"Get Your Leash" Jackal's March Trick Update

Okay, I know at the end of the month I'm supposed to show you a video of our progress, but with everything that's going on I just don't feel like it. I only got four hours of sleep last night and feel awful. So far I'm not sick and I'm really hoping I can avoid it so that I don't lose hours at work. We can't afford it.

Anyway I'll just tell you how we're doing and post a video of how we're doing when I have time. I've worked on the trick a few times over the last week and he's doing well! I've gotten to where I'm throwing the leash about six or seven feet away on the floor and he will run to get it. He usually drops it at least once on his way back, but he will pick it back up and bring it to me. Sometimes he even brings it the whole way back to me. :D Good boy!

I'll get the poll up tomorrow for his April trick.

So it does get worse . . .

Well I guess trying to keep a positive attitude doesn't really help because things do get worse. I had to work ten hours on my feet today because the person who was supposed to work wasn't told he was supposed to work, then I came home just as my husband was getting really sick. He has a really bad bacterial infection and is now on very strong antibiotics. This really sucks.

On trying to keep a glass half full perspective we might have made progress on the long term disability . . . maybe. Hopefully. Keep praying for me, if that's your thing. I appreciate it. And I appreciated all of your kind and helpful comments. Thanks guys.

Oh and I missed one of Chrome's doses of antibiotics . . . is that okay so long as I make sure he stays on track from now on?

Update

I think I'm going to take a break from blogging for a couple of days. Things are so stressful and getting worse by the minute (husband may get denied for long term disability for his back injury because of lazy doctor notes). Good news is that we did find a home for Sycamore (goat) because he isn't happy without companionship. Also an update on Chrome he was following me around the lease land, galloping around and being totally silly so the leg isn't bothering him at all! The swelling has gone down, but the puncture wound is draining white (occasionally yellow) . . . ooze (doesn't sound as gross as puss lol). I called the vet because the ooze was concerning me, but he said it isn't a big deal since he's still sound. He said if the wound is still oozing when we finish the antibiotics that we will extend it just to be on the safe side. So on the injury front things are the same (or hopefully getting better), I just wish life in general would improve. Anyway sorry to be a downer. I'll be back in a few days. Everyone take care.

Sunday Stills - The Color Blue

This week's Sunday Stills challenge is the color blue, but no sky pictures and no archives. :) I did horrible this week. I snapped a couple of pictures of random things around the house, but the lighting was awful. Anyway here is what I came up with.

Jackal's leash. The lighting was horrible on this one.

The rope I used to make Chrome's halter and ground driving reins.

New hula hoop I bought for Chrome to play with for desensitizing.

The background on Storm's picture and the two candles.

My collapsible blue horse water bucket. I love that thing.

Anyway I'll try to do better next week and not wait until last minute. :)

Life Update

For those of you who don't follow Chrome's blog he injured his leg yesterday and had to go to the vet. I wrote all the details on his blog, just follow this link if you're interested. Aside from that I've been working crazy hours. Oh and the ultimate procrastinator that I am I started working with Jackal on his March trick . . . and we have five days to go. :D He's making great progress so be sure to check out the video at the end of the month. I'll leave you with some cute pictures of Jackal. I took them without being able to see the LCD screen so the angles are off, but it makes it fun and funky. :)

I love the way this makes his nose look too big like a cartoon.

This one is so cool because it shows his doggy nose "finger" print.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the pictures. I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

My Cute Dogs

My dogs were pulling the whole "We're starving! Feed me!" act on the back deck this morning. It was so cute!

Wordless Wedneday

Sunday Stills - Canine Companions

I wanted to get some pictures of me with Storm to put with these for Sunday Stills, but I ran out of time. This week's Sunday Stills challenge is canine companions. I thought more of the pictures of me with Jackal turned out, but they didn't so I only have two today. And sorry about the ugly propane tank. I didn't even think about it being in the pictures. I'm used to taking the pictures, not being in them. :)

Chrome's Monthly Progress Report

Date: 3-19-11
Age: 22 months
Height: 15hh ¼in (60.25inches)
Height Gain: Hm . . . it didn't show any gain. He's almost two so I guess it shouldn't surprise me that his growth has slowed down.
Weight: Approximately 825lbs.
Weight Gain: If the weight tape is accurate he actually lost a little weight. He still looks good to me though. :)

Progress: I've stuck with the clicker training and I'm very proud of myself and my colt for the progress we've made. :) I haven't done any walking because I hurt my foot, but as soon as it's better we are definitely going to get back on the roads. :)

Goals: I want to have him hauling in the trailer this month and I would like to get him gelded this month as well. I can't put it off too long because it will get hot soon. The flies and ticks are already showing up. I want him confident in the trailer though because he'll probably be disoriented as he's recovering from the sedative. I would have the vet come out here but a farm call is so expensive (especially considering it's only ten minutes away)! I want to also keep up with the clicker training and go walking. Along with focusing on the trailer training I also want to focus on hoof training because he's doing so well and I'd love to impress our farrier with his progress. :) She loves him already, but she'll love him even more when he's all cooperative and helpful lol. I guess that's all for this month.

Oh and we didn't do any clicker training today. I had to work and then go to a friend's wedding. I did get some pictures with Chrome when we got home from the wedding since I was actually dressed nice, so enjoy!

A kiss.

"Where's your treat pouch mom?"

He started to walk off but his arched neck is so cute I went ahead and posted it hehe.

Led Zeppelin wanted attention too. :)

I'm glowing (photo overexposed) in this one, but Chrome is handsome so that's okay. :)

I love his smile! I'm glowing again, but had to add it.
I'm amazed at how high he gets his head considering I'm 5'11".

Hugs! And he didn't even try to bite lol.

I love how laid back this horse is. I can drape myself all over him and he doesn't care. :)

*sarcasm* Doesn't he just look soooo concerned with me hanging all over his head? *sarcasm*

More hugs.

That's all for today. I wish I could post some of the wedding pictures I took. It was so beautiful. Unfortunately I don't have permission to post them on the internet, so we'll just have to enjoy the horse pictures. :) Tomorrow I'll post a few pictures I got of me and Jackal today. I got some cute ones. Oh and thanks to my hubby for taking the pictures!

Guess I Needed A Break

Wow I really needed a break. I'm exhausted and yesterday my toe was really hurting so I didn't do any training. I didn't read blogs. I didn't post. I didn't even open my computer! I think I really needed that. However I am back and the all the critters are doing great.

I picked back up with my clicker training with Chrome and Zeppelin. You can read about their progress on their blog at http://rdxhorses.blogspot.com. For everyone who is not interested in the equine clicker training you can see the pictures here without all the talking about training hehe. Enjoy!

I love how curly his coat is when he's sweaty.

Pretty boy after being brushed. Ignore my uneven rolled up pants . . . dorky, but I didn't want my pants getting dirty.

Do you see dapples on his ribs yet?

Not a great shot, but had to show off his gorgeous tail after I brushed it.

Annoyed that we interrupted their play session.

Chasing the goat.

I know we're all biased about our horses, but isn't that the cutest face you've ever seen.

Sunday Stills - The Letter P

This week's challenge for Sunday Stills is the letter P. I had fun finding things that started with the letter P but unfortunately my lighting wasn't great so most of them came out blurry. Oh well the point is to have fun and I did. :)

Puppy (technically an adult, but still hehe) & Pillow

(Vitamin D) Pill

Plastic

Purse

Picture

Pinto Beans

Pointy Brush LOL

Polish

Pen

Poker

I had fun! Check out more Sunday Stills here.