It's Time

Do you all remember by little Chakra? My beautiful little staffy that had cancer and was put to sleep almost three years ago? Gosh I miss that dog still, like crazy.

My heart has healed enough now that I think I am ready for a new puppy to enter my life. For the longest time I didn't want another dog - I just wanted her. Plus Andrew had excuse after excuse for me (we have too many cats, we will get a dog when we buy a house, we are now having a baby blah blah blah) but he has finally agreed that he can not keep stalling me.

So I have contacted a rescue to help me find a staffy or staffy cross puppy to be our family dog. Two possibilities at this stage - cute Xena or handsome little Joey. The adoption lady is speaking with the carers over the next few days regarding the cat situation, then hopefully we may set up a meet and greet.

I want a puppy because a) I can't deal with the heartbreak of the shorter years I would have with an older dog like I did with Chakra (whom I rescued at 8 years old and died at 13 I think?) and b) the cats will be able to lord it over a young dog easier than an older one I think. :P

I am really excited to welcome a new dog into my life. Wish me luck!

When a Light Goes Out

Sad news - yesterday my beautiful Chakra was not doing well. She seemed to have trouble breathing and kept coughing. She got progressively worse and I ended up taking her to the vet at about 9.30 and had her put to sleep.

It was very peaceful - After eating all the vet's liver treats and getting kisses and cuddles from us all, she seemed a little scared but I was on the ground with her and I turned her head so she would look only at me while the vet gave the drugs to her via a drip. The sedative made her slowly lay down and I spoke to her and held her gaze while the green dream was given.

Then her light just went out.

I already miss her like crazy and had a hard night last night. Andrew was amazing - I was crying and couldn't get to sleep and he started asking me questions and telling me stories about Allie (I had ridden her that day, and he had his first proper ride on her cooling her down for me! So cute) and he distracted me enough that I was able to slip into a dreamless sleep.

My cat Evan also snuggled up to me all night long, without trying to hog the bed or claw at me. He felt my sadness I think and was helping me in his little cat way.

I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders and has been replaced by a hole in my heart, a space she used to fill and is now missing her. I have been thinking hard about having her PTS the last week, but it doesn't make it any easier.

You must all go hug your puppies, ponies, kitties, piggies, mousies, birdies, and what-ever-elsies that have your heart and hold them tight to your chest for me, because they won't be there forever and even 1000 years would still be too soon to say goodbye.

It's been raining here again.

Reading Sprinklerbandit’s posts about her wondermare Izzy and Karen’s posts about her lovely gelding Hampton and Kate’s awesome jumping photos of Lucy have gotten me inspired. I want to ride, I want this summer to be amazing and fun and I want to get out there on this horse that has such potential.

To be honest, with the tiny bit of shitty schooling we have done over the winter, she has really improved despite all that and looking back I can see what we have accomplished. But I still feel like we are behind. And I know a big part of a horse learning self balance is being confident to move out. At home, we just can’t get that. We have lumpy grassy areas we can do circles in under the flood light but even on the weekend there is not much of a flat area to ride in. I have felt tiny little glimpses of balance but then the poor mare looses confidence and comes back. If we had a float and a car to tow it we could float over to the local indoor once or twice a week. But we don’t, so there is no use dreaming for now. :P



At least daylight savings starts this weekend! I’m pretty excited about having a couple of hours of sunlight to ride in of an afternoon. And seeing as I am so sick of riding in our pseudo-arena at home I am expecting to go on a lot of road rides throughout summer.



Those mares need some serious work now that they are both 5.



In other news, Chakra is still going strong. No sign of the cancer hurting her just yet, so I am hopeful for another month or so with her. She is happy and healthy right now, so that is enough for me.



Sorry I haven’t really blogged in ages. There is just nothing to report!

Nothing to report... Again.

Rain, rain and more rain has been the agenda of the week. We rode on Monday after work in the dark and it was nice to be back on my horse agin after the finger injury. Allie has been very fussy in the mouth, so I think a dentist visit is due.

This Friday I am taking both girls to another hoof clinic. I'm trimming Gracie there but I want her to just behave so I am bringing Allie along to keep her sane. I know, that's cheating, but the whole point of the day is for me to trim, and to be safe doing so. So ner.

In all this rain we have been stabling them at night if it storms and my horse will just NOT eat her dinner. She eats all her hay, and now that their feed buckets are wall mounted she doesn't poo in it anymore but she just doesn't eat it. She is too busy hanging her head over the stable door looking into the black nothingness that is my backyard. She will eat it in the morning once she is turned out no problems. :<

Chakra is good. We told the vet that we won't be treating the cancer and just keeping a close eye on her. Right now, she is healthy and happy. I'm ok too. I feel at peace with my decision and I know that it is the right one for us. Keep sending happy puppy thoughts our way though please!

Like I said, not much to report.

Sunshine makes me happy.

I was sitting in my car on my lunch break today and this is what I saw out of my sunroof.

Yes, that is sunshine and fluffy clouds and blue sky. I know, right?


:)





Tomorrow I have a set up trim and boot fitting in the morning, and then I’m off to window shop (and maybe spend a leeeeetle bit of money) at a saddlery warehouse sale, then I do believe I shall get on my horse for the first time since we rode out around the block 2 weeks ago.



Sunday is a little sad – I’m off to a vet appointment to talk about a lump my dog has on her liver that doesn’t look good. Pray for my little Chakra, will you?



Cutest (and best behaved) staffy in the history of the entire world.