Sage tells Tex Where to Go

 Yesterday as I walked down the driveway to get the mail at 2pm, I noticed that Sage and Kersey were busy trying to get a squirrel from under the logs in the oak pasture.

I could hear the squirrel squeaking angrily all the way from the driveway.  The dogs didn’t look up when I came back up the driveway with the mail.  They were intent.

At 4:30 I went back outside and the dogs were still intent on their squirrel.  The horses were standing in the corner of the pasture, by the front gate, watching the occasional car drive by.  Tex left the group and wandered over to see what the dogs were doing.  He stretched his nose down between the squeaking logs.

Sage stood on the other side of the log and launched into Tex.  “Get away! That’s my squirrel! Stop being so nosy! GO AWAY!!!”  

Tex eventually ambled away and Sage resumed her position in front of the log.  By 6:00, Kersey was done.  

She just laid in the dirt panting.  Sage kept at it.  She was 30 minutes late for dinner; and she’s never late for dinner.  When it was time to come in the house for the evening, she was late for that too.  We had to go out and get her.  Normally, she’s waiting at the door.  It must have been one heck of a trophy squirrel.  ...and she never did get it.

Luek and Rachel

 In mid-July, Brett’s granddaughter came to visit.  She lives in Colorado so flew into Sacramento where Brett picked her up and brought her to Oak Creek Ranch.  It was her first visit here and I don’t think she stopped smiling from the minute they drove through the front gate until she left.  The animals all loved her; especially Sage and Luek.  

Sage normally sticks pretty close to me; sleeping at my feet, trotting around the pastures with me, and bringing me balls to throw.  But, she preferred being with Rachel who ran with her, played with her, and loved on her.  Sage thanked her for all the love and attention by dropping a squirrel that she caught at Rachel’s feet.  (She has never voluntarily given up a squirrel before).  

Rachel was interested in doing two things on her visit: boating and riding.  Riding primarily.  We did get out on the lakes with her a couple of times, cruising a large lake and kayaking on a small one.  

And she rode Luek.  And groomed Luek.  And loved on Luek while he was eating in the pasture.  

Rachel had some experience trail riding in Colorado but was unfamiliar with dressage or any aids.  She soaked up all my explanations like a sponge.  The first thing I noticed when Rachel got on Luek was how well she followed him with her seat.  Brett is very tight in the hips and Luek has a bit of a choppy walk when Brett rides him.  Rachel naturally swings her hips and Luek took big, happy steps with her.  

We mostly walked around the property (Brett was on Pistol and I was on Tex), and hung out under the trees.  It was pretty warm.  

We are all, animals included, looking forward to her next visit.