February 2011 – From Four Sticks Farm

I love this old dog.

And he loves me. His 13 year old body lets him down (literally) on occasion now, but his spirit never does. He will still dash down the boardwalk if he sees me coming from the barn; and though his gait is more bunny hop than canine canter, the pace is still quick, the ears are still perky, and the eyes are still bright with the joy of meeting up with a cherished old friend – even if I left the house only 10 minutes earlier.

When he catches up to me, he pushes his head against my knees, waiting to have it cradled in my hands (as it always is) for a thorough ear rub, while his tail wags as vigorously as his weakening back end will allow. As we head for the house together, Zenga will prance just ahead, making sure I see he’s still got It – until he hits a slippery spot on the driveway, or tries to make the corner into the garage a little too sharp or a little too fast. Then, he waits for me to hoist up his splayed back end, make sure his feet are firmly set in the right direction, and point him toward the back door.

Most of his time now is spent sleeping. And snoring. Or barking to go out. Or to come back in. But if he happens to wake while breakfast cereal is poured in a bowl, or George is cutting veggies for a salad, he stations himself in the customary spot, next to the island counter, holding vigil for the inevitable piece that bounces off the counter and onto the floor. His hearing is nearly gone, his eyesight going, but his nose is still a go.

Aside from his physical challenges, Zenga tests positive for a few of the “Signs of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction”, including my favorite, “Disorientation, including getting stuck in corners, wandering aimlessly, and staring into space”. He has done them all. Though in the interest of full disclosure, I should admit that this may be a case of dog resembling its owner.

The golden of my childhood lived to be 14, but I lost my others at the age of 11, so I remind myself that every day with my Old Yellow Dog is a bonus and a blessing.

I love this old dog.

After a long winter’s hiatus, our monthly book club for kids, Books in the Barn, finally met again.

Several of our regulars returned this month, Ana, Bella, Brenna, Erin, MaKenna, Nevaeh and Sofia, along with newcomer Paige. We started the year by reading “Keeker and the Sneaky Pony” a story of an eight year old girl and the pony who becomes hers, if only a little reluctantly. We’ll read several more books about Keeker and Plum this year, along with a few “Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa” another fun series about girls and the horses they love.

Again this year, I am lucky to be assisted by some of the best help on either end of the “Cool Spectrum” – my mom Jackie (a Very Cool Grandma) along with the Teenage Coolness of niece Jaimie, and friends Ane and Addi. I could not do this without them.

We added a new “Wheel of Keeker” game to review the story, and add some fun games to the program as the year progresses.

As usual, the horses ended the day on the happiest note, and though the temperature kept their part of the program a little brief this month, Biskit, Chicago and Rusty voted this Horse Activity their Very Favorite Ever.

Actually, Biskit tried to vote twice, but Rusty, being Boss of the Barn, strictly enforces the “One Horse, One Vote” rule. He detected the duplicate ballot and easily traced it back to Biskit, based on a smear of molasses that matched the smudge on Biskit’s muzzle. Case Closed.