Along for the ride:

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Rabbit, Dog, Horse

Abbey's future mama picked us up yesterday morning to go to dog training class together. I was planning on perfecting my role as spectator and cheering section but the trainer has no problem delegating and I was handed a leash and told to work with Lucky; a chocolate brown, compact version of a dachshund; all wagging tail and a true believer in humans being a direct source of good things.
Lucky knows a lot more than I do. The class was working on going from having their dogs "come" and "sit" in front of them to "finish", with the dogs at our sides , sitting in "heel" position. Using "watch me" commands, and leading with a treat-filled hand signal out to the side, circle and back in, is how this is taught. Lucky knew this one and that he would be rewarded at the end of it. Imagine a chocolate brown hermit crab shuffle, his eyes never leaving my face, as his wiggly butt swiveled from front and center to ankle ready position. A turn-key dog.
Abbey did well with Barbara, ending with our "meet and greet" manners exercise when dog owners stop to chat and dogs sit politely until told otherwise. We pretended to ask "can you hold my dog a moment while I go over there to get something?" and each took turns working two dogs, who were still expected to behave as if nothing was happening. Barbara spent some time with Abbey in one hand and another dog in the other. This was the perfect practice run for our after class activity which was to return home and continue acquainting Abbey with Barbara's dog, Bella.
Barbara and I took Bella and Abbey for a short walk then had lunch in her garden, with Abbey on leash and Bella sniffing around. Abbey was a good girl, except for one attempt at a snap, which was useful as an opportunity to correct her. I set up a doggie pen so that Abbey could stay there and acclimate, but not endanger Bella and I left them to it. Barbara was invited to return Abbey to me at the end of the day and to stay for dinner with us.
The Artistic One had volunteered to plan a menu and cook, which is always a promise of something tasty. Unfortunately he has no problem delegating either. I peeled and diced a million veggies, each of which was cooked separately to perfection, before combining for the final phase of seasoning. (Is butter a seasoning?) We had cantaloupe, rabbit in red wine and rabbit roasted in the oven. The veggies were divine. One guest asked for grated cheese and so we all tried adding that to the flavor bouquet as well.
There was a cheese plate and then tiramisu topped with fresh raspberries and blueberries that I had intoxicated with a sweet red wine and brown sugar.
Barbara had brought home a very tired Abbey. She had managed both dogs at her home very well. She had worked with Abbey, side by side with Bella, without the pen and managed to take a rest with one dog sleeping on each side of the bed. I've had a good vibe from Barbara since our very first meeting. What I learned yesterday in our dinner table conversation was that her career was as a psychiatric nurse. Great qualifications for staying calm and handling unexpected situations.
This morning was hard. We had gone to bed after midnight after copious amounts of food, wine and good company. If I had no dog to take for a walk and no riding lesson scheduled I think I might have lingered between the sheets. Not to be. Luckily, Abbey lets me have my coffee before we go out. I warmed up to the rhythm and didn't listen to my lazy suggestion to self that a foreshortened circuit would be O.K. just this once.
At the stables by 9'ish, I rode a large bay quarter horse called Mac. He's a beauty with a huge stride and a noble head. It was the start of a new session so I had imagined there would be more people than usual in the class, which would allow me to take it easy. My name was the only one on the board so I ended up in a private lesson. Warm up was a struggle but we ended up working through a low level dressage test quite respectably, for a horse and rider who had never met before today.
Lunch was a no-brainer. Hurray for left overs. The Artistic One worked on a new water color this morning and is now taking a nap. I am trying to catch up with all the blog posts that I haven't had time to read. I am on the cusp of attaining my one hundredth follower. There are so many kind and interesting people out in the blogosphere. Who would have thought that so many would show an interest in my search for pony-dom?
I don't write as much as I did in the beginning. For a while this blog was a bit of a lifeline; an exploration and affirmation of identity that I had lost sight of; A crutch, a retreat and a safety valve. Abbey has been a part of my journey back onto a path that once again feels as if it might lead somewhere worthwhile. I'm  getting my life back. I'll try not to lose sight of it ever again.

21 comments:

  1. Things are looking good for Abbey then, that's great. The food descriptions msde me salivate! I'm glad you're finding your way again and it does amaze and please me just how many imtersting people there are out in the blogosphere. Just passed my 60th follower, so a ways to go yet. Hope you have a good week.

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  2. The food sounds delish!!

    Three cheers for Abbey on her way to a new home. The training classes are a wonderful way to solve problems before they even develop. Great job.

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  3. It sounds like you have a full and rich life. I just started my blog two months ago so having sixty or a hundred followers sounds remarkable! I'm surprised I have more than one.

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  4. Congratulations. your last sentence is very promising. I haven't got to that state yet.

    there is so much good that you do, as well as your job and coping with a husband who apparently goes his own sweet way occasionally (don't they all), you are truly admirable.

    s Benno is so slow and old now, I go fewer and shorter walks, perhaps I should look for another dog; perhaps just become a foster mum like you. It's so true what they say, if you give up in middle age it's very hard to get back into things.

    Good luck, and may you finally get your pony. Metaphorically or actually.

    Personally, I just need a dollop of gumption.

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  5. Always a pleasure to read you... I'm sure that 100th follower will come along soon, if I wasn't already following I would have done it. Glad to hear Abbey is getting along well, and that the Artistic one is capable of cooking a fine rabbit. Had dinner in Paris the other night with two who know him well.

    Was just reading a short story today which immediately made me think of you, by a Canadian author named Luanne Armstrong. The piece was called "The Place Looks Back", and as it had both dogs and horses in it, and her interaction with them, I couldn't help but think of you. If you can find her, I think you'd like them... just a hunch of course... Well, here's hoping that even if you need the blog less, you won't give it up entirely, as that would be cruel and unusual punishment for those who enjoy reading your fine writing...

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  6. I thought butter was a food group?

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  7. Argent, There are some things I had just started doing "for myself" that I relinquished due to Abbey's appearance in my life. Time is not an elastic commodity, unfortunately. If I can find her a good placement, I have plans.

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  8. Jean, The people at dog training class are really nice. I appreciate the social interaction. More men than in the horse world and they are pre-qualified as willing to subjugate their egos for the greater good of their canines.

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  9. Stephen H. Hi #99. You're pushing me over the edge:) Your blog may be new but you are a writer, I saw. I do agree that my life is rich. A year ago, I would have probably just burst into tears. I was not "feelin it"

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  10. Friko, not to say that something won't knock me back down tomorrow. I still prefer to have highs and lows over flat-lining, don't you? I feel for you with Benno, as you see him slow down. Don't waste happiness predicting the worst. I did that with my Diva. Once she passed twelve, I expected every walk to be her last. She gave me another two years. You may have to take some more vigorous walks alone or, as you say, take on a foster.

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  11. Owen, The Artistic One reminds me sometimes that there are reasons we keep him around. I will try to discover the short story you mentioned. It sounds right for me.

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  12. Silliyak, Of Course! You are so right.

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  13. So glad things are looking up for you...

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  14. Good for Abbey - and good for you!

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  15. You've worked the same magic with Abbey that you did with Boomer . Well done !
    The next time you and the Artistic One cook rabbit I might just climb on a plane , napkin already tucked under my chin ,and drop by .

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  16. e and Steve,Thanks. Sometimes I forget that there are cycles that go up and down and up again. I do think I'm on an up-swing.

    S&S, At the end of my portfolio of pictures that I show to clients are pictures of a growing list of animals. Diva, Sparkles the kitten,Darcy, Boomer, and now Abbey. I am always advocating for rescue organizations.

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  17. i just came across your blog. love it (especially the title)! i grew up on a farm with Arabians in Canada, but now live in the city. Thanks for sharing this little slice of what I miss the most about home!

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  18. LLNYC, welcome. There are so many forks in the road that we only see when we look back.

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  19. Dear, dear ER. I love to hear the stories about your life, which are written to inform, entertain and often make me snort (at your pithy observations of humans). And that last para today, well, it made me teary. You've shared some pretty low moments here, and it's wonderful to see that you've got a firm grip on the reins again. XO

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  20. Deborah, thanks for the ongoing encouragement. Onward and upward:)

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  21. That dinner description brought back a flood of nice memories! I'm glad to hear that you are feeling better and that you are on the verge of claiming follower #100!

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