MHR PMU horses

MHR PMU horses

Welcome to MHR's Blog

We hope you'll enjoy seeing frequent updates and photos of the Miracle Horse Rescue and Sanctuary horses you all know and so generously support. We'll also keep you posted on current projects and plans for the future.

Stephanie Pierce
Founder

All Images and Videos are copyright Miracle Horse Rescue, Inc. and cannot be utilized without explicit written permission.

You're welcome to send comments to miraclehorserescue01@gmail.com

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Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you! Thank you so much for everything that each of you has done for the horses and your continued efforts in fighting for the horses.

Bless You All!

Stephanie and Rob

A special greeting from Colorado

Twas The Day Before XMAS

And All in the Barn

Were Nibbling Their Hay

As they tried to keep warm

---- --

Hope clacked her hooves

Creating a clatter

The horses looked up

And asked "what's the matter"

-- --

AJ just smiled

"We have quite the story

Of a place called Miracle

Where horses find glory"

-- --

"Where equines are rescued

From places so sad

To find love and salvation,

A safe place from the bad."

-- --

They talked of their Gwammie

Of Aunties galore

Who help unloved horses

Find love and much more.

-- --

The horses bowed low

First in shock and dismay

Then in thanks to you all

For all that you gave

-- --

Then they whinnied with joy,

"Goodness makes the world bright!!!

Merry XMAS, dear frens

Much Lub this Great Night!!!"

Merry XMAS to all. The horses love you for all that you do.

Love, Lisa, Hope, AJ and the rest of our four legged family


Friday, December 24, 2010

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 20

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 20, Twas the Night Before

As Steph and Rob drive up to the house, they check the horses in the Lady’s Parlour and the Football Field, all is quiet, Steph turns off the engine, and turns to Rob, "I really enjoyed visiting the grandkids, they were both so excited.", Rob nods, "Yes, I think they will be up many hours before dawn just waiting." They both get out of the Expedition, and slowing walk to the front door, Steph looks around, "Well some of the water is drying up, well at least in some places." Rob steps over a rather large puddle, "Yes, in a couple more days we will just have mud."

As they open the door, most of the dogs look up, Bruno jumps up, as do Truffles, and Moo. Steph says "Were home did you miss us?" Bruno is jumping around to excited to talk and Truffles and Moo, start racing around Stephs feet. "Ok gang time to go to bed." Bruno hearing this lowers his head, and walks over to his bed, mumbling "No Treats", Truffles and Moo, are still running around in circles, "Ok, Everyone to bed." Rob and Steph head to the bedroom. Steph looks out the window, the lights from the tree sends a glow around the area, Justice is eating, Steph opens the window a little bit, and listens, ahhh, nothing, "The sound of peace and quiet."

Just as Steph reaches to turn out the light, Bruno rushes in the bedroom, "You need to come quick, all the horses are at the front door." Both Steph and Rob say "What do you mean all the horses .." just at that moment, there is a knock on the front door. Bruno is wagging his tail so hard, he falls over, "See I told you." Rob grabs his robe and heads to the door, Steph puts on her robe and is looking around for her bunny slippers. Rob opens the door and yells back to Steph, "It’s for you." Steph finally finds her bunny slips and heads up front. "What do you mean it’s for me?" Rob steps to the side revealing, Dublin standing at the door. Steph followed by Bruno, gets to the door and looks out. For the first time in Bruno's life he was right about something, Standing outside were 36 horses, some holding Wal-Mart bags, Spirit was holding the rope attached to the row boat, in which was 'B', Justice had his Red blanket with white trim, his red Santa hat, and a large white beard. Steph turns to Dublin, "If I may ask, what is going on." Dublin leans forward, and hands a Wal-Mart bag to Steph, He stands up, head high, "We have heard a tale about peoples this time of year, and families, and gifts and trees with lights. Then Violette told us about her hold home and what they did on this day." Violette looks around from behind Dublin, she has a small box in her mouth. She walks up to Steph and hands her the box.

Violette begins, "At my old home, on this very night each year, the people family and the horses, and dogs, and cats would gather together and our people mom would read to us. She gave this to me, so I would remember them." Steph looks at the box, rather plain, only a few teeth marks, she slowing opens it and inside is a small framed card, she looks close holding it up to the light. Violette asks "Well you read it to us." Dublin nods.

Rob turns "What is it?" Steph hands it to him, and wipes tears from her eyes. Rob says, "Yes, I think you should read it to them, are entire family is here or close at heart." He hands the small frame card back to Steph. Steph looks over her shoulder, the dogs are sitting down, and looking at her, she looks out around the patio, and each and every horse, and two mules are looking at her. She looks past the horses, toward the chicken coop, the chickens are lined up looking at the house, along with Tootsie from the edge of the coop.

Steph hold the small framed card in the light, "Yes, I think our entire family is here." Steph begins to read from the small card.

"Twas the Night before Christmas
by Clement Clarke Moore

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

As Steph finishes, tears rolling down her cheeks, Rob reaches over and puts his arm around her. Rob looks at Dublin, "Happy Christmas to you Dublin and to all of you." Steph looks up, "Oh yes, Happy Christmas to all of you and thank you so much." Steph very carefully places the small frame back in the box and hands it back to Violette, She rubs Violette's forehead, "and thank you." Steph looks around, "People have traditions that mark occasions throughout the year, just as horses do. What I read was written many years ago to show the happiness of the season. This time of year is for family and friends, and you all are our family here. The family changes, we have lost some dear friends, and gained a few. But you are all family." She looks around most of the horses are nodding their heads, some with smiles on their faces, except of Justice seems a bit confused. Several of the horse step forward and hand their Wal-Mart bags to Steph.

The horses turn and return to their pens, Spirit pulling the rowboat with 'B' still inside, probably will take longer than normal. Steph turns and steps over the dogs, "and you are our family also and we lub you all." with that the dogs jump up and return to their beds. Before she closes the door, Steph looks over to the coop, and sitting on the ground next to it is Tootsie. "Rob I have one more thing I need to do." Steph places the Wal-Mart bags on the table and goes into the kitchen. She reaches in to a cabinet and pulls out a can of cat food and a small package she bought awhile ago, Steph heads out the door, and walk directly to the coop, with a few sidesteps around puddles. Steph walks up to Tootsie, who does not run away, Steph say, "I don't know if you understood what was going on, but you are family also, and we love you too." She places the cat food next Tootsie, "And a Special Gift for you." Steph places the small package next to the cat food, as she does, she gives it a small squeeze, and it squeaks. Steph smiles turns back to the house.

As she gets to the door she turns and in a very quiet voice "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night." As Steph closes the door and turns the lights off, she hears a squeaking coming from the chicken coop.

To Be Continued.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 19

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 19, Ahoy Matey

"Rob, I know I shouldn't do it, but I am going to look outside." Rob looks up smiling, "Well after last night, anything goes. Good Luck." Steph not sure if she wants to smile or not, grabs her coat, and steps outside. She waits, listens, and waits some more. Nothing going on, rain falling, some wind, but it seems all the horses are quiet. Steph turns back to the door, and starts to smile, "Well maybe all the talking has done some good."

As she reaches for the door knob she hears it, a strange noise, its coming from the front of the property. It sounds like something being dragged on the ground. "What the heck." She turns and starts to walk around the house. She can see down the road a bit from the lights of the house, maybe it’s something out on the road?, As she looks into the distances, she sees some shapes, horse shapes. "Dang, what the heck are they doing?" Steph waits they are heading her way. She figuring it will take awhile for whatever is going to transpire, she steps under the closest tree, "Love pine trees...." Steph is still trying to figure out who is making all the noise. As time passes, the noise gets louder, she does see two shapes now, on following the other. Steph waits, not really concerned about the time, but just really confused as up they are to.

Its Spirit in front, seems like he is really working hard, and its 'B' but she is not walking, she is standing still... "Ok, Ok." Steph steps out from under the tree, and walks toward them. "What are you two up to?" Spirit stops, drops the rope from his mouth and turns back to 'B' Steph follows the rope back, its tied to a row boat, and 'B' is standing in the boat. "Ok, someone tell me what you are up to." 'B' looks at Steph, "Ah, it’s raining." Steph nods "I know it’s raining. What are you doing with a boat." 'B' looks at Spirit, Spirit looks at Steph, "hmmm, well someone said today that if it keeps raining we will need a boat. So we..." Steph say "So you two went and got a boat." Both nod. Steph starts to think, but really can't come up with a good question, so she falls back to the old, "What are you going to do with the boat?" Spirit looks at 'B', 'B' looks back at Spirit, and they both shrug.

Steph looks at them both, "Did you buy it or steal it?" Hoping they bought it. Spirit smiles, "Oh we bought it." Steph has a smile on her face, "What did you pay for it?" 'B' leans forward, "The fellow wanted 10 dollars, but we got it for." Steph raises her hand "Don't tell me, I am sure it was a good price." 'B' says "yes it got it for 25 dollars, but he charged us 15 dollars for the rope, which I thought was high but we were short on money." Steph thinks, 'I wonder if anyone teaches counting to horses.' "Ok, so you paid 15 dollars for 10 foot of rope." 'B' nods, "We wanted to pay 25 dollars, but like I said we were short of money." Steph nods. Steph turns and heads to the house, stops, turns back, "'B' why are in you standing in the boat, it makes it harder for Spirit to pull?" 'B' looks at Steph, "I didn't want to walk in the mud." Steph places her hand on her forehead, turns back to the house.

Steph steps in the house, takes her coat, Rob looks over to Steph, "So what is going on?" "Oh nothing, it’s all quiet." Steph sits down on the couch. Rob nods well that will be a first. They both settle in, and begin to watch ‘Junk Dealers from Alaska’, on History Channel within a couple of minutes, Rob cocks his head to one side, "What is that noise?" Steph without looking away from the TV, "Oh, its Spirit and 'B', they are dragging a boat they bought." Rob stands up, "This I have to see." He walks to the front door, opens the curtain over the window and looks out, "Yes its Spirit pulling a boat and 'B'. Why is 'B' standing in the boat?" Steph looks over, "She didn't want to walk in the mud." Rob turns back and walks back to his chair, sits down. "Do they have I.Q. Tests for horses? We need to check out Spirit for sure, poor thing doesn't have any functioning brain cells."

Rob looks at Steph, "Why do did they get a boat?" Steph says, "They said they heard someone say that if it kept raining, they would need a boat." Rob lowers his head, Steph says, "Did you say that?" Rob nods, "I didn't think anyone would hear that." Steph smiles, "Well it doesn't take much to set them off.", Rob nods, "You are right." Rob thinks to himself, 'Lord, I hope they didn't hear...’ Steph looks at Rob, "What you thinking about?" Rob smiles, "Oh, nothing."

To be continued

Author: Samm

Monday, December 20, 2010

Monday, December 20, 2010

Happy Holidays AJ, Hope and Lisa,

It is so good to hear from you. It is amazing how beautiful you both look. Grammie has decided to have your cousin Justice sent away for training in driving as well when the time is right. However, the main priority will be to have him gelded. We finally found the last fly, and he was none to healthy.

Both of you are just magnificent. Incredible. We love and miss you both!

Lisa, Happy Holidays to you and yours and bless you for the fine home you have provided for AJ and Hope. They would not be here if it were not for everyone on our team, you included. You all gave hope to their mothers when their was none, you gave them life when it could have been taken away. You gave them a chance to love and bond with their foals. Now, you have continued the bond between horse and human...amazing what this can do for a person, you have ALL paid it forward a thousand times over.

Happy Holidays!

Stephanie and Rob

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 18

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 18, You don't know how to count do you?

"Rob, now that the wind has died down a bit, I am going to check on our muddy horses." Rob nods, "I am sure most have been rolling around." Steph heads for the door grabs her heavy coat, turns to the dogs "Do any of you want to come with me to check on the horses?" All eight dogs roll over as if they didn't hear Steph. Steph leaves the house, turns right, and heads to the Lady's Parlour, as she approaches, all seems quiet all of the horses are standing with the rear ends into the wind. She turns to the football Field, gets to the only a couple horses turn to see who it is, they are gathered in a couple of clumps, seemingly not bothered by the wind or rain. Steph turns and walks the back row, the only one that looks like they have rolled in the mud was General, he covered head to hoof in mud. Every one else is quiet and puting up with the rain and wind. Steph gets back toward the house, and Justice is standing under the shade, intent on something on the ground. "Well he may be smarter then he acts." Steph reachs in her pocket and pulls out a key and opens the gate and steps in, being sure to lock the new padlock, which Rob installed this morning. "Justice what you up to?" Steph asks as she walk up to him. On the ground in front of Justice are a pair of skis, before Justice can answer, Steph says "Are those Skis, where did you get those?" Justice looks up "I got them at the swap Meet last weekend. The fellow wanted 10 dollars, but I got them for 25 dollars." Steph nods, "Justice You don't know how to count do you?" Justice looks Steph directly into Stephs eyes, "Nope don't." Steph replies, "Well money, you know the paper kind and coins have different values." Justice nods, "I don't know what you mean." Steph smiles, "I will give you some training on that someday."

Steph continues "Why did you buy the skis?" Justice looks over "I am going to Lake Tahoe, yah know up by Reno for a skiing trip." Steph puts her hand to her forehead, "How are you going to do that?" Justice smiling replies, "Oh at the Retirement Home, I signed up for the trip they are taking up to Reno." Steph still wondering what they heck is going on, "They let you sign up for one of their trips?" Justice replies, "Oh, yes, they like me. And Fred helped with all the paper work." Steph replies, "Oh, yes, I am sure helped you out. Do the people at the retirement home know you are a horse?" "Oh, yes, I went done there and signed the release forms and paid for the trip. They even suggested some activities like snowboarding, and skiing, I don't know what snowboarding is, but I like to ski." Steph shakes her head, "Justice you have never skied, how do you know you like it?" Justice turns a bit and digs in the dirt and pulls out a Victora Secret's bag. "Justice where did you get that?" Justice looks up puzzled, "oh you mean the bag, Bruno got it for me." Steph takes the bag, opens it, and pulls out a copy of brigh yellow copy of "Skiing for Dummies." Steph puts the book back in bag, and hands it back to Justice. Steph in a firm voice, "Justice no skiing, no trips to Reno, and stop going to Swamp Meets. You hear me?" Justice nods, and lowers his head. Steph turns back to the gate, pulls the key out and unlocks the lock, and walks out, turns and locks the gate again. "Ya know this was the best idea Rob has had in awhile." Steph smiles, knowning that Rob has a lot of good ideas, but this one may keep the horses safe and secure.

Steph walks over to the house, opens the door steps inside, takes her coat off. Rob looks up, "So how are the horses?" Steph smiles, "Only a few have rolled around in the mud, General appears to have taken pride in getting all muddy." Rob says "He was always one for mud." Steph sits down on the couch, slips on her bunny slippers and lays back. "Rob did you know that Justice bought a pair of skis at the Swap Meet last weekend?" Rob sits up, "He what?" Steph nods, "Yep, bought a pair of skis, Justice says the fellow wanted 10 dollars, but he paid 25 dollars." Rob puts his hand to his forehead, a move that Steph has perfected over the last few weeks. "I am beginning to wonder about that boy." Steph nods, "You haven't heard the best part. He signed up for a trip to Reno to go skiing." Rob stands up, "He What?" Steph motions for Rob to sit back down. "Yeah, the retirement home is taking a trip up there and they let him sign up for it. Since you have meet some of the folks down there you might want to stop by there and talk to them." Rob shakes his head, "How could someone sign up a horse for a skiing trip. What are those people thinking?" Steph nods, "Justice says they like him, so maybe they have adopted him as a mascot or something." Rob looks over, "Why do they need a horse, they got that silly goat."

Rob looks over, "Do you want to go to bed early tonight?" Steph turns, "Yes long day yesterday and today." Steph grabs her blanky, sits up, Rob stands up, and heads to the bed room. Then comes the hoof falls out side the front, both Steph and Rob turn to the door. As they wait, they hear a knocking on the door. They each look at each other, they both start to say, 'Who could that be.' then think better of it. Steph walks to the door opens the curtain over the window. Its Justice standing there. "Its Justice." Rob walks up, "Of course who else would it be." steph opens the door. Justice looks up, "Sorry to bother you, but do you have any wax. I need to wax my skis." Before Steph can answer, Rob starts "Justice, we don't have any wax, and you can't go skiing." Justice looks from Rob to Steph hoping for a different answer. Steph shakes her head, "No skiing." Justice lowers his head and turns to walk away, Steph closes the door, and walks back to the bedroom. Rob says, "How did he get out, there are only two keys to all the locks. Darn horses." Steph turns to Rob, "I have no idea."

Rob shakes his head, "Darn horses will drive us both nuts. And Justice is so dumb, he doesn't know he will need four skis." Just as they sit down on the bed, and just as Steph takes off the bunny slippers there is another knock on the door. Both Steph and Rob stand up and make the trip to the front door. Again it is Justice, they open the door. Justice says "Oh the FEDEX delivery tomorrow is my second set of skis." He turns and walks back to his pen.


To be continued.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 17

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 17, And where do you think you are going?

Steph sits up, her blanky drops to her feet, "Well I guess its time to go to bed." She looks around the dogs are all asleep in their beds. Steph smiles and walks to the front door, pulls the curtain back and looks out, listening carefully, she hears nothing, again she smiles "All seems quiet." Out of the shadows to the left comes Justice, walking very carefully, looking to the left and right, he continues around the patio, and heads toward the Lady's Parlour. Steph turns and walks toward the bedroom. Steph frowns to herself, "Oh, dang. Was that Justice? He better have a good reason to be wondering this late at night." Steph grabs her robe, and heads back to the front door. She opens the door and walks out toward Justice, he is actually walking on his toes, still looking to either side, Steph notices that he has a Wal-Mart bag in his mouth. As she gets closer, she says "Justice" Justice stops lowers his head and turns to face Steph. "Where do you think you are going?" Justice replies, "hvvvv tube sandy clods." Steph replies, "Why do you guys insist on talking with your mouths full." Steph reaches over and takes the Wal-Mart bag out of Justice's mouth. "I have to be Santa Claus." Steph replies, "Justice I told you, that Santa Claus is a people thing not a horse thing." Justice shakes his head, "Santa Claus will be at Shadow Mountain Feed Store tomorrow, I have to be there to give out gifts and get my picture taken." Steph can't think of anything to say, so looks in the Wal-Mart bag, its full of carrots. "Where did you get the carrots?" Justice smiles, "Albertson’s, they have them on sale." Again, Steph can't think of anything to say. "Ahh, let’s go talk to Dublin to see what he thinks about you wondering around." Justice nods, Steph asks "Why were you walking the way you were?" Justice replies, "I was told we need to be quiet when we walk around or if we are on a mission. So I was being very quiet." Steph still not sure what is going on, as they get closer to the Lady's Parlour, Dublin raises his head, and when he see who is approaching, he shakes his head and walks up to the rail. Steph stops a bit short of the rail, "Dublin did you know that Justice was going to Shadow Mountain Feed?" Dublin looks at Justice then back to Steph, "He isn't much for keeping secrets is he. Yes I knew he wanted to go there." Steph looks at Dublin, "Dublin you know that the horses can't leave the ranch it's dangerous, in fact they shouldn't be out of their pens." Dublin nods but says "He had a mission." Steph starts to say something then rethinks a bit. She looks at Justice, "What your mission?" Justice raises his head "to be Santa Claus." nods his head "Yes Santa Claus." Steph replies, you can't be Santa Claus, you are a horse." Justice looks up at Dublin, Dublin turns and walks to the middle of the Ladies Parlour, digs around in the dirt, and picks up a huge War-Mart back and walks back. He reaches over the top rail and hands the bag to Steph.

Steph takes the bag, it is stuffed full. She opens the bag, and looks inside. She reaches in, and pulls out a red Santa hat, next a very large white beard, and finally a red blanket with white fur around the edges. Steph asks Dublin, "Where did you get these things?" Dublin looks at Steph, "It is a secret. We had to hurry to get it, Justice didn't decide that he wanted to be Santa Claus until last week, and we didn't find out that he needed to be at Shadow Mountain until yesterday." Steph nods, knowing this is going to be a long story. Steph asks Dublin, "How did you find out about Santa Clause being at Shadow Mountain?" Steph turns to Justice "And how did you plan to get there?" Dublin does a "Pffft," and walks to the middle of the pen again, and again digs around a bit in the dirt, reaches down and picks up another Wal-Mart bag, this one not as bit as the other. He returns to the rail, and again offers the bag to Steph. Steph reaches out and takes the bag and looks inside. "Oh, my word." She pulls out a screen capture of a face book page, she reaches in her pocket, and pulls out a flashlight, "From some reason, I figured I would need this, lets see Santa will be at Shadow Mountain feed Saturday, from 9 to 1, come get a picture with your pet. hmmm, lets see what else we got, a Conoco Road Map of Nevada dated from the early 1960's, a bottle of water, and parts of two cookies." Steph looks at Justice, "Do you know where Shadow Mountain Feed is?" Justice starts to nod his head, then shakes his head, "Nope".

Steph turns to Dublin, "Where this you get this page?" holding up the screen print of the face book page. Dublin says, "Ahhh, its a secret." Steph nods, "Figures, did you expect Justice to find Shadow Mountain with this road map." Dublin nods, "ahhhh, sure there are signs along the road." Steph shrugs, Dublin you need to tell Justice he can't go to Shadow Mountain and that he can't be Santa Claus." and very firmly continues, "And I mean it." Dublin nods, he looks at Justice, he says something in horse, Justice lowers his head. Steph not sure what was said but seems Justice understood it. "Justice go back to your pen." Justice turns and heads back to the back row. As Justice leaves, Steph turns back to Dublin, "Dublin, ahh, you need to stop these horses from getting hurt or lost, you need to stop them from going out, and and doing these mission things." Dublin nods, "It’s hard to tell a horse they can't do a mission, when a horse is determined, ahhh, a horse is determined." Steph, not sure if he understood, "Dublin, I come by here two times a day, sometimes three or four times, you need to tell me about these things." Dublin doesn't reply, Steph continues "You know of all the horse's that I am here to take care of all of you, to keep you safe and happy. We can't have the horses running around doing missions that can get them hurt." Dublin nods. Steph turns to return to the house, stops and turns back. "Who read this page," holding up the screen print of the face book page, "and don't tell me its a secret" Dublin replies, "We horses can't read, we just look at the pictures." Steph nods, "Well how did you find out what was going on at Shadow Mountain?" Dublin smiles, "Oh, I said horse's can't read, the mules can." He starts to laugh, "You didn't know that, yes, the mules can read, well actually Ruby, Sampson has some problems with bigger words." Steph raises her hand up to her forehead. "Thanks Dublin has a good night." She turns and starts to walk back to the house, she stops, turns and picks up all the bags.

Rob wakes up early and goes to the front room, "Hey Steph, what are all these Wal-Mart bags?" Steph rolls over, "What are you talking about?" Rob yells back, "Wal-Mart bags on the table." Steph sits up. "Dang, I wish some of these things were a dream." She gets up, walks up front, "I need a cup of coffee, Rob do you think you can get the trailer hooked up this morning and take Justice over to Shadow Mountain." Rob starts to ask why as he is going through the contents of the bags. "Are these things yours?" Steph looks down at the table, "They are now, last night they were Justice's." Rob replies, "I guess he does want to be Santa Claus. But I don't think he will wear these things, a beard no less." Steph smiles, "Well he said he would." Rob moves the things around on the table, "Where did he get the Carrots?" Steph nods her head, "He says he got them at Albertson’s, you know they were on sale." Rob smiles, "well he had a good plan, all though even with the water and food, don't think he would have found Shadow Mountain with this map...." Steph smiles, "I didn't tell him it was only two roads away, otherwise he would be over there all the time." Rob smiles, "I will get the trailer ready, you get him dressed up. I think it would be worth the laugh if nothing else."

Bruno looks up "Can I go with you?" Steph turns to him and says "No." as if crushed by the weight of the world he lays back down. Mama dog looks up, "See I told you, horse business is horse business, dumb dog." Steph turns to Rob, "Did you know that mules can read?" Rob looks up, "They can what?"



To be continued.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Season's Greetings from Hope and AJ

Hi Gwammie,Aunties and Unkles!

We want to encourage everyone to contribute to cookies and hay - YUM!!!!

We are doing well and are in the XMAS spirit as you can see from the above!!! We have been keeping our mom sane with our good looks, sense of humor, generous spirits and love....As you might also notice, we have been working on growing fur of late to stay warm and fuzzy for a white XMAS in Colorado!!!

We wish everyone HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

Lub, Hope and AJ

Monday, December 13, 2010

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 16

Horse's Tale, Chapter 16, A Beacon of Light in the Desert.

Steph yawns, looks round, "Well it was a busy day, horses cared for, house cleaned, Emails taken care of." She smiles and looks around dogs are all asleep on their beds, Rob's asleep in his chair, but wait, Bruno isn't in his bed. Steph stands up, looks around, and finally see Bruno, or at least his rear end at the doggy door. She watches for a minute or two, he is half way out the doggy door laying down, tail wagging once in awhile. "What is he doing?" Steph gets up, walks over to the door, "Bruno what are you doing?" Bruno's tail wags even more, "I am watching the plot." Steph starts to bend down and look out the doggy door, then realizes that, that is a dumb idea, she stands up, and parts the small curtain over the window in the door. She doesn't see anything, "Bruno what are you looking at?" Bruno backs out of the doggy door, "The plot." Steph looks at him, "What Plot?" Bruno, continues, "Well the horses in the Lady's Parlour have been plotting all day."

Steph reaches down and rubs Bruno's head, "Bruno, what is a plot and how do you know about it?" Steph is close to garbing him by the nap of the neck to get a straight answer. Bruno, moves his head around under Stephs hand to find just the right spot, not knowing that Steph is about to teach him a lesson. "Well according to the History Channel, a plot is when two or more peoples get together to plan something, and plotting according to the Dictionary Channel..." Steph starts to yell, but looks over to Rob who is still asleep. Bruno says "Come look outside." Steph says "Wait I need my slippers and my robe." Bruno heads out the doggy door, Steph gets ready and heads for the door, Steph starts to bend down to use the doggy door, stops, and says "whoa, I shouldn't have watched Alice in Wonderland the other night. Opens the door and steps out, the calm cold night cold air hits her, she looks around no noises, actually no sounds at all, she looks to her left, everything is in order... "Wait, who has been playing with the lights on the tree?" Bruno looks up, "See I told ya." Steph sternly looks down at Bruno, "Have you dogs been playing with the lights." Bruno shakes his head. Steph looks at the tree a string of lights is laid out to the left, "Wait its moving." Bruno nods again "A plot." Steph steps out to the edge of the patio, and looks, there is a string of lights heading off toward the right and the Ladies Parlour.

All of a sudden a horse runs by, back toward the tree. Its skids to a stop at the tree and reaches into the branches of the tree and unwraps a portion of the lights from the tree, then turns and runs back to toward the Lady's Parlour. As it passed this time, Steph recognized him as Spirit. Bruno looks up, "They are going to be Electra Fried, aren't they?" Steph looks down, "Bruno what are you talking about?" "Well on the Discovery Channel they were explaining about Electrification, and that the ropes carry Electron's ..." "Ok, Ok, got it. Lets go see what is going on."

Steph walks to the end of the patio, and starts to follow the string of lights. As she gets closer to the end she see that there is another horse involved in the felony, "ahh, its Jonah, I think." Bruno stops and looks over, "Yes Yes, a plotter, one who participates in a plot..." Steph goes "Shhh. I got it." As Steph approaches the end of the sting of lights, Spirit heads back to the tree, "Jonah, you need to stop." She reaches over and touches him on the shoulder. He turns, and mumbles "hmmsoe caiont stuuup." Steph reaches over and removes the string of lights from Jonahs mouth. "Hmmm Can't Stop." Steph lays the string of lights down, just as Spirit returns and says, "ok more rope." Steph says "Both of you listen, you can't be taking lights off the tree, it ruins the tree and you can get hurt. Do you both understand?" Both horses look at Steph and shake their heads. "Who told you, you needed the lights?" Both horses look to the Lady's Parlour and both say in unison "Dublin." Bruno starts jumping up and down, "Is it a plot, its it a plot?" Steph reaches down very gently and whacks Bruno, "Go back to the house." She shakes her head, "You two stay here. I will get to the bottom of this." Steph walks up to the railing of the Lady's Parlour, looks inside, seven horses all asleep on their feet. "Dublin" Steph says quietly, knowing that horses sleep very lightly, and Dublin knows his name. Dublin raises his head looks around and begins to walk towards Steph. As he gets closer Steph asks, "Dublin are you guys up to something tonight?" Dublin approaches within inches of Steph bends down a bit to be at eye level and says, "Yes." Steph standing nose to nose to 1400 lbs of gods creature, says, "And what is that?" Durbin raises his massive head and smiles, "We wanted a light also." Steph nods "So you sent out Jonah and Spirit to steal the lights from the Holliday tree." Dublin lowers his head, looks Steph straight in the eye, and says "Yes. We are locked in here, and we don't have a light." Steph turns around and looks back at Jonah, and Spirit, "Well most of you are locked in." She turns back to Dublin, "You can't be doing destructive things, taking the lights off the tree is not good and can be dangerous, Jonah and Spirit could be Electra Fried, I mean Electrocuted. Which is not good." Dublin opens his eyes wide, "We wouldn't want that, whatever it is. We only wanted one light." Steph nods, pats Dublin on the head, "Well they are all tied together. But why did you want a single light from the tree?" Dublin presses his head into Stephs shoulder, "I am not sure, Jerri asked and what Jerri asks we do." Steph pats Dublin on the head, "I know." Steph looks around the pen Jerri is off to one side as is the norm, but is looking at Steph and Dublin, Steph raises her hand and with a small signal to Jerri motions to Jerri to come over. Jerri raises her head and heads directly for Steph and Durbin.

As Jerri nears, Steph asks, "Did you tell Dublin to get a light off the holyday tree?" "Oh, no, I would never say that, I just suggested that if would be nice if we had a light." Dublin nods, "Yep that is what she said." Steph rubs both of their heads, "Well you can't be stealing lights from the Holliday tree, if you want a light I will get you one." Jerri replies, "A single light is all we need." Steph nods, "Why do you need a light?" Jerri looks at Steph, "Don't you know, on the ..." Jerri then proceed to start pawing the ground, every ten or so hits, she nudges Dublin who paws the ground. "Well on the 21st of December of your time, its the shortest day of the year, as horses see it, so we try and ward off the darkness with a light, and you have all sorts of lights this year." Steph nods, "What would you do if we didn't have the lights?" Jerri smiles "We look to the sky’s, about this time of year the stars sparkle and shoot across the sky (1), tis enough for us to celebrate, ya know for us to have a beacon of light in the desert"

"I will get you a light, but you have to put back the lights on the Holiday tree." both Jerri and Dublin nod. Dublin yells out something to Jonah and Spirit, and both turn around and start dragging the lights back to the tree.

As Steph walks past both Jonah and Spirit as they drag the lights back to the tree, both are mumbling under their breath, "what now, are we in trouble, who’s idea was this..." Steph pats each as she passes, "you are not in trouble."

Bruno is sitting by the door, "Was it a plot, was it a plot?" Steph looks down, "No it was horses do, this time of year, but you should have told me sooner." Bruno wags his tail so happy that he, well just cause he is happy.

Steph closes the door, takes off her bunny slippers and looks around, "Ahh there it is..." she reaches for the remote for the TV, and heads off to bed.

In the morning, Steph turns drops her arm across where Rob should be, but he is up already, "Rob are you up?", another dumb question in married life, Rob yells back from the front room, "Have you seen the remote, I want to check the weather before I head out?" Steph still half asleep, "Ahh, let me think here a second.... Ahh its in the toilet tank in a plastic bag." Rob starts to answer back, but knowing it wouldn't work, "Ok Thanks."

To be continued.


Author: Samm

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 15

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 15, Ya know I want to be a Reindeer

"Hey Rob, I am going out to feed, you need anything?" Rob smiles, "Well a new back and better knees." Steph glances over to him, "You sure you don't need me to help grab horses?", Rob replies, "No, the owners will be there, should be under control.", "Well if I don't get back before you leave have a good day." Rob replies "Thanks Stephanie, say hello to all the horses." Steph turns and grabs her coat, even with a bit warmer weather its still cold outside. "Ok gang, lets go feed the horses." at which at least five dogs jump, the ones with more common sense, decide to stay inside.

Following the standard routine, Ladies Parlour, then the Football Field, as she stands at the rail and tosses hay over the rail, each horse comes up, Steph touches each and talks to each. She continues to the back row, each horse is feed and talked to, some just asked how they are, other just a loving touch. As she passes Justice in the Round Pen she decides to skip him for now she he is laying down and intent on reading the magazine in front of him, Steph finishes up with Sampson and Ruby, Violette, then Electra, she turns back to Justice and goes into the pen.

Justice looks up, "Good Morning", Steph replies, "Good Morning, didn't mean to bypass you, but you were so interested in the magazine.", Justice nods and looks back at the pictures, "I want to be a Reindeer." Steph kneels down and looks at the pictures, a bright holiday screen with Reindeer pulling a sleigh through the sky. "Justice you can't be a Reindeer. you are a horse." Justice cocks his head to one side, and asks "You said I could be anything I wanted to be." Steph reaches over his neck and hugs him. "Justice you are a Horse, and are going to grow up to be a big horse, just like your mom." Justice starts to get up, but decides to continue to lay down where he and Steph are eye to eye. "Tell me about my mom."

Steph gasps, and reaches for her mouth, and dabs tears from her face. Steph reaches over and hugs Justice, and very close to Justice's ear, "Justice, you mom was a very strong and beautiful horse." Despite the temp, Steph sits down on the ground, and proceed to tell Justice about his mom. Justice nods once in awhile, sometimes looks at Steph with puzzled looks. But Steph continues. Steph finished up with Justice being weaned, she didn't want to continue any farther.

Justice looks up as Steph finishes the story, "Thank you, it was a fine story." Steph reaches over and hugs Justice again. Justice looks Steph in the eye, "Well then I want to be Santa Claus." Steph smiles, and feels a hand on her shoulder, Rob asks "He is ok." Steph replies "Oh thank god yes." Rob continues, "You have been in here over an hour, I thought there were problems." Steph replies, "No, he asked to hear about Faith. I guess I spent a long time telling him." Rob rubs Steph's shoulder, must have been a good story, he has moved in a long time.", Steph looks at Rob, "I think it was, he wants to be Santa Claus." Rob bends down and rubs Justice on the neck, "I think he would do a good job at that. If everything is ok, then I am off to work." Steph looks up to Rob, "I am sorry, I didn't mean to worry you and make you late." Rob replies, "Oh, I was more worried about you and Justice, and I am not late yet. Oh, and Justice thanks." Justice looks up. "I really wanted to be a Reindeer, but Stephanie says I can't be because I am a horse like my mom." Rob reaches down and rubs Justice's nose, "Ya know she is right."

Rob walks back to the house, Steph stands up, Rob about halfway back to the house, turns and yells back. "Take that dang Catalog from him, he is getting to many ideas for a young horse." Steph smiles but leaves the Montgomery Ward’s Wish Book, dated Winter 1978 with Justice. As Steph starts to leave the pen, Justice looks up, "Who is Santa Claus?"

To Be Continued

Author: Samm

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

This is Rocky, who has been fostered by my parents since he was 36. He will be 41 in Jan and he is OTTB.



Stephanie

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Good Morning to All,

On Saturday Great Grandma and Great Grandpa took Amelia to see Santa Claus. Amelia asked for an Electric Train...sigh Santa gave Amelia a talking Hannah Montana doll. On their way home Amelia, said to them "This is the most beautiful Christmas." The innocence of a child and the little things that make them so precious.


Stephanie and Rob

Friday, December 3, 2010

Friday evening, December 3, 2010

Happy to say that Electra is home and is feeling fine. It's very nice to have her home again.

Sophie was 35 plus yrs old, came to MHR with many strikes against her. She was with us for three years this past Thanksgiving. She WAS diagnosed by a Qualified, Certified, Licensed Veterinarian Sophie was under vet care during this time. Dr. Hadland explained the effects of Cushing's Disease and the havoc it wreaks on a horse and any other animal it touches.

We knew it was a matter of time, however Sophie was still being maintained on the Chasteberry, as well as a diet which was prescribed by the Veterinarian...we seek professional help for our horses (veterinarian) and we provide the care that is required, whether it be special diet, xraying their feet, surgery when needed. Colts that are born at our facility are gelded, once again by a veterinarian. We DO NOT diagnose nor treat a horse without it being seen by a vet and we follow through with vets advice.

Cushing's is not a kind disease, and the only way I can explain it, is that it reminds me of cancer. With Cushing's the end can come from the horse having laminitis or internal organs begin to shut down. Sophie did not have laminitis, Wednesday when we left Sophie was eating breakfast. During the day when Theresa came by to check on everyone, Sophie was eating (as she was free fed), Wednesday evening when Theresa came to feed dinner, Sophie was lying down but did get up to have dinner. She ate a bit, and went and laid down again, Theresa called me and said she could not get her up, so I called Dr. Hadland and he was on his way. We were 40 miles from home. I had arranged all this and approximately five minutes after calling Dr. Hadland, Theresa called back and said Sophie had passed. I then called Dr. Hadland back to cancel his coming over. We do plan for their demise to happen, but we knew we were fighting a battle we could not win as once again for those who do not understand Cushings it is NOT curable. It can be stabilized but not cured and Sophie received everything that was prescribed by our Veterinarian.

For those of you who donated towards Sophie's removal, I will gladly send you a copy of the invoice for your review and we do appreciate your help. THANK YOU.

We were not expecting her passing, nor do we plan their passings they let us know in their own way, and she showed none of this.

Thank you everyone for understanding and the moral support you give.

Stephanie and Rob


Sophie

During our drive home from Desert Pines Wednesday evening we received a call from Theresa who was taking care of the gang while we were with Electra. She said there was a problem with Sophie. We contacted Dr. Hadland and he was on his way to the ranch. We were still 40 miles from home. Five minutes after our call to Dr. Hadland, Sophie passed away. Theresa was right there with her, head on her lap stroking her face. Dr. Hadland was called back and canceled.

As most of you know, Sophie had Cushings, and Dr. Hadland had stated upon his initial exam of Sophie that there is no cure for Cushings, she was on Chasteberry daily to stabilize the Cushings. He also said when it takes a turn for the worse, it could cause laminitis, or the vital organs would begin shutting down. She did not show any signs of Laminitis.

Sophie will be missed by all.

Thank you ever so much to Sophie's sponsors, you made a huge difference in her life.

Lil Bear has been placed with General and it is working perfectly.

Stephanie and Rob

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

A horse's tail, Chapter 14

Samm, I would like to Thank you for all the stories you have written for all of us. We do appreciate them very much.

Stephanie


A Horse's Tale, Chapter 14, An 1862 Union Civil War Cannon and Caisson.


Rob's driving back home, having just finished his shoeing job, "How am I supposed to find Mark Flanigan?", "He doesn't have any horses, otherwise I would know of him. hmmm." "Well as a last resort, I will ask someone." Rob pulls into Floyd's Ace Hardware, as Rob enters the store, he looks around. "Ah, Hey John." John, the assistant manager walks over, "Hey Rob, what can I help you find?" Rob looks around, "Well not really looking for anything, more an anybody." John looks confused. Rob continues, "Looking for a fellow, by the name of Mark Flanigan, supposed to work on restoring horse drawn wagons." John didn't even have to think about this one, "Oh, yeah, he comes in every few weeks to get something.", Rob smiles, "do you know where he lives?" John says, "Yes, lives over on Oakleaf Avenue." Rob thanks him and heads out.

Oakleaf is not that far, across the highway, "So let’s see if I can find Mr. Flanigan." Rob turns on to Oakleaf and heads north. One cross road, and Rob spots what he thinks maybe the place. Nice place, house in the center of the property, like most places, but this one has a rather large barn and three or four wagons and carts sitting outside. Rob pulls up to the gate, he looks around for a sign, no sign, but the mail box has 'M. Flanigan' painted on side. Rob gets out of the truck, and walks toward the gate. As with most places, the gate is closed and locked. Rob looks around for a buzzer or something. "Hmmm," Rob continues to look around "They must have something." "Ahh, there it is I guess." Hanging just behind the gate post, is a metal triangle, like you would see on a chuck wagon. Rob reaches for a small metal bar tied to it. He strikes the triangle, once. "Don't want to overdo it." Within a minutes an elderly gentleman begins walking up the road. "Well Good Day young man, what can I do for you?" Mark looks over to the sign on the side of the truck. "I don't have no horses." he smiles broadly. Rob returns the smile, "I am looking for Mark Flanigan." Mark's smile broadens, "You have found him." Rob smiles again. "Well sir, I understand you work on restoring wagons?" Mark looks over this shoulder, toward the barn, "That I do, its a hobby, I don't do it on a commercial basis." Rob asks, "Have you worked on a red hitch wagon in the last couple of weeks?" Mark says "Yes wasn't red when I started, you want to come in and look around." Rob nods, "Yes please." Mark opens the gate, and Rob walks in. As they walk toward the barn, Mark asks "Have you seen the Red Hitch Wagon?" Rob says "I am sorry, my name is Rob Pierce, my wife Stephanie, runs the Miracle Horse Rescue up on the north part of town and to answer your question, seems we were giving the wagon just before Halloween." Mark says, "Ahhh, the little fellow from the Desert Green Retirement Community didn't say who it was for. All he said it was a rush job for some of this best friends." Rob nods, has Mark points over to a Covered Wagon, "Been working on that wagon for nearly two years, and that Army Wagon for nearly three years." Rob looks at each wagon, each in a partial state of restoration. "How did you manage to get the wagon done in such a short time?" As Mark opens door to the barn, and steps inside, "Well it was in pretty poor shape, I only had to replace the floor boards, and the sides, and the axles and ahhh, several other things." Mark walks up to a Stage Coach sitting the in the center of the barn. How do you like this?" Rob looks up at a beautiful restored Stage Coach, Rob says, "It is beautiful, the detail is fabulous." Mark nods, "Its a Western Concord Mail Stagecoach, I have had an offer of $70,000 last year, I just hate to part with it, but I guess I need more room." As Rob looks around the barn, tools very neatly placed everywhere, table and band saws, drills, lathe's each in their own area. "If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost to repair the red wagon?" Mark answers, "Oh, I don't mind, it was free." Rob replies, "Free?" Mark nods, "Let me tell ya the story."

Mark continues, "Well a couple of days before Halloween, the bus from the Desert Green Retirement Community pulls up, with the wagon in tow. I go out to the gate, the little fellow from the retirement center gets out with goat, and a dog, the little fellow who must been 80 plus years old explains the deal, his friend, Fred, has asked to get the wagon fixed up, its a rush job for some friends of Fred." Rob butts in "I think I know Fred, she is a goat." Mark looks around as if someone was listening. "Ahhh, yes, I didn't want to mention that part. someone might think I had lost it." Rob nods "Yes, I know what you mean." Mark continues, "Well they explained what they wanted, something close to a Budweiser hitch. I told them, it would be two maybe three months, they walked over to the wagon, and lifted a tarp covering something in the back. The little fellow said two days!, and pulled the tarp off." Rob asks "What was in the back of the wagon?" Mark smiles, "An 1862 Union Civil War Cannon and Caisson. I looked at the little fellow and Fred and said 'ahhh, two days are not a problem, let’s get this unhitched and moved inside." Rob slowly moves his hand up and pushes his mouth closed. "You mean you did the work for trade for the cannon?" Mark replies, "Oh, yes, I have looking for ages for something like this, it’s over here come look at it." Mark walks over to the back of the barn and pulls on the tarp. Reveling and aged but wonderful cannon, Mark "This thing even in this condition, its worth $100,000, its been outside for maybe 100 years, but its all there. I have no idea where they got it, but I couldn't resist. So I worked for two days straight on the wagon, I think it came out great." Rob nods, "Yes it did, I have to thank you for the excellent work." Mark nods as they head for the barn door, "I do owe ya at least two more restorations. I don't want you to think I am trying to pull something over." Rob says, "Oh, no, I know you wouldn't do that. I am just trying to figure out where they got the cannon." Mark closes the barn door, "You mean the little fellow from the retirement home?" Rob replies, "Well I think Fred has a major lead in this along with maybe some of our horses." As they get to the gate, Mark asks "Was the dog yours?" Rob asks, "What did it look like?" Mark replies, "Big, clumsy, grey, not too bright, if you don't mind me saying." Rob says "Oh, no problem sounds like one of ours." "Mark, I must thank you for the information, it has filled in several gaps in what we knew about the wagon." Rob and Mark shake hands, and Mark closes the gate and returns to the house. Rob climbs in the truck. "Well at least its a fairly short trip home, he heads north on Oakleaf.

"Wait!, I need to find out who this 'little fellow' is." Rob turns right at the next cross road, and heads toward the highway, and heads for Desert Green. In a couple of minutes he pulls into the parking lot. He notices the big white bus, over to the right as he enters the office. Rob walks up to the counter, looking around, its a very nice place. As he gets closer, the young lady at the counter "Sir how may I help you?" Rob not sure what to ask, "Well I am looking for someone." The young lady asks "Their name?" Rob replies, "Well don't know his name, all I know is that he is a 'little fellow' that drives the bus." Rob turns and point out the window. The young lady asks, "Oh, I hope there hasn't been a problem, Charlie is a good driver most of the time." Rob replies, "Oh, no problem, I would just like to talk to him." The young lady behind the counter lets out a breath, "Oh, thank goodness, let me call him." She replies, "He will be here in a couple of minutes." Rob nods. Rob looks around as he is waiting, down one hallway, is what appears a large common room, big screen TV, and what appears to be a Wii on a table. Within a couple of minutes Rob hears a strange noise, sounds like hoof falls on a tile floor, Rob looks down the other hallway, well Rob sees 'a little fellow' and following behind him is a goat. The little fellow stops at the counter, the young lady point over towards Rob, the little fellow smiles and walks toward Rob. As he approaches Rob, the goat grabs his arm, and yells "Its a raid, run." the goat turns and runs down the hallway. The little fellow gets to Rob, and looks over his shoulder, "silly goat.", "Hi, I am Charlie." Rob takes his hand and shakes hands. Rob starts off "I am Rob Pierce, from Miracle Horse Rescue." Charlie smiles. "Ahhh, you are here 'bout the red wagon." Rob nods, "Well that and a couple of other things." Charlie lowers his head, "I am sorry sir, I didn’t' mean to cause no problems." Rob answers back, "Oh, there are no problems, I just wanted to get some answers to some questions." Charlie looks up, "Oh, good, what are your questions?" Rob says, "Well I think most of the questions are about the goat?" Rob points down the hallway. Charlie, looks around, over his shoulder, "Let's step outside." Rob and Charlie walk outside, Charlie continues, "I can't really talk about the goat around others here, they will think I am nuts, and you know what that means?" Rob replies, "Well kind of, is the goat called Fred?" Charlie replies, "Yes it's Fred." Rob nods, "So Fred told you about the wagon and had you pull it over to the wagon Wright." Charlie looks down, "Yes sir." Rob smiles, "No need to call me sir, I am just a Ferrier. So does Fred do this kind of thing often?" Charlie smiles, "No not really, but since I taught her to drive, not sure what she does at night." Rob looks around, "Are you the only one that Fred talks to? Charlie says, "She talks to a lot of people around here, but the staff don't believe them, ya know, kinda an old people thing." Rob smiles, "Charlie you have answered a bunch of questions I had, thanks.", Charlie smiles, and says, "Do you want to see where Fred lives?", Rob says, "Sure, shouldn't be more surprising than most of things I have learned about Fred.

Charlie, walks around the front of the building and heads toward the back, as they get to the back of the building, Charlie points to a 60ft RV parked in the back of the lot. "There", Rob starts to say something then stops mid word. Charlie says, "She used to have a small shed with a fence around it. But then one day this showed up." Rob for the second time today, pushes his mouth closed. "Well its appears pretty fancy." Charlie nods, "Yes, Well I have to leave I got a Wii bowling game in a few minutes." Rob nods and turns to walk back to the truck, Charlie says "Thanks for coming by its nice to see younger folks come by, ya know, there are a lot of old folks here." Rob shake Charlie’s hand, "Charlie, thanks for all the help."

Rob gets in the truck, and heads out the parking lot, "Boy Steph will not believe this."


To Be Continued. Author.....Samm

Friday, November 26, 2010

MHR Black Friday Specials

Welcome to MHR's version of Black Friday Specials sponsored by the beautiful black mare Jerri and the tiny but feisty Ruby. We have a limited supply of beautiful necklaces made by a great MHR supporter Linda H. Adult and child sizes available.

Also available are these beautiful pewter brooches. Supplies are limited.

Payment can be made in several ways: Paypal or credit cards may be used by going to the MHR Donate page

* Click here for instructions on using the PayPal button:
* Checks can be mailed to:
Miracle Horse Rescue, Inc.
2091 W. Quail Run Road
Pahrump, NV 89060
Help feed the horses, one bale of hay payment per item.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thursday, November 25, 2010

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE, may your day be filled with joy as you spend it with family and friends.

Thank you one and all, for all the support you give to the horses at Miracle Horse Rescue. You do make a difference in their lives daily and we appreciate it.

Bless you all!

Stephanie, Rob & The MHR Gang

A horse's tail, Chapter 11

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 13, The Stockings were hung by the water barrel with care.

Steph stands up. Time to feed the crew, but before she leaves the house, she reaches for a copy of "Draft Horse Quarterly" and puts it in her pocket. Steph turns "Rob, I am going to out feed the gang." Rob answers back, "OK, I have one job this morning then I will find that retired Doctor who is supposed to be a wagon Wright."

Steph heads out on her rounds, Lady's Parlour, the Football field, the back row. Everyone is happy and waiting, she turns toward the round pens, let's see how these guys are doing. She grabs a flake of hay and walks toward Justice, who for some reason he is laying down, not sleeping laying down but reading laying down. "Justice what are you reading now?" As Steph walks into the pen, and drops the flake of hay Justice very carefully gets up, as to not get any dirt on the Magazine. Steph walks over and bends over and picks it up, "What is this?" Justice reply's, "Its a witch book." Steph very carefully turns it over, as it seems very old, looks at the cover, Montgomery Ward's Wish Book, dated Winter 1978. "Justice it's not a witch book, it's a Wish Book, and it's very old." Justice looks over Steph's shoulder, "What is a Wish Book?" Steph slowly opens it up, "Its a catalog for the holiday season and this one is very old." Justice reaches around Steph and using just the tip of his upper lip, turns the pages, stops and looks up at Steph, "Look." Steph looks where Justice is pointing, it's a holiday season photo of a fire place with a holiday tree in the corner, "Yes it's a very nice holiday photo, Justice, "No no, look." using just the tip of his upper lip Justice points to the fire place. "See." Justice is using every skill he has and is pointing at the socks hanging from the fire place. "Ahh, Stockings hung by the fire place with care." Justice cocks his head a bit and looks at Steph, "We need Stockings." Steph begins to smile, "Who told you this, who told you that you needed stockings?" "Oh, Spirit told me." Steph nods "What for?" Justice replies, "For holiday cookies." Justice steps back and smiles, "Yes holiday cookies." Steph very gently lays the wish book on the ground. Steph asks, "How long have you guys had this catalog?" Justice, looks up kind of puzzled, "I don't know, but General keeps it safe."

Steph remembers her surprise for Justice, "I found a picture of a Draft Horse for you to look at." Justice looks up, smiles "Race Horse?" Steph pulls out the copy of Draft Horse Quarterly and opens the full page photo of two Shire horses, "Look, when you get old you will look like them." Justice moves his over next to Steph's shoulder, and looks intently. Justice's mouth drops open, "I will look like that when I get older?" Steph nods, Justice turns his head first looking over to his left side then his right side, he looks down at his legs, then back to his rear end. "Oh, my word, I am going to have a big butt when I get older." Steph starts to answer, but thinking to herself, "well it happens to the best of us." Steph points to the picture, "See Justice, you will be a very big and beautiful horse when you are fully grown up. Not a race horse." Justice nods, "May I have the magazine." Steph carefully hands the magazine to Justice, who places it next to the Wish Book. As Steph leaves the pen, Justice is up eating and seems quite happy.

Steph stops to fill a couple of the water barrels and rake out a couple of pens. As Steph gets to the front door, Bruno, Adrian, Truffles and Moo are running out with Bruno yelling "Tiger Tiger", they head off in all directions. "You know I think they are watching too much television..."

Steph relaxes a bit, "hmmm, let's see chores are done. Now on to finding where Fred lives. Let me look at my notes. hmmmm Pete Wilson, down on highway 372. Shouldn't be too hard, highway 372 is only 200 miles long." Steph gets up grabs her bag, phone, keys and pauses a bit, reaches over and picks up the remote for the TV, walks in to the kitchen and puts the remote in the fridge. "That might work." Steph heads out, she drives out to highway 160 and heads south, traffic is light, she drives by the Wal-Mart Super Center, and the few other business's on the road, gets to the junction of 160 and 372, she turns right and heads down the road. She drives a couple of miles, "How am I supposed to find Pete Wilsons place, people don't put their names out, and those that have names on mail boxes its so small you can't read them. Dang...."

As she approaches what could be called the end of town, only two miles from the California line, there on the right is a single ranch, with big sign next to the gate. The sign reads "Wilson Ranch, Fine Pygmy Angora Goats", Steph says, "I wonder why I have never seen that sign before?" She slows, waits for a bit of traffic and turns around and turns into the drive, stopping at the gate. Steph gets out, walks up to the gate, place looks very similar to MHR about 5 acres with the house in the middle, all though there are a lot more out buildings.

Steph looks around the gate for a buzzer or bell of some sorts, can't find one, but looks closer near the gate, there is a rope with a bit of wood tied to it, she looks beyond the gate, the rope travels all the way to the house supported in a couple of places on posts. "Well that is old school." She reaches down and pulls on the wooden handle on the rope, she looks the rope barely moved, she pulls more, the slack slowly comes out of the rope, she looks around she is nearly in the highway, Steph pulls hard a couple of times, the slack comes out of the rope. "Hope that worked otherwise I could be across the road trying to pull on the rope..."

She walks up to the gate, and waits. within a minute Steph see's an elderly woman walking up to the gate, as she approaches the gate she is smiling and waving, "Sorry you had to wait for so long but I was in the middle of watching a soap opera on the TV." Steph replies, "oh, no problem, I had to pull on the rope almost out to the road. Its a pretty long rope." Steph smiles, the woman approaches the gate, "Oh, Sorry I am Ruth Wilson, we don't use that dang rope any more, we have motion sensors, and HD cameras monitoring the boundary line, all attached to a computer monitoring system. Very high tech." Steph smiles, "I am sorry, I should have introduced myself, I am Stephanie Pierce, from Miracle Horse Rescue here in town." Ruth nods, "I have heard of your place." Steph continues, "I am looking for Pete Wilson." Ruth smiles, "well he isn't hard to find he smells like goats, he is out here some place, here come on in." she walks over next to the vehicle gate and opens a people gate. "this is easier then opening the big gate, hope you don't mind." Steph smiles, "no no problem at all. How long have you and Pete been raising goats out here?"

As they both walk towards the house, Ruth looks over her shoulder, "Oh, I don't raise goats, Pete raises goats, I tend the house, and take care of grand kids, oh and a few chickens." As they near the house Ruth stops and points over to the west, "there he is", at the top of her lungs yells, "Pete, you got a visitor, maybe someone interested in buying some your dang goats.", Steph smiles, "Seems you aren't interest in the goats as much as Pete is." Ruth look over to Steph, "Well to be honest, no, but it keeps Pete happy and active. Ya know he is nearly 90, been out here for nearly 40 years, started with cattle, horses, tried pigs once, but then the goats came along." Steph takes a breath, "Pete is nearly 90? My lord that is wonderful, if you don't mind if I ask, how old are you?" Ruth looks over and smiles, "Oh, I am only 85, Pete likes younger ladies..." Ruth looks over to Pete who is almost up to them, "Pete hurry up, lunch will be ready in a while, this is Stephanie." Pete walks up offers his hand, "Welcome to the Wilson Ranch." Steph takes his hand, his grip is strong and his hands are weathered as if he is been here for ages.

Steph says, "I have been here in Pahrump for years and never know you were here." Pete glances up, "We tried to keep a low profile, if you know that I mean, we are retired, have been for many years, nearly 40 now, oh, can I show you about?" Steph smiles, "oh yes please", Pete heads off to the south east corner of the property, "we started off here in the late 60's, with 400 acres, and slowly have sold the land around us, to help the kids, the grand kids, the great grand kids, and now the great great great grand kids." Steph, looks around "You have been here for a long time." Pete looks over "We settled here just after the big ranches began to break up, its been a fine life."

He continues, "So what brings you here? We don't get many visitors unless they are looking for goats, so are you looking for a goat?" Steph looks around "Well I am looking for one goat in particular. Her name is Fred, I understand that you raised her." "Ahhh, Fred, a most unusual goat to say the least." Pete stops at a pen, "These are Butch and Sam, Great breeding pair, and over there are Tom and Clifford, another great pair. They have produced some prize winning goats." Each pen has a small enclosure and a small barn for the goats., as they pass each pen, Pete notes each pair, and any kids with them, he then remembers the question, "Oh, Fred, ahh yes, how do you know of Fred?" Steph stops and says, "Well it appears that Fred has been out talking to my horses" Pete with a shy grin, "Yep, I know that would cause problems some day. Hope you didn't have problems?" Steph replies, "Well nothing major so far." Pete continues, "Well I donated Fred a couple of years ago to the Desert Green Retirement Community as a service animal, she likes people so much, and they really liked her, and from what I have heard, she is doing quite well. I really enjoy things when a plan comes together." Steph nods, "So do I, thank you for the tour, I really enjoyed it, oh look at the baby, it's so cute."


To be continued.

Author: Samm

Monday, November 22, 2010

Monday, November 22, 2010

Due to unforeseen trailer issues on the trailer we borrowed, we are having to postpone Electra's surgery for at least one week. I contacted Desert Pines last night and spoke with their answering service. A message was left for Dr. Schur and Veronica regarding the postponement. I will call in the morning, reschedule and post the next scheduled date.

Thank you all for your support!

Stephanie & Rob

UPDATE 11AM 11/22/10
Electra will be going to surgery December 1st 2010. It is scheduled for 1pm.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Friday, November 12, 2010 - A horse's tale, Ch. 12

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 12, Its a lion, Its a lion.

Rob pulls back into the Ranch, and goes into the house. "Steph?" Steph answers back "I am in the rain closet, cleaning up from feeding." She yells back toward the front of the house, to be heard over the rainfall. "Did you find out anything?" Rob answers back, "Yes, but I need to load up the beer and take it back to the store." Steph gets out of the rain closet, "What store?", Rob answers "Oh Jiffy Mart." Steph puts on her plaid PJs and her bunny slippers, and walks up front. "Jiffy Mart sold 30 cases of Bud to a horse?" Rob nods, "Yes. And help load them in the wagon, kid on the counter thoughT it was a person dressed up as a horse." Rob looks at Steph, "I wouldn't go outside dressed like that." Steph looks down, "Why?" Rob answers, "Spirit will really want a plaid winter coat after he sees you dressed like that." "Pffft, he would like the bunny slippers for sure." Steph continues, "Are you going to need any help taking the beer to the store?", Rob answers, "No, but I need to wait til its dark, the owner of the Jiffy Mart doesn't want anyone to see him getting beer from someone other than the distributor. I had a hard time talking him into taking the beer back, he said the best he could do was $10 a case. About 50%." Steph says, "that is some deal for him, he gets to sell the same beer for 150% of what he would have gotten. No wonder he doesn't want anyone to see."

"Oh, found out about the wagon. You remember that old fellow that lives out in the desert, Brenner, I think his name is." Steph replies, "You mean that guy who didn't come into town for like 3 years?" "Yeah that’s the one. He brought the wagon into Shadow Mountain to sell it. He wanted $200 for it, and it appears the horses left a Wal-Mart bag full of coins." Steph asks, "Did Patti and Ron know about this." Rob says "Yeah, appears the horses left a business card that said, from the horses at MHR." Steph shakes her head. "Well at least they covered their tracks." Rob smiles. "Do you know someone named Mark Flannigan?" Steph thinks for a bit, "Not sure, there is a retired doctor south part of town, I think his name is Flannigan. Why do you ask?" Rob says "Appears he may be the one that fixed up the wagon." Steph says, "Oh, Oh, that is the one, I remember someone talking about him being a carriage Wright, his hobby since he retired, it must have cost a fortune to fix that old wagon up." Rob answers, "Don't know, I didn't make it down to his place, since I spent most of the afternoon arguing with the owner of the Jiffy Mart. Oh, also found out about Fred." Steph looks over, "You did, tell me." Rob answers "Well seems that a fellow named Pete Wilson, down on highway 372, she is a pygmy angora goat and again, I didn't have time to run over there and ask. I will do that tomorrow."

"Well I think it’s dark enough now, I am going to load the old truck up and see if I can make it over to Jiffy Mart." Steph smiles, "What do you want for dinner when you get back?" Rob doesn't really have to think about that. "Been a hard day, how about a steak and potatoes?" Steph replies "How long do you think you will be?" Rob says, "Hopefully only an hour or so." Rob turns and grabs the keys and walks out. Steph thinks to herself "Glad he didn't ask for half a cow. I can start a steak grilling. That will work."

Rob starts the old truck up and parks it next to the wagon, "Dang, this is going to be a lot of work.", Rob turns back to the house and yells at the top of his lungs, "STEPH, PUT ON HALF A COW." He gets to work moving each case of beer from the wagon to the bed of the truck. As he finishes up, he looks around for that old tarp he has, finds it in a corner, and ties down the load of beer. Rob looks over at the wagon, "Looks at the detail, new wood, brass fittings, and the harness, it is actually very beautiful, it must have cost a fortune to fix up." He jumps in the truck, and heads out. Rob gets to the Jiffy Mart, and per the direction of the owner pulls up to the back door. He walks up to the back door, and knocks three times, waits. He hears one knock, Rob knocks twice and the door opens. "Let’s get to it." The truck is unloaded, and Rob gets $300. The owner looks around to make sure that no one is looking at them. Rob gets in the truck, and drives off, "I wonder how often he makes deals at the back door?"

Steph standing out on the patio, in her plaid PJs and bunny rabbit slippers, turns a huge steak over, "He will like this.", Rob turns in to the ranch, opens the gate up, and pulls in to the ranch. Steph thinks "That is perfect timing, I am good." Rob walks up, "I could smell that at the gate, thanks." Rob hugs Steph, picks up the long fork, stabs the steak, and places it on the plate, "This will be so good. What you having?" Steph says "Oh a salad." As they sit at the table, Rob says, "Do you want to spilt the investigation tomorrow, you can check on the goat, and I can look in to the wagon." Steph says, "Sure. We need find out the details of this adventure."

As Steph and Rob settle in to watch some television, the dogs go out for their nightly patrol, Rob falls asleep within minutes, Steph grabs her blanket, and begins to watch, 'The best of ice road truckers versus swamp people, "Well at least it’s not a rerun." Slowly the dogs come back in and settle in their beds, and fall asleep. As Steph begins to nod off, there is a bang of the doggy door, and Truffles and Moo run in, yelling "Its a Lion, Its a Lion." and head to bed room, and hide under the bed. All the big dogs jump up, except Mama Dog, and head for the doggy door, being well trained they don't start barking until they are outside. Mama Dog looks over to Steph, "Stupid Dogs, there are no lions here, probably only a cougar." and she lays back down. Steph started to jump up and slows down a bit, "A cougar?" Mama Dog, nods, "or a jaguar, but it has years since one of those have been around." The dogs are barking from all directions, and as she opens the door to looks out, she see's dogs running all over. Bruno is running in circles yelling "Lion, Lion." Adrian is yelling "Where Where?" About the same time, all the dogs relax and come back towards the house. Bruno, "No lion" each dogs goes in the house. Steph looks up and towards the chicken coop, Tootsie the feral cat is sitting down watching the coop. Steph mumbles, "Dumb dogs."

Steph goes back inside, slides down on the couch, pulls up the blanket, "Bruno what is all this about a lion?" Bruno finishes stomping his bed into shape, looks over, "I guess the little dogs saw a lion, but we couldn't find it." Steph nods, "Where did you guys learn about lions?" Bruno looks up from his bed, "oh, National Geographic channel on the TV." Steph nods, "Bruno we don't watch National Geographic channel." Bruno replies, "We do late at night. They have lions and tigers, and elerphants, and other animals. We have learned a lot." Steph nods, "Well I guess I need to check on Truffles and Moo." She get up and walks back to the bedroom, bends down and looks under the bed. "Are you two ok?" she looks closer, each of them have claw marks on their nose's. "Ahh poor babies, you need to leave the cats alone." Truffles says "That wasn't a cat, it was a lion, it roared and spit at us, and attacked us, we fought back, but had to retreat." Steph smiles, their noses will heal up, "Well it was a cat, but it was dark, so you need to be careful when you are outside." both Truffles and Moo both nod. Steph stands up, "You both need to get to your beds, it’s ok now." Truffles and Moo slowly climb out from under the bed and head out front, Steph follows them.

Truffles and Moo, get to their beds and settle in, all is quiet now. Rob rolls over, Steph reaches for a blanket, and drapes it over Rob. She lays back down on the couch, pulls the blanket up, "Ahhh, another quiet evening at MHR."

Bruno jumps up, yells, "It’s an Elerphant!!!!" and runs for the doggy door. Mama Dog looks up, "Oh Lord of Dogs, that is the dumbest dog I have ever seen." and rolls over. Bruno hits the doggy door at full run. is gone.


To be continued.

Author: Samm

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Thursday, November 11, 2010 - Veteran's Day

I would like to thank our Veterans for serving our great country. Bless those families whose Fathers, Mothers, Sons, Daughters, Aunts and Uncles paid the ultimate price with their lives to ensure we are able to do what we do.

I also would like to thank Samm, the author of all the little tales he has been writing for us all. He is a veteran of the US Army, and has been able to offer us many hours of stories and amusement. Thank You Samm, for being part of our family.

Stephanie and Rob

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - A horse's tail, Chapter 11

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 11, A copy of Horse Racing Weekly.

"Well ladies, I have chores that need to get done, talk to you all later.", with that Steph gets up, and walks to the door. "Bruno, you want to come help wash some water barrels?" Bruno looks up, "No too tired, need sleep." Truffles and Moo jump up ready to help. "Ok, let's go." With the little dogs chasing each other, Steph walks to the back, "I'll do Spirit's barrel first, I need to talk to him anyway."

As she gets closer, she notices that Spirit is laying down, in kind of an awkward position with something between his front legs. He's looking very intently at whatever it is. As she gets up to the pen, Spirit moves his head down and with his lips turns a page of a magazine or something.

She steps up to the rail, "Spirit what you looking at?" Spirit looks up, "Winter Coats." Steph, nods, and walks to the gate and goes in. "Spirit may I look at it?" Spirit very gently gets up, making sure not to step on the magazine, he reaches down and picks it up and hands it Steph. Steph takes the magazine and looks at the cover. "It's a catalog from Horse
loverz.com." Spirit walks around behind Steph, and looks over her shoulder, "Winter Coats." Steph turns the pages, at one page, Spirit says "There winter coats." on the page are dozens of blankets and sheets in a range of colors. Steph turns her head and looks at Spirit, "We have blankets for some of the older horses, it doesn't really get cold enough so that everyone needs blankets. Spirit, horses, young and old, grow a winter coat, your hair will get longer and thicker. You don't need to buy a winter coat." Spirit nods, very carefully using just the tip of his upper lip, points to a plaid blanket, "I want to grow that one." Steph smiles and hands the catalog back to Spirit, "I need to clean your barrel out." Spirit nods and very carefully places the catalog away from the water barrel.

Steph proceeds to clean the water barrel, after removing two damaged Mr. Smiley balls, she fills the barrel, and looks around. Spirit is over eating, "Well who next, ahhh Justice." She heads over to Justice's pen, and he his laying down also, in nearly the same position that Spirit was in. Steph walks up to the rail, "Are you looking at winter coats also?" Justice very carefully lifts up the magazine, and this time it is a magazine, "Horse Racing Quarterly." Justice very carefully smiles, as to not drop the magazine, and proudly says "I want to be a race horse."

Steph smiles, "Justice, I don't think you will ever be a race horse." Justice hands the magazine to Steph, "Look horses." Steph opens the magazine and thumbs through the pages, "Justice there are different types of horses. Race horses are bred to run." Justice looks at Steph, "I was bred to run." "Well horses are bred to run, some are just slower. When you finish growing you will be a very big horse, and that doesn't help in racing." Steph hands the magazine back to Justice.

As Steph finished her chores and walks back to the house, "I think I need to find a picture of a draft so Justice can see the difference. I wonder where they are getting these magazines and catalogs from?" Rob is out working on the tractor, Steph walks up, "Spirit wants to grow a plaid winter coat." Rob looks up, "What are you talking about?" "Well he has gotten in his head that the horses need winter coats, so he got a horse catalog and was looking at different blankets. I explained to him that horses grow winter coats, and that he didn't need to buy one. He pointed to a plaid blanket and said he wanted to grow that for a winter coat." Rob shakes his head, "Poor horse has been keeping his head under water for too long cleaning toys..." Rob stands up and walks over to Steph, "Was he actually planning on buying blankets for all the horses?" Steph nods and Rob continues, "How is he going to pay for themmm... ahhh, I don't think I want to go there." Steph smiles and walks back to the house. Rob yells at her as she leaves, "Heck three quarters of the horses wouldn't wear them anyways..."

Just before she gets to the house, she turns back to Rob, "Oh, and Justice wants to be a race horse."

Steph clears the table, careful to keep all the notes from the doctor together. Rob walks in, Steph asks "What you want for lunch?" "hmmm, something light, but no salads." "I can make you a sandwich, and I will have a salad." Rob nods and goes to the bathroom to clean up. Rob yells from the back of the house, "Where are these horses getting all these weird ideas?" Steph finishes Rob's sandwich, and prepares a small salad for herself, "I have no idea, and to be honest, I don't know if I want to know."

Rob pushes his chair back, "I am going to get some gas for the truck, and stop by SMF, and ask about the wagon, and try and track down where the beer was bought. Someone must know something or seen something." Steph nods, "You are braver then me." Rob smiles, "People will think it's because I am a farrier, just kicked in the head too many times."

Rob heads out to the truck, prays it will start, it does and he heads off, "First gas, then questions.", he drives out to the highway gets some gas, and heads back to Shadow Mountain Feed. He pulls in the front, and walks in. Immediately Patti yells across the store, "How's that old wagon doing?" Rob looks walks over to the counter, "Doing fine, got it painted up and everything.", Patti smiles, "Glad it worked out. Ole man Brenner, ya know the old man that lives out in the desert, he was looking to sell it, and we had it out back, didn't think anyone would buy it, it was pretty beat up, must have been 50 years old." Rob nods, "I wasn't the one that picked it up, how much did we end up paying for it?" Rob crosses his fingers.

Patti smiles, "The old man had a sign on it for $200.00. When we went out to move it around front we found a Wal-Mart bag with $212.27 in coins in it." Rob nods, "But how did you know it was from us?" Patti answers, "Oh, the business card, let me remember what it said, oh, From the Horses and Mules at Miracle Horse Rescue." Rob says, "Well that narrows it down."

Patti smiles, "It was so cute, and old man Brenner, was so happy that it sold, Oh, you said you had it fixed up, did you do the work?" Rob answers "No, again not sure who did the work." Patti nods, "Well Steph must be keeping you in the dark on a lot of things." Rob replies "And the horses." Patti nods, "I hear, that ah, let me think of his name, Oh, Mark Flannigan, does great work on those kind of things, he does it like a hobby. "Thanks Patti, oh, you don't happen to know who sells Budweiser in cases around here?" She thinks a bit, "I would think most of the stores do." Rob continues, "I mean like 30 cases." Patti shakes her head, "figure the only one would be a distributor out of Las Vegas."

"Thanks I guess that answers all my questions." Rob turns to walk out, "Ahhh, do you know of a goat named 'Fred'?" Ron walks up behind Patti, "Rob how are you doing? How do you like the wagon?" Rob looks over, "I am doing fine, a bit confused, but the wagon is doing great." Ron says, "Heard you ask about Fred the pygmy angora nanny goat, she is owned by Pete Wilson, down on highway 372 just as you leave town. Seen her once, good looking goat. What's your interest, she doesn't need shoes?" Ron says laughing. Rob answers, "Just heard her name sounded interesting."

Ron looks over, "What you do to your wrist?", Rob, "oh, nothing just bumped it when we had Electra down at Desert Pines, she had a fever, so had to postpone the surgery till the 22nd." Both Ron and Patti, frown, "ah, that is too bad, well lets us know how things turn out." Rob turns again to leave, "Thanks for help, we will keep you up to date on Electra."

Both Ron and Patti, look at each other as Rob leaves the store, "Yep kicked in the head one too many times."

Rob gets in to the truck, "Let's see, One, Wagon bought from a local recluse for cash (coins actually). Two Mark Flannigan, Wagon Wright as a hobby may have fixed up the wagon. Three Fred the pygmy angora nanny goat, is owned by Pete Wilson, down on highway 372, and no real idea where the Budweiser came from. I need to go check the Jiffy Mart to see what they might know about buying 30 cases of Bud...."

With that he pulls out and heads to the highway, and turns south. Just a few blocks down the highway, Rob pulls into Jiffy Mart, it's the normal convenience store, a couple of gas pumps outside and the essential grab items inside. There is a young man, still in his teens behind the counter, Rob walks up to the counter, "I have a question." The young man looks over, "Yes Sir." Rob smiles, "I was trying to find a place I could buy 30 cases of Budweiser?" "Sorry Sir, we don't normally have that many in stock, in fact the night before Halloween we did sell 30 cases of Budweiser to a guy dressed up in a horse costume." the young man begins to laugh, "It was so funny, he actually had a red horse drawn wagon outside. He paid in cash, so the boss said it was ok. I think you might need to check one of the Horizon Markets if you are interested in that many cases, ya know with a holiday coming up."

Rob smiles, "yeah, know what you mean. Is the boss around?" The young man looks around, "He was here a few minutes ago, let me look. Yeah he is out back, if you want to talk to him." Rob says, "Thanks for the information, and enjoyed the story about the guy in the horse costume." With that, Rob walks to the back of the store.

to be continued:

Author: SAMM