Special.

On June 22, 2023 By AveryIn Dogs, Life6 Comments

A special day for a special boy. This can be your daily dose of cute with a side of an AHA moment.

This past weekend my Merley Bird turned a big 4 years old and celebrated by doing his favorite thing, romping around the farm. There is no better way to celebrate if you ask him, or me for that matter.

True to form, he had to have some pictures taken. If you ask him, he is just glad he did not have to wear a hat. He struck is signature look first.

Then he had some treats for breakfast.

Then he had a little dip n’ shake in the pool.

The pool that apparently has a leak. Not the best time to discover this little tid bit given the lovely heat we have been having if you ask me! We have been enjoying close to triple digit deg. F temperatures with 1000000% humidity. They say the heat index is over 110 deg. Thankfully we got a little break with a good rain last night. The animals, land, and humans are very grateful!

The Merle can and does cool down just about anywhere between the water troughs and the pond and even the river. However, I sure will miss my post summer work cool down! We will see how long it is before I snag another one. It is a nice treat to sit there in the heat of the afternoon in the shade with a cool drink and a book while the horses do their summer ‘training’ standing tied in the shade. It is the best way to get any horse good at standing quietly while tied.

Then my parents and I beat the heat with a brew and lunch at the brewery to celebrate Father’s Day. Merle had to stay home as it was too hot to sit outside. I did snag him some special birthday things though. Treats and brew just for him! Even if it was a girly ‘beer’ (it is not actually beer, there is no alcohol), he really seemed to enjoy it poured over his dinner.

He also told me these are his new favorite treats.

Every Merle birthday is a special birthday. I am just ever grateful to have him. He is a blessing to me.

With every passing day with him, I am reminded of my Darcy Girl. I did not get six birthdays with her. Her heart tree still shows her heart sometimes, if you look just right. If it were not for my Darcy, I would not have my Merle.

This is part of my reminder to stay present. To enjoy the now and be grateful for what I have. I do not think it will ever not be a kick in the guts to remember (nor will I honestly ever not worry about losing Merle early, if I am honest, but I do not want to talk about worrying today), but I can also now be glad and grateful in the remembering. And see her here and there.

Grief, it is a funny thing. It is also a universal connector. We all experience it. Even though we all experience it differently, none of us are alone in it and nobody can avoid it. Remember that.

That is it for your coffee break this morning! So, happy birthday, Merle! Enjoy some more cuteness before you rush back.

Walk in love, dear readers!

An Empty House Is A Quiet House.

On June 22, 2021July 22, 2021 By AveryIn Dogs13 Comments

I have to tell you that a house without a dog in it is a really quiet house, and not in a good way.

I knew this already, but I kinda forgot. Not sure how. That is what brought me Merle, that quiet after Darcy.

I just recently went a on an adventure trip with R (Weee! More on that later) and returned home on Sunday.

Yes, yes, that IS exciting! But back to the point.

The bad part about this trip was that my Merle could not come along. That could all be fine and good because he does like it at his kennel where he is boarded, but the kennel does not do pickups on Sunday because they are technically closed. You know, Sunday and all.

So I had to wait until yesterday to go pick him up.

A WHOLE DAY.

That is a long time to be in an empty, quiet house. And I do not mind being the only person, seemingly alone. You could turn the volume up as loud as you wanted on the television or the music and it would still be quiet. And it brought back that awful, empty quiet that you want to forget.

You see, a dog has a certain energy that they exude. Even if they are just sleeping in their bed, not even at your feet, their energy just fills a room. Then it is the lack of jingling collar tags. That one is a real heartbreaker. No little boop of a cold nose. No moaning and groaning and talking back in protest. No, well, I do not know if I can even describe it. It is like there is no feel or reciprocation of energy.

It is similar to that feeling you get when someone is watching you, you know? And you just feel it and turn to that feel to find who is looking at you? It is like that. When they are there, you can just feel them. When they are not, you feel that loss or empty and you find yourself looking around for them. Like they should be there but they are not.

Does anyone else ever feel that way?

No?

Oh well.

Before I dropped Merle off at the kennel on Wednesday, we went to the farm to check on the horses and had an early birthday game of fetch in the pond.

He turned two years old on Thursday the 17th!

I figured if he could not come along with us, then he deserved some extra fun for his birthday!

I think he enjoyed that extra fun!

I mean. Just look at him.

Happy dog.

Walk in love, dear readers, and stay tuned to hear about our trip!

Transformation

On May 13, 2021May 13, 2021 By AveryIn Dogs, Horses6 Comments

Need a pick-me-up?

Or a reminder for how old you are? No, forget about that, let us get back to the pick-me-up part!

I have just what you need. This will surely do it.

It is Thursday after all and we all know how I like alliteration, even if it is a social media thing…it is Transformation Thursday!

Anyway.

April, May, and June are an animal birthday trifecta over here! It just occurred to me. So much to celebrate!

My Lito turned eight (WHAT?) in April.

Cheetah girl will turn seventeen (again, huh?) here in five days.

Merley bob will be a big fat two on June 17th.

Where has the time gone? This is more than just a time warp.

Get some more coffee or tea and enjoy. The work will be there when your break is over.

Let us begin.

My Lito man.

From this…

I first saw Lito about thirty minutes after he was born. I about fainted when I first saw him.

He has really grown up! He was big from the start and he has not stopped being big!

To this…

He hated that birthday hat, so do not ask him about it. He hated it so much in fact, I could not even bring myself to post the pictures on his birthday.

He has grown into his legs, but he is decidedly tall at about 16.3 hh! I do think he is still getting wider. At least I really hope so. He is a slow developer, so we will see!

My Cheetah girl.

From this…

I started riding Cheetah when she was in her four year old year and she became mine at some point during that year. These are the earliest photos I have of her from her three year old year. At one point, my friend T found some foal pics of her, but unfortunately they are lost on an old computer of mine that I long ago lost entry to. Those pics were at an ugly duckling phase to say the least, so I am not too upset about it! Now her three year old pictures, well, that was decidedly not an ugly duckling phase.

To this…

She looks the same to me now as she did then.

This was her yesterday. It is a terrible picture, yes I know, but I do not care. She was dirty and hot and bothered by the mosquitos. She is out of shape as she has been out of work for months.

She may have some arthritis that plagues her and she may have some gray over here eyes and on her legs, but she is still my girl. My queen. She has given me so much and she continues to give. She has carried me through so much. She may not get as much of the spotlight these days because of Lito, but she will always and forever be my number one. We are still working through her arthritis/lameness issues and I do hope to have some news to share soon. My prayer is that we can get her comfortable and sound without having to give regular medication. It is a process.

My Merley.

From this…

To this…

Does that photo look familiar?

Well…

That would be because we have done this photo before!

Clearly at different times of year though! Same dog, same tree. Different year, different sunset.

I bet he will be a firecracker for years to come! I just hope he does not give me too many gray hairs. I am pretty sure he has already given me a few. That however, is a story for another day.

Do not forget to smile and breathe today. Forgive and have grace.

Walk in love, dear readers.

Daily Dose Of Cute

On August 14, 2018August 14, 2018 By AveryIn Dogs, Horses, Life2 Comments

Time for a daily dose of cute, just for you, on this fine Tuesday. I also need distraction. Too much excited anticipation.

I finally had a weekend at the farm with my loves. I felt blessed with the time.

Yawning time.

Nap time.

Sunrise time.

Standing awkwardly for pictures time.

Deep conversations about life, solving the world’s problems time.

Moving cows time.

CUTE time.

There was also riding time. Not the most exciting rides as they have all been on vacation for over a month. You know, life and that adulting thing. Anyway, just moving our bodies and focusing on the basics is all anyone’s brains could handle, but they were great.

And.

Birthday time. This girl is 5 years old today!

Why, you say, do I need distraction from my excited anticipation??? Well. Oldest sister A is in labor. LABOR. Baby girl is a comin’!

Yikes!

Walk in love, dear readers!

It’s A Bird…Birthday Edition

On May 18, 2018May 18, 2018 By AveryIn Horses, Music4 Comments

It’s a plane…

It’s a Cheetah!

Wait, what? No, no, no.

Not that kind of cheetah.

This kind of Cheetah!

A birthday Cheetah!

My gal pal is 14 today. That is quite a big number considering I started riding her when she was only 4.

We have been through a lot together, and we ain’t nearly through! Name that reference! No? Uh, OK, never mind then. I guess I will just give it to you. You’re in for more, so you might as well just give it a listen. If you knew it already, I would like to be your friend.

If you do not know her story, you should give it a read here.

Her heart is seriously as big as Texas and her lungs, well, they are built to match. She has taken me everywhere and given me the best gifts.

She is special and unlike any other around. I knew it the first time I met her. She already has some gray hairs starting above her eyes and I am not sure if that makes me feel happy or melancholy.

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6 mos.

My gal pals

Stripes for days.

She keeps me on my toes and I bet she will continue to do so until well into her twenties.

She is my gal pal and I would not trade her for anything. Even if she is opinionated and does not like to walk. I only wish I could ride her everyday again, preferably in a cotton field.

Walk in love, dear readers, and for your listening pleasure, I give you this…I just do not understand why people do not sing about line back duns.

Not Just Another Day

On April 4, 2018April 4, 2018 By AveryIn Horses9 Comments

Today is a special day.

Someone has a birthday today! So you should have some cake to celebrate!

On this day 5 years ago, this boy of mine was born!

While you are enjoying your cake, let us take a walk down memory lane. I may or may not have done this last year…but he is just the cutest dang thing!

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164972_10152734724590527_1550001749_n — Oh, boy!

525268_10152715129390527_409126851_n — I lied, there can be too much cuteness.

10019_10152715129170527_875212208_n — Love at first sight.

13600120_10157061979305527_175303709309277440_n 12112374_10156126733700527_2850802804451026126_n 1381602_10153312481575527_2076906329_n unnamed unnamed-18 155662_10152734725015527_1632290594_n 559901_10152734724860527_2033636501_n 10986_10152734724770527_1709049073_n 541561_10152734724660527_1674638723_n 1479517_10156635140150527_5534927038953615112_n 11954834_10155967790610527_4998796698453054696_n 1185361_10153218620230527_651557615_n

67606_10153067835020527_812316632_n — 4 months.

1208764_10153218616680527_497837863_n — 5 months.

1016894_10153026706940527_632523148_n — 3 months.

1017193_10152945397165527_820687647_n — 3 months.

1005715_10152919545150527_1603821236_n — ~2 months.

308680_10152810911105527_486187604_n — 1 month.

943390_10152802862495527_455568637_n

603839_10152802862205527_1657866320_n — 1 month.

11694_10152740874185527_1661270563_n — One week old.

1384207_10153342187220527_1772435637_n 10333358_10154123325285527_2642516396987977812_o 1935648_10156311445420527_5673075750956874180_n 1931019_10156311436455527_3710439532070219062_n unnamed-8

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unnamed (5)

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Need more cake, right? Me too. Sorry, I am not sorry that I have zero control and just shared that many photos.

Walk in love, dear readers!

Daily Dose Of Cute.

On August 14, 2017August 14, 2017 By AveryIn Dogs10 Comments

Do you know what day it is?

Monday. Ha! You’ve got jokes, huh? You’re funny. Yes, it is Monday, but it is also Darcy’s 4th birthday!

My how time flies. I can not imagine my life without this girl. She brings so much love, light, and positivity in to my life. If you don’t know her story, well, click here.

Enjoy today’s special edition of DDOC.

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10947348_10155118794000527_2274309103716314682_n

10426322_10155116005070527_3083636416934160988_n

My gal pals

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10365878_10154176958095527_6567928818878531415_n

10345775_10154176956300527_38910719021492205_n

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Go have a great and happy Monday!

Walk in love, dear readers!

Ragers & Flying Time

On May 18, 2017May 18, 2017 By AveryIn Horses, Life13 Comments

Yesterday I woke up with a rager of a headache. The likes of which I have never known. The minute my alarm went off it felt like someone had hit me in the head with a brick. Still sleepy, I stumbled my way downstairs to root around for some Advil. I will drink some water, take some Advil, and sit a minute. I will be right as rain in no time.

The thought of coffee or food made me nauseous. A few minutes passed and I realized I was going no where. I forced a little bit of cereal down so I could take some more Advil. I tried not to loose said Advil and cereal. I laid down on the couch and closed my eyes, hoping that another half hour would do the trick. No dice.

I get something akin to migraines every now and then, but this was something different. Like a sinus headache from a dark and evil place that no person should experience, but I was not stuffed up. OK. Slight upper respiratory symptoms, but nothing to a degree that would make me think sinus. Mother asked if I should go to the ER. NO. I email people at work to get them up to speed, tell Mom to go get her swim in, and crawl upstairs to lay down.

I fell asleep. Thank the Lord, I fell asleep. For an hour and a half! I woke up a completely different human. A complete farce. I was in the office just past 9:30. Part of me questions if it even happened except that the pain was so very real and left me exhausted for the rest of the day.

I completely forgot the date. Today my Cheetah Beetah is 13. What? How did that happen? It seems like just yesterday I started riding her. Do I talk about how time flies too much?

Can that be right? My brain still can not be trusted after yesterday. About nine years together?! NINE! I am so blessed with this mare of mine. She is such a gift. Has changed my life. So much has happened and we have both changed so much since we first met.