Leader of the Pack

I did my first power point presentation today.  My 8th speech for Toastmasters.  I had such fun putting it together.  I am really hooked on power points.  I'm now thinking about doing power points for my Pawsitive Family programs -  K9 Bite Prevention and Welcoming Baby K92.  Power points are a wonderfully creative way to share a great deal of information (who knew). We are very visual as a society and I think it will bring great understanding to the information I am trying to present.  Plus, it's just plain fun!

My presentation was inspired by the smallest of our pack, Libby (pictured).  I spoke about how the principles of the pack relate to the principles of leadership.  Libby inspires me!  She is the leader of our pack; all 12 pounds of her. Leadership is not about size, power or might...it's about knowing where you are going and becoming a leader worth following.  Libby is determined, confident and courageous.  All great attributes of a leader.  She brings out the best in everyone, both human and canine.

The power point went really well and I received good and constructive feedback.  If some one would have told me a year ago I would join Toastmasters and really enjoy it, I would have laughed and said "no way".  Dare I say I really enjoy public speaking.  I realize that it is a chance to share my story.  To share my thoughts and ideas with others through my observations, experiences and understanding of the world around me.

I've come a very long way from the child who was described as "backward" and extremely "shy".  Good leaders are made not born.  If you have the desire and will power, you can become an effective leader. I am so thankful that I've found my voice...in large part because of the lessons I've learned from the animals in my life.

I followed my power point presentation with work I love...ending with a wonderful group of dogs and people who are building relationship and progressing by leaps and bounds.   A very good day here at Pawsitive Journey!

You Matter!

My son Nicholas graduated from High School.  I am so pleased and thankful that our family were able to attend - both Grandmas, Nick's Aunt and Sister and new niece...it was a true celebration of Nick and his accomplishment!

My sister gave Nick a wonderful book entitled, "The Butterfly Effect".  What an incredible book with a message that I pray nestles deep inside him, blooms and grows!  Here is an excerpt from the book, "Every single thing you do matters.  You have been created as one of a kind. You have been created in order to make a difference.  You have within you the power to change the world."  You matter and what you dream matters!  He goes on to talk about a life of "permanent purpose".  "When you know that everything matters, that every move counts as much as any other, you will begin living a life of permanent purpose."  Basically pursuing that which makes you come alive, living a life that was meant for you and only you.  Reaching for the stars, pursuing your dreams, staying focused, running your race and telling your story.  It all fits together!

As Nick was finishing his senior school projects and getting his final papers into school before he graduated, we had a bit of a drama unfolding on our small farm.  Maui kitty, the little kitty who Nick brought to our home almost 3 years ago on the brink of death vanished.  Seemingly into thin air.  I was devastated and Nick was crushed.  As we searched all over the neighborhood, we were thankful that we did not see our Maui kitty on the road, at least we knew she hadn't been killed by a car and there was still hope.  We checked every culvert pipe and all the ditches and hiding places within a square mile.  No sign of Maui kitty.

Maui isn't like other kitties. When Nicky intervened she was malnourished, far too young to be without her Mama and suffering with a terrible upper respiratory infection.  She was so bone thin it was hard to hold her and pick her up for fear you would crush her little self.  She never grew beyond the size of a 6 month old kitty. She hadn't had a very good start in life, but she filled out and was blooming none the less.  She was just small and would always be so.  But, she had this strong spirit, the want to live and be loved by this gentle giant of a man...my son.  She adored Nick from the very start...he was her hero, her rescuer and she knew it.  Nick adored her as well and he was mourning her loss.  At one point he asked me, why would God take her from me?  A reasonable question, a hard question.  So many kitties out there unloved and uncared for...why this one.  I told him that there was still hope and that I was praying for her return.  I was also praying for my son, who needed to see God's hand at work in his life.  I remember silently asking for God to bring him a miracle.  As I could see him wrestling with far more than just his kitty missing...  Oh, please Lord allow my son to know how very much You love him...I whispered through tears.

Maui went missing on a Tuesday and by Saturday I was losing hope...  To top it off I woke up early Saturday morning to see this sitting in the very back of my pony pasture...

I had a friend who had just shared a drama that unfolded on his farm...a story about a fox and a chicken.  The chicken lost.  This fox looked right at me as you can see, even when I went on my deck to take a picture.  She was bold and determined.  Was she coming back to see if I had any more kitties to offer her?  It was afterall the season for pups and she had mouths to feed.  Oh, no!  My heart sank deeper...oh, Lord I so wanted Maui to return...  I searched my thoughts and realized that perhaps, maybe this was a sign to me to stop looking for Maui.  To have closure.  To understand that Maui was not coming back.  The fox was her end.  I have never ever seen a fox be so blatant as to sit in my pasture.  I have seen them running here and there, I know we have a healthy population.  I can smell them from time to time...but never have I had one look up at my house as if to ask...more please?  I didn't say a word to Nick.  I wanted to believe beyond what my eyes had just seen.  I prayed again...  Tuesday a week had past.  I cleaned Maui's litter box for the final time and put it away in the garage.  I put her dishes up...  I was so sad, as I really did feel that God had a hand in this somehow...that He wanted to reach out to my son and let Him know that he would never leave or forsake him...but...  Oh, yea of little faith...

We continued to make preparations for our celebration of Nick and his achievement.  My Mom and sister were set to travel to our home and stay with us to join the celebration.  We were so thankful and appreciative that my Mom would travel at 85 years young to be with her only Grandson.  We were all busy preparing...moving forward.  But, I knew that Nick was still mourning his kitty (yeah, me too).

Thursday morning dawned bright and sunny.  It had been rainy and cold for several days and we were happy to be wakened by the warmth of the sun.  My husband, Matthew put the dogs out and sat on the deck to be greeted by this loud meow...and then another until I could hear this frantic meowing coming from the deck under our bedroom window.  Matt yelled, "Maui"!!  She had returned!  I ran down stairs and looked her over...no worse for wear.  A bit thinner but not a scrape or scratch on her tiny self!  I scooped her up and headed for Nick's room... and he heard her meow and what a happy reunion.  At first, Nick was so sound to sleep that he thought he was dreaming!  Is it really her, Mom?

 Here is our sweet Maui  home at last.  And to Nick - you matter...God loves you so very much!  If He loved Maui enough to take care of her and return her safely home...how much more does He love you!  It was a powerful message not only to my son, but to this Mother's heart!  God says that He knows, "the number of hairs on our head."   He has a purpose and a plan for my son and for each of us.  IF he could keep Maui from the wiley fox and who knows what else while she was gone...He is able to keep us, guide us on this race He has set for us.

Every single thing matters...

An Unexpected Pleasure

There are few pleasures in life for me than meeting a true gentle giant in body and soul.  I met such a dog this evening and his name was Moose.  Moose is 195 pounds of all Newfoundland dog.  His human is named Kurt.  Moose used to have his own webpage. Kurt forgot to renew his domain name for his site and lost it, unfortunately.  He's thinking of restarting the page for Moose and I hope he does.  I'll be watching for it and will share the site name if and when he comes back on line. The first thing I noticed about Moose was his shear size and that he lumbered, like a bear, as he moved through the pack of dogs at the park. I stood for the longest time just watching him move. The second thing I noticed about Moose was his gentle nature. What a lovely dog. I was totally and completely smitten the moment I laid eyes on him.

I had an opportunity to visit a city dog park tonight.  What a great field study.  I enjoyed myself tremendously.  I stood there watching all the dogs interacting, cuing in on their body language and communication. I couldn't help but think, we can learn so very many important lessons from dogs.  There were outgoing dogs, shy dogs, large and small dogs.  Dogs of all breeds and mixes of breeds.  Humans smiling while watching dogs playing.  It was good.  All the dogs got along well.  A couple dogs were bit obnoxious but no dogs took offense.  They did, however, ask the dog who was a bit out of order to relax in a calm and assertive way. No muss, no fuss.  When a dog would give a cue that he would prefer not to play or take part in play, the other dog moved on.  Simple. I saw and felt a great deal of joy, of being in the moment, of not taking offense or feeling sorry for oneself (one dog appeared to have a permanent limp), of not noticing differences or making fun. What I did notice was a great deal of acceptance, of getting along. I also observed that our dear Moose was a peacemaker. It was amazing watching him greet each new dog as they entered the small park.  Watching him place himself between two high energy dogs; bringing order. Well done, Moose!

I wondered as I stood in one of the most important cities in our United States.  A history rich place where leaders come together to meet, to plan, to make laws that affect our nation, the way we live. A place of great men and of not so great men who have influenced our nation for the good and the not so good. Unfortunately, the leaders I speak of don't always seem to be able to work together, to get along, to come together in such a open and accepting way, no personal agendas just focusing on what is best for the whole. I wondered; if we lived more in the moment, if we truly did to others that which we would have them to do us, if we could truly see the intent of a person's heart rather than judging the outside wrapping and if we could just let go of our own personal agendas. If we could focus on what was important, my goodness, what we could accomplish.  Harmony.

We had the nicest conversation with Kurt. Kurt is interested in Moose becoming a Therapy Dog.  I shared about Alli and my adventures in Therapy Dog work. It was such a pleasure as Kurt knew all about the R.E.A.D. program and the benefits for children struggling to read. He said the program was flourishing in this part of the country.  What a true joy to speak with someone who understood all about the program. I am still educating people in my area and it has been a slow process. Most do not know a thing about the program nor understand the benefits.  They have no idea how fortunate they are to have Alli and I right in our community ready, willing and able to run with this program. So many communities, all over the country, are looking for dogs who are able to do this.  The demand and need seems greater than the dogs ready to fill that demand. It just did my heart good to talk with someone who understood and appreciated what we had to offer.

Turns out Kurt is originally from a small town in Ohio very close to where we live.  We walked Kurt and Moose home as it was on our way.  I watched people's expressions as they passed Moose - so fascinating. So many smiles.  I wondered what would happen if Moose showed up on Capitol Hill, might he bring out a more gentler nature in people such as I saw this evening.  I vote for Moose! I felt so privileged to walk with this most beautiful of God's creations. Sometimes you come up close and personal with a creature so magnificent, so gentle and stunningly beautiful it takes your breath away.  Being around dogs has always grounded me, they make me feel at home no matter where I may be. What a lovely evening, what a nice unexpected pleasure.

A story about a Lady

I don't have pictures of the real life Lady in my story...so I thought a picture of Emma and my daughter Natalie might suffice.  Lady inspired me to one day have a collie just like her and so it was to be, I was blessed with my own tri-colored collie, Emma.  I was around 9 years old when I first realized that Lady was a working dog, just the age Natalie is in this picture.  So in a sense, this could be Lady and me...

It was 1972 when my first thoughts of Lady are clear.  I was around 9 years old.  Lady was a tri-colored collie with beautiful pricked ears and a long pointy nose, just like Emma pictured above.  She was my Uncle's collie and lived on his Long Meadows Dairy Farm - in Pennsylvania. I was lucky enough to spend weekends and a week here and there at his farm with my cousins and Aunt. Lady was the first working dog I ever met. It was her job to bring the cows in to be milked two times a day and without fail she performed her job flawlessly.  She seemed to have an internal time clock, as she was always on time...never late. No matter the weather...in the cold icy wind of the winter or the hot humid sun in the summer...Lady did her job.  I never saw my Uncle call her or remind her.  I would see her heading out to the pasture and I would look up and think..."oh, it's milking time already".  One day, I remember asking my Uncle if I could go out with Lady to bring the cows in.  He said, "sure, but stay along the fence line."  I'm glad I was the kind of kid to listen, as I saved myself a great deal of grief and trouble in life. It served me well on this particular day.  I was walking along the fence line, kind of grumbling to myself..."gee, I'm way behind, I can't even see Lady.  I'll never catch up...it doesn't help that I have to walk the whole way over to the fence line and not just follow Lady's path..."  As I was bemoaning this fact, I felt the earth tremble, I could hear the thunder of many hooves beating the ground and it was then I looked up to see a herd of cows running right toward me.  Had I not been along the fence line and in the middle of the field, I might have been trampled. The thought made me shutter but only for a second as my breath was taken away by the sight of Lady.  I stood in awe, as my hand grasped the fence, unable to move, to breathe as I saw this beautiful tri-colored collie at the back of the herd driving the cows toward the barn.  This little dog was moving a whole herd of very large cows! I was simply stunned and amazed by this working dog! I heard myself say out loud..."breathe, Barbara, breathe"!  I knew then that I wanted a tri-colored collie just like Lady...one day.

Galatians 5:7 and 8 says: "You were running a good race.  Who stopped you from following the true way?  This change did not come from the One who chose you."  

I was reminded of Lady's story this past weekend as I read the scripture above.  Her determination and focus, a true inspiration. I lost a bit of my focus this past weekend, a little of my determination. But thankfully, I was once again inspired by Lady as I remembered that day when my heart was so young and full of dreams. If God can give a collie a job to do, a race to run...then how much more does HE have in store for me and you. He can help me build my small business, help it to flourish and grow. My job is to breathe, listen, stay focused, be determined and stay in the race.  It would seem tri-colored collies have been inspiring this heart of mine since 1972.  What a wonderful race I'm in...and thank you Lord for sending Lady...the very first collie to inspire, guide and teach me.

"Emma"

Pictured (l-r) Natalie, Matthew, Nicholas, Me and Emma 

1994 our 1st Christmas in our new house, Natalie was turning 10 yrs old and Nicky was 19 mos old.  Emmy was a very young 3 years old - our Journey was only just beginning.  Matt and I, my goodness, we were in our early 30's. Memories worth preserving...

Emma

Gentle, demure

hiding behind the shed room door.

Looking up with such big, soft, brown eyes

uncertain, but willing to give me a try.

A friend in whom you could depend

willing to listen, to walk, to play til the end.

Just being by my side was your greatest pleasure.

In the classroom, show ring or helping me to train,

In my eyes a Champion you will always remain!

Hero, protector and best friend.

Angel in disguise.

Always...my Emma until the end.

I started this poem while Emmy was still living in late 90's...just happened to run across it and finished it today.

Mornings with Billy

After saying good morning and giving my husband a kiss as he leaves for work...I head out to the barn each and every morning and see this adorable face looking for me. This is my pony Billy, he was born on our small farm in 1997.  It's hard for me to believe he is 15 years old and as ornery as he was the day he was born.  That reminds me that I too am 15 years older, good grief!  Some days I wonder why God sent me this pony, but I'm convinced that Billy was sent to teach me and teach me he has.  Billy has humbled me but he has also brought some of my most happy moments! He is absolutely adorable but ornery as all get out.  There are days that he can thank his lucky stars that he's so darn cute or he would have been sold down the road long ago.  

There is something so magical, so wonderful that can happen between a girl and a pony it is hard to explain. Billy has followed in the footsteps of other great ponies and horses in my life; each so special, each sent to me to teach me...  Indian War Paint, the shetland pony that taught me how to ride. Archie the quarter horse I will never forget, we learned to jump fences together and although he was just a baby (old enough to learn to jump) he took care of this young rider and might I add took care of this young girl's heart as she matured from a gawky pre-teen with pimples and braces, through the dramas of high school as I bloomed into a young woman.  Archie didn't see all those blemishes, he just simply accepted me the way I was.  Then there is "My" mare who challenged me as a rider to step up to the next level who really developed me as a proficient and good equestrian.   Oh, my goodness how I laugh when I think of the times I fell off of each one of these horses...how they taught me to sit up, to be confident, focus and to reach for my goals...no half way, half hearted attempts would do...I had to mean it and follow through and never give up! These are just a few of the very special equines that I have had the blessed privilege to know. Then one day, unexpectedly, God sent Billy.

Billy was a great surprise to our family.  I know the term rescue has gone out of vogue with some people; but Billy's Mom Beauty was a pony that we rescued.  She was so thin and her mane was in knots the day we met her. There was something so familiar about her and I could see in her big fluid eyes that there was a good pony in there no matter about the knots in her mane and sharp bones that protruded through her taunt flesh.  I could see the Beauty that God  meant her to be.  She came to our farm the very next day. You could have knocked each of us over with a feather the day the vet came to give Beauty an exam and said, "by the way did you know this pony is in foal." What?  Not what we had bargained for and to look at our thin pony girl...you would have never guessed there was a baby pony, or mule for all we knew, tucked away inside this little mare.

Billy was born on a summer's night, June 19th 1997 at the reasonable hour of 8 pm. He came out ready to take on the world.  And even though he was very tiny, in fact he looked like a 3D object because his Mama hadn't gotten the nourishment she needed throughout her pregnancy, he was absolutely beautiful and healthy!  We all breathed a sigh of relief.  We were all pleased he was an active foal and into everything. We have him on video tape his first day and what a little bronc he was. I could swear there are times where Beauty looks completely at a loss as to what to do with him. His first day out in the field with his Mama he trotted and cantered around and around her so many times I thought Beauty was going to get dizzy.  We wondered if he had somehow been wound up and would he ever run out of steam. He did eventually and then slept straight out on his side, in the middle of the field, without a care in the world.  That's our Bill.

Billy was named by my 4 year old son, Nick as was a rabbit that had been born on our farm that year.  Billy, the rabbit turned out to be a girl and her name was later changed to Jilly.   We needed larger ponies for our kids to ride and had not counted on having yet another small pony so we thought Billy would be for sale. We had one person out to see him once when he was quite young, but I just couldn't go through with the sale.  I felt Bill was worth far more than what was being offered and so he stayed. I felt I had to do something with him and that's when a friend suggested I train him to drive...and thus began my driving passion.

Billy was actually very easy to train to drive...extremely easy.  I made the normal mistakes with him, nothing huge or horrible just some of the common mistakes made with a first driving horse.  Billy took it all in his stride and was completely wonderful. Don't get me wrong, he can have his moments...and those moments have made my face red and humbled me to my core.  I have kept a journal of sorts and have written down those stories and some day I should compile them into a book...  But for now, back to the reason I started this post...

I just never tire of seeing this face each morning. We put our ponies in for the night year round because our pasture is far too rich to allow ponies to graze it 24/7, they have to come in off the field for a few hours everyday so they don't founder.  Each morning the other ponies run out of the barn to the hay I place in the field for them but not Billy.  I marvel that Billy chooses to stay with me and follow me around while I clean stalls.  He seems to enjoy checking out the stalls that have been freshly cleaned and most mornings will enjoy a roll in one of the stalls - usually Lil Miss' stall.  He stands while I scratch him in his favorite spots and then stands some more when I finish.  He truly just enjoys hanging out with me.  Lately he has been sneaking into the hay stall and enjoying the hay while I clean the barn and then when I ask him with a tap on his tail to back out he does and then heads out to the field with the rest of the herd.  Sometimes he will stand and watch me when I clean brushes or straighten up the tack area...clean and fill buckets, de-cobweb the barn.  He seems to find all the daily happenings fascinating and doesn't like to miss a thing.  He watches me as I slip in the mud or fall on the ice or struggle lifting something heavy...he takes it all in.  He listens quite intensely while I share my dreams, cry about my failures and tell him about our upcoming events or training schedule.  

Some people head to an office and speak to their co-workers or lead meetings and conferences.  Some people have their families; Mothers, sisters, cousins close by to share life.  Some have close friends that they call each day or get together, plan weekly outings or luncheons, kind of like Lucy and Ethel.  That hasn't been my story and that's okay. I know that each and every day I can count on seeing this beautiful face, looking for me and welcoming the day with me...and that's more than enough!

And so the journey continues...spring training!

Cute Gabby peeking over her stall wall and yes I said wall (it's taller than me around 6 feet something)!   She climbs her wall to peek at me each morning while I am getting her hay. A bit impatient....but oh, so cute! Don't adjust your screen or glasses the pic is a bit of a blur...but I had to take this quickly as she's up and down in a flash.  Please excuse the birdie doo...spring cleaning is on the list too - those birdies are busy in my little barn staying warm and dry throughout the winter. <sigh>

It's been a bit since I've talked about the sweet fillies...they are officially 2 years old now and we are happy to step up their training this spring.  They have become so friendly, true 'pocket ponies' following us everywhere we go when in the pasture and barn.  I don't think twice about reaching out to pet their nose or stop to cradle their head against my chest.  They've come a long way...as I knew they would.  They have good teachers both human and pony.  A wonderful team that works with my ponies in a good and kind way; farrier Jonathan Wilson, Dr. Monica our vet and great friends and friend's children/grandchildren who let them know that humans are pretty neat.  They have a good life...  Hard to believe they were ever dubbed the 'silly fillies', shy and skittish.

Here's an updated picture of Grace.  She is so sensible and laid back about life.  I love that my son, who named her, loves her too.  He'll stop and say hi to her and will talk to me about her - that's such a joy.  My prayer is that he'll take an active part in training her this spring and drive her next year.  I'm putting that hope and prayer out there, trusting God for a miracle.

Matthew and I are talking about driving these two sisters as a pair.  I think they would be cute - salt and pepper/ebony and ivory.  They look a great deal alike in structure and movement and the black and white theme could be fun...we'll see.  But for now they are right on schedule...their journey has been good.  I can't wait to see what God does through these two sweet fillies...look forward to journaling about their continued education and training.

Have a great day everyone from all of us at Wind Dance Pony Farm!