Sasha

In the summer of 2020, we were charged with a Russian Tortoise from Palomino. Sasha. Aka "Sashita". Her tank had a layer of substrate, a house, a terra cotta dish, and some long grass for her to hide under. Palomino's instructions were:

1. Feed him a stick of chewed up carrot once a day, or regular lettuce.
2. Give him a bath once a month.
3. He will eat dandelion flowers when available.

I'll be back to get her when travel opens up, Palomino assured us as he left for the south. And that was it. That's everything I knew about tortoises. Hah!

Water temperature 104ºF

We breezed through our first winter with Sasha. But I felt so bad that I was force-bathing Sasha. So I put a bowl of water in her tank for her to bathe at her leisure. 

She was very active, always scratching at the wall, as if she wanted to get out. So I looked online to learn more about her. Turned out, Russian tortoises like to burrow. So I tripled the amount of substrate in her tank. And sure enough! She dug down for her naps! 

Suddenly, Sasha would stay burrowed for long periods of time! We wouldn't see her for 2-3 days. I panicked, and took her to the doctor, afraid that I might kill her before she was reunited with her owner. 

That's when I was given the breaking news that Sasha is a HE. And that it costs more for a doctor to treat a tortoise than it does a dog! Sasha would not come out of his shell for the doctor, thank goodness! I got away with only a consultation fee, which could buy me a grandé latte at Starbucks everyday for a month!

I did more research, and discovered that many tortoise owners put their pets outside when the temperature reaches above 65ºF. The natural light is wonderful for their health! The benefits of being outside in the dirt, and in natural light far outweighs the risk of them falling prey.

So, come late spring, I built her a pen with shelter and a swimming pool. Sasha did so well inside her outdoor space! Several times she burrowed deep enough where I had to really look for her to bring her in for the night. I dared not leave her outside where raccoons and rats might harm her. 

And that's where Sasha spent HIS summer and early fall. 

Come Halloween, he was burrowing more and more, coming out for food maybe once a week. 

Then Thanksgiving came. And the Christmas tree and decorations came out. But not not Sasha. 

Then snow came on two separate occasions. But not Sasha.

Valentine's Day. No love from Sasha. 

F*ck! I thought. I killed him!

Palomino instructed me to dig him out and put him in a tub of warm water immediately. 

But I did not... 

Then, on the last day of February, as we lazed in the heat of the fireplace we heard it... Scratch... Scratch... 

Sasha! He's alive! Alleluia! He has risen from a deep slumber of three months! 

Now! Now I put him in a warm bath, and gave him a nibble of lettuce. 

'Tis the season of dandelions! So Sasha shall feast on freshly picked sidewalk flowers!

The days are getting longer. The temperature is climbing. The sun is drying up the muddy puddles. Soon Sasha will bask in the sun!

Really, It's the Bling

We went to the Grand Canyon State of Arizona to see a whole lot of something about horses. Because we want to figure out what to do with Betsy. See, Betsy is being ridden for Western Pleasure. 

One of the most popular AQHA show events is westernpleasure. Contestants compete simultaneously, traveling the perimeter of the arena, and at the discretion of the judge, are asked to walk, jog, lope and reverse the direction of the horse. Horses are evaluated on quality of movement while staying quiet and calm, traveling on a loose rein 

–American Quarter Horse Association 

 "It's too slow..." Quinn opined of the boring nature of this discipline of riding. For she likes to go fast. She's always asking the instructor if she could lope. 

So we thought to let her see what Boxing was all about.

Ranch Cow Work – When it comes to the ranch cow work class, riders have the choice between ranch cow work or limited ranch cow work for youth and amateur exhibitors, where riders are allotted one minute and thirty seconds to complete the work. There are four parts to the limited ranch cow work: boxing the cow; setting up the cow and driving it down the fence to the opposite end of the arena; boxing it at the opposite end of the arena; and drive the cow back down the fence past the middle marker. For ranch cow work, there are three parts to the class: boxing, fence work and roping or circling. The horse and rider must accomplish all three parts in three minutes.

–American Quarter Horse Association   

Click HERE to see it in action.

Then we saw Showmanship. 

Showmanship at Halter – A class for youth and amateur exhibitors only, it is designed to judge the showmanship skills of the exhibitors. Judges evaluate the grooming and fitting of the horse, and expertise of the exhibitor in presenting the horse. Each exhibitor is required to perform a pattern designed by the judge with emphasis on preciseness of pattern and degree of confidence exhibited by the showman. 

–American Quarter Horse Association    

We met a rodeo royalty while watching the competition. She was 25 year old Darcy who had been showing horses her whole life!

And as if a light bulb turn on, she decided she would like to try her hand at showmanship. 

Click HERE to see it in action.

But I wonder if Q wants to do this discipline because of the bling outfits!!!

I ain't buyin' you an eight hundred dollar suit+matching saddle pad, girl! And remember, showmanship ain't a leisurely walk in the arena, like these competitors make it look. It's serious enough business where the horse trainer steps in to smack a reminder into the horse if he/she ain't putting his/her feet where they should be! 

Click HERE to see it in action.

Finally, we watched her fellow students compete in Trail.

Western Trail – The trail class tests the maneuverability of an American Quarter Horse through an obstacle course. Mandatory obstacles include one in which the rider will open, pass through and close a gate. Scoring is based on the horse’s willingness, ease and grace in negotiating the course. The other two mandatory obstacles are riding over at least four logs or poles and one backing obstacle. 

– American Quarter Horse Association 

Click HERE to watch it in action. 

"Man!" she exclaimed. That's haaaard!!! I want to ride western pleasure!!!

I really think she just likes the bling!

O, Romeo!

He arrived in the summer of 2018, in a crate with his brother, all the way from the East Coast. 

"His name is Romeo!" announced Quinn. (After the villain in PJ Masks. Had the dog been a girl, she would have been "Luna".) 

He was less than 20 pounds then, and about the size of a large purse. 

His teeth were needle sharp, to which holes my pants are an attestation. Best of all, he was lazy. Lazy! He slept. And when we went walking, we dared not go more than 50 yards from home because you'd have to carry him back.

Quinn did everything with Romeo. 

We even took him to church! And he was blessed on the Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi.

When Quinn went to Wyoming, Romeo went too. 

Thank goodness he grew out of his laziness! It would have been a big problem if we had to carry a 50 pound dog on our hikes.

He became Quinn's play friend. But he didn't reciprocate much... 

Until it involved a game of chase!

And this is when Quinn declares her hate for her best dog! Ah, what a love-hate relationship they have. 

O, Romeo, Romeo! 

Thou art my Romeo!

Ode to Preacher

He came to us over eight years ago. He was almost seventeen months old, full of life and love. He strutted handsome physique - and rightfully so,  as proven by his Canadian Kennel Club and American Kennel Club show dog accolades - and I fell in love with him right away.

He lived with an ailing liver for years, yet one would never know it because he never complained, he never showed it. He was always happy, he was always hungry, he was always ready and willing to work or play. He watched over my things and my family, he safe guarded us.

Two months ago, he suddenly, simply could not walk or stand. While he still had his dignity and his pride intact, we served him a dinner of steaks, vegetables, and all the M&M's he wanted, and then wept as he took his last breath by the doctor's hands.

I'm not poetic, and I tend to ramble. But here's my a lyrical tribute to the preacherman.

The day Preacher came us.

Ode to Preacher

You were sixteen months old, yet a puppy at heart

You befriended Palomino by taking the shoe off his foot

Summer 2007, he loved the sun

You were wild; walking with you was akin to a wrestling match

Yet, in no time at all, you were heeling like an obedience champ

Fall 2007, at work at the loading dock

Summer 2008

You were a champion in Canada, and almost one in the U.S.

There was no doubt about that when you met other dogs

You had a ferocious bark, and the strength of wolves

2009, chasing Frisbees

But beneath all that rippling muscle was a tender heart of gold

You were stoic to a fault, deceiving all with your calm and steady demeanor

All the while your physical strength waned with your ailing body, day by day

Happy Birthday! McDonald's treat

You ate, you ate well! Pumpkin from the garden, apples off the trees, 

Celery, spinach, and even tomatoes; you'd eat beets if only there wasn't carpet

Some things you ate, that made me wonder, were cardboard, socks, and babies' shoes

Oh yes, let's not forget, the Sonicare brush, one crisp Benjamin, and my last Manolos

Summer 2011, garage saling 

You were loyal to a fault, despite my own ferocious bark and angry words

You still came when I called, cuddled on my lap, protected me

2012, liver shrunk to 70% normal size

You did not know your own strength, even Baby Jaida held you back

You thought little people were yours, until Quinn made you hers

Oh, how your body hurt, and suddenly stopped working

But still, you laid down your angst and your pain for Quinn 

Quinn will not remember your faithfulness, but I will engrave your memory in her heart

Just as your being made permanent footprints on mine

2013, tearing up the tissue to get to the cardboard roll

2014, can't give him meds for his fungal infection because of his compromised liver

As you took your last breath, I hope you felt my arms holding you tight

As you looked at me for the last time, I hope you heard me tell you "Thank you"

February 2015, already limping and always good with Quinn

Now go, run and run, chase all the squirrels beyond the rainbow

Go, bark at the top of your lungs

Preach, my preacherman