Can I get a Mulligan on this past weekend? LOL

What a crappy weekend. Well, Sunday evening was good, so I can't complain about the entire weekend.

The sorting went horribly wrong. I did 5 runs. 1 in the 8 mix with Buck. We only got 2 head. He is trying to slow down a bit too as he gets pretty reved up like the rest of us do and ends up making mistakes. We didn't bust, but it took 5 head to go back.

I did 4 runs in the 3 sort. There were 97 teams! I think it took 6 head to go back. Well, that wasn't happening today either. My first run was with Connie. We only got 2 head.

Then I ran with Vicki. I had to laugh at her horse Tim. It was too funny. I went in first and she and Tim were in the hole. I was getting after my cow and 2 trash ones came their way. My cow and I were still "north of the equator", but those 2 cows came at Tim and I know I saw Vicki kick him to make him move and he just stood there and watched them run past him. LOL It was like he was in a, "I don't feel like it right now" mood. Tim is a trained cutting horse too. I think that is what made me laugh.

My third run was with Buck and we busted right off the bat. He went in first and went after his cow and cow number 9 apparently knew the game. She came at me and I was hollering and Summer lunged at her and it didn't phase her one bit. She blew between the side of the hole and Summer's chest. And just like that, we were done.

My fourth was my draw. A new guy named Todd. He is a cutter on a cutting horse. We only got 1. When he brought me his cow, the blank was with it and there was no way I could seperate it without busting so I had to block both of them. I felt horrible about that but JB always says, if you have to block the good one so you don't bust, then block the good one.

After I was done and paid my bill, I took Summer home and fed everyone. Got in my car and drove back to the arena as David was in Denton racing and Amanda was out with her friends.

So I got to watch the other classes and I worked the gates for the last class.

I do have to say that these cows were tough. You had to have a good horse (and Summer was actually good for me this day) and you had to have the luck of the cow. These cows didn't come from Cactus Cattle Company. They were more flighty than what most of us are used too and more flighty than the ones we have lessons on as our lesson cows are from CCC too. Even the fresh ones from CCC are easier than the ones we competed with this past Saturday. JB even confirmed to us that basically, these cows were tougher than what we are used too. But that's okay, you can't win 'em all. And sometimes you don't even get a short go.

I got home at midnight and put my jammies on to relax a bit, then Amanda started hollering for me from the living room. She was with Libby (our Bulldog) who was on her quilt on the love seat. There was blood all over the quilt. She has completely ripped one of her nails out of her paw. So I run back to the bed room and get dressed and drive her to the Animal ER. Called David and he was on his way home and would be at the ER after he dropped his car off at home. Well, $350.00 later, she was bandaged up, doped up and was wearing her "cone of shame". Poor baby, she looks so pitiful. I told David, in the 22 years we have been having dogs, we have never had one that had to go to the ER. Then Libby came along and she has been twice! LOL

So needless to say, we didn't get home until 3am Sunday morning. I went to bed with no shower, (I know, gross) but man I was exhausted. I woke up at 9:30 and my butt was dragging. Got to the barn about 4ish and had a nice ride on Summer on our trails with Tracey and Amira. I was going to ride Harper, but it was windy, I was tired and she was in season. I didn't want a schooling ride.

So I am asking for a Mulligan for this past weekend (accept for the nice Sunday evening ride). Thank God next weekend is a 3 day weekend for me.

Haley's Liberty Belle...aka "Libby"

Want to know how to stop this:

Bulldogge on the leather couch syndrome. Very common and sometimes fatal to the leather.

Well, I suggest you going to Petsmart and purchasing one of these:

However, common side effects are these: sleeping, snorring, lack of duties as a guard dog and the final one could be fatal to the Bulldogge itself:

*

The possessive 4.5lb Chihuahua named Tigger. Very deadly.

Just stuff...

Mia is still the same. She keeps on keeping on. I am glad. She is still eating well, playful and loving. That hole is still under her ear. She keeps that open by scratching. It is still kind of ooky, but I do my best to keep the drainage clean. She decided it was time for David and I to wake up at 5am this morning instead of 6am. She walked all over us and next thing I know, she is sitting on David's head. LOL When we did finally get up, she was done with us. Little fart.

Libby the Bulldog is so spoiled. She is now allowed to lay on the love seat if the blanket is on it. I think she knows this because if the blanket is not there, she doesn't get on it. What is funny is if Amanda is laying on the love seat with a blanket, Libby will try to climb up there with her and push her off. It is pretty funny to watch.

David worked on my horse trailer this weekend and I am so happy this work got done. The trailer is not near new and isn't pretty. But it is functional. Got the edge of the step up where the horses go in fixed up with new angle iron. Now I don't have to worry about when horses step in or out of the trailer and getting cut by that crappy, rusted and tore up edge that was there. He also fixed the center divider, and put some seam sealer on some areas that was leaking into the tack compartment. He wants to buy all new wood and replace everything this summer and paint it. I am excited about that.

Amanda is going to a cosmetologist event this weekend. She fixed up her manikins head hair, makeup and a scarf. It is a competition. I hope she places well. The hair do looks like it is fit for a bridesmaid. Very pretty.

Summer and I are still getting ready for our first CTR of the year. If you remember, she and Barb Cooper rode the Christmas ride, which is actually the first ride of the 2009 season. They did very well. I was proud of them both. And it was Dr. Carter who gave Summer the second place ribbon. Now I hope I do just as well with and for her at the Scamper.

TTFN

Update on everything...Mom, Granny, Libby...

1. Friday was my mom's birthday. If you remember, my Granny passed away in March, my mom's mom. Also remember that Granny and mom share the same birthday. So this was going to be a hard day for her, the first birthday without Granny.

On Thursday, at the last minute, I asked my Sergeant if I could have Friday off and they approved. I got Amanda up and ready and we headed to mom and dad's. Dad and I have been having problems and I knew it would be good to let them go on this day. Well, we got there and rang the door bell, both mom and dad started crying. Mom was holding two Mylar "happy birthday" balloons and some flowers. We walked in and all started hugging and crying. Dad told me he didn't want to fight anymore and neither do I. After we settled down, mom told me they were going to the park to release one of the balloons for Granny. I told her that sounded good. Then I told her we needed to hurry tho cause we were going to Oklahoma and do a turn around. It is a 3 1/2 hour drive there. She had a somewhat shocked look on her face. I told her that since she didn't want me to get her anything for this birthday, that my gift was to take her to OK and put flowers on Granny's grave and to get to see the head stone she hasn't got to see yet. More tears. Amanda and I thought she wouldn't go, my mom is not a spontaneous person, so we were shocked she said okay. Had she said no, we were going to trick her into "going to the store with us", then just take off to OK. We are a sneaky bunch.

We got there about 1pm and my Aunt Doris (Granny's sister) had made a wonderful lunch. We ate, went and got flowers and headed to the cemetery. It is an old country cemetery, very quiet and serene. Once we visited, placed beautiful red, artificial roses on Granny's grave, and replaced all the flowers on the other family headstones, and cleaned up some others, we headed back to Aunt Doris'. About 5:30 we headed back for home, another 3 1/2 drive. Mom was so happy and sad at the same time. I told her I was glad she had a good birthday and that I couldn't call it happy because Granny wasn't here, and she told me it was a happy birthday for her. Course I couldn't cry when she said that cause I was driving. (smile)

Mom just couldn't believe I was doing this and that she went along with it. But I just couldn't see her not getting to visit Granny on the first birthday of her being gone. It wasn't really closure, but it had to be done. Mom had to go visit. I guess I can't explain it, but I am sure those who read this will understand.


2. Libby is all better! Took her to the vet yesterday after work and had her stitches out and the doctor gave her an all clear and she is all better. I was so happy. It was Pyometra and due to her uterus being enlarged when they removed it, some of her hormones escaped into her blood stream and that is what is causing her false pregnancy. She is doing better on that too. She isn't nesting as much anymore and she has stopped dripping milk. Her boobs are still a little enlarged, but it is starting to pass.

Well,
TTFN

The Lord who created you... says... I have called you by name; you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1

Where to begin...

1. Libby had her surgery on Friday and came home Friday night very groggy. But good news on Saturday, she was drinking on her own, FINALLY! I was so happy. For the past week I had been tricking her into getting fluids in her. But now she is showing odd behavior. She has gathered up all her toys on her bed, even the ones that were outside. If you move them all to a different location, she will go get them and put them back on her bed. A couple of friends of mine said she is "nesting". WHAT?!? Now she is lactating! She is going through a false pregnancy! Poor baby, her hormones are all messed up now. I was told that all should clear up in about two weeks. But I will be calling the vet just to make sure all is okay.

2. I worked the AHA Region 9 show again on Friday after I dropped Libby off at the vet that morning. June and I worked the Working Cow Horse class for 2 1/2 hours. We worked the calf gates. That was fun and exciting! We worked with Carrie, who raises Arabians, and a man named Dale. Dale was a little more than nervous that all his "Cow pokes" were females, and two of whom have never worked cattle, me and June. (Carrie and her hubby have a working cattle ranch). Anyway, once we got our jobs down, we were a well oiled machine. Dale was teased by other cowboys because he had a female crew, but we showed them that women make good cow pokes too, and we have been invited back to work the same gates at next years show cause we got so many compliments! (above pic is an example)

3. Saturday was a nice, laid back day. Barb (barn owner) and I went for a morning ride in the pasture. I took Amanda shopping for her Father's day gift for David. She got him a new tool box. Then we went home and just hung out for the remainder of the day.

4. Father's day was horrible for me. That's all I have to say about that day.

5. Monday and Tuesday night I went riding by myself. Okay, not by myself, sort of. Bo and Luke went with me. They are the barn dogs and Summer is getting real used to them being with us. She actually looks for them when they get out of her sight. Monday night I did something some might consider a bad thing. But if you know me well enough, you would know that I had to do it. I saved a baby skunk from Bo and Luke. I know, I know..."he might have been rabid, you should have let them take care of him." But you should have seen it, he was SO cute! And so little. I am sure he had wandered away from his nest. Luckily, we never saw momma, I would still be stinking had we seen her.

Last night was a good ride as well. It was only 81 degrees, the wind was blowing some and there was some cloud coverage and even a little sunshine rain. It was very nice, and no skunks.

TTFN

AHA Region IX Championship Show

Last night I work the above titled show. It was sooooo cool. I finally got to see a Native Costume class. It was absolutely fabulous! The riders and horses were just gorgeous. It is something I will never forget. I worked the "IN" gate, which means I could have reached out and touched the horses as they went in to the arena. And June worked the "OUT" gate. The show is all week long and we have also volunteered to work Friday after I drop Libby off at the vet's that morning.

I was joking with the girl that recruited me, Carrie, and told her when you volunteer at an endurance ride you get a t-shirt, she said, "we don't give t-shirts, we give baseball caps." So June and I got a real nice cap and was told we would get another one on Friday after we were done. They also feed and give drinks to their volunteers. And I thought it would be hot, but the arena's are air conditioned, so that was nice.

The classes were all kinds: Native Costume, Park Horse, Country English Pleasure, Western Pleasure and many others. But last night was the first night of the week and there are so many more classes for the rest of the week. Friday will be exciting for June and I cause we will be working in the arena for the Reining classes and Cow Horse classes. And they say Arabs aren't good for working cows! Psh....I beg to differ!

On Libby, she is doing okay. I am STILL tricking her drink water. But that is okay, I just can't wait to get this surgery over with.

_____

**Picture above is not from the show I attended last night, but you get the idea.

Libby day 6...

Libby at 1 month old

Well, the vet told me yesterday to watch Libby go potty #1 and #2. So I had my daughter lock her in the house yesterday at about 11am and let her out at 3pm. Amanda called at 3:10 and said Libby #1ed and it lasted about 7 seconds. So last night I let her out about 6:15 again and she #1ed for 10seconds. I know, weird to watch your animal do it's business. At about 9:30 she #2ed and it was the right consistancy and moist. So that was good. If it was diarrhea then the vet would worry more about the Pancreas than the girlie problems.

I am also tricking her into drinking still. I put about 3/4 cup of water in her food and she lapped it up and then we played a game last night with her kibble. I put about 7 pieces of kibble in a bowl of water and she had to play bobbing for kibble to get them. So she got another 1/2 cup in her system.

The vet said that due to the moist food she is eating, plus I am tricking her into drinking, she may not drink on her own until she is switched back to dry food. Plus she is an indoor dog and not in the TX heat all day, she isn't as thirsty.

Her spay appointment is still on for Friday, I just can't wait to get that over with.

Libby update...

She got to come home Friday evening. She looked real good and seemed like her old self. However, she has not drank any liquids this weekend. I bought some Pedialite Sunday morning and she drank a little of it. I figured it would get some electrolites in her. So when I fed her I put about 1/4 cup of pedialite and 1/2 cup of water in her prescribed can food the vet sent home with her. She is eating real good and has not thrown up. But I have not been monitoring her pottying. So we need to start doing that. I just talked to Doctor Ozee and she wants me to monitor that tonight and if she has very loose stool and not urinating, I need to take her in for another CBC test for her Pancreas. She says she might not be drinking due to the canned food she is getting, I need to start switching her back over to her food. She is taking her medication good, and she is getting spayed this Friday. So, after this surgery, if she is still not doing well, it is her Pancreas. I have read so much on the Pancreas that it scares me. I am still praying that it is the girlie problems.

I hated saying it to Dr. Ozee, but I don't know how much more money I can spend on her. But we will try to do all our pocket book will allow. I hate doing it, but I would even go to my dad for help. I love this ugly mug and just can't let her go yet.

Libby update...

The vet called yesterday evening. They are not 100%sure that it is Pancreatitis yet. There is an illness called Pyometra that only intact females can get. The symptoms are exactly the same and the reading on the blood work can look the same. They should know today what they are dealing with. I pray that it is the Pyometra as all she would need is an emergency spay. Pyometra is a one time thing, fix her and it is over. If is is Pancreatitis, then I would have to make sure she never got a bite of human food for the rest of her life.

Dr. Ozee said that she and all the staff are in love with Libby. She just went on and on about how sweet she was and that she was soooo loving. I have admit, she is right. That dog of mine is just the sweetest thing. And she was real happy that Libby took some food. They fed her some perscription dog food. I was happy to hear that as she hadn't eaten in 36 hours. Of course if it is the Pancreas, then she was to fast for 24 to 72 hours anyway, at the vets descretion.

Please keep praying for her and that it is the lesser of two evils, Pyometra.

The pic above should be titled: A face only a mother could love.

And boy do I!

My poor, sick Libby...

I got home last night about 5:30 from work. Libby's (my Bulldog) lips and gums were grayish white and dry. I knew she was dehydrated. However, she had water, but she is very picky. If there is even dust in it, she won't drink it. So I freshened her water and put a couple of ice cubes in it. She started to drink, but wasn't guzzling, so I wasn't too worried. Now, she is a indoor/outdoor dog, she has a doggie door so I was pretty sure it wasn't heat exhaustion. Oh, and she didn't eat her dinner, which was unusual, but not unheard of.

I got home from the barn about 9:30 and saw her water bowl that she had drank about a half a bowl, which I was happy about, but she still hadn't eaten her dinner. Now I was getting more worried. But when she threw up her breakfast and almost all the water she drank, I couldn't wait till this morning to take her to the vet. I called a couple of ER's and took her to the one my vet recommended cause they are right across the street from him.

My fear was an impaction or bloat. After $400 in x-rays and blood work, no impaction or bloat but she had gas all in her intestins and stomache, but she wasn't passing any gas. After the blood work came back, her white blood count was high as well as another level that indicated a Pancreas problem. I do not give my dogs the kind or the amount of table scraps that it would take to cause Pancreatitus (sp?). She may get a raw egg every other week or a half a french fry if we have them just so she thinks she actually got something. I pray that someone is not throwing food in the back yard when we aren't home. If they are, I pray I catch them!!!! And then they will pray that I don't beat them to death!!!!

I had to pick her up this morning and take her to her regular vet who it turn kept her today and wants to keep her tonight. More $$ but not as much as that ER cost us which ended up being over $700.00, so no Cass Co CTR for me. But I am totally okay with that, I just want my girl to get better.

Oh, and the X-rays shows she has hip displasia!!! Glad I decided not to breed her as that would pass to her pups!!!

Please keep my girl in your prayers that she makes a full recovery.

The above picture is this morning after I picked her up from the ER and we are headed to her vet. She looks so sad. The purple bandage is where her cathater (sp?) is so they can continue fluids at her vets office.