A Horse's Tale, Chapter 26

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 26, I will show them.

As Rob pulls up to the house, Rob says, "It was good visiting your parents.", Steph nods as gets out, and looks around, "I am going to check on the horse's I will be in a little bit." Rob nods and goes inside. Rob looks around most of the dogs are asleep, only a couple raise their heads as he enters, "I hope the horses are doing as well as the dogs."

Steph heads in the familiar circle, the Lady's Parlour, the Football Field then the back row. Horse's are sleeping or trying to sleep, only a couple are up looking for bits of hay. A couple greet her as she walks by, as she finishes the rounds she heads between the round pens, Justice is asleep on the ground, as is Violette, in the center Round Pen LB, and Glory are both asleep, Ruby is up eating, and Sampson is no where to be seen. She looks around, and spots him up by the house, she takes off at a trot, turns to a fast walk, then ahhh, a walk, "I am getting to old for this, SAMPSON come here." Sampson being a mule just stops, not one to follow directions most of the time. Steph finally catches up, and Sampson is carrying a bag in his mouth, not a Wal-Mart bag, but a Gym Bag. "Sampson what are you up to?" Sampson looks around to make sure no one is listening, Spirit said that someone called me Petite, and said I should go find Jim and work out."

Steph nods, having no idea what he is talking about, "What do you have in the bag?" Sampson drops the bag on the ground and very carefully pulls on the zipper. Steph reaches inside to see what he has, being that it is dark, the light of the full moon should help a bit. "Let’s see ahhh, hmmmm, four rubber covered horse shoes, or mule shoes in your case, and a hmmm, a pair of exercise pants. Well seems you have everything you need." Sampson continues "Oh a bag of chalk in case I need to work on my floor routine and the parallel bars, whatever they are." Steph nods, "Well looks like you have everything you need, to exercise." Sampson looks at Steph, "EXERCISE, no way." Steph looks at him in a puzzled way, "Well if you are going to the Gym, that must mean you going to exercise." Sampson shakes his head. "No not going to the Gym, going to find Jim, he is an old friend, he lives in Barstow, we used to work together, pulling things." Steph asks "Do you know where Barstow is and how far it is?" Sampson nods, "Its down the road, 107 miles, Spirit gave me a map." Steph nods, Sampson continues, "I will be back in the morning, all buffed up, Petite, I will show them." Sampson carefully closes the gym bag, picks it up and heads towards the gate.

Steph watches in what can only be described as total ahhh, well amazement. Sampson gets to the gate, opens it, which is good, since it is locked with a paddle lock, and steps out and closes it. As Steph stands there, Sampson turns to the road as the big white bus from the retirement community pulls up, Sampson gets on, and the door closes, and the bus drives off.

Steph says to herself, since no one is nearby, "Well this seems to be a coordinated effort." Steph turns to the house, and begins to walk back, she looks over to check on the chickens, Tootsie, and Electra, "Why did I just let Sampson get on a bus to Barstow? Dang I am really getting to old for this, when the mule's take advantage of me." As she steps on the patio, Electra jumps up, startled by something, Steph looks a over to the left and Ruby is walking toward her, "And where the heck do you think you are going?" Ruby takes a few steps, "I am going to Curves, ya know the spa for ahhh, Lady's." Steph smiles, "Well only one mule out the gate at one time, you will have to wait for another time." Ruby kicks the ground, "Dang, I knew this would happen." She turns and walks back to round pen.

Electra looks at the now dejected Ruby and back to Steph, "Don't worry Electra you will learn about these kind of things." Finally one of the guard dogs comes out, well not really a guard dogs, its Bruno, "Can I help, Can I help?" Steph looks down, "Well if you want your head kicked in, it is the mules, everything is fine." Bruno with a worried look, "No nope, no mules, not good." He turns and goes in the doggy door, Steph turns looks back at the gate, "I wonder what he thinks he can get done in a few hours in Barstow?" She turns and opens the door, Bruno rushes out the doggy door, "I forgot I need to pee." Steph nods, and goes inside. Rob looks up, "What is going on, Bruno just ran outside Twice?" "Steph turns to the door as Bruno returns, "Oh, he had to pee." Rob smiles, "What else is going on?"

"Well it seems someone made the comment that Sampson looked petite. So he off to Barstow to meet an old friend named Jim, I guess to exercise. He said he would be back in the morning." Rob looks at Steph, "Stephanie, it’s a hundred miles to Barstow, it will take him two, maybe three days to get there." Steph looks at Rob, "Oh, that isn't a problem, he is getting a ride on the bus from the retirement home." Rob, "Oh, that makes it all better. What horse would call him petite, he can out pull 90 percent of the horses, and walk most of them into the ground on one of this bad days. Jeez, I can't believe any of the horses would say that." Steph nods, "Well he said he would be back in the morning, we will see how un petite he has become." Rob, "Was Fred driving the bus?" Steph shrugs, "Couldn't see for sure, how many nanny goats does the retirement home have driving buses?" Rob, shakes his head, "Don't know, wonder who told Sampson about the Petite comment, he doesn't listen to many of the horses?", Steph says, "Sampson said it was Spirit that told him, he gave him a map to Barstow." Rob looks up again, "I wonder Spirit is trying to pull a trick on Sampson." Steph thinks for a while, "No horse even a young one is dumb enough to try and trick a mule, are they?" Rob only has to think a while on this one. "No one even our horses are that dumb." at that they both head off to bed, knowing that Sampson is in the care of a nanny goat from the retirement home and will be back in the morning.

Steph and Rob awake to the quiet of the desert morning at MHR, all is well, Steph with a cup of coffee in hand steps out on the patio, she looks around, Jason is starting the morning routine of feeding the horses, Steph looks to the forward Round Pen, Glory, Ruby, and LB, are waiting for breakfast. Sampson has not gotten back, she starts to wonder if it was a good idea to let Sampson go to Barstow, just at that moment, she hears breaks squealing out by the gate, a white bus, the one from the retirement home comes to a halt, Sampson steps off, opens the gate, and proceeds to walk back to the round pen. As he walks past Steph on the edge of the patio, he says "What do you think now?" Steph doesn't really see any difference, other than a ribbon around his neck, "What is the ribbon for?", Sampson turns his head, "It’s says Number One Mule. This will show them." His head held high, he walks back to the Round Pen.

As he opens the gate to the Round Pen, Ruby starts to run, Glory starts to chase him, and LB, just kind of stands there wondering what the heck is going on. Sampson closes the gate on the Round Pen, all seems normal. As Steph starts to turn to go back in the house, Spirit puts his head on her shoulder, "See I knew that would work. Confidence is all that is needed." Steph reaches over and rubs Spirits nose, "Thanks. oh, by the way who is Jim?" Spirit smiles, "Oh, Jim is a Zebra, that got a degree from UCLA, very smart equine to be sure."


To be continued.

Author Samm

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 25

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 25, Moo and the Commandos.

A noise awakes Steph, she turns over and looks at the clock, 3:30 AM, she listens, not sure what woke her, could have been a car or truck, or a dog. She listens no sounds, except what sounds like some muffled mumbling. She gets up and very quietly walks toward the living room, the noise becomes more evident as she gets closer. Steph stops just short of the living room, sounds like the TV and a mixture of dog voices. As she listens she can hear Truffles, Moo, Bruno, and Adrian talking. "I can hear the Chihuahuas", "They are lurking in the background.", "They have on their camo uniforms.", "little binoculars.", "and are low crawling through the grass.", "keeping watch on everything."

Steph steps into the living room, the dogs look up from a map laying on the floor. Steph says, "What are you guys up to? And what are you watching on TV?" Bruno replies, "We are watching History Channel and planning our defense from the Chihuahuas." Steph sits down on the floor and looks at the map, she see a roughly drawn map of the ranch. Steph looks around at the dogs sitting around the map, "So what is the plan?" Bruno very carefully points around the map, "We have the Chihuahuas on this side, and we must defend the horses here and here." Moo, Looks up, "I am going to lead a counter attack at dawn." Steph looks at Moo, "You are." Moo nods.

Steph stands up, "Well guys, you can't attack until the General in charge of the ranch approves the plans." They all look at her, Bruno replies "Who is the General in charge?" Steph says, "I am the General in charge. Show me the plans tomorrow, and I need details, formations, scouting reports, and any other intelligence reports you have." Bruno nods, and begins to roll up the map. Steph looks around, "Where is the remote for the TV?" Truffles walks over and picks up the remote and hands it to Steph. Steph turns off the TV, and walks to the bedroom, she turns "NO attacks, until I approve the plan.", The four dogs nods and return to their beds. Bruno places the map under this bed. Steph puts the remote under her pillow, "Well this is going to be fun or ...."

Steph rolls over, feels a lump under her pillow, reaches under the pillow and pulls out the remote for the TV. She sits up, "Well I guess it wasn't a dream." She gets up, grabs her robe, looks around and spies her bunny slippers. She walks into the living room, the TV is on tuned to National Geo Channel, the dogs are all asleep. Steph looks around "Ahh, there it is." She reaches behind the sleeping Truffles, and picks up another TV remote, one of those with big number buttons. She puts it in her pocket, steps over a couple of dogs and starts to make some coffee.

Jason knocks on the door, "I have finished feeding and water, I think I am done for this morning, unless you have something else this morning." Steph replies, "I think we are good til this evening, see you then." As Jason leaves the dogs wonder in the house. Some head for the food, some for their beds. Bruno lifts up his bed, and pulls out a stack of maps and papers, and walks over to Steph. "We have finished the plans." Steph reaches down and takes the maps from Bruno, and puts them on the table. She spreads them out, some are marked as defense, some attack, some patrol, red lines, large arrows, weather conditions for the next week. "Where did you get all this information?" Bruno starts, but Truffles interrupts, "Intelligence reports from the front and spies we have." Steph nods. "Very impressive. So what is the battle plan?" Both Adrian and Bruno put the paws up on the table, being the two that can reach the table. Adrian says "Well, if weather conditions are favorable, Truffles and Moo will alternate patrols of the battle line, if they see the enemy, they will return here and report." Bruno jumps in "They will do this during the daylight hours, and at night, depending on what’s on the TV, they will patrol the area."

Steph nods, "So when do you plan to put this plan in to affect?" Bruno looks over, "Oh, as soon as you approve the plan." Steph nods, "Did you guys have help with these plans, and the maps and other things?" Bruno looks around to the other dogs, "Ahhh, no we did this all our selves." Mama Dog looks past Steph to Rob standing in the doorway. Steph looks at the dogs, "OK the first part of the plan is approved, but no attacks until I approve." The four dogs look at Steph and nod, Truffles runs out the door, apparently she was assigned the first patrol.

Steph turns to Rob, "Did you have anything to do with all this?" Rob looks over, "What?" Steph turns to him, "The maps, the plans, the Chihuahuas?" Rob reaches for his cup of coffee, "Nope not me."

To Be Continued.

Author : SAMM

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 24

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 24, Ducks Tape and Apple Trees.

"Jason has all the horses fed and watered, I am going out to brush Glory, so she is all prettyified." Rob nods, "Do a good job she deserves to look her best." Steph smiles, "Yes she does.

Steph leaves the house, most of the dogs are out with Jason helping to plant trees, so walking is easy compared to having two little dogs running around her feet. She grabs the brush and heads back to the round pen. Mr Grump and Mrs. Grump, Sampson and Ruby, are eating, LB is looking at Glory, making sure she does come bother him. Glory has her eyes on LB's hay but knows she shouldn't bother him. Steph goes inside the pen and up to Glory, "Good Morning Glory." Glory nods and continues to eat. Steph says "I am going to brush some of the mud off you and make you all look pretty." Steph begins to brush Glory, Glory looks up "What are you doing?" Steph looks at her, "I told you, I am going to brush you to make you pretty." Glory nods, "Sorry, I was eating, most horses can't listen and eat at the same time." Steph nods, "Yes I think I have seen that before." Steph continues brushing Glory as she continues to eat. Steph gets most of the mud off, and works on her mane and tail, "You are now all nice and fluffy, don't get to dirty over the next couple of days." Glory looks up, "Why, that is what horses do." Steph scratches her neck, "Yes, but there is someone coming to look at you this week." Glory looks at Steph, "Why?" Steph continues the scratches, "Well maybe for a new family and a forever home." Glory nods, "For that I will stay clean." Steph nods and turns to leave, "Oh, and don't eat LB's hay." Glory looks at LB's pile of hay, "Oh, I would never." Steph nods and places the brush near the gate and leaves, she walks to the back, picks up a small flake of hay from a stack near the back row and returns to the Round Pen, and tosses the flake over the rail to Glory. Steph smiles and walks to the back row to check on the horses, as she nears Generals pen, Glory yells out "Hey, they are stealing my hay, Help, Help." General looks up, "What is she yelling about,” Steph says "I am teaching Glory to share." General raises his head, "A very hard lesson to learn for a horse." Steph reaches through the rail, and pats General on the neck, "Yes it is." Steph turns and walks back to the house, "I love it when everyone is happy."

As Steph walks by the back Round Pen she stops. Says to herself, "Where is Justice?" Steph yells out in the direction of Jason who is out planting some of the trees, "Jason have you seen Justice? Jason stops digging, looks around see's Steph and yells back, "He is up by the tack shed." Steph yells back "Thanks." Jason, returns to digging a hole for one of the pine trees "That lady and her horses, all a bit touched."

Steph continues back toward the house and the tack shed, Steph see Justice looking around the tractor and old truck, as she gets close she yells out, "If Rob catches you messing around with his stuff he will make you wear a bell and pink ribbons." She does not know why she said that but it seemed like a threat that Justice would understand. Justice look over to Steph, "Oh no not that." He walks over to Steph, Steph says, "What are you doing?" Justice looks over with a look of 'I am not sure, but I am on a mission look.', "Ah, I am looking for ducks." Steph looks at him, "Do you know what a duck is?" Justice smiles, "Yes, a bird that floats." Steph looks at Justice, takes her hand and pushes her mouth closed. "Justice you are right, for the first time in several months. Why do you need to find a duck, it’s not really the time of year they are around?" Justice nods, "Appears so, I have looked all over and even under." Steph nods, "So why do you need to find a duck?" Justice looks around hoping to see a duck, "Well Electra has had Ducks Tape for a couple of weeks, and some of the other horses wanted it also, and it’s my week to be helpful, it’s on the schedule." Steph looks over her shoulder back at Electra trying to figure out what Justice is talking about, she has one of those Ahhh moments, "You mean Duct Tape?" Justice nods "Yes Ducks Tape." Steph turns back, "Ahh, well it’s called duct tape, it’s used on air conditioner and heating ducts, and we used it on Electra to hold her wrap in place." Justice nods as if and that is a big if, understands. "Well now I need to find an air conditioner.. Whatever that is." Steph replies, "Justice I will get you a roll of it. But the horses won't like it, it’s all sticky." Steph turns and walks back over to the house, "You wait here." Justice stops short of the door as Steph walks in. As she walks in the house, Rob looks up, "Any thing going on?" Steph replies, "Everything is normal, Jason is digging some holes for trees and Justice was out looking for some Ducks Tape. Well actually he was looking for a Duck." Rob says, "He is out there now, looking for ducks?, its daylight, I thought those silly horse's did dumb things at night." Steph nods, "Well it appears it is time to do good, and several horses wanted duck tape like Electra so he was out looking for it. I explained to him what duct tape was and why Electra had it. So I am going to give him some duct tape." Rob turns back to the paper, "You will regret that, by this afternoon you will have five horses trussed up like turkeys and three or four tied up like steers at a roping contest." Steph walks over to the counter, "It won't be that bad." Rob looks up, "Bet you a dollar." “ Rob you know I don't bet." Rob with a grin from ear to ear, "It’s a fun bet, what could possibly happen to 35 horses and a roll of duct tape." and under his breath, 'that can't be cured with a pair of scissors and a knife." Steph grabs the roll of duct tape off the counter, "Yeah you are right I will take the bet." She turns and heads back out the door. Justice is scratching his nose on the right leg, looks up, Steph says "Justice here is some duct tape, be careful with it." Justice nods, reaches out and takes the roll of tape in his mouth and runs off. "And when you are done get back in your pen."

Steph looks around and other then Justice running around all seems quiet, Steph decided to check on Jason and the tree planting, she turns the corner of the house and see Jason hard at work digging one of several holes for trees, along with a troop of dogs and "Dang." Steph yells out "Spirit what are you doing?" Steph walks up to Jason, six dogs intent on what every is being dug up, and Spirit watching intently. "Spirit what are you doing?" Both Jason and Spirit look over, Spirit says, "Apple tree, I am waiting for the apples." Steph looks at Spirit, "Well these are not apple trees, they are pine trees," She points back towards the house. "The apple trees are going by where the horse trailer is." Spirit nods and heads off to the right. Jason looks at Steph and shrugs, Steph turns and follows Spirit. Spirit is stopped by an x marked in the ground. Steph says, "Yes the apple trees will be planted here." Spirit nods, and looks at the ground. Steph says, but it will be nine months or so, before we get apples. Spirit looks at Steph, "Oh Good, I thought I would have to wait a long time." Steph smiles, "Well when you get bored or hungry go back to your pen." Spirit turns, "Yes I will."

A while later, "Jason has finished feeding dinner, what you want to eat?" Rob looks over, "What do you have?" Steph looks around the kitchen "ahhh, food." Rob nods, "Good, ahh, wait a second, let’s go outside and check the horses, they have had most of the day with a roll of duct tape, let’s see what they have managed to do to themselves, I will bring a knife to cut them free." Steph answers, "What could they possibly have done." Rob says "These are your horses, most anything could happen and I want the dollar bet." Steph turns "Ok you are on, I think everything will be fine." Rob smiles to himself, "Right.".

They head to the back, Electra is fine, Spirit is standing out in the open near a small x on the ground wait for an apple tree to grow, as they near the Round Pens, Glory has several strips of duct tape hanging from her belly, Sampson has one piece hanging from his nose, Appears Ruby and LB, were not into the tape game to much. In the back Round Pen Justice is trussed up like a steer at a rodeo, Rob walks in and cuts him free. They continue around the back pens, then head up towards the football field. Rob says "This should be good." Steph doesn't say anything, knowing the score so far is not good. As they get close to the football field, doesn't good for the bet, Two pairs of horses are taped to each other, four others are tied up so they can't move around and a couple have tape from head to tail. Rob goes in and frees up the horses. "See I told you, it wasn't a good idea." Steph nods, "But we have the Lady's Parlour left, they are very calm, and not into this kind of thing."

As they approach the Lady's Parlour, they notice only two horses standing, Dublin and Jerri. As they get closer, they notice five horses hog tied with duct tape and Dublin standing over a couple of them. As Steph gets closer, "Dublin, what is going on?" Dublin turns to Rob and Steph as they approach, "Who would be dumb enough to give a bunch of young horses a roll of Ducks Tape, I know, when I was younger, I was lured in to such a trap, it is not good." Rob walks over to each horse and cuts the tape and pulls it away, with several horses protesting as the tape is pulled. When Spirit is finally free of his trap, he walks over to Steph and Rob, "That was fun can we do it again?" Both Steph and Rob turn and return to the house. Rob hands Step a wad of Duct Tape, and Say’s, "You owe me a dollar." Steph nods, "How about some pasta and meat sauce?" Rob nods, "That will work, but you still owe me a dollar."

To be continued.


Author Samm

Wednesday evening, January 12, 2011

Good Evening All,

It is 10:20pm here. I went out and made the final round checking on all the horses at 10pm. All are well. Most were sleeping and as I walked passed their stalls, the football field and ladies parlour soft wuffles reached my ears. Actually the only real noise was the barking from the neighbors little Chahuwahuwa's aka Chihuahuas who would bark if they saw a gnat in fact, I think a gnat is bigger than most of them...lol

We wish you all a wonderful day if I do not speak to you on chat. The only real time I can chat is early in the morning or late at night, and sometimes not at night. But have a great day!

Stephanie

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Hi All,

Everything is going well here. We are fast approaching our tenth anniversary in operation next month. We have had our fair share of dismal weather just as the rest of the country has had, but of course Mother Nature has her own ideas, and nothing we can do.

Electra is doing great, as everyone can watch on our cam. The rest of the horses are doing very well. Glory has been the horse of the month, and we have had her on cam at various times. Well, as of last night we do have someone who has shown a high degree of interest in her. So they are going to come over within next few days when their schedule permits to spend some time with her. They are also willing to send her to the trainer we highly recommended as we have had excellent service and outcome from him, to have her finished, as we have started her.

Had a wonderful visit with Diane and Shannon as we always do, but this time was very special.

We are looking forward to our visit with Ro, LindaS and Susan E in March. Lots to catch up on in all of our lives.

Wanted to say Hi to All, outside of chat, and to wish you all a Blessed New Year!

Stephanie

Sunday, January 9, 2011

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 23

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 23, Not Right.

Sniff, Stomp, Paw, Turn, Paw,

Smell, Bite, Chew, Stomp, Paw, Turn the other way,

Stomp, Kick, Paw, Paw, Smell, Turn back.

Bite, Drag, Drag, Turn, Drag, Look,

Smell, Turn and walk away, Turn back, Smell, Look Under.

Pull, Pull, Push, Smell,

Stomp, Kick, Dig, Stomp, Pull, Look around, Stomp,

Kick, Kick, Stomp, Pull, Push, Push, Push,

Turn around kick, Turn back around smell, Push, Stomp, Turn, Turn,

Turn, Stomp, Drag, Push, Look Under, Push,

Look, Stomp, Paw, Paw, Drag, Push, Wait, Push, Push,

Sniff, Sniff, Bite, Turn, Turn, Turn, Turn, Look

Paw, Paw, Push, Pull, Turn, Kick, Turn Back, Push, Look Under, Push,

Look, Look, Listen, Looks, Smell, Bite, Sniff,

Drag, Turn, Drag, Turn, Drag, Turn, Drag, Turn,

Look, Smell, Completely Puzzled.

Steph looks over, "Bruno, What the HECK are you doing?" Bruno looks over his shoulder, "I am trying to make my bed, and it's not right. I will have to start again." Steph, calmly gets up, and walks over to Bruno and his perfectly fine bed. "Bruno get in to that bed now, no more messing around." Bruno looks up, "I can't." Steph looks down "Why not?" Bruno turns to the door, "I have to go pee." Steph stands up, "Ok, but go to bed when you get back in, no more messing around." Steph turns to the bedroom, as Bruno heads for the doggy door.

Steph turns off the lights, hides the TV remote and heads off to bed. Bruno comes back into the house and heads back towards his bed, all the other dogs are asleep. Bruno stops short, and looks his bed, and says to himself, "It's not right."

sniff, Stomp, Paw, Turn, Paw,

Smell, Bite, Chew, Stomp, Paw, Turn the other way,

Stomp, Kick, Paw, Paw, Smell, Turn back.

Bite, Drag, Drag, Turn, Drag, Look,

(To Be Continued.)

Author: Samm

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 22

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 22, Ahhh, a winter wonderland.

Steph types into chat. "it is coming down heavy now, right now 1 inch on the ground 8:33pm." Steph turns to Rob who is all warm and comfy in his chair, "I am going out to look at the snow." Rob looks around, "Steph its snowing outside." Steph nods, "I will put on my boots." Steph looks around the living room, "Do any of you guys want to come outside in the snow?" Eight dogs look up at Steph with the kind of look of "are you nuts", Steph says "Ok, I see you don't like me anymore." She turns and heads for the door, Bruno gets up and follows. Steph puts on her boots, coat, gloves, scarf, and little beany hat. Opens the door and steps out. "Oh, what a wonderful night." She walks out on the patio with Bruno following. He looks up, "ITS SNOWING." Steph turns back to him, "Yes it is don't you love it?" Bruno takes a few steps and starts shaking his paws with each step. Steph leans down and pats Bruno on the head, "Are you going to stay with me?" Bruno looks around, "ahhh, yes, I am a brave dog." Steph smiles, "Yes you are. Its only snow."

Steph looks around and listens, the joy of a snow fall is out quiet it gets, you can hear for miles. She can hear some horses moving around, a few horses moving around but all is quiet. Steph turns to Bruno, "Isn't it beautiful, all the snow?" Bruno turns to look up at Steph, he has the 'what are you thinking look.' "Oh, yes very nice, can we go back in now?" Steph nods "In a bit, I want to look around some more." Bruno look out toward the coop, "You mean out there?" Steph reaches down pats Bruno on the head, "Yes, I want to look on Tootsie." Bruno looks up, "You mean the lion? She is the tax house." Steph looks down "What do you mean tax house?" Bruno looks over to the Tack Shed. Steph nods, "Right understand. How do you know she is in there?" Bruno looks up, "Well I walked by there earlier and smelled her, and she hissed at me. Lions are dangerous, ya know." Steph reaches down to pet Bruno and hears a noise off to the left. Both of them turn, not knowing what to expect. Steph listens, Bruno is smelling the air, that is what dogs do.

Off in the distance, Steph hears, "On Donner, On Blizter, On Sheila, On Ruben..." Steph looks beyond the light and tries to see what is going on. Approaching from the distance are two horses, stirring up the snow as they approach. Steph looks down at Bruno, "What can that be?" Bruno shaking one paw to get the snow off, looks up, "I have no idea. Sounds like trouble to me." Steph nods, "You are probably right." They both wait to see what is going on, again over the clear night air Steph hears, "On Oliphant, On Shopping Cart." Steph looks at Bruno, "Well that Justice doing all the yelling, not sure who the other is?" Bruno looks into the dark and answers "Oh, that is Spirit. I think he is pulling Justice." "Well I am going to wait to see what is going on, you can go back inside if you want." Bruno looks up, "oh, no, I need to see what trouble the horses are in."

Steph and Bruno wait for whatever Justice and Spirit are up to. It’s not a fast process, in fact as they get close, it is obvious that Spirit is having a hard time. As they near the edge of the patio, Steph see's that Spirit has a rope in his mouth, draped over his shoulder and is pulling with all his might. Following the rope back, Justice has the other end in this mouth. The only unusual thing is that Justice is standing on four ski's, doing a snowplow of sorts, which doesn't help the forward progress of either of them. "OK OK, what are you two up to?" Spirit stops, and thusly, Justice slides to a halt. "We are skiing." Spirit replies. Steph looks at both of them not sure what to say. "Well Justice may be skiing but you are pulling." Spirit drops the rope, "Well we have pretty flat land around here.", Steph nods, "Yes we do. Spirit if I may ask, why do you get to pull things, like 'b's Boat or Justice on his ski's?" Spirit reaches down to pick up the rope, and looks over to Steph, "cause I like to help out." Steph walks up to Spirit and leans down and picks up the rope, and places it in Spirits mouth. At which point Justice yells out, "On, Roger, On, ahhh, Penelope." and off they go, "Justice if you put the skis facing forward you will move better." Justice looks over his shoulder as they start to pass out of sight, "Thanks." Steph looks down at Bruno, "See everything is normal." Bruno looks up with a really puzzled look. "This is normal?" Steph turns to return to the house, "Well lately it is."

Steph stops just before the door and turns to the fading shadows of Justice and Spirit, "Who the heck is Penelope?" Justice turns back, as they fade into the dark of the winter snow, ", "Oh, she is a filly I met at the bar the other night.


Author: Samm
To Be Continued.

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 21

A Horse's Tale, Chapter 21, Tag you are it.

"Rob, there isn't anything on TV, I am going to check on the horses.", Rob looks up, "ok, wrap up, it’s cold out there." Heeding Robs advice, she grabs her jacket, and slips on her bunny slippers. Steph looks around the living room, "Do any of you want to come with me?", all the dogs look at her, all but one snuggle back into their beds, Bruno jumps up and heads for the door. Steph reaches down and rubs Bruno as he passes by. "Oh, I don't want to go with you, I need to pee." Steph nods, "Well do what you need to do." Steph opens the door, steps outside and zips her coat up. "Yes a chilly night for sure." Bruno finishes his business and heads back inside. Steph walks to the end of the patio, Glory looks to have settled in, the chickens are all roosting, and Tootsie is listening for mices. Steph looks to her right, towards the Lady’s Parlour, all is quiet, she looks to her left towards the Round Pens. All is quiet, as Steph turns toward the Football Field, she hears hoof falls from behind her, Steph turns to look, Justice is running at full speed headed towards the Lady’s Parlour, as he runs by Steph and glances at her with a smile, a few yards past the patio, Justice puts on the brakes, back legs forward, spread out a bit, dirt flying everywhere. In fact he did such a good job stopping, with all four legs spread out and facing forward, he actually sits down on his rump. Justice stands up, and that point Spirit comes running up, not as fast as Justice was doing, but screeches to a halt in front of Justice, Spirit touches his nose to Justices’ nose, and they both turn and start to run. Justice runs past Steph at a full gallop.

As Steph watches Justice and Spirit run off into the dark, she turns and pulls up one of the white plastic chairs, and sits down. Over the next several minutes Spirit and Justice repeat the process, and sometimes, when they meet, they whinny and turn and run off. Having concluded she has no idea what they are doing she stands up and steps off the patio. This time Justice slows up a bit, as does Spirit to not run over Steph. Steph holds up both arms, as if being a traffic cop. Both Justice and Spirit come to a halt a few feet from Steph and walk up to Steph. Steph starts off, "WHAT are you to up to?" Spirit looks at Justice, Justice looks at Steph, Spirit looks at Justice, Steph says "Ok ok, enough Justice what are you doing?" Justice looks at Steph, "Ah, playing a game." Spirit nods his head. Steph thinks a bit, "Ahhh, right, what game are you playing?" Justice looks Steph directly in the eye, "We are playing 'Tag you are it.'" Steph reaches forward and pats Justice on this head. "Where did you learn this game?" Justice smiles, "The little people showed me." Steph looks puzzled, "Who to you mean?" Justice continues, "The little people person that gives us treats and helps at dinner time." Steph nods, "Oh, you mean Emma." Justice nods, "Yes the little people one." Steph nods, "How did she teach you the game?" Justice looks over and smiles, "Some times she comes up and touches us on our nose, and yells 'tag you are it.' and she runs off. After a few times I figured out that I needed to run around also, when I did that she would come back and touch me on the nose and yell 'Tag you are it.' and run off again. So I figured it was a game, and I have played it several times with her. I told Spirit about it and he liked the game."

"So, you two are spending most of the night playing 'Tag you are it.'?" Both Justice and Spirit nod. Justice says "Yes it is a good game, I tried it with Sampson, but he just ran off and didn't return." Steph nods, "Well Sampson is like that." Again both Justice and Spirit nod. Steph looks at both off them, "Are you two done for the night?" Justice looks over, "Oh, no, we have seven more innings to go." Steph looks at him "What?", Justice replies, "Yep, nine innings total, as I understand it." Steph thinks, "I think you have mixed two games, who told you about nine innings?" Justice looks over, "Oh, it was ahh, Emma, the little people.", Steph not sure if she should nod, "You can talk to Emma?", Justice replies, "Oh, no, I hear her, but she doesn't hear us." Steph nods, "She is young, she will learn to listen to horses." Justice nods, "I hope so, I have a lot of questions about games. Like first and ten, and three outs." Just as Steph starts to reply, Jonah, and 'B' run by at a full gallop.

"Are they playing 'Tag you are it'?" Justice after watching Jonah and 'B' run by turns to Steph, "Oh, no they are playing 'Hide and Seek.'", Steph shakes her head, "I need to ask, where did they learn that game?", Justice smiles, "The little people, Emma, taught them how to do it." Steph thinks a bit, "How do horses play hide and seek?" Justice thinks a bit, "Well a group of horses determine who is it, and then run off to hide, the it horse counts to 25, then runs off to find the other horses, Oh, if they finish, they run back to the start and yell "Oxen Free, Oxen Free!" not sure what big cows have to do with it, but it’s part of the game."

Steph nods, "Who are they playing with?" Justice answers up "Oh, they are playing with Trooper." Steph looks at Spirit "Go get Trooper and ask him to come here." Spirit nods, and runs off. As spirit runs off, Jonah and 'B' run by. Justice looks over, "Looks like they haven't found a good spot to hide yet." Steph says "Seems so, how longs do these games of hide and seek last?" Justice shrugs, "Most of the night. Seems whoever is counting never finishes counting." Steph nods, knowing in fact that most horses can't count. Spirit returns with Trooper following, just as Jonah and 'B' run by, Steph yells out, "Hey you two come here." Jonah and 'B' stop mid gallop and turn to Steph, as they approach, Steph looked at all five horse, "Do any of you know how to count?" Each horse looks to each other, then look back to Steph. Steph nods, "I see this as a problem in you guys playing 'Hide and Seek", Justice nods, "Yes we have problems, we can hide pretty good, the counter has the problem in that game." Steph nods, "Trooper, count to five for me please." Trooper nods, "One, Thirty seven, six, four hundred." Steph raises her hand, "Trooper thanks, do you guys think if I teach you how to count will you remember?", All five horses nod.

"All right, pay attention, one is" and stomps her foot on the ground. "One, Two is" she stomps the ground twice." Steph continues up to five, all the horses are interested and watch her every move. "Trooper, can you count to three?" Trooper nods, "One." he stomps one hoof to the ground "Two" he stomps the ground about five times. Steph raises her hand "Ok let’s do this again, and you guys do what I do."

"One, Yes, that is right." Rob opens the door, and watches for awhile. Steph is counting, stomping the ground, five horses and stomping the ground... "Ahhh, Steph, what are you doing?" Steph turns "I am teaching the horses to count." Rob well "I would ask why, but I know you would have an answer." Steph replies, "oh they need to learn to count so they can play 'Hide and Seek". Rob nods, turns, "Steph you need to get to bed."


To be Continued

author: Samm

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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