Horse and Man

Archive for the ‘Musings’ Category

New Year Resolutions.

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

As I write this, it is New Year’s Day.

The girls are putting away all the Holiday decorations and Hubby is making tamales (using every possible kitchen implement available) and I am upstairs listening to Grooveshark as I write.

Of course, my first thought for today’s blogpost is NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS.

What are mine, I wonder? Usually, I never make any resolutions because for me, if I make a resolution and I don’t succeed, I feel like I failed – instead of feeling like every day is a new day… EVERY DAY I can decide to fix something in my life.

But, this year, I decided to make some outloud resolutions so that all of you can keep me honest. And, maybe some of you can help me…

The good ol' resolution list...

MY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

1) BECOME PHYSICALLY STRONGER:

Y’know, picking up 50lb sacks of grain and carrying buckets around is just not cutting it for me anymore. I need some help to be as strong as I need to be to work with Rojo and Wrigley.

Not that I need force, but just that I need to be more fit and more coordinated. I find that if I’m not in shape, I’m less coordinated and therefore less confident.

So, I have an Endless Pool that is calling my name every morning (or 5 days a week) between 7:30 and 8:30.

This is me a few years ago on my friend's mule. I want to be that strong again.

2) MORE STRUCTURE:

Being freelance has its advantages, but also has drawbacks. I find myself prioritizing everything that needs to get done over what I need to have happen for my own well being.

So, I am insisting that I groom one horse every day and work with one horse 5 days a week.

The other stuff comes after.

To do this, I need to get up around 5:30 every day.

Setting my alarm now…

I have no idea what kind of a chart this is but the overall impression is how I feel every day...

3) GROW THE BLOG/GROW THE BUCKET FUND

BLOG: I’ve taken a few courses on how to grow the blog… but since I don’t sell anything, it is tough. Not many scholars tell you how to grow a blog that is just about a topic and not about selling that topic.

But, I’m determined to try.

So, if you read a post you like, please pass it onward and we’ll see what happens.

Just as an fyi, the blogpost I wrote on Bettina Eistel has grown a life of its own and been passed more than 12,000 times on Facebook alone (the counter on the actual page was reset when the server went down badly a while back – so the number on the page is inaccurate). Amazing!

BUCKET FUND: The success of the Bucket Fund this year (over $30,000) kinda floored me. I didn’t realize how much we had collected and donated until I made a quick calculation yesterday. Wow.

If we can collect that much money without me really trying anything other then writing about unfortunate horses, perhaps I can grow that, too, this year. It would be WONDERFUL to think that a grass roots organization like The Horse and Man Group could grow to be a force of change.

Yup.

4) SIGN UP FOR DRILL TEAM WITH FINN

Yep. Gonna try it.

Finn goes in and out of liking to trail ride. Since I don’t do it enough, he become insecure when we go alone. It takes quite a few rides before he forgets his concern and hunts down the new trails like he used to when we rode all the time.

This makes me sad.

My neighbor borrowed Finn a few years back to ride on a drill team. He did great! So, I’ve decided to become an alternate on a local drill team so that Finn and I have a scheduled thing to do. I’m sure he will be better than I am at it…

This cracked me up! I imagine this is the kind of drill team that would match my skill level...

5) NORMA’S BOOK

Norma Jean, my donkey, has her own FB page and I’m creating her website. She’s a popular jenny. Her comments get more reply comments (per capita) than HORSE AND MAN.

Hmmmmmm.

Somehow, this donk motivates or touches people. I’m not sure her secret but I’m kinda envious in a very sideways and odd way.

I’ve been asked, prompted, prodded and practically begged to (help her) write a book of some sort.

I vow to do this in 2012.

This was Norma's Holiday Greeting card...

6) I PROMISE TO QUIT WORRYING

I worry too much.

I spend time trying to be better than I can possibly be. Sometimes this makes me spin my wheels which makes me even more flustered.

I have this idea in my head that I used to be a much more successful person than I am now which is based on the amount of money I no longer make… So, I keep seeking that thing that I should be doing in my work life that will bring me to where I was before, financially.

And while doing this, I have started to crush my self esteem and I’ve wasted a lot of time.

As Hubby said to me recently, ‘it isn’t what you do, it is who you are…”.

I feel blessed that he is here. Now I need to shutup and live the life and work before me.

Dumping the Baggage I put upon mysefl.

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Posted in Musings | 5 Comments »

Barnbrain while feeding…

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

FIRST OF ALL, THE BUCKET FUND LINKS ARE NOW WORKING AGAIN – OY. I DIDN’T REALIZE THEY WERE BROKEN. SO SORRY. I FEEL BADLY THAT IT IS MY FAULT DONATIONS ARE LOW. IF YOU HAD WANTED TO DONATE BUT COULDN’T, I’M SORRY. ALL IS FIXED NOW. CLICK HERE TO DONATE.

BARNBRAIN

Today is the Wednesday before Xmas and most of you are really very busy. Your minds are creating list after list and the end of the day comes much to quickly…

Me, too.

However, I do notice that my Holiday Hectic mindset changes when I feed. When I feed, I make different kinds of lists in my head. I tell myself different things and I grumble about stuff that I forget about as soon as I re-enter the house.

Feeding is like a huge mind-altering lightswitch. When I exit the house my Dawnbrain turns OFF and my BarnBrain turns ON. I work and observe at a different frequency.

To prove this, I decided to bring my camera out as I fed this morning. It was still early, so please excuse the lack of light in many photos…

I step out of the house with Nomar leading the way... I start my count: Onetwothree horses, fourfivesixseven horses...

MY TYPICAL THOUGHTS AND PROCESS WHILE FEEDING

(Stepping outside of the house in the appropriate garb according to the weather and ground saturation…)

Me: One, Two, three, where’s…? Oh yeah, OK four, fivesixseven, eight, nineten and where’s… OH NO is he down? “PONYYYYYYY, ARE YOU OK?”

Dodger: (He stands and looks at me): “What? You weren’t here and I was napping while I waited.”

Me (relieved): Eleven. OK. Check.

I continue to walk to the barn singing my feeding song. It goes something like this:

“Hi Finny, Hi Baby, Hellloooo Everyone, Hi Mamma, Hi BG, Hi Everyonnnnne…”

As I sing my song, animals scurry about from all hidden sleeping spots of the ranch. Dex catches my eye to check-in and then prances off to do his morning thing. Nomar runs up behind me and rubs his head on my swinging hand then trots off. Shiva runs past all of us as he steals poll position to the barn. Shiva likes to steal anything he can…

There are kitties scurrying into place from everywhere (we have 6 barn cats). Some are clawing up trees, some are walking the tightrope fenceline, the rest are trying to trip me.

Kittens run in from all directions!

I reach the barn and replace my singing with chatter.

“How is everyone this morning? I’m good. Are you hungry? Me, too!…”

(Check barn waterer – it’s good, click on barn light – nothing happens because it is too cold for them to work, open tack room door, flip on light and turn on radio, open hay stall gate, grab two flakes, feed Mama and Baby)

I reach the barn and Wrigley makes sure I see him before he runs to his eating position. You never know, I might forget to feed him if I don't see him...

Here is the first tricky part of my morning… How to throw the hay to Tess and Wrigley so that I don’t smash it into their faces as they jockey for position. I swear… after all of this time of being fed, they still think it makes sense to put their faces exactly where my throwing arm is readying my toss. This is when I try to fake them out. I motion left but throw right.

–Works every time. They run to the right and dig in while I throw the other flake left. Done.

(Trip over barn cats, make sure Dex is back and in the barn with me by now, take the nasty thing out of Shiva’s mouth, grab two more flakes for Finn and BG)

Finn and BG, patiently waiting in their feeding positions.

I bring two flakes out to Finn and BG and make sure they look fine – as I do this, I glance over to Remi/Dodger/Slick/Norma pasture and make sure all 4 faces are looking at me. Good. They are all there.

Back to Finn and BG who are very mannered and waiting patiently. Finn stands for his flake which I place before him and BG stands for hers which I throw to her. I then lean down for a kiss from Finn. He always give me a Thank-you smooch through the fence boards.

I call to BG and she shows me her face which I check for new rub marks or any bites. She is low man right now and I need to make sure she is holding her own.

I glance towards Remi's pasture to make sure they are all there. Sixseveneightnine.

(grab two more flakes for Gwen and Sam, venture outside the barn into the pasture with Tess and Wrig)

Me: OK you two, I’m standing behind you, don’t kick me.

Tess: What hay are you bringing to them? Is it better than what you gave us? If so, leave it here. I command you.

Me: Well, uh, it is a new bale and … (Tess grabbing a bite of the new better flake) HEY! HEY! BACK UP!

Tess: YOU BETRAYED ME. THAT HAY IS BETTER. GIVE IT UP.

Me: You are right. It is better. I do see more alfalfa in it. OK, you can have this flake, too.

Tess: You are forgiven now go away and let me eat.

Me: OK Your Highness, OK.

(picking my way carefully through the mud telling myself not to slip, “I love my boots” mantra, picking up hay strings as I go)

At this point, I turn around and see Sam who is upset that the flake intended for her is now being devoured by TessWrig. So, I get another really nice flake and throw it to her. I tell myself I need to figure out a way to comb out her nasty mane knot… someday. I really need to work with her more… I glance at Gwen and tell myself that I need to put her on a diet.

(sighing)

As I make my way on the FeedPath, I check my trailer tires. All good.

Back in the barn, I grab three flakes and trip over another cat who is kamakazeeing me, hoping that I will feed out of sequence today.

I head out to the Remi/Dodger/Slick/Norma pasture. I know I must feed Remi first or feelings will be hurt. She paws as I arrive. I stuff a flake through the boards. Slick sees his chance and grabs at it first.

Me: SLICK!

Slick (munching): What?

Remi (giving me her best hurt look): You don’t love me best. If you did, I’d have my flake in front of me now.

Me: Oy.

I leave them and head back to the barn for another flake.

(need to turn off barn water – done, avoid several cats at my feet, wonder where Buff kitty spent the night… hope he shows up)

I grab another flake and head up to Rojo who is waiting patiently with huge, wide eyes.

(walking up steep hill, DON’T TRIP, check trailer tires as I go – they look good, DON’T TRIP, oh, there’s Skittykitty… she is such an odd cat…)

I throw the flake to Rojo who looks appreciative.

(check his free-feed minerals, move them out of the rain – again)

I head back to the barn to feed the dogs and cats.

(are they all here – yes except Buff, I have too many cats)

Here they all are... waiting their turn

I try to remember which dry food I fed last time and then grab a different bag as I approach the kitty bar. They all jump up in anticipation of wet food and then look at me heartsmacked that I am feeding dry.

Every day. Same thing.

Cats: Wet food, pleeeeze.

Me: I only bring out the wet food if Buff is here. You know the drill

Cats: We see him! He’s here, right over there, yup, that’s him! … now feed us wet food.

Me: Good one, not falling for it though.

The kittybar. I have too many cats...

I go back into the tack room to feed the dogs as I trip over 5 cats who are trying to make me give them wet food.

I measure out all canine medicines and put down Dex’s bowl inside the tackroom so I can shut him in there so he doesn’t eat everyone else’s food. He knows. He is waiting. I tell myself that I need to clean up the feedroom.

Dex eating in the feedroom. I tell myself I need to clean up in here...

As I step into the aisle to feed Nomar and Shiva, I note the fence I need to fix.

(Sigh, should I fix it AGAIN knowing that they will just break it AGAIN, is it dangerous? did I shut off the hot water heater in the barn? how much hay do I have left? I have too many cats.)

The broken fence that I've fixed a million times - they just keep breaking it to get to the hay. sigh

As I head out the barn, I call Shiva. He has to be inside if Dex is out. I shut out the barn lights that have just now come on – figures. I unplug the Xmas wreath for the day.

(do Finn and BG have enough food? is Dodger eating? I’m worried about Dodger… I better have the vet out to check on him. He is off.)

I head back to the house with Nomar and Shiva trotting ahead.

We walk back towards the house. Shiva in the lead.

I see the rose bush that my Mother gave to me that we planted aside the front door.

(that bush doesn’t look good. she will be upset with me. good thing we are going to her house for Xmas so she won’t see this…)

I open the door to the house. Shiva trots in. I shut the door behind me.

As I take off my barn gear, I once again transform.

"Poor Rosebush - Mother will be upset", my last thought as I re-enter my other world...

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Posted in Horse Stories, Musings | 2 Comments »

Obama lifted the ban.

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

I’m sure that you have all heard by now that despite campaign promises, the ban on Federal funding for horse meat inspectors has been lifted which now allows USA equine slaughterhouses to resume function.

MY ARGUMENT…

My argument is that there has never been an equine kill method offered where minimum wage slaughterhouse workers could perform the task effectively and humanely.

I’m not against slaughterhouses as much as I am against inhumane technique – and the inhumane people behind the inhumane technique.

You see, horses are tough to kill (unless you get it just right). And, they are highly sensitive. For humans to not adequately consider the equine with a humane form of slaughter is, well, inexcusable and too easy of an out for me to respect.

OH BUT THEY WILL SUFFER LESS…

Just because horses are now going to be killed in the USA instead of Mexico or Canada, doesn’t mean that their suffering will be less. It just means they don’t have to travel as far under horrible conditions – So, I guess they will not suffer for as long, but certainly they won’t suffer any less.

Being killed is being killed. Being aware that you are being killed is even worse. Being killed badly is unspeakable.

You can’t pretty that up.

EVERYONE SAYS IT WILL BE BETTER FOR THE HORSE

Did we formulate a humane method of horse slaughter during the last FIVE YEARS in preparation for this day? Um. No.

And why not? Because developing and maintaining humane slaughter methods would cost a lot more money… and those making all the money would prefer not to have to part with any of it.

So how could reverting to inhumane slaughter be better for the horse?

It isn’t. It will be better for us, not the horses.

We Americans will now have less guilt about disposing of our unworthy horses and make more money at it while we are doing it.

And, what kind of message are we sending?

If inhumane horse slaughter of any age/any condition horse is OK in America… I guess we are making a clear point that we don’t care about anything that has no obvious value – even if it did help build our country. (Oh wait, we’re kinda like that with our elders too, aren’t we?)

Fail.

Major flipping fail.

IF YOU CANNOT CARE FOR IT, DON’T BREED/BUY IT.

It isn’t OK to have a ton of kids/cars/garbage and not care for it…

Since when is it OK to breed/buy whatever horse you want and when you get it – if it doesn’t measure up – just get rid of it. Why do humans think it is A-OK to not care for an animal they own – especially if it is competing with, costing too much or pissing off the human?

You wouldn’t kill Trigger but you would kill the mare next door.

What is the difference?

Disconnect.

GET RID OF THE LAZY, WORTHLESS HUMANS

Hey, I have an idea… there are too many people in this world. We breed indiscriminately. We don’t even have herd sires or lead mares that keep the riff-raff from adding genetic defaults to our lineage.

There are too many of us…

So, I think we should start there. If we humans had to devise a humane slaughterhouse for unproductive/unwanted humans, it would probably end up being a heckofalot better than what we’ve adopted for the poor equines.

In this way, we could do unto others as we’d like, right? Oh, wait a minute, that ‘do unto others’ stuff is strictly meant for humans. We can do whatever we want to the animals (and the earth, for that matter).

IF YOU NEED TO OFF YOUR HORSE, HAVE THE VET DO IT

Allowing your horse to die painlessly and with dignity isn’t cheap. That’s why ownership has responsibilities…

Oh sure, you could drag your sorry sick horse to the slaughterhouse – and maybe make a coupla bucks – but is that right?

All I’m saying is do the right thing. Either care for your horses, plan for your horses, ask for help in emergencies, dispose of your horse humanely or DON’T HAVE A HORSE. Take responsibility, people!

Who is minding the store anyway?

IN CONCLUSION

I hadn’t planned on getting all Andy Rooney on you… but this cop-out of an equine kill procedure really burns me.

Six of my eleven horses were queued up in that slaughter line before they came to live with me. And, I gotta tell you, there isn’t a worthless, useless, non-thinking nor non-feeling one in the bunch. I could not imagine any of them standing in the bloody chutes waiting for the misplaced hammer.

For my dollar, I’d rather get rid of some of the insensitive and godcomplexed people who are clogging up the world – and leave a bit more space for the keepers of the horses.

Just sayin’

Kentucky Derby winner, Ferdinand. When he was no longer valuable, he sold, then sold again and then he was slaughtered in some dark place in Japan...

PLEASE FORWARD!

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Tags: equine slaughter, horse meat, horse meat ban, horse slaughter
Posted in Horse Stories, Musings | 21 Comments »

Sometimes I’m reminded about the simplest of pleasures… The Munch Mantra.

Sunday, November 27th, 2011

For the last several days, I’ve been busy.

And, for all the USA readers, I’m sure you’ve been busy as well… This is a huge holiday weekend here and most of us are either preparing to feed guests or preparing to be a guest. After that, most of us prepare to shop, entertain family or overindulge in some way for a few days.

Sadly, in my case, that left the animals outta luck.

Sure, they were fed – and the dogs were fed VERY WELL (turkey scraps)… but no one got any special attention. And for that, I was feeling badly come Saturday evening.

SATURDAY EVENING FEEDING

Now, I don’t think the horses care if I’m not around all the time. But, they do notice when they haven’t gotten their special scratches or a nod in their direction for a few days.

I felt it.

The clock struck 4pm (they still don’t get the time change thing…) and Norma rang the bray. The entire ranch erupted.

“THERE SHE IS!!!!”"”

“MAYBE SHE’LL HAVE FOOD! MAYBE SHE’LL GIVE ME A TREAT! MAYBE SHE WILL FEED ME FIRST!”

Sigh.

Tonight, they were exceptionally pushy and needy.

And, as I thought about it, so was I.

THE NEEDY PART

As I went about feeding the herd, I thought on how I felt inside at that moment.

Hmmmmm.

As much as I love hanging with friends and family, shopping, going to craft fairs, seeing movies and eating/cooking – the inside of me was yearning for some hairy love.

I didn’t know it at the time, but as I contemplated my rushing about, it occurred to me that I needed what they were clamoring to give.

Face time. Fuzzy, furry, funny facetime – and FOOD face time is some of the best.

D’ya know what I mean?

MUNCH MANTRA

So, instead of returning directly to the house when I had finished feeding, I decided to go sit with my friends while they ate… (One of my favorite things to do whether my friends be equine or human.)

I chose Rojo’s new pasture because I wanted to spend time with him and because he is now directly above the mares. So, sitting with him would be like sitting with all 4 of them.

He noticed my arrival and gave me his soft-eyed welcome.

Me: “Mind if I sit with you while you eat?”

Rojo: Not at all, that would be nice.

Me: “OK, I’ll make a spot right here by your hay pile.”

Rojo: OK, can I sniff your face?

Me: “Go right ahead, the pleasure is mine.”

AND WITHOUT FURTHER ADO…

And here, ladies and gentlemen, is where the Munch Mantra comes in. Many of you will know exactly what I mean as I explain…

Have you ever sat with your horse as he eats his hay? Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow…

It is like a mantra. I swear.

Listen to it… If you do, you’ll end up kinda mesmerized and in some sort of a mellowed state of hypnotic calm.

Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow…

It is THE BEST calming sound in the world – to me. The horses are so contented as they eat and that rubs off on you.

Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow…

You sit there and all of your thoughts just fade away.

Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow…

After a while, you find yourself slipping out of your world and entering theirs. Instead of you talking to them, the place comes alive as you start really listening.

THEIR WORLD COMES ALIVE

Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow…

(huge noise which makes me jump)

Me: WHAT WAS THAT?

Equine: Nothing. It happens every night around this time.

Me: ARE YOU SURE?

Equine: uh huh.

Me (listening to snorts and sneezes, wheezes and coughs, slurps and bucket clangs, mice and deer…) WOW, LOTS GOING ON!

Equine: Not really, same stuff, different night… (looking right into my eyes with the most earnest expression) You’re OK. You’re alright.

Me: <smile>

HYPNOTIC CHEW CHANT

The longer I spend with them as they eat, the more I find myself in a state of utter calm – having silent conversations with the equines around me.

Me: You seem a little dry, I think you need water.

Equine: I know… but I don’t want to walk over there.

Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow…

Me: It’s good for you.

Equine: You need exercise, too. Why don’t you bring it to me?

Tonight, for example, I was sitting with Rojo. The mares were behind him separated by a fence but only about 10 feet away.

Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow…

Me: I wonder how that fenceboard broke?

Tess (head facing away from me, tail swishing): He got too close and I kicked it.

Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow…

Me (going over to investigate): Ahhh. I see that it is kicked from your side.

Rojo (puppydog eyes): She can be kinda mean…

Gwen (not moving from her pile): Tell me about it!

Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow…

Sam (with a sidelong glance): I’d kick you, too, if I could get away with it.

Me to Rojo: Do you like being next to the mares?

Rojo: I like it here because I can see in many directions. The mares sometimes go off and I cannot see them but I can hear them. But if they leave, I can usually see those three horses over there. The big one hates me but the others are nice (Finn, BG and Wrig). In this field, usually another horse is visible and I like that. And, usually, I can see Norma from here. I like seeing her. Yes, I like it better here.

Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow…

Me: That’s good.

Rojo (with a very soft eye): This is nice…

Me (Big sigh from me)

Rojo: Big Sigh.

I LEFT THE FIELD…

I left the field as if I had just communed with my good human friends – doing nothing except what comes naturally… eating together, breaking bread, sharing a glass of wine – whatever it is that brings people closer over food.

I left the field feeling as if I just spent an entire day with them.

Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow…

That mantra is such rhythmic and beautiful music to my ears. I wondered to myself why I didn’t do this more often. Such a simple pleasure…

The sun was almost gone as I stood and brushed off my pants.

Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch swallow…

Mother Nature had her arms wrapped around me tonight and it felt really good…

Such a calming sound....The Munch Mantra. The Chew Chant.

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!

Click to learn about Autumn!

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Posted in Musings | 14 Comments »

THANK YOU for Giving and Reading!

Thursday, November 24th, 2011

This is my second Thanksgiving. Horse and Man (the blog) erupted on February 4th, 2010.

I wanted to take this moment to thank all of you for reading, commenting, emailing, passing around, forwarding, linking FBing, caring and donating over the last year and a half.

This blog is great fun for me and I totally appreciate your support. Without you, I’d be lonely and blogless.

So today, all of the Horse and Man blog staff are here to give personal thanks. (I ran around this morning and asked everyone to pose no matter what they were wearing. No one got to fix their hair or spiff up. Sorry.)

HERE WE GO!

Sirdar, office chair warmer and pile sitter.

The 'no longer feral' kitten, Spock. His job is to climb really high in the barn.

Bagheera and Lady Jane Grey kittens. Bagheera's job is to be super affectionate and LJG's job is to look pretty and talk a lot.

This is Sally, Spock's sister. Her job is to be really cute.

This is SkittyKitty. She is a phantom Chupacabra kitty. She works the barn at night.

This is Buff. He is HUGE and lords over the barn. Right now, he is very upset that there are so many kttens on his turf.

Nomar and Shiva. It is impossible to take photos of these two. They hate the camera. Nomar's job is to be my shadow. Shiva is the official Greeter.

This is sweet, wonderful, elder Dex. His job is to stay with me for as long as he is able.

Beautiful Girl... always willing and hopeful. She loves to hang with me, she loves being groomed, sung to and going on walks (sounds like an online dating profile...). Her job is to calm Finn, her brother. He's excitable, she isn't.

Wrigley and Finn. Wrigley's job is to be the rambunctious kid clown who borders on being irritating at all times. Finn's job is to pack me around and to keep Wrigley in line. Finn works 24/7 as Wrigley monitor.

Dodger, Norma, Remi and Slick. Dodger is the eldest. His job is to keep all the geldings in their place. Norma writes her own blog. Remi is the Mustang who tries so hard to communicate with me. Slick lives to make trouble.