Hmm...

 At the risk of jinxing myself, there has been horse activity in my life for the past few weeks, on a regular basis. The first time back in the saddle was horribly depressing as my usual skill-set was no-where to be found. It's been 8 months since I rode last. Note to self: "I resolve to not accept life getting in the way like that ever again."
Sunday morning riding lessons with a mixture of flat work and jumping, on a cliche-palomino named Sunny, have revived some level of competence and a lot of smiles and contentment. To be continued...
Yesterday, a couple of fire-trucks pulled into the parking lot below the riding arenas and there was a training session to familiarize the crews with the basic anatomy and needs of a horse, should they ever have to rescue one. Horses can get stuck in ravines, or man made hazards such as swimming pools. I thought it was a very smart exercise for them to plan.
Abbey, my time-consuming foster dog, has made tremendous behavioral progress. She no longer barks and lunges, with all her might, at every dog she sees. She'll always be a "reactive" dog but she can be managed and we can go out in public; stop for a coffee; have a chat with other dog walkers and even join in and walk beside them.
We are in the process of training Abbey's potential new Mum. Barbara and I have walked together a couple of times. I like her. I believe she has "the right stuff" to make this work and she is willing to qualify to take on this special needs dog. Her long term goal is for Abbey to be a service dog, visiting young people at the juvenile detention facility. Abbey is one hundred percent reliable and respectful with humans. She will have a job to do and a life-story that will not be wasted.
It was really important that Barbara realize what she is getting into. She hasn't been exposed to Abbey's dark angel, as I have learned to preempt any slight tendency to fixate (what we call stink-eye) on another dog and so there is no escalation. I told Barbara to imagine her car loaded with nitroglycerine. If she is alert and observant she can avoid the bumps that will otherwise lead to an explosion.
Every walk is a learning opportunity. Every successful encounter increases the positive brainwashing that is turning Abbey, from an outcast, into a member of society. I've involved a trainer who is as much a behaviorist of people as of dogs. Barbara is taking private lessons and joining group classes. This is also a good way of transitioning Abbey. If this adoption goes all the way. She will have built a bond with Barbara and the changes will not be as abrupt. To be continued...