Back in the Saddle

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Jo Danehy @ The Sundog Drift

Francis says I’ve been off this blog for 3 weeks now and it is time to get back in the saddle. My excuse? I was side tracked by a REALLY fun girls weekend on the California coast. Not just a girls trip but a cowgirl trip. You cannot get much funner. It justifiable put me off track. 14 girls in total, staying in “The Bunkhouse” at Chanslor Ranch, Bodega Bay, Ca.We rode on the ocean. Me and GQ. What a perfect partner he was on the trip. He acted as his name implies.Galloping in the sand and photographing at the same time has it’s challenges. But GQ was steady Freddy.GQ ended up being a loner in his vacation pasture even though there were 6 other horses to keep him company. Poor boy, all the others paired up so GQ decided to hang by the barn and the other rental horses at the ranch. He fell in love with a gray one eyed pony on the other side of the fence but it got taken away from him when a new rescue horse arrived and bonded with it with in a few hours.This is Marisa after catching Leo and Highlander. They were being naughty and ran away to the OTHER end of the pasture when called. Marisa was determined to go for a ride even on a very windy afternoon. Leo and Highlander have been paired up for almost their whole lives so GQ did not stand a chance to be friends with them. Here is Kelly the black and white paint in the lead and Easter following. They too were brats and ran away from their human instead of coming when called. Jodi finally catches Easter and takes her from her Kelly and the rest of the herd. Jodi was crazy enough to go for that windy afternoon ride. Kelly the Paint grazes in the grassy shadows acting like she does not care if Easter, her other half, leaves. There is Danika the black mare and Smokey the grey gelding to hang with. Unfortunately for Kelly, Danika and Smokey quickly blow her off and take off together for their own little patch of paradise. So Kelly bolts to the gate to see were Easter went and quickly realizes her only one to pair up with now is GQ. GQ was in luck! Finally he got his break. Here he is following behind Kelly like a big puppy dog. Eyes and ears all bugging out like he does when he is excited. Jill (Danika’s human) kicks back while the crazies get saddled up.

Caution HOT HORSES.I’m ready when you are.Once the crazies are gone….GQ and Kelly get right down to business. Unfortunately it did not last long. As soon as Easter returned Kelly and Easter were glued together again.

GQ came to terms with being alone again. He being a aloof horse to begin with handles rejection well. As you can see by this photo we are both feeling happy. This is the meaning of “Life is Good”Partying at the barn started before the sun went down after riding of course.

Starting to feel confident!

The trail boss insisted on butting in with the girls and showing us some of his fancy dance steps. I had to document, no dancing for me.Later on when the sun went down is when we really got started.And more than started.And more than started.

And ended.
We know how to ride but we also know how to tour and see the sights. There were oysters to die for.And fine wine to taste.Thank you Joseph Phelps. Black, red and white. Bodega Bay Baby T-shirts 🙂And what trip to Bodega Bay would be complete without a trip to the infamous “Bodega Bay School” “The Birds” were gone but we did met up with another character.And we had characters in our group.

And of course let’s not forget shopping at “The Tides” for souvenirs and smoked salmon.

Just hanging out at the bunkhouse was fun.By the end of the trip the horses were feeling the pain too. But Leo takes it all in stride here. He has the really cool CLEAN blanket.

Is it time to go home yet?

Until next year…….BYE BYE BODEGA BAY BABY!!!

Weekly Photo Challenge : Color

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Jo Danehy @ The Sundog Drift

GOLD, a complimentary color. Well not really. According to the color wheel blue and orange are complimentary colors, along with purple/yellow, green/red.

But GOLD is a color that looks good next to just about any other color. In my mind GOLD looks best next to blue (kinda like blue and orange) And in my GOLDEN world blue seems to always share the scene with the color white. I know, white is not really a color but for the purposes of this “assignment” I will treat it like a color.

This is my all time favorite and award winning photo titled “Water Dog” Miss Maisie Rose is one of my five GOLDEN’S who looks good in blue and white. No she is not a yellow lab. She is a GOLDEN retriever.

Here is a photo I took a zillion years ago of my original five. This pier and the water that surrounds it is our GOLDEN’S favorite place in the world.

Sasha’s White Magic on the same pier a zillion years later. She was not part of the original five but we love her all the same. She looks pretty good in blue and white don’t you think?

I’m on a roll here with pier photo’s. Cool grey with the GOLD and powdery blue and white make this shot one of my favorites.

Lassen and Yolo, my two GOLDEN boys, looking angelic in white with a smidgen of baby blue.

A brand new GOLDEN looking good against blue.

Another baby GOLDEN looking cute next to blue. He is plotting his next move.

Green is part blue. Green is probably my next favorite color next to GOLD. Here is Yolo after one of his many trips to the vet. See the fashionable aqua green vet wrap on his right leg. That was where he had IV fluid infused. This dog has survived just about everything (knock on wood). Three rattlesnake bites over the years and this time we think salmon or trout poisoning. Yolo helps keep the local vets around here in business.

This was our Christmas photo one year minus the photo shopped red bows over their pretty little heads. GOLDEN’S always look good in green vehicles.

Aqua Green! The freezing cold water my GOLDEN has no problem jumping into.

The power of the purple monkey. Purple is part blue too. Purple looks super special next to GOLD.

Purple, yellow and GOLD. Life does not get much better than this.

Purple and GOLD treasure basket. Life is good.

Purple looks good with red but only if buffered with GOLD.

Red and GOLD….or you could call this red and white. Our team colors.

Red and white Santa only comes out one month out of the year. Even though he is red and white, in the mouth of a GOLDEN he is GOLD.

GOLDEN’S look good next to neutral colors too since they are shades of GOLD and cream. This rusty brown rock blends perfectly next to our creamy girl with the coal black eyes.

Kelsey and Madison my first two GOLDEN’S form a heart. GOLD hearts contrasted against the brown concrete floor. RIP girls. You are still pieces of my heart.

GOLDEN’S even look good next to GOLD. These babies are pieces of my heart too.

Eyes wide shut in the GOLDEN season.

GOLDEN tails in the GOLDEN season.And last of all……...GOLDEN’S look good against multicolored patterns too. Especially on the couch.

Adios Amigo’s!

ONE MORE THING! A note to my loyal followers. I am now following “The Daily Post” The Daily Post is a blog that helps you be a better blogger and presents a “Weekly Photo Challenge”. A kind of photography assignment if you will. This is my first “Weekly Photo Challenge” Hope you enjoyed.

Sundog to San Diego

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Jo Danehy @ The Sundog Drift

This is ALWAYS how I start a trip when I need to get on the big bird in the sky. While I wait to board the big bird, a gin martini is in order. Explicitly, straight up with Sapphire, dirty please. Oh…and I did eat a healthy salad too. I needed something to celebrate and calm me down a bit since I was on the way to see my baby.

The flight went with out a hitch.

Before I knew it I was celebrating again Mexican style.

Best of all I was celebrating with one of my favorite people in the world. My baby girl who has grown into a woman. It is hard for me to call my baby, or my daughter, a woman. But she is a woman now who I am very proud of. Sorry about the blur in this photo but Andrea has a habit of evading the camera. I had to quickly snatch my camera out of my purse and snap a shot of her smiling face. I told her she better start liking the camera for two big reasons. #1 Her mom is a photographer and blogger. AND # 2 She is WAY too pretty not to be noticed.

I also told Andrea besides all the shopping, eating and laying around we usually do when I come to visit we needed to get out and be active too. So we got out daily to hike to high places.

I see Mexico.

Meet Benzi, the Blue Nosed Pit Bull. The love of Andrea’s life….or one of the love’s I should say. Andrea was raised from a young girl with Labs and Golden Retrievers. She is the reason we have Golden Retrievers at Sundog. She begged for our first one over 16 years ago (rest in peace Kelsey) and the rest is history. Nonetheless Andrea being the maverick she is bucked this family trend and adopted a puppy pit bull irregardless of their reputation. If anyone should raise a pit bull it should be Andrea or someone like her. Benzi, believe it or not, is a sweetheart. She is my daughters friend and protector when walking down those sometimes rough city streets. I think this photo above sums up their relationship.

We took Benzi on a few of our runs and outings. This outing I feel sorry to say kinda kicked Benzi’s butt. The hike was longer, tougher and hotter than we thought. Tough on her tender city paws. Andrea unbelievably flew up the mountain with a smile from ear to ear. Becoming a woman has changed her attitude. She faces MOST obstacles with determination.

Once we reached the top of the mountain a long rest in the cool breeze was in order. Can you tell who loves who?

We could see all the way to Mexico again

Even though the way back was all down hill Benzi was pooped to say the least. We stopped every so often to let her rest in the shade. NO SHE IS NOT DEAD IN THIS PHOTO.

This is how dedicated Andrea is to Benzi. She lifted all 55 lbs of Benzi to give her a break going down the trail. That dog does not know how good she has it.

By this time I was REALLY worried. I will never head out on a hike again without water. I’m not used to the arid Southern California climate. And Benzi is more used to lounging than hiking

FINALLY we make it to the trail head and water faucet!!

Benzi was very happy to be back in the car for the drive home.

Besides the view at the top of the mountain we saw lots of beautiful desert like fauna.

You don’t see many tree’s like this in Northern California. This was some kind of pink trumpet tree. Does any one know what it is called? I doubt it would grow at Sundog.

To be nice to Benzi we took her to the beach on our last outing. It was cool, breezy and soft on tender paws….and feet.

Loving arms and lots of licks.

Alex is Andrea’s other love. Between Benzi and Alex, Andrea’s got all her bases covered.

I had a great trip but hated to leave my baby, my daughter….that woman.

She’s getting better at smiling for the camera don’t you think?

Adios Amigo’s. Signing off until back at Sundog.

Driving with Nattie

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Jo Danehy @ The Sundog Drift

Now that my focus on puppies is finished I can tell an untold story. A few weeks ago I was doing a little preparing for my photography workshop. One day will be spent at the Book Family Farm near Durham, Ca. Nattie, one of the MANY Books on the farm, was gracious in allowing me to come by and see how “things are done” and check on the lighting etc. On arrival I am immediately humbled by the site of these gentle giants standing quietly waiting to be harnessed. Harnessing up these big beasts to drive in no fast task. BUT….Nattie makes it look easy. Nattie is a driving trainer who is impressive to watch. She drapes herself in driving tack and some how places it 16 plus hands high without much effort. Even when “Vic” decides NOT to stand still. When Vic does not stand quietly for harnessing Nattie asks him to keep moving in a small circles. Quickly it becomes Vic’s idea to stop, stand still and accept the harness. Nattie prefers to train her drafts “naturally”. Instead of using force the “natural” way to train is to some how make it the horses idea to do that little something you want them to do. Natural horsemanship allows the horse to maintain its dignity while at the same time developing a much safer horse. “Driving Naturally with Nattie” is the name of her game. It is written out plain and simple. Nattie rules the barn. Organization is the key to productivity in any trade or profession. Maggie the young cattle dog and Thibodeaux (Thibby) the lab wait patiently in the wagon. I love taking shots of dogs in trucks. I might have to make “dogs in wagons” a new theme. Thibby is very laid back as you can see and has not a care in the world except making sure he goes on the wagon ride. Maggie on the other had is a bit worried. She had a bad experience a few weeks ago after getting shocked by an electric fence. Maggie would prefer to be inside the nice warm house but Nattie says cattle dogs can’t always stay inside. Maggie needs to face her fears by being outside again even if tied into the wagon. Besides dogs in the back of wagons we have whole families in the back of trucks. Here is the Drake Family. Brian (at the wheel) and Katie with the kids passing by while they work on the farm. The tacking up is almost complete. We are almost ready to go. Cathie is training with Nattie and her horse Vic to become more confident and safe driving. You could call it “drivers training”. Cathie holds “the lines” while Nattie takes care of a few more details. Ivan are Vic are the pair going out first in the line up today. The other two horses wait patiently at the barn for their turn. Vic or maybe it’s Ivan looks back at me as if to say….. “What are you doing behind me on the ground?” But now I am NOT on the ground anymore….. I am about to have my FIRST ride ever in a wagon with Nattie and Cathie driving. I have been on the back of a horse a zillion times but I have NEVER been pulled by a horse in all my years. This was one of those times when I say to myself “why am I not out taking photo’s more often? I AM a photographer…not a computer programmer” After the photo of me and Nattie I take my spot in the back of the wagon with Maggie and Thibby. I get to look at the backs of the horses instead of being ON their backs.Maggie has to stay in the wagon since after her “bad fence experience” she might run away. Staying in the wagon becomes hard to do when Maggie sees Thibby take off after a rabbit or something. Maggie is now in the FRONT seat as you can see. Nattie is all smiles watching Maggie love being outside again. Even if it means being at the end of a long lead. The horses take us through the fields with out much effort. It is amazing how they know their job and perform so willingly. I feel like I have gone back in time. It is 1860 and I am hitching a ride in a wagon. On our way back to the barn we stop to open a gate. Of course this is an opportunity to take some ground shots. I love the way drafts shake their heads and turn their big faces in that goofy way. But they straighten up and focus on me. I turn my attention to Nattie for a full wagon shot. Nattie is passionate about what she does and it shows. Maggie gets some loving. Can you tell how proud Nattie is of her baby? It’s time to go and Maggie has to see where we are going. Nattie says I can get up into the front seat but how do I get up there? Why just step up onto that tire you see there. This wagon traces back to the 1800’s but has been modernized as you can see. When riding on the back of a horse control comes in may ways. Holding the reins comes to mind. Sitting next to someone holding lines connected to these giant beasts is a bit unnerving but Nattie is in full control “naturally”. Nattie drives me right up to my car. Unfortunately for me the fun is over. As I hop out and say my goodbyes and thank you’s I’ve got to get a shot of Cathie and Maggie who took the back seat so I could ride in front. Even while in my car I can’t put my camera down. A close up of a different angle from my front seat. Nattie and me driving up the driveway. BYE BYE you two beautiful giants. Thanks for the ride. Another day at the BOOK FAMILY FARM where life goes back in time.

Meet Captain Duck Morgan

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Jo Danehy @ The Sundog Drift

AKA Ahwahnee One Eye, AKA AOE , AKA “Little Dude”, AKA Cap’em. AOE was dubbed Captain Morgan by Rockin Roy’s best friend and hunting partner Jim Winters. Let’s just say Jimmy, as we like to call him, is a fan of good rum…..and good dogs. Meet Erin Winters (Jimmy’s daughter) and Drew Chapman, long time family friends. The NEW parents of AOE. Can you tell they are VERY proud and HAPPY to be adopting AOE AKA Captain. Easter weekend was Captain’s last stand (at least for now) at Sundog Ranch. Drew could not wait to introduce Captain to you know what.In our household this object is termed “The Precious” In no time at all Captain was doing perfect retrieves.No ball is too big to handle for Captain. Good Boy!Here is Captain gazing upon his new found delight. Of course “the big dogs” had to be kept outside during this play session. Do I need to tell you why?

Big Daddy Drew was extremely impressed with Captain.In fact he was so proud he did not care if puppy teeth were tearing into his forearm.After all that playing Captain retires to his favorite indoor spot under the stool.And then on to the cool concrete floor for a little rest and relaxation.It was hard to stop taking photo’s of this little guy. I’ve only been fixated on him for 9 weeks. Here are some LAST photo’s.Last lounge in the puppy palace yard.Last play with Sasha.Last suckles.Last of the wet dog food going home with “The Little Dude”.Last bundle of joy leaving Sundog.Everybody wanted to go for the ride. They don’t get to leave Sundog very ofternBut only Captain Duck Morgan (and Shasta) could go with Erin and Drew. Lucky Boy…have a wonderful life.

Sniff Sniff.

Adios Amigos…….next post I’ll be catching up on some unfinished business caused by puppy priorities. Stay tuned for “Driving with Nattie”

Happy Easter

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Jo Danehy @ The Sundog Drift

No dyed eggs at Sundog Ranch this Easter. Only cage free, organic, in a bowl, ready to be scrambled…or in this case made into a fritatta.

Farmers market eggs are the only way to go.

The kitchen sink fritatta. Onions, mushrooms and tomato’s. What could be better?

Spiral sliced honey glazed ham.

The Easter bunny made a visit.

Bearing strange eggs with fuses on them.And ceramic bunnies that stay for only a few days.

This Easter was a bit dark and wet but little flames kept the family warm. As you can see smiles were abounding……

….food and spirits calmed the nerves.

Precious last moments were spent with the last baby Sundog of this year.

By Rocking RoySister SashaAnd sadly Mama Maisie. Last nurse with AOE.Here is our visiting Sundog, Shasta. Shasta is a sister to Yolo, Lassen and Nevada. She is sitting pretty and NOT sad because she is going to have a new friend of the furry kind going home with her.The Sundogs will tell you the rest of their secret on the next post. HAPPY EASTER From left Sasha, Yolo, Maisie, Lassen, Nevada and Shasta. The Sundog Family 🙂

Bye Bye Babies

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Jo Danehy @ The Sundog Drift

One week ago this was the scene in the “Puppy Palace”Now this is the scene….kinda. We do have the star of the show but he’s hiding inside the BIG people house. Which is where he wants to be with the BIG dogs.

Before the baby Sundogs left we decided to send them off in style by having a little going away party. But SOMEONE got his paws muddy before the party while I was tending the garden. He had to get his first puppy bath. Guess who? Yup, the star. Ahwahnee One Eye got a bath.FIRST shake!! Puppies need socialization you know. So we invited lots of kids to “Puppies and Pizza”. Alida and Owen enjoyed the food on the beautiful spring evening. It was not too sunny but Owen felt he needed some eye protection.Emily spent a lot of time in the puppy palace and was very gentle with the puppies. Marley could not stop hugging the pups and had a smile from ear to ear the whole evening.Cathy had been waiting all week to see these puppies. She said the pizza was good but judging by her smile I think the puppies won her over even more.

Friday, the day before the dreaded “pick up day”, was a day to put away the “to do” list and just hang out with the puppies. What a glorious afternoon, I did not want it to end.NOW is not my favorite part to post. I HAVE to give the puppies up because you see….I have FIVE yes FIVE grown up dogs. But I was happy the puppies went to good homes. Here are some photo’s of the lucky families.This is the Salamida family who traveled all the way from Hayward to get Shoshoni. They all have D names so Shoshoni’s big dog name will be Duncan. This is their FIRST dog. I am in close contact them in case they have any problems their first week with Duncan. I made sure they knew they might not get much sleep in the coming nights.This is the Deary family. The came to get Cheyenne. Cheyenne gets to live with Bessie who is her 4 yr. old sister. They have a swimming pool in the back yard and the dogs get to swim in it. Oh boy 🙂 Cheyenne is going to stay Cheyenne. Yeah!Lori and Mama Maisie were sweet enough to let Cheyenne have one last drink before the long ride home to Elk Grove.This is the Blake family. They were in the running with two other families to adopt Lakota and as you can see they are VERY HAPPY to have him. They are still exploring the name Lakota among others. I don’t think Lakota cares what he is called. Lakota will live in Roseville. Not far from yours truly lenses.This is Christina Hesson and her boyfriend John picking up Tenaya for Lynn Hesson who could not make the trip. They were one of four families in the running for Tenaya. I picked them because they are BIG animal lovers and their 3 year old Golden Loki needs a friend. Lucky girl. Tenaya won’t be far from this lenses either. She will live in Auburn.

And….DARN DARN DARN I had a memory card mishap and could not retrieve the photo’s of Chinook’s new owner Sarah Wade. Chinook got to stay with us one extra night and made the trip all the way to San Diego with Sarah and her boyfriend on Sunday. On the list of things to do now is ….call Sarah and have her get a photo of them together on the beach.

After Saturday watching FOUR puppies leave I had to dry my eyes and do what ever I could to get my mind off the emptiness. So Sunday morning before Chinook left we had a play session with the BIG dogs. BIG dog socialization. None of the little guys got trampled either.After that the little guys got real thirsty.Ahwahnee thinks nursing is easy as pie now. Not much competition.And guess who gets to be Ahwahnee’s baby sitter and best friend now? Why of course big sister Sasha. Sasha has no problem clearing the puppy fence to come to Ahwahnee’s aid OR steal his toys.I wonder how long this little stuffed donkey will last?Sasha says “not long”.

Adios Amigo’s

The Puppy Palace

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Jo Danehy @ The Sundog Drift

If you are a puppy between the age of 5 and 8 weeks old this is where you want to end up. Sundogs’s PUPPY PALACE.

We call this the puppy palace because it has everything a puppy (or doggy) could want. It is an insulated house with sliding glass windows for light and ventilation. It has added features like a heater for winter or air conditioning and misters for the SO HOT summer months. It also has a shaded indoor patio with running water and pine shavings to roll, pee and poop in. This photo shows the palace looking very fancy AFTER a litter of puppies has vacated. NO the puppies are not allowed in the roses. A little green fence is erected so they have lots of room to run, play and goof around like puppies do OUTSIDE the palace walls.

This is what I face every morning when I open the front door. Crying, barking puppies who want to get out and go were they are not supposed to go. And since there is nothing better than puppy breath in the morning, I have to pick up each one of them up for hugs, licks and kisses. Tough job I have, huh?

AND….. did I mention the palace has a doggy (I mean puppy) door? All our babies learn to use it immediately upon arrival.

Sometimes getting in can be a challenge as there may be five other puppies on the other side trying to tackle you for the best spot.

Made it in! Yeah. Now who can I harass?

Inside is pretty nice too. We draw the line at big fluffy dog beds because some members of the gang are too lazy to go outside in the middle of the night to relieve themselves. Rockin Roy and I have a debate about this. He thinks we need the big fluffy beds in there but I think the puppies are just fine with some old bath mats and soft fleece blankets. WHICH CAN BE THROWN IN THE WASHING MACHINE 🙂

During the day if it is warm the french door is left open so the puppies can lounge about and watch me pick up poop outside. I’ll leave out the photo of the poop scoop. A very valuable tool in raising puppies.

Cheyenne in her favorite lounging spot. Then getting a mouthful of Chinook.

Chinook decides to step out into the “pine patio” for a drink perhaps. No he is NOT sad. He just has a pathetic look that gets him lots of extra love.

Chinook waits for his turn at the watering hole. What a gentleman.

The watering hole is full. Gotta get that bowl hooked up to a automatic waterer. We must fill it 3 times a day now.

Shoshoni finally gets in there for a drink. He is the quiet patient one.

As you can see he is pleased and refreshed. Ahwahnee tackles Cheyenne until…..

Big sister Sasha arrives at the door. Sasha LOVES to play with her younger siblings in the outside pen or better yet in the big FREEDOM yard. Which is where they are going right now. Tenaya take the first steps to FREEDOM.

When time permits the puppies are allowed out in the big FREEDOM yard under watchful eyes. They get to act like big dogs AND play with the big dogs. This helps them with future socialization 🙂 It is one of the secrets that makes Sundog babies so special.

Lakota stands quivering in front of giant Mr. Lassen waiting for acceptance.

Finally he gets the approval he has been waiting for.

After Lakota gets acceptance, Chinook goes in for the ritual. Tiny head in Lassen’s big mouth is the name of the game.

Cheyenne is not ready for the ritual. She high tails it out of there and quickly.

Ahwahnee follows Cheyenne using his heightened sniffing skills.

Then the rest of the group follows to a big scary place far from were they are supposed to go.

Sasha tries to attract attention with her game, “chew the manzanita”

So after about a 1/2 hour of these games back and forth, time to go back in the PEN.

WHAT GIVES?

Adios Amigo’s until next post.

Got Your Back

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Jo Danehy @ The Sundog Drift

Last weekend I got my mustang fix at “The Wild Horse Sanctuary” in between Shingletown and Manton California. Boy are these mustangs lucky. Instead of being stuck in some BLM long term holding pens or worse yet on someone’s dinner plate, they get to live their life out protected in the lovely Northern California foothills. It is spring and the the first baby of the year is here! For purposes of this blog I’m going to call this little filly “Smokey” Ain’t she a doll? Here she is looking back at me while hanging tight next to mom. She does not fear me because she has a mom and dad and her whole band to watch her back.

Mom very bravely standing still so Smokey can nurse. She has one ear listening to me and the other ear listening to whatever goes on beside her.

Mom and Smokey have others in the band watching both their backs.

And their fronts.

Daddy can be seen in the back ground of the two last pictures, can you find him? Might be hard to do since some of these mares are quite large and round. More babies coming. Daddy’s job is to protect the whole band so he has to keep an eye on me who keeps pointing the big black thing at him.

Here he is. Is he a manly stud or what? I think Smokey is going to have his dad’s color as a Blue Roan but he could turn out to be a Grullo too. Grullo is a color of horses in the dun family, that have tan-gray or mouse-colored hairs on the body, often with shoulder and dorsal stripes and black barring on the lower legs. Smokey’s dad has other “wives” too. Don’t these two make a handsome pair.

After nursing for awhile Smokey tries to sleep much to the dismay of Prince the sanctuary dog in charge. Prince does not seem to understand Smokey does not want to play now and needs to have napping time.

Gosh darn it, I guess I need to wake up says Smokey.

OK now I am REALLY awake.

Got to get back to mom. Got milk?

Yes thank goodness she does.

Smokey is happy happy with the band. So many “Aunts” to stay close to when mom goes away.

Gotta itch. Guess who is watching over me.

Time for another nap and guess who is watching Smokey’s back? Just about everybody has Smokey surrounded but look at Dad. He is very sneaky watching me trying to act like he is just eating.

Like newborn human babies baby horses do the same, sleep, eat, sleep eat, sleep, eat…..except they can stand, walk and run on day one!

There is dad again watching Smokey’s back making sure I’m not a predator, about to pounce on her.

Dad nudges Smokey telling her it is time to move on now.

He grabs a bit to eat before they all go AWAY FROM ME.

They decide to take a turn to the right. This is the way to the creek for a drink.

It is hard to take my eyes off Dad. He is so handsome and such a fine father figure. You don’t get to see natural wild horse behavior like this every day.

Dad keeps his eyes on me and waits patiently for the rest of the band.

His mares are taking their time. He continues to wait patiently so the band will stay together.

Finally I decide to say good bye to dad. I feel I have put enough pressure on him.

Goodbye you beautiful thing.

Many more Mustang posts come…hope you enjoyed this one!

Adios Amigo’s

Time for Shots

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Jo Danehy @ The Sundog Drift

It’s that time…time to stick needles into cute little puppies.

Canine Distemper, Adenovirus Type 2, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus

Record the lot number and double check the expiration date.

Sorry I can’t photograph myself GIVING the shots. The puppies did great, NO CRYING.

Weight checks and new ribbons are also on the agenda today.

Chinook agreed to go first on the scale. 10 lbs even.

Does he look like a little teddy bear or what?

Next Cheyenne who outweighed Chinook. Sorry big guy, the big girl weighs in at 11.3 lbs

I thought Cheyenne was going to jump off the scale but she just stayed there kinda frozen.

Next was Lakota. He is our medium sized boy at 9.12 lbs.. He crouched down and whimpered a bit then sat up and posed for the camera. What a good boy. Look at those paws!

Tenaya was literally frozen with fear so I started by petting her and putting on a pretty new lavender ribbon. She relaxed and did fine on the scale although you can tell it was not her favorite part of the day. She is our biggest girl weighing in at 11.15 lbs.