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!

NaReViMo week one

Today was the last day of the first week of NaReViMo.

My horse looks almost exactly like she did when the month started.

In my defense, I've been really busy.

Also, I've sustained a minor but still significant injury.

Don't blame Sage.

This is one hundred percent work related.

My model doesn't require a lot of prep, but she needs some. I'm picking away at it, but progress is slow.

Hopefully, next week will be more productive. Only time will tell!

Friday favorites

I go to the barn every single morning, and as often as not, my camera comes with me.

This means I end up with a lot of photos.

Of course, many of them feature Sage.

But really, I have pictures of everyone and everything.

Sarah on Amora

Doodle

Ender in training

Luna

Guaranteed

Azar

Sir Valor

Glamour and Canela

Dexter

King

Rhaena, Dawnovan and Sage

Amora

Ted

Ronda, Laura and Diana on Fantasia, Sacred and Guaranteed

Summer

Grizz

Except there is one thing - one of my very favorite things - that has been completely undocumented... until now!

At least two or three times a week, everyone's favorite barn guy, Lee, gives Sage and I a ride from her stall to the mare field.

We always trot. 

Carol videoed us doing this on Wednesday, and yesterday, I let one of Gray's friends hold the lead rope while I took photos.

Sage and her entourage.

This was - and always is - so much fun. I'm so glad to finally have photographic evidence of this favorite activity!

Midweek weekend

Sometimes the best weekends happen in the middle of the week.

My best friend, Carol arrived in Denver Tuesday night. I picked her up at the airport after work, and we spent the rest of the night catching up and playing with Piper. A perfect Friday night.

The next morning we went to the barn. 

I rode Sage, and Carol took pictures.

Look at us go!

After that, we had lunch with Karen.

Then Carol and I got in the car and drove east, to the new-and-still-under-construction Hogan Park at Highlands Creek.

Eventually, this nearly one hundred acre space will be home to a disc golf course, performance plazas, climbing walls, a zip line, embankment slides, linear challenge courses and pollinator gardens. 

Right now, it's mostly large public art installations.

I liked it a lot and am glad we went.

The day ended with dinner at my favorite restaurant with my two other best friends. There just aren't words for how happy this pictures makes me.

Today - pretend Sunday - featured a visit from best niece, Gray, and two of her horse friends.

We played with the foals...

and Gray rode Sage.

Sage was so good.

Carol and the kids have all moved on, and Seth, Piper and I are enjoying a quiet evening at home. We're all tired and a little people out, but also very, very happy.

Tomorrow is Monday Friday. Back to work!