My Animals
This page is for all my animals. They continue to teach me every day. They have helped shape who I am and what I do. I am forever thankful for the experiences we have gone through. They are the light in my life and continue to shine a light on our path.
Molly
She is our ever so charming, energetic prima dona. Shawn and I wanted a dog that would go everywhere with us, be obedient, be good off leash, and love us unconditionally. Well that is what we have. She loves car rides, listens exceptionally well (even if she back talks us first :), and would do anything for us. She doesn't like other people to come near her or try to pet her, it is on her terms that she would make friends with you. She was a rescue that prior to us she lived on the streets. She was 11 months old when she came to us. Two and a half years later she is the best dog any one could as for. She is extremely sensitive to emotions. She has been known become upset if her family is overly upset or worried. We almost lost her in August of 2010. She developed IMHA (auto-Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia). She had two blood transfusions and complications with the medications that were trying to save her life. It has taken until spring 2011 to fully recover. She lost weight and muscle tone and it takes time to build that back. She also needed to mentally work through the physical challenges she was faced with. It took great courage to go through and recover as well as she did. She is a survivor and she taught me a lot about the things that really matter most in life. With Rocket to help her move forward she was then able to help him learn how to be in this family. She showed him how great it is to beg and run as fast as you can (away from Mom and Dad, only to turn back at the last second like they were listening all along) She is forever committed to supporting and loving her family. She is our little world.
Rocket
He is our free spirited young man. Rocket came to us from a family that no longer could deal/work with his problems. He was urinating and defecating in the house, he was always hiding and was skittish around his previous family. He immediately came to Shawn and I when we went to visit him. He came home with us two days later. He wasn't perfect. He hid from us and was scared of Shawn. I had to hand feed him and he was terrified of a crate. A year later.... he is doing remarkably well. He doesn't hide near as much and spends time with us in the living area. He love love loves to run and play outside. He is keeper of the farm and makes sure that there are never any intruders. He and Shawn have developed a beautiful relationship. Rocket stepped up in the house when Molly became sick. We didn't have time or energy to help her and deal with his antics. Rocket became Molly's personal support coach. If she was feeling particularly bummed he would nudge her and urg her to continue forward. He stayed by her side for her transfusions and during every vet visit. Rocket had never really had a family. He came to us at 18 months old and had 5 homes prior to us. Now for the first time he had a family that needed him. We needed Rocket to help us support Molly and Molly needed him. Rocket needed to feel like he had a place to call his own that supported his needs. Rocket is very sensitive and requires a quiet energy. He doesn't do well with loud voices and anger. Negative correction doesn't suit him and further makes him upset. Everything is positive, always. He is absolutely one of the funniest, most charismatic dogs Shawn and I have ever had. He helps us learn how to calm our energies and become more grounded. He is amazingly loyal and always brings a smile to everyone he meets.
Zoe
She is the herd leader and knows everything. She loves cats by the way and this is Ginger she is looking at and Honey is on the background rolling. I showed Zoe in halter and showmanship throughout my teen years. She taught me a lot about dealing with my anger and learning to 'let go'. She holds no resentment. She has been emotionally unstable for quite some time and not very connected to her body. She and I have worked hard to understand each other and ourselves. We help each other connect to our bodies and learn how to work with the emotions we feel. She is 15 years old, has been with us since she was 3 and is currently retired due to severe arthritis in her left front knee. She and I are enjoying a non-working relationship and exploring new opportunities. She and I have overcome a lot of challenges and we are only recently really getting to the guts of our relationship.
Jack
He is the man! Everyone loves Jack. He not only is handsome but he loves everyone and will take care of the youngest riders. Here is Jack and I giving my niece, Shayne, a ride. He really understands children and is very supportive of their youthful curiosity. He has a joyful and mischievious spirit. He teaches me how to loosen up and have fun. Life shouldn't be so serious according to Jack. He is the protector of our three mares. He feels 'it's his job' to protect and defend his girls. As much as he likes to have fun his job to protect the girls is very serious to him. Jack is 15 years old and has been with us since he was 4. He has been my travel buddy for clinics and workshops and events that I have participated in. He is teaching me a lot. He currently has some medical issues that are keeping us from riding together. Even in this he is showing me that it isn't so serious and not to become so worried. I am working with multiple professionals to help Jack heal. In working with him he is 'showing' me about healing, myself and him. I have become aware of different energy shifts that have occured in his body and in my own. I am experiencing new things with him. I am thankful for this opportunity to grow on a spiritual level. Jack shows me that there are endless opportunities for growth even in the face of adversity. He is my rock.
Diva
I have the utmost respect for this darling girl. She is so intuitive and sensitive and smart. 'You can't pull one over on her". She is amazingly perceptive. She has made me question everything I thought I knew about horses. I can't begin to tell you how many times she pushed my buttons and I threatened to sell her. I am sure glad I didn't. She has helped me cultivate my creative spirit and feel the energy. She loves that I practice T'ai Chi and incorporate it into riding. She resonates well with that kind of energy and communication. She scared the wits out of me with a colic in January of 2008. She spent a week in intensive care and I should have been in physcotherapy. I have only one other time in my life been so stressed and worried. I vowed to never sell her after that. She is 8 years old and has been with me since she was 3. She is the quiet playful little butterfly that really blossoms when you realize her inner beauty. She is incredibly kind and gentle.
Lady
There isn't enough space to write about everything we have gone through. She is my first horse. She is currently 20 years old I have had her since she was 7. We essentially grew up together. She taught me how to ride and love a horse. She carried me through shows, trail rides, and all sorts of adventures. She is very alpha but in a quiet way. You can't just tell her what do without a good reason. She is sassy with people and won't respect anyone but me. She doesn't feel she needs work with anyone but me. We are soul mates. We are here together in this crazy adventure called life and are in a mutually supportive relationship. She is retired due arthritis in her knees and spine. She had a tough life before me; she was pushed as a rodeo horse, stop hard turn fast. At some point she was flipped over, her withers were broken. She was run through a t-post fence where it severed her nuchal ligament (main ligament in the neck that connects head, cervical spine and withers, allows them to keep their heads up). I didn't know these things until about 7 years into our relationship. She never had a problem with riding or anything we did. Now arthritis has been crippling for her. But she holds her own. She is incredibly stoic and it brings tears to my eyes. If I asked her to carry me she would, she is absolutely amazing. We have a gifted friendship that continues to grow. We support each other fully. She has been the catalyst in my life for all things good. As I do body and energy work with her, she continues shows me new things. I love her so dearly.
Doug
Oh my dear Doug. He was a rescue from the veterinary clinic that a client had brought in to be euthanized. I was informed he is about 6 years old and was purchased from a pet store. He is perfectly healthy but lacks flight and tail feathers. Essentially he can't fly and can become unbalanced easily. However, it doesn't stop him from all sorts of antics and trying to fly. He is one spirited cockatiel. He is a constant challenge for me. He gets worked up easily, I do too. He has helped me become aware of this and learn how to stay grounded and quiet. He is super funny as he hangs upside down and sings when he bathes. He has no quams about being kept in his cage. He wasn't properly socialized or hand raised. He is fearful of people taking him out of his cage. So he stays in his cage and his toys and perches are rotated to stimulate him and provide something new to be amazed with. He is quite the handsome little fellow. Like all my animals he has something teach me too.
Jasper
He is like the everlasting bunny. He is going on 13 years old. That is OLD for a rabbit. He is amazing. He has been with me for 11 years. He has been allowed to run free through the house and have fresh veggies and fruit almost every day. He has put all of our dogs in their place at least once. He is a wise old sage. He has been contacted by the angels about his time on earth drawing to a close. He is currently in transition. He is in the last phase of this physical life. He continues to eat and drink like it is going out of style. He doesn't come out of his cage much any more as he is now blind. He very much enjoys watching TV with Shawn. Don't ask how I know this, I just do. He likes to sit with us on our laps in the evening as we are relaxing. He is teaching me the ultimate of acceptance. He is dying. I know he is transitioning and I accept this fundamental part of life. It is a gift to be able to share with him the life we have had and to help him in any way during this time. He has asked to pass on at home and I will honor his wishes.
Jynx
This is in memorium. She was taken from this world to early. She was a stray that wondered onto the farm. She was in rough shape. I took her in, cleaned her up and she became quite the fancy kitty for the next 4 years. She was not your typical cat. She came when called and hung out with the dogs. She went outside during the day and back at night. She insisted upon being let outside with her sad and very loud crying. She was a story-teller. She could be heard running the hallway upstairs like it was a race track. She made me laugh so much. She would wake me up by staring at me, then if I opened an eye she would purr. Then she would push her face up against mine to tell me to get up, pet her and feed her. She was a snuggle bug but also enjoyed her own space. I was not home for her death. It was a traumatic event. I knew though that she suffered no pain and was ok. I just had this calm come over me admist my sobbing that she didn't suffer. I suddenly had a vision what had happened. This was the first feeling and vision I remember having like this. She was sort of the catalyst for me to explore our spiritual connections to all beings. After her death she would 'visit', as a reminder that she was still here and that we are all very much connected. I think about her often, as I know she will come back into this world to be with me again. How will I know it will be her? Well I will just know and when she does that one special thing, I will know.
