Thanksgiving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I've been stressing over all the family functions coming this time of year on top of all the changes I've dealt with all year long. I started counting what I am thankful for and made myself feel much better.

I'm thankful for my parents. My mother is 86, my father is 82. (I will probably get in trouble if they see I said that!) They are still going places and doing things. From Tacoma to Desert Hot Springs in the winter, snow birds. They celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary this last June. They still insist on hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the whole family, and extended family and anybody else that may show up. I am Thankful they are still in such good health and hope they stay that way for a long time to come. Thanks mom and dad. I love you both.

I am thankful for my sister, Dee Cee, that lives close enough we go do things and talk, not often enough! But we're both so very busy. We just pick up where we left off. She is a sister who is not a sister. Not related by blood but there is such a bond. She first entered my life when I was in third grade and she was in fourth. We're entering our 50's now so it''s been a long sisterhood. I can always count on her being there when I need her. She was one of my rocks this last year, one of my anchors in the storm. Now we're making plans for travel, in a few years. But what fun to be able to start making plans. Love ya Sis.

I'm Thankful for my nieces, Sabrina, Stavon, and nephew, Adam. I'm proud of how you are all growing up to be good, responsible adults. I had to admit, I sometimes wondered! But everybody goes through those times, it's how you come out the other end that's important. You're all making your auntie proud. Now keep raising your kids so they turn out like you are now.

I'm Thankful for my sisters wonderful boyfriend, Reggie. I have not met a nicer, kinder, truely good person in a long time. He makes my sister happy and has become an important part of our family. Thank you for joining.

And Amy, my sisters friend that is part of the family too. It's not the same when Amy has to work and can't make family dinners. There's a part of the family missing when she's not there.

I'm thankful for my other sister, Cindy, who lives in Desert Hot Springs. She gives mom and dad the perfect excuse to play snow bird and go to nice weather a few months each winter.

I'm thankful for all my friends that stood with me this year. Those that let me vent as much as I needed, as often as I needed, those that listened and let me keep coming back and make them listen again. Without you all, I would not be where I am today. I'm thankfull to my friends that are getting me to laugh again, oh am I ever laughing again! Getting me going places again, see the world and even just around the corner again. I'm experiencing new adventures, and returning to some old ones too. Air Shows, how cool are those! I missed that and am glad it's back.

I must thank my animals for their unconditional love they gave me. They knew so much was wrong and even when they weren't sure what to do, they would come give me a snuggle, crawl in my lap, and a face washing. Remember these are full grown German Shepherd Dogs crawling in laps for snuggles and face washes. Wonderful dogs.

And now being able to work the animals in something we enjoy doing. My mules are back trail riding with help from Bill. My dogs working with help from Les, Dara, and so many more that are supporting me working my dogs at my dog club. From Moc for helping me learn how to best deal with my dogs at home, get a system in place when at times I felt overwhelmed to start with.

I have so much to be Thankful for this year. I hope those of you that may be experiencing some difficult times of your own take a few minutes to reflect and see the things you have that are worth taking time to say thank you.

Thank you all who are part of my life. Life is good. Life is very good.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Tina and the animules

My Dogs

Time for a bit about my dogs. A few years ago I learned more about German Shepherd Dogs. When I saw my sisters young dog, a solid black female, I thought "I want one of those". It turned out "one of those" are considered working line German Shepherds, not your normal black and tan with the sloped back! This type has a ton of drive and full speed ahead.

I ended up getting a half brother to my sisters female. Abe is a wonderful dog, he's my avitar right now. Did I mention German Shepherds are like potato chips? I now have four...... All are from West German working lines, with one being imported from Germany as a pup.

I am currently working two of the girls toward Schutzhund titles. This started out being part of the breed worthiness testing and most top breeders still require their dogs to be titled prior to breeding. It's a three phase test includes tracking, advanced obedience, and protection with tons of obedience built in. There are three levels of titles also, each being more difficult. Before a dog can start competing in Schutzhund, they must pass what is considered a "traffic safe test". This is actually an advanced obedience routine in itself.

On and off leash. Normal, slow, fast paces. Left turns, right turns, about turns. Through and around groups of people. Sit out of motion where the person keeps walking as the dog sits. Down out of motion where the person keeps walking as the dog downs. A recall to the front then finish to the heel position. A long down with the person across the field while another dog is doing it's routine. Being in a crowd of people, and I mean crowd where they all gather right around the dog. Having a bicycle go by, a jogger come out from behind a vehicle, a car stop and ask for directions. And this is the very beginners test!

Abram vom Blitzenfel

Abe passed his "traffic safe test"

Ccatti vom Hiddenhaus

Ccatti and I are working toward her titles now.

Boa Boneshaker

Boa and I are working toward her titles now.

Jocelyn vom Hiddenhaus

Did I mention I feel very safe sharing my house with these wonderful dogs? And they are all wonderful dogs.

I'm planning on sharing more about the girls as we progress.

A friend mentioned I needed some pictures of my mules in my blog. I can do that. :) I currently have three of the most solid saddle mules, I've had these for quite a while now. A huge step for me changing from high powered cutting horses to mules. I wasn't sure to begin with.

I mean MULES?????

Patti is my very first mule. She is probably the smoothest animal I've every ridden. At about 26 years old she has many good year left I can ride her. Most of the time now whe gets to tag along as I am transitioning to Millie, my 15 year old mule.

Pattie showing off her brand new leather halter and sawbuck saddle.

Pattie and Millie waiting for me to mount up and head out.

Here I am making a circle in the arena before trying all three on the trail. Millie and I in front, followed up by Fritz the wonder mule, with Pattie bringing up the rear giving Fritz plenty of space. Fritz is currently being used by a very good friend at work to full fill a dream. Being able to go trail riding on a good mule. Fritz likes her best now, she brings him carrots.

If you ever get a chance to meet a good mule, please do so. If we ever meet on a trail I would be glad to introduce you to Pattie, Millie, and Fritz

A special thanks to Bill Holmes of Maple Valley Mules for fine tuning these three for me this year. They had enjoyed a couple years off and Bill made sure they were back where I needed them.

Animules?

Animals and Mules equal "animules"

I thought I would start with a brief over view of what all animals I have.

I am "into" the true working line German Shepherd Dogs, mine are the West German lines. One of my hobbies is working a couple of them toward their Schutzhund titles, we have a ways to go but what fun and a great way to bond with them.

My second passion is my mules. Yes, mules. I use them for trail riding and what sure footed, solid minded rides they are. I know I will get where I want to go, and get back again safely.

To round out my "animules" are various cats, a Shetland pony, a mini-mule, my mini flock of sheep which include a Scottish Blackface ewe, a Shetland ewe, a Kathadin ewe, and a Gottland wether. I also have a few Runner ducks and various geese. Oh, and the trio of turkeys!

My place truely lives up to the "animules" name.