's auction
William Webb (l) and Bryce Hurry try to get this foal's feet on the ground
John Wayne Rhodes (l) and son Cody handle a bay foal
Justin Lappin (l) and Alex Tucker hold a palomino pinto foal
Shy foals huddle together before being put on the auction block
Sarah Sickels (r) pets the buy back foal that she purchased. The monies from this foal will be given to the Ronald McDonald House charities.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
A Sore Backside
Thanks to yesterday's surgery, I have a very sore butt. Dr. Pohlman did not perform the Seton cutting stitch procedure he had discussed with me. He found that the fistula involved very little muscle, so what he essentially did was fillet the fistula, cauterize it, and then sew everything back flat and closed. It is bleeding and draining, and sitting is not my favorite thing to do at the moment. I have a Percocet (hydro-codone) prescription saying take one or two pills as needed every 6 hours. So far, I took one last night at 9, and one this morning at 7:10. It does take the edge off the pain. - One nice thing is that Dr. Pohlman says that the operation he used yesterday has a 98% success rate. - and I know that my recovery time was a little weird yesterday - the alarms kept going off because my temperature, the oxygen content of my blood, and my blood pressure kept dropping. Kathy said it seemed that she had to wait a much longer time before they brought her to the recovery room. Usually, they leave me in bed and just have me dress and leave. Yesterday, they put me in a recliner and wrapped me up with warm blankets before allowing Kathy to come back.
Once we were allowed to leave, Kathy asked if I wanted to go straight home and get in bed, but I told her I wanted to go to the Dairy Queen and get a soft-serve vanilla cone first. We both enjoyed one. As soon as we got home, Nedi went under the bed; Mocha came out for loving; and Lovey took a good whiff of Kathy, and shrugged. I guess she was thinking - it's the Auntie who visits occasionally. We looked at the kitten and pit bull video set to "Live and Let Die", then I laid down, and Kathy settled in the reading chair. She started reading the book she brought over, and I went to sleep. When I woke up and went to the bathroom, Kathy was asleep. We had "lunch" about 2 p.m., and I asked about travelling the airways (since I haven't flown since 1990). Then we both read some more, and I handed her my copy of The Devil Colony - she started reading it, and it went home with her.
Boo starts her 18 days of radiation therapy at CSU in Fort Collins today. ... Lynn, who adopted Dhisana, the kitten in Ohio , for $10 and who has since spent over $7,000 on getting her well, called me and said she has a new dog - a Havanese named Riley, whose previous owner abused him. She wanted me to start caring for Riley yesterday, stopping by 3 times a day to give him love and affection and a human playmate. I might start doing that on Monday, but not this week. ... Joel is playing the Wizard of Oz in Louisville. Nancy is directing Titanic: The Musical here in Boulder at the Dairy Center. Their son Max has two roles in Titanic, as the Captain and as Isadore Strauss. I plan on seeing that this weekend. ... NBC will start showing Saratoga Springs thoroughbred racing beginning this Saturday, 23 July on weekend afternoons. ... And, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department Saltwater Cowboys will start rounding up the herds of ponies on the northern Virginia side of Assateague Island. On Saturday, they will be herded down the beach at sunrise, and delivered to the Holding Pens, so that the veterinarians can check all the ponies, they can get their shots, hooves trimmed, and parents of foals identified for the auction. All ponies will have a Coggins' test done, to insure there are no transmittable diseases in the foals that will be sold. (I miss the smell of ponies, sweat, salt water, and the wonderful awful smell of Assateague and Chincoteague marsh mud!)
Once we were allowed to leave, Kathy asked if I wanted to go straight home and get in bed, but I told her I wanted to go to the Dairy Queen and get a soft-serve vanilla cone first. We both enjoyed one. As soon as we got home, Nedi went under the bed; Mocha came out for loving; and Lovey took a good whiff of Kathy, and shrugged. I guess she was thinking - it's the Auntie who visits occasionally. We looked at the kitten and pit bull video set to "Live and Let Die", then I laid down, and Kathy settled in the reading chair. She started reading the book she brought over, and I went to sleep. When I woke up and went to the bathroom, Kathy was asleep. We had "lunch" about 2 p.m., and I asked about travelling the airways (since I haven't flown since 1990). Then we both read some more, and I handed her my copy of The Devil Colony - she started reading it, and it went home with her.
Boo starts her 18 days of radiation therapy at CSU in Fort Collins today. ... Lynn, who adopted Dhisana, the kitten in Ohio , for $10 and who has since spent over $7,000 on getting her well, called me and said she has a new dog - a Havanese named Riley, whose previous owner abused him. She wanted me to start caring for Riley yesterday, stopping by 3 times a day to give him love and affection and a human playmate. I might start doing that on Monday, but not this week. ... Joel is playing the Wizard of Oz in Louisville. Nancy is directing Titanic: The Musical here in Boulder at the Dairy Center. Their son Max has two roles in Titanic, as the Captain and as Isadore Strauss. I plan on seeing that this weekend. ... NBC will start showing Saratoga Springs thoroughbred racing beginning this Saturday, 23 July on weekend afternoons. ... And, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department Saltwater Cowboys will start rounding up the herds of ponies on the northern Virginia side of Assateague Island. On Saturday, they will be herded down the beach at sunrise, and delivered to the Holding Pens, so that the veterinarians can check all the ponies, they can get their shots, hooves trimmed, and parents of foals identified for the auction. All ponies will have a Coggins' test done, to insure there are no transmittable diseases in the foals that will be sold. (I miss the smell of ponies, sweat, salt water, and the wonderful awful smell of Assateague and Chincoteague marsh mud!)
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Wednesday Drivel
Lynn called me at 11 p.m. last night to say that ,"unless Christine changes her mind," she won't need my services through Sunday as scheduled. So I'll be at Alexy's tonight and tomorrow night, and then at home until the first of August. It will be so nice to sleep in my own bed for more that three nights in a row! - I am still walking the red kids on a daily basis, plus I have Rascal to care for and play with until Saturday evening; not to mention Cloudy and Shady at Alexy's, of course. I have already taken care of Rascal, walked the Rs, and stopped in at Alexy's to greet and love her two kits. I'll be heading back there in a couple of hours. Jim, the maintenance man, is mowing the apartment lawn, so Lovey is sitting beside me, with her tail wrapped around my left arm. Nedi is in the cat tree watching Jim, and Mocha is stretched out asleep on the tile floor.
The rains here in Boulder last night were spotty and not very heavy at all - but to the east of us, the Plains got 2 to 4 inches of rain overnight. I took photos of Boulder Creek this morning at 6 a.m. - the rock I usually sit on to read during extremely hot days is completely submerged. The Creek is flowing at 1100 cubic meters of water per second today, so there's no hope that tubing and swimming in the Creek will be allowed soon. (The flow rate has to be under 700 before the ban will be lifted.)
At the thoroughbred breeders sale in Japan, a yearling filly sold for 360 million yen - or $4.365 million in US currency. ... The owners of Uncle Mo, the Kentucky Derby favorite who did not run, hope that he will return to racing in the fall. He is being readied to return to Todd Pletcher's training stables. ... And I'm ticked off with the local newspaper - 6 weeks ago, a man was attacked by a dog while out walking in the woods. The man had a hunting knife with him, and stabbed the dog repeatedly, causing it to die. The man was bitten on the face, arm and stomach, and ended up with a lot of stitches. The reason I'm ticked off is that 6 weeks after this happened, the local newspaper runs a headline that screams: "Man Attacked by Pit Bull" followed up with "They all need to be killed." Why was this not reported in the paper at once? Why wait 6 weeks and then blaze headlines?The owner of the dog said that the dog had shown aggressive tendencies prior to the attack, but he had still let the dog roam off leash in the National Forest. The owner accepted the responsibility, and held his dog as it bled to death. He stated that since the dog had apparently attacked the victim with no cause, it was right that the dog should die. The victim is now going about stating that every single dog with any Pit Bull blood needs to be destroyed immediately. I can understand how he feels, but that is foolish in the extreme.
- Oh! And all except one of my Sharon Green books has arrived - and, of course, the one that's missing is the next in the series. (Humph!)
The rains here in Boulder last night were spotty and not very heavy at all - but to the east of us, the Plains got 2 to 4 inches of rain overnight. I took photos of Boulder Creek this morning at 6 a.m. - the rock I usually sit on to read during extremely hot days is completely submerged. The Creek is flowing at 1100 cubic meters of water per second today, so there's no hope that tubing and swimming in the Creek will be allowed soon. (The flow rate has to be under 700 before the ban will be lifted.)
At the thoroughbred breeders sale in Japan, a yearling filly sold for 360 million yen - or $4.365 million in US currency. ... The owners of Uncle Mo, the Kentucky Derby favorite who did not run, hope that he will return to racing in the fall. He is being readied to return to Todd Pletcher's training stables. ... And I'm ticked off with the local newspaper - 6 weeks ago, a man was attacked by a dog while out walking in the woods. The man had a hunting knife with him, and stabbed the dog repeatedly, causing it to die. The man was bitten on the face, arm and stomach, and ended up with a lot of stitches. The reason I'm ticked off is that 6 weeks after this happened, the local newspaper runs a headline that screams: "Man Attacked by Pit Bull" followed up with "They all need to be killed." Why was this not reported in the paper at once? Why wait 6 weeks and then blaze headlines?The owner of the dog said that the dog had shown aggressive tendencies prior to the attack, but he had still let the dog roam off leash in the National Forest. The owner accepted the responsibility, and held his dog as it bled to death. He stated that since the dog had apparently attacked the victim with no cause, it was right that the dog should die. The victim is now going about stating that every single dog with any Pit Bull blood needs to be destroyed immediately. I can understand how he feels, but that is foolish in the extreme.
- Oh! And all except one of my Sharon Green books has arrived - and, of course, the one that's missing is the next in the series. (Humph!)
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