Dressing the chicken

Back in May, the companyfor which I work announced it had been sold to a liquidation company.

At first, it was really sad.

Then - for the next two and a half month -  it was extremely busy and extremely chaotic.

But now?

It's mostly depressing.

Today, we went an entire hour without making a single sale. After sixty long minutes of busywork and doom scrolling, I looked over at Victoria and said, "I think it's time to dress the chicken."

At the same time we are going out of business, the store next to us - the store that moved into the space that used to be ours - is celebrating their grand opening.

We've been talking to the owners throughout their entire construction process, and as soon as the chicken arrived, I told them it needed a saddle. They probably thought I was kidding, but no. I always planned to make that happen. I was just waiting for a day like today.

Victoria and I walked over to their stores with a pair of splint boots in hand. We told them our plans, and suddenly there was just a little bit of panic. 

The chicken isn't permanently to his base, please don't knock him over. Also, his head and neck pop off.

I laughed and said I'd tacked up my share of uncooperative horses, both big and small. I think I could handle one chicken.

In fact, the bridle was a challenge.

Fortunately, we were more than up to the task.

After we were done, the liquor store guys came out and took pictures of our handiwork. It was impressive, if I do say so myself.

And, you know... after we created this magnificent display, our foot traffic picked up, and we ended up having a decent day.

Sometimes you really just need to dress a chicken!

Cinnamon

In November 2024, I spent a week in California visitng my mother, who was - and still is - living in an Alzheimers ward.

It was a hard week, but less so than it might have been, because in the midst of everything, I took a little break to spend time with my friend, Corina, and her new horse, Cinnamon.

Cinnamon was an older Missouri Fox Trotter that Corina had recently rescued from a bad situation. They were still getting to know each other, and things were a bit rocky. I've had a lot of experience with complicated horses, and I really thought I'd breeze in and quickly and easily effect some positive change for both of them.

I was wrong.

Cinnamon gave me every bit as much trouble as she'd been giving Corina. More probably. I respected her for that, but it was humbling.

Also, it was also worrisome. This was obviously a tough horse, and Corina has a complicated life. I wasn't sure the two of them were ever going to form the kind of partnership I knew Corina wanted.

Unsurprisingly, things got worse before they got better. Not too long after my visit, Corina's barn owner advised her to cut her losses and move on. Corina did not take that advice. Instead, she moved Cinnamon to a different property, one that better suited her horse's needs.

Cinnamon made friends with a big, one-eyed, bay mare named Bonnie.

After that, she decided to make friends with Corina, too.

From that point forward, every picture Corina posted showed an entirely different horse than the resistant, shutdown mare I'd met in 2024.

She looked younger, healthier, softer, happier.

It was a beautiful transformation.

I was so happy for both of them and looked forward to meeting this new and vastly improved version of Cinnamon.

Alas, that will never happen. 

Corina's beautiful, red mare succumbed to the infirmities of old age yesterday morning. I am heartbroken for both of them, but also so glad they had that time together. Corina wrote: We gave her a soft landing.  She gave me healing. We came full circle. What a beautiful eulogy.

Rest easy, Cinnamon. It was truly a privilege. 

It's puppy day!

In January, Karen's beautiful Talulah died unexpectedly, leaving a hole in her heart and an empty dog bed in her house.

Karen likes having three dogs. 

We all knew it was just a matter of time.

We all knew it was just a matter of finding the right puppy... 

and then waiting for him to grow up enough to come home.

Today was finally the day. We met at the barn, took care of our ponies and then climbed into the car and headed to Carr, Colorado where Eli was waiting.

So many beautiful, red, field-bred Goldens!

We oohed and aahed over the little puppies on our way in.

Then we met The Puppy.

We also met his parents. This is mom, Sky, who said, "Please take him away,"...

and dad, Timber, who just wanted pets.

It was love at first sight for both of them.

Karen signed the papers, and then we took Eli outside for pictures and hopefully potty.

He had a big time...

and posed cutely...

but didn't actually use the potty.

Oh, well.

Eventually, we got back in the car and headed home to Aurora.

I had the fun job of holding Eli. He rode like a champ and did not pee on me!

This was such a fun day. 

Congratulations, Karen and Eli. You're going to have a great future together!