meet my girl for supper

The day started out beautiful and sunny. I was up after 8 checking on Hawk who was grazing in the sun and when I looked for the rest I saw 2 missing. Oh oh the gate from hawk and daisy being penned behind the shop was closed locking them in last night. I did see there eyes when I shone the flashlight out there at 11 pm check last night and thought sweet they came back to visit Hawk and Roo. I jumped into my coveralls and mixed Hawks meds and dosed him and let them out.

Back inside to my painting of the jewelry box. Matt and Theo stopped soon after to borrow the skid steer and a brief visit. Working on the dark wax on the jewelry box, Britt text for Hawk's update specifically if he pooped. I got dressed and headed out catching him and putting in the barn. The others had come for water so I caught Switch and trimmed her feet while I waited for him to go but no luck. I took both to the round pen and trotted them for a bit and soon he passed a small amount. Success, now he can go out to graze. Seeing it was so nice and now 16 I grabbed the wheel barrow and fork and picked poop in the pen behind the barn filling the wagon.

Matt and Theo returned the skid steer as I was heading to the house before noon. Now to finish the jewelry box. Sadly the clouds rolled in and the sun was gone for the rest of the day. Once the box was done I staged it up.

Next order of business was another coat of stain and paint on the stool then sanded and a clear coat once dry.

I found some stools online and need to pick them up so a trip to town is in order. It is Wednesday so I planned to meet Shaina for supper while in town. We met after 5, ate Vietnamese and caught up. While there the gal who called the last 2 pumpkins stopped to grab them. (blue & rusty silver)

S was off back to the gym for her boot camp after 6 and I too pick up the stools. A couple more stops for me then I grabbed a tea to head home, I did stop at the mail box even though they are on strike.

Back at the ranch just after 7 as it was sprinkling here. I could see the horses near the house but decided to wait til rain over. Instead I hung my washed halter load to dry and brought the stool in to put together. I coveralled up and headed out with a flashlight and meds around 8 but no luck finding them nearby. Mitzy stalked along behind me silly cat. I got the ranger and took a tour finding them shortly after. Hawk was not thrilled but eventually took his meds and pooping while I was there, good fellow. Back in the house I wrote the blog post for the white jewelry box   while watching my iPad and Netflix!

Hawk comes home & riding lessons

Beauty day ahead with all sunshine hitting 19. The morning update call on Hawk says he is doing well and will get a few more treatments but most likely able to come home later today. I got to work on painting the step stool base yellow and the top stained cappuccino after I glued one area of the lining back on jewelry box and let to dry.

The horses came in for water so I checked them for ticks from our ride then put the first coat of pink on the jewelry box.

Dr Lambert called at 1:30 giving Hawk the go ahead to come home. I changed and was on my way not long after. My jewelry box customer was waiting at Moore's, perfect timing. Britt met me there, she discharged him, we loaded him up and were headed for home. She detoured and grabbed as an ice cap and delivered mine to me while I waited in an side lane, thanks B. She then scooted ahead to the ranch while I had to detour thru town to get fuel. The 10 km to Strathmore sign had 13 km to empty on the gauge but I made it!!

Back at the ranch by 4, B was my gate girl. I unloaded the big guy who was most excited to be home. He and I closed the gate on his new home for a few days (the paddock closest to the house) and he was set free. Lola and Cooper had been out checking fence line and she proudly came home with a fresh skinned cow skull, yuck! I had to scoop this up in a bucket and took along to dispose of in a ditch away from here. B caught Roo and Bird and put Roo in as his roomie while I caught Switch and we had them both loaded and back out the gate after 4:30 on our way to riding lessons.

Lessons were good, it was semi private with just Britt and I and lasted till almost 7. Again we loaded up the ponies and were back to the ranch where we put the girls in a stall to dry off. I went in and put a pizza in to cook while Britt gave Hawk his evening meds and tossed them a few flakes of hay. After we ate we trimmed Lola's nails and put the girls out.

B and Cooper were off before 9 leaving me to write a blog post for the warm white mirror  while watching Grey's. B called not long after she left hitting a deer on hwy 817 closer to town. In the dark she sees a cracked light and bit of door damage, will have to evaluate in the daylight ;(

Hawk stays another night

It was a very sluggish morning for both of us, me for lack of sleep and I think Prince overslept. He brewed up a coffee to get us going around 9:30. When we looked out there were 3 coyotes in the paddocks and even after taking multiple shots, one kept coming our way but eluded any hits.

S was then off to town to drop off his bent metal pieces at a machine shop for pressing and brought back pumpkin teas, yum, thanks. I worked on marketing and reloading photos as jpg format as the latest update in iPhones has them changed to a new heic format not compatible with some of my programs.

The tom cat was trapped when S went to check so I tried to find a solution to rehome him, Calgary Humane is the only answer as our local is over capacity so S will drop him there on way to airport. Seeing I may be going back to Balzac the jewelry box lady will meet me there and not airport.

S loaded up the cat and headed off to the city before 2:30. The vet wants to keep Hawk for another night to monitor longer. He has spent more time laying down and a mystery as not 100%. They have hoof tested, bloodwork, more tubing and rectal exams and want to try ultrasound again on liver and spleen.

The black skin even when shaved in spots blocked the ultrasound. I suggested the stress of cushings may cause ulcers so they started a drug to see if it helps (like pepto that coats the tummy) He is so quiet and easy going they all say.

Britt was now back at the clinic after their day of call outs and she moved him out to a tented outdoor stall which he was much happier and less sweaty in. B brushed him to try and remove the dirty spots and would love to bath him but not now he is outside.

I changed back to paint clothes and took the ranger to the gate to pick up a paint parcel that just arrived. Today was off and on sunny but windy ;( My parcel contained many new products including the limited pink release for cancer awareness. I think I will do a jewelry box and donate proceeds and it was not long until a friend suggested a local boob tour. I contacted them and they would love a donation so I started to prep one of the recent ones I purchased.

Sharon stopped needing advice on some used teal chairs she bought in the city and how to pretty them up. I sent the lazy susan ordered by her sister in law too. After she was off it was back to laundry and prep. I also mixed up some yellow milk paint for a custom called step stool ordered from the market. I put it together and will paint tomorrow.

I needed an earlier night so came in at 8, finished up more marketing then hit the tub for a soak and some Netflix moving to my comfy bed and turning the lights off before 10.

Happy Anniversary to Mom and Dad W! XOXO

River Ride and a vet visit - long post, lot of pics

Another glorious sunny day. The stray cat Sheldon saw yesterday caused problems around midnight pestering J and again this am so the plan was to trap him. Of course coffee and some screen time came first once awake. Papa had sent a new trap home that S got set up, the stray had taken over the cats mez and they sat on the deck forlornly. The wily cat ate the food out of it but was placed wrong so we refilled it to try again.

S made a run for town mid morning to borrow a gear puller from a friend and was back to try it and got all the bent pieces off before coming in for lunch and a nap. I spent the morning marketing and after posting the available jewelry boxes had one sold and paid for in no time. She will meet S at airport tomorrow ;)

Afternoon had us unloading the peg board from the trailer and I put the metal shelf back in the storage trailer. I unloaded the bale of hay in their from the last tournament and raked the shavings back out prepping for our ride. Shaina, Lexi and Jacob pulled in around 2 as Sheldon gave me a lift out to the horses to catch 4 and give Hawk his meds. Hawk was rolling and stretching out as it was a beautiful sunny day but something did seem a bit off. He did get up and follow me and the 4 horses as well as the other 2. Once loaded, Shaina and Jacob and I loaded saddles and tack, I grabbed cold drinks and snacks and we were off before 3. Hawk was laying down again which is odd. Roo was very distraught and chased us to the gate requiring Shaina and I to try and hold her back while Jacob guarded the main gates as Sheldon pulled the load out, whew.

At the river we tacked up and set out for the most beautifully peaceful sunny 17 degree ride for the next hour and a half. The river was even low enough we could cross the river and ride the island.

note Shaina's phone in hand, it is common occurrence on this trip

we saw a fly fisher then came upon this campsite on the island, must be his

daredevil attempting her old pony tricks

 

Back at the trailer the horses got to graze while we enjoyed a refreshing beer. After loading them we took a detour on the drive home to head down to the boat launch on this side of the river.

this is the island we crossed out to and came to the point closest to the this side of the river

Back home around 6 it was unloading and catching Hawk in exchange. The rest headed in to relax and cook up some hot dogs and KD for supper while I monitored Hawk with the help of my on call vet tech B. I gave him some "better" meds, trotted him in the round pen till he pooped a bit then took him to get a bit of water. He seems gaunt, he drank a bit, has sweaty patches and his heart rate was elevated too all not great signs but most likely he is compacted with a mild colic. He will spend the night in the small paddock behind the barn. I walked out and caught Daisy to stay the night with him and referenced her gut sounds and heart rate.

I came in after 7 to a cold drink (The crew was eating and watching hockey game which the Flames won.) and hot dog but keep checking him.  No more laying down and when I went out an hour later his heart rate was down a bit so think he is doing better but will stay  in the pen over night for observation.

S & J had a good hour nap on the couch after supper while S turned to the ball game. I wrote a blog post for the antique textured dresser to go live as w/e posts do better. Up from their nap, S& J were off after 9. S and I started the movie Black Panther but it was not long before S was sleeping and it was shut off. I was going for a piece of Britt's angel food when I checked on Hawk and saw him laying down. I pulled on my coveralls and a head band and went out to check. He had been rolling and was very sweaty in his groin area and seemed quite lethargic. A call to B had me checking his vitals again, all about the same but the sweating and rolling had her suggesting a vet call. I also took his temp which was normal at 36.8. The Strathmore vet after giving the details said they would most likely refer to Moore's so if I wanted to skip their part of the bill to call them. Moores were the next call which then has the details shared and the vet call to get them again. By now it was after 11 and with his over the phone diagnosis he says QH are stoic and things can seem quiet but underlying trouble and if I was calling so late I must be concerned. He suggested bringing him to the clinic.

tubing going in

I hustled inside an changed into clothes grabbed my purse, let Daisy in with Roo and had him loaded up and heading out at 11:40 ish. I managed to get out of the yard without Roo catching up as she had made her way in the night by herself to go stand vigil next to Hawk and Daisy's pen. I arrived about 12:15 and the 2 interns were waiting. They had 6 more colic type cases already thru tonight. They did just what B said; sedated, rectal exam (he pooped when we arrived more dry balls), ultra sound (which was not very effective with his thick coat and black skin) then tubed and given electrolytes. They suggested he stay the night to be monitored (which I knew was most likely) and reexamed and tubed and banamine in the night so once he was tucked in the last available stall I set off home. I had thought I could stay at Britt's but they said he would not be released til late afternoon for a longer monitor. I was back home by 2 am. The herd was waiting at the yard gate for his return and it was a bit of a juggle getting the truck and trailer thru the gate without them following but I managed.

Inside I enjoyed that piece of angel food cake, whipped cream and strawberries while watching a Grey's Anatomy episode before shutting it down at 3. Sleep is needed now ;)