Horse Tales (and more!)

I’m on vacation

Posted on May 15, 2008 by Linda
Filed Under Harley, horse | Leave a Comment

I apologize for the lack of entries. I’m on vacation. It’s been interesting so far. I went to visit my horse, Harley, yesterday. He looked fantastic! His new owner has taken the time to teach him new things. He’s in great shape, and he’s happy. I couldn’t have asked for more. Here’s a picture of him with his new owner. I’ll try and check in in a couple of days.

Belle and the beach

Posted on May 9, 2008 by Linda
Filed Under beach, clams, dogs | Leave a Comment

I took my loving dog, Belle, to Revere Beach last Sunday. Perfect time to go, there was no one there. Well, maybe 10 people. I also saw another man with a dog. The funny thing is, both of our dogs took the opportunity to “do their business” in the big sand box the minute they hit the beach. And yes, we both picked up the mess and threw it away. Must be a dog thing….Anyway, we explored the beach at low tide and found lots of neat stuff. We found some huge clams that the gulls hadn’t found yet, and I threw them back into the water hoping to save them from being bird food. I also found a razor clam (see the picture), though I didn’t know what it was until I went to work and a co-worker told me. They’re kinda cool. We also found sponges, which Belle wanted to play fetch with.. ha ha. THAT was funny. And, some plastic bags, which I picked up and threw away.

When it was time to go home, Belle and I walked up the beach to the street, and I found yet another “live” clam, almost buried in the dirt. I made sure it was nice and cozy and moved along. I took two steps, looked back, and there was Belle, digging up the clam!!! No, no, no. L.O.L. She loves to dig….. But, she’s a great dog, and I wouldn’t trade her for anything.

A horrible day

Posted on May 6, 2008 by Linda
Filed Under Kentucky Derby, horse | Leave a Comment

I have to talk about it. I don’t want to. I’m referring to the Kentucky Derby. Seeing Big Brown win was fantastic….then Eight Belles went down. How could they continue the celebration? I’ve read pretty much everything that has been printed about that day, the jockey, the trainer, the horse. The trainer has just announced that she’ll be tested for steroids during the autopsy, to dispel rumors to that effect that are going around. I wanted her to win, so badly. And when she placed second, I was thrilled. However, she couldn’t handle the race. I believe that she gave everything she had, and then some, toward the finish line. Once the race was over, the jockey said he stood up and she started galloping funny. And down she went. Tired. That’s what I think. I don’t think the jockey abused her, though. I don’t blame the jockey. I blame the horse industry. Up until Saturday, I enjoyed watching them race. I watch the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes. Is this the year of the Triple Crown? Well, folks, I gotta tell ya. It isn’t going to happen. I’m never watching another horse race. Plus, there is going to be some sort of a safety summit in a month, to determine if the industry is flawed. I can’t wait to see what they dig up. I’ve had it… no more. Lock ‘em down, at least until someone figures out what really happened.

A unique opportunity

Posted on April 30, 2008 by Linda
Filed Under bird, eagles, loon | Leave a Comment

I first heard about the live eagle cam last year. BioDiversity Research Institute in Gorham, Maine, has a website, http://www.briloon.org You’ll need a video plugin, which can be downloaded from the site.

This year, in addition to the Live Eagle Cam, they have Live Loon Cam. Can you imagine? We, the viewers, are privvy to nature’s creatures in their own habitat, LIVE! Last year, the nest didn’t survive because the spring was particularly nasty. Things are looking up this year. If I didn’t have to work, I’d watch the cams all day. Hopefully, when the Eagle chicks hatch, you’ll be able to see Mom and Dad share the role of provider to their young chicks. The Loon Cam is new to me, so I’m not quite sure what to expect. Just remember, if it’s dark out where you are, it’s dark out where they are, and unless there’s a moon, it’ll be hard to see anything moving. Have fun, and enjoy.

“What’s for breakfast?”

Posted on April 30, 2008 by Linda
Filed Under deer | Leave a Comment

Eric, from Framingham, sent the News this picture of some very special guests who came knocking on his door this morning. Just wanted to share.

This just in….

Posted on April 26, 2008 by Linda
Filed Under grouse | Leave a Comment

Apparently the grouse is giving area farmers and all area businesses, in Reno, Nev., a really hard time. I’m going to give you the link for it so you can read it for yourself.

http://www6.comcast.net/news/articles/national/2008/04/26/Sage.Grouse/

A fun day with my grandson

Posted on April 26, 2008 by Linda
Filed Under swan | Leave a Comment

This past week was school vacation, and I had the great joy of babysitting my grandson for a couple of days. On Patriot’s Day, we all were going into Boston to see the end of the Boston Marathon. (The early start time prevented us from going to Hopkinton.) I tried to get Dylan to understand the concept of a marathon, why this one was so important, the ties to my childhood, etc. (I was raised in Hopkinton for a time.) But, no. He didn’t understand, so I decided to forgo the trip and just hang around and go to a park. Best decision I ever made! I took him to Spy Pond in Arlington, where there’s a beautiful lake (I think it’s bigger than a pond) with lots of places to run, climb rocks and observe the water fowl. There are sections where the rocks jut out over the water, so the birds can float right up to you. Well, along came 2 beautiful swans. So gorgeous, so white. Dylan, and my dog, Belle, were in awe. Until Belle decided to bark at one, and the big one hissed back rather emphatically. You never saw 1 child and 1 dog run so fast back up onto the top of the steps!! It was so funny. We eventually made friends with them again, and they hung around for a very long time. A really special treat on such a special day.

Don’t hedge your bets on this one

Posted on April 25, 2008 by Linda
Filed Under hedgehog | Leave a Comment

Well, Saturday, May 3, is certainly becoming a busy day for animal activities. We have the Chihuahua races, (see previous post). And just today, the Norfolk County Agricultural High School’s Veterinary Science Club announced its First Annual Hedgehog Fest. There will be a hedgehog show, hedgehog “Olympics,” crafts for children, hedgehog care information and a petting zoo. Owners may register their hedgehogs at 9:30 a.m. on May 3. General admission is $2/adults and $1/children. The event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the school, 400 Main St., Walpole.

Can you imagine?? Chihuahua’s and hedgehogs, all on the same day!! What a world.

A flash from the past

Posted on April 22, 2008 by Linda
Filed Under holiday, horse, warm | 2 Comments

Hi. Sunday, April 20, was a beautiful day. The town of Arlington had some sort of a Patriot’s Day Parade, and I was fortunate enough to be at the tail-end of the parade, so to speak, because the Wells Fargo hitch was in the parade. The horse trailer parked on Mass. Ave., and my friend and I stopped to look. Of course. The picture you see here has 2 horses, but the one on Sunday had 4. Beautiful animals. I had a nice chat with one of the handlers. She was so nice to talk to. I had asked her if the horses were okay during the parade (by this time she knew I was a “horse-person.”) Well, all but one thing - balloons. I laughed so hard, because my horse, Harley, couldn’t and wouldn’t pass a moving balloon to save his life. What is it about them?? Anyway, we watched them unhitch the horses, and they were very easy-going. Probably due to their breed, Belgian/Quarter Horse cross. The best of both, I think… The picture below shows you a closeup of the buggy. Beautiful.

Please, mum, may I have some more?

Posted on April 18, 2008 by Linda
Filed Under snake | Leave a Comment

I went to feed my snake, Calix, an Albino Honduran Milk Snake, his usual 3 pinkies. There are only a few left before I switch over to “fuzzies”, but I need to use these up first. Anyway, he chomped down those 3 pinkies like they were going out of style. I feed him by putting the pinkies on a white paper towel, so he knows it’s not my finger. Well, after eating his usual 3, he promptly looked at me through the glass, and made a snapping motion as if to say, “Where’s the rest of it?” I wasn’t 100 percent sure he wanted another one, until after he did this, and THEN, perched himself on the white paper towel, and again, looked at me. Wow. So, I got him another one, and …gone. Then he was satisfied and went under his log. So, yes, ladies and gentleman, Calix is communicating with me. I’ve never owned a snake before, so I don’t know if this is unusual or not. But, it sure got my attention!!! Animals will talk to you, you just have to listen.

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