Ah, now you are at the near center of my universe (my true center being my wonderful husband of course). My life is full of animals. Most of the time that's a great thing, occasionally a frustrating thing. It's all about balance and focusing on the good - I mean I know the cat just upchucked on the carpet for the upteenth time, but he keeps my feet warm at night. And yes, I know the horses knocked over another rail rubbing their butt on the fence, but after I get done mucking stalls I may get to actually ride one. Seriously, if I didn't have them around it would be like not having any air to breath.

To view pictures, click on the links to the left.

Our latest addition to the herd is Vincent - a one-eared, three-towed blue heeler mix pup. He belonged to a litter my friend's dog had - the missing appendages accident probably occured when he was a couple weeks old, but it doesn't seem to bother him at all. He's a feisty little guy and darn cute too. Xena is also appreciating that he keeps the other dog Brutus busy, so she can guard the food bowl in relative peace. Cats hate him, but he is a heeler so that's to be expected.

I have three indoor cats - Argo, Wolfgang and Cally. The cats I started acquiring when we lived in an apartment - my then boyfriend (now husband amazingly) would go out of town and I'd bring another home. Argo and Wolfgang were first. Cally did come into the picture until a couple years later. I do love my cats, but I think any new ones will be outdoor cats. I know, I know - it's dangerous out there, but if they pee on my new comforter again it's going to be more dangerous in here. Orion is a true barn cat - kills mice and all that. He used to go for really extended walkabouts, but has been sticking around lately. No litterbox for him - whoho!

The horse bug bit me when I was about 5 years old. I begged and pleaded, pretending to have a horse, pretended to be a horse, owned every Breyer, etc. I was very lucky and started my riding lessons when I was 9 years old. His name was Jasper and he was a Quarterhorse living in a Saddlebred world. Then I moved on to various lesson horses, horse camps and little horse shows. I ended up riding hunters (English style riding).

The first horse my parent bought me was Third Rose - a pretty grey thoroughbred mare. Unfortunately they never tested to make sure she was actually rideable, so she went into training and eventually was sold to someone for dressage. My second horse (parents - you should be reading carefully here so you can pick up the theme) was an off-the-track throughbred. Leagueville Louie was (and is) beautiful. Big stout bay and I heard he did quite well at the track. He was great... for my trainer. For little 'ol 13/14 year old me - who rode inconsistently at best, not the best choice. We'd do ok, then I'd get nervous, he sense it and bolt. Of all the falls I've had off horses, I think most were off of him. Thankfully nothing serious though. Lesson learned = chose a child's horse VERY carefully. I'm not knocking my parents at all - they didn't know better and I'm just glad I even had a horse to fall off of.

Fast forward to now - I currently have two horses currently: Isabeau and Barbarella. I recently lost Sunny, who was big chestnut Holsteiner/Appendix gelding. I rode in a plane called a "puddle jumper" to see him and brought him home from Oregon shortly there after - much to my husband's chagrin. I'll tell you more about Sunny later. Isabeau and Barbarella are my PMU fillies from Foal Train. They're both Percheron crosses and will be 2 years old in March/April.

Am I at the end of my animal story - not likely. There's will always be more I'm sure. Besides, I think I'm a major monetary donator to every vet clinic in the county - can't let them suffer (as they drive away in Porsches).