Aussie Stock Saddle

I think I told you about my new Aussie stock saddle (?)...I *love* it! I'd never ridden in one before, but loved the idea of the cross between features of English and of Western. And let's face it, generations of Aussie cowboys riding all day across the outback can't be wrong!

I took this series the other evening after a ride, when we stopped for a drink at the water tank...I'm still mounted...Solana kept yawning and I was trying to get various angles on it with my cell phone...

I think this one's really sweet...she's checking out my leg:

Funky lighting shot:

Meet Cocoa

I had a tough job yesterday...my friend asked me to go by and check on her new furbaby, Cocoa. They recently adopted her from the local shelter, and she'd gotten spayed the day before. Since I was going to be in the neighborhood, my friend just wanted me to make sure she was still feeling okay and hadn't spilled all her water. It was a tough job...but somebody had to do it! :D

She's absolutely adorable!...And not just a little bit funny:

Check out my crazy puppy ears when I run!

Speaking of ears...she thoroughly cleaned mine! :D

More on Dogs

Okay, so it's "tomorrow" that I'm continuing yesterday's post...ran out of time (imagine that!) last night.

In honor of yesterday's National Dog Day I offer this video, sweet, but guaranteed to make you tear up. Sorry about that, but it's worth it!


Now, to explain further yesterday's tease...Gwyn and I encountered a box turtle on our walk Saturday. She wasn't as freaked out by it as she had been the first one she ever saw, but she's still not entirely sure what to do with them.

Sadly, I must report that Buster, the pointer that mom & dad rescued last year succumbed to mast cell tumors and had to be euthanized. While they didn't have him as long as they'd have liked, he had the best year+ a retired hound could have! One of his funniest quirks (to me, at least) was that he loved to pick up turtles and carry them around :D He would have most certainly liked this one!! Rest well dear one.

National Dog Day

Hi. And welcome to National Dog Day. As I am running seriously behind schedule this a.m. this post will be continued later on tonight....for now, I leave you with a preview:

That's right! It involves turtles!!!

Thought for the Day

The meaning of life is to find your gift; the purpose of life is to give it away.

Picture & Inspiration for the Day

“Gratitude bestows reverence.changing forever how we experience life and the world.” ~ Milton

Flashback

I know I've been neglecting you...my two or three readers (and you know who you are!). Then again, most of you know why...for anyone else, I promise to catch you up on all the wackiness soon...no worries, it's mostly positive...just been extra wide-open! Anyway, while downloading some pix from the "spare" camera this morning, I came across this jewel taken in March:

Look at my little pink tongue; aren't I adorable?!

Flower

So very much to catch you up on, but no time now...will simply share a lovely picture I took not too long ago and wish everyone a happy day. More soon! And as Sue says, "go hug your hounds!"...(or your cats...but they are a bit more prickly about it!).

Why I Can't Go to Work...Again

No yous duzn't need this today...iz mine!

Bow Hunter

One day soon I will edit and then share video of Xander doing his great bow-hunting routine....for now I'll just tease you with a preview...he likes to play fetch with bows. He's really stinkin' cute!

More Bounty

We've been enjoying more bounty from LoML's incredible garden! I've made some yummy "freezer pickles" using a recipe a dear friend gave me...it's my kind of easy...basically put everything together and stick them in the freezer for a couple of weeks and they're good to go!

We've been eating some delicious corn on the cob.

And perhaps best of all, LoML used our fresh basil (plants courtesy of my mom),

A little olive oil, pine nuts, and some fresh grated parmesan cheese...to make pesto! Yummy!!!

The Toe That Holds it All Together

Have you ever noticed that there's always one toe that holds the whole works together when cats are playing? It's what gives them the leverage to roll around nicely when attacking! Look at that back, right foot.

See that one toe that's dug in?

That's what holds it all together!

Tuckered out.

High Post

When on duty it's important to have the high vantage post:

This is Sadie, the barn cat, on top of the roof of the feed room. She's doing an excellent job keeping an eye on things.

Even if she is getting a wee bit sleepy...or is that something she sees?

Oh my gosh what are those crazy horses doing?!?

The Russian Xander!

I have a lot to catch you guys up on, but I can't seem to stop finding and sharing these funny videos! This appears to be  Xander's Russian cousin who has a thing for the vacuum cleaner attachment. Be sure to have your volume up...the sound is the funniest part! (By the way, typing this one-handed as Xander is lying across one arm.)

Watering Hole Guard

Bumper Sticker

Saw this outside the local PetSmart the other day and it made me smile!