"Smokey" part 1

When I read the email my mouth suddenly became dry and my pulses pounded. I yelled in a very loud voice that my husband has come to accept, if not relish, during our 20 year marriage “Pat, Amy says we can have Smokey!”

Having lived and worked in the city most of our lives, my husband’s dream was to move to the country and have lots of animals that we both loved. We had first acquired 2 donkeys from the Bureau of Land Management Rescue program and now we were going to be given a horse. I had been corresponding with Amy via email for several weeks. She had answered an advertisement I had placed on an Internet classified site. I said we wanted to adopt a “companion” horse, companion meaning we had no intention of riding but wanted a horse to keep our grass down and to whom we could love. Amy loved Smokey and wanted to be as certain as possible that we were the kind of people who would also love and care for him. She told us he had a crooked leg from birth and could be ridden only by a child or a very small person. We assured her we did not intend to ride him. She gave him to us with only one stipulation, that if we ever decided to give him up we would contact her.

We had picked up our donkeys from BLM and had kept them in a small pen for a couple of weeks while they had gotten used to us. They were about waist high and, while at the beginning very wild, with treats and gentle voices we had won them over – but now we were going to get a horse.

Smokey was coming from Iowa, and when the hauler arrived with the large trailer and Smokey was led out, my husband and I both let out a gasp! He was so big!! Amy has said he was very friendly but would he accept us and if not… The hauler handed my husband the halter rope and started around the side of his trailer. Both of us remained frozen! Smokey, meanwhile, gazed around, then eyed us passively as if to say “OK, now what?” I’m not sure what we did in the next 10 minutes except stand as statues. The hauler eyed us with amusement, probably understanding that he was in the presence of novice horse owners, he asked my husband “Do you want me to take the halter off him?” Pat later denied that his voice squeaked. The man took off Smokey’s halter and the big horse meandered out to look things over in his new home. I believe now he was probably amused at all the brightly colored ribbons we had tied on the barbed wire along our pasture line to make sure he knew his parameters. We had been told that horses might run and not see barbed wire fencing so the ribbons would be a good idea.

Smokey adjusted more quickly to us than we did to him. We have memories of our first days. Of Smokey coming up one morning and putting his head over Pat’s shoulder in an attempt to get to the sweet feed that was in the bucket Pat carried. Smokey didn’t push or bite, just stood there nuzzling at the bucket with the oats. When Pat got over his initial shock, he placed the bucket on the ground and hugged Smokey’s neck as he ate his breakfast.

Another time we learned how quietly a 1400 pound horse can walk. Pat was again in the feed lot and had gotten down on his knees to clean out the water trough. He felt a tickling at his back and turned to see this large horse towering over him. Smokey was peering down at him while gently nuzzling his back.

(Find "Smokey" part 2 here to read the rest of the story.)

©Carol Thomas
04/15/07

(Carol, Pat, and Smokey and the rest of their four-legged family live in Oklahoma. When Carol isn't outdoors enjoying her large animals, she's indoors enjoying her small ones while running her ebay business.)

"Smokey" part 2

(Find "Smokey" part 1 here.)

During our second year in the country, Pat learned he had diabetes. This change in health combined with the death of his mother and the end of his 25 year career at the university was too much for Pat. A dark cloud descended upon him and he became very depressed. Over a period of several months of debilitating darkness, Pat decided that the cloud would lift only if we could return to our life in the city. I love him very much and couldn’t stand to see the pain he was suffering. Although uncomfortable with the decision, I agreed to the move. But then we had to decide what we would do with our animals. Amy was told of our plans and she found a home for Smokey with a friend who lived in Missouri whom she knew loved horses and would care for him.

When the hauler came to pick up Smokey for his trip to Missouri, Pat led him out to the trailer. The hauler put Smokey in a trailer stall then decided to put his own halter on him. As he left to get the halter, Smokey wheeled around and jumped out of the trailer. He headed back up the lane to our barn and pasture. Tears came to both our eyes. Later Pat said if he could have called the whole thing off at that moment, he would have done so. We had fallen in love with the great, gray horse.

In the weeks and months following Smokey’s departure while we searched for a house back in the city, Pat’s diabetes was brought under control with medication and the cloud lifted. Suddenly he was enjoying life again. He spent hours in the pasture, mowing the weeds and brushing and loving on the donkeys. We missed Smokey but we had pictures that showed him with other horses and living a happy life.

A little over a year passed when we received an email from Amy saying she had sad news. Because Smokey had not gotten along with another gelding at his new home, he had been taken to a relative’s house. The relative, a large man and perhaps not knowing about Smokey’s crooked leg, had ridden him. Smokey had started to limp badly. A vet had been consulted and he had said, because Smokey would probably always have arthritic pain in the leg and shouldn’t be ridden, he should be put down. Amy was heartbroken and so were we.

Pat and I talked and decided to ask Amy if we could have Smokey back. We could give him the medicine he needed for his arthritis and we would not let anyone ride him. Amy consulted with the vet and was told that Smokey could make the trip back to Oklahoma. Pat and I were beside ourselves with joy.

Some negotiations with a hauler and several weeks later Smokey returned. We wondered if he would remember us, but when he arrived there was no question about that. He checked out all his favorite spots and learned he now had new horse neighbors on either side of our pasture. I’m happy to say that, after several weeks of rest, he no longer has a limp. Now when I go into the pasture, Smokey immediately comes to me and nuzzles my pocket for the carrot I carry. Life for us, and Smokey, is good again.

©Carol Thomas
04/15/07

(Carol, Pat, and Smokey and the rest of their four-legged family live in Oklahoma. When Carol isn't outdoors enjoying her large animals, she's indoors enjoying her small ones while running her ebay business.)

Buy From a Reputable Breeder

Breeders specialize in their chosen breed. They know the breed standard, temperament, and characteristics. They strive to breed only animals that epitomize these qualities. This benefits the buyer by allowing the buyer a type of quality control. You will know better what you are getting - fewer surprises, fewer disappointments.

They make it a point to be aware of all known inherited defects affecting their breed. Reputable breeders then screen their breeding animals to be sure they are free of such defects. This may not totally eliminate an inherited defect from showing up, but it will greatly decrease the chances of them occurring.

A breeder is a valuable source of information should any problems arise after your pet is in your home. They can give advice on almost all aspects of caring for and training dogs. In the event that you find it impossible to keep your pet, many breeders will help you relocate your pet.

Most breeders provide you with written instructions on how to feed, care for and train your pet. You also have the comfort of knowing you have a concerned individual who is only a phone call away.

Breeders take the time to properly socialize their puppies. They give the special handling needed during the critical developmental stages in the puppies' lives. This socialization helps the puppies adapt and adjust to life with humans as well as laying a foundation for learning. A carefully bred, well-socialized puppy makes a happy, eager to please dog that is a pleasure to live with.

Because the breeder has been laying the foundation for learning through socialization, and because your puppy has not been kept in a small cage for a long period, buying your pet from a breeder may make it easier to housebreak your pet. Constant confinement in a cage, such as in a pet store, leads to a loss of the puppies' naturally clean nature. This complicates housebreaking because they are no longer bothered by living with their own waste. By living in a home situation with the breeder, they maintain their naturally clean nature making it easier to housebreak them.

If you wish to show your pet, your pet's breeder will help you get started in whatever area you wish to pursue- be it conformation, obedience, agility, carting, herding or tracking. A reputable breeder wants to better his beloved breed by constantly striving to produce animals of high quality. This endeavor carries a high price, not only in time and money but more importantly in emotion. Along with the joy of breeding litters comes much heartache. The satisfaction of bringing joy to the lives of others through the ownership of quality, loving companions is well worth the effort. On the other hand, buying a puppy also carries a price in terms of money and emotions. It is worth spending the time and effort on your part to find a reputable breeder for the purchase of your special companion so you can both enjoy a long, wonderful relationship together.

Total Rottweiler- Connecting rottweiler breeders. Our main goal is to connect breeders with lots of useful information such as rottweiler yellow pages, upcoming events, worldwide show results, online rottweiler show and much more.

Pet Food Recall Update/FDA New Pet Advice

The news continues to accumulate regarding the recent pet food recall. If you have a dog or a cat, do check out the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html and consider signing up for the FDA Recalls mailing list to receive any breaking recall news. With multiple brand names involved in the recalls, it's important to keep updated. Take a minute to take a look and keep your dog or cat healthy.

While you're visiting the FDA's website, you and your children might want to review their "All About Animals" page, especially if you're considering adding a pet to your family. Pay particular attention to the "Reptile Rage" link if you're thinking about a pet iguana, turtle, or snake. Reptiles are great pets - as long as you follow good hygiene practices in order to avoid contracting salmonella.

Rules for Stray Cats

1. Stray cats will not be fed.

2. Stray cats will not be fed anything, except dry cat food.

3. Stray cats will not be fed anything, except dry cat food moistened with a little milk.

4. Stray cats will not be fed anything, except dry cat food moistened with warm milk, yummy treats and leftover fish scraps.

5. Stray cats will not be encouraged to make this house their permanent residence.

6. Stray cats will not be petted, played with, picked up and cuddled unnecessarily.

7. Stray cats that are petted, played with, picked up and cuddled will absolutely not be given a name.

8. Stray cats, with or without a name, will not be allowed inside the house at any time.

9. Stray cats will not be allowed inside the house, except at certain times.

10. Stray cats will not be allowed inside the house, except on days ending in "y".

11. Stray cats allowed inside, will not be permitted to jump up on or sharpen their claws on the furniture.

12. Stray cats will not be permitted to jump up on or sharpen claws on the really good furniture.

13. Stray cats will be permitted on all furniture, but must sharpen claws on new sisal-rope cat-scratching post with three perches.

14. Stray cats will answer the call of nature outdoors in the sand.

15. Stray cats will answer the call of nature in the three-piece, high-impact plastic tray filled with Fresh 'n' Sweet kitty litter.

16. Stray cats will answer the call of nature in the hooded litter pan, with a three-panel privacy screen and plenty of head-room.

17. Stray cats will sleep outside.

18. Stray cats will sleep in the garage.

19. Stray cats will sleep in the house.

20. Stray cats will sleep in a cardboard box lined with an old blanket.

21. Stray cats will sleep in the special Kitty-Komfort-Bed with non-allergenic lambs wool pillow.

22. Stray cats will not be allowed to sleep in our bed.

23. Stray cats will not be allowed to sleep in our bed, except at the foot.

24. Stray cats will not be allowed to sleep in our bed under the covers.

25. Stray cats will not be allowed to sleep in our bed under the covers, except at the foot.

26. Stray cats will not play on the desk.

27. Stray cats will not play on the desk, near the computer.

28. Stray cats are forbidden to walk on the computer keyboard on the desk, when the human is asdfjjhhkl;ljfd.;oier'puyykmm4hb USING IT.