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Trail Rides and Kitties

November 10, 2015

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Over the weekend was the first time in forever my 3 kitties were together.  Being barn cats you wonder about their welfare when you don’t see them for a while.  So I captured the moment with them.  I hope the new owners are OK with them staying behind.

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Elvis, Patches & Mugsy

(I know what your thinking… No, I haven’t had any bites yet on the farm.  Showings have been fewer this time around, we thought we had a few good leads but it appears no one is ready to pull the trigger.)

On Sunday, we took Dalton, Apples and Chex on a trail ride around Green Lane.  It was a perfect fall day to get the horses out. Fresh air, open spaces and trials through the woods is a great way to clear the cob webs from your head.

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Goodbye Sunbun

November 1, 2015

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After being with us for almost 4 years we said goodbye to Sunbun.  Check out this arrival post here.

He is such a good boy and will definitely be missed.  Especially his treat face… he tilts his head sideways, stretches his neck and puckers his lips whenever there are treats around.

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This slide show is from his leaving day.  SB’s mom said he is doing good in his new farm and was a good boy during transport.

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Jett’s Off

October 14, 2015

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It was a beautiful fall day at the park, Jett and I had been to just last week.

IMG_0072She thought it was just another walk in the park but actually we were there to meet her new forever family.

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Critter Calvary said the name change was brilliant.  I had no idea it made that much of a difference but they said as soon as they published the updated bio and her real name on the adopt a pet websites they started getting hits.  I spoke to this lovely couple over the weekend, they rescued their first dog (Codie I think). He is a very shy and timid boy that spent most of his life in shelters with out much socialization.

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They sounded like the perfect dog owners… They take him for 4 one mile walks a day and are working with an animal behaviorist.  They decided they wanted anther dog to help him adjust to pack life and play with him.

We met at this near by park and Jett seemed the perfect match.  The right size and temperament (excited but not over-baring).  I think it may have been love a t first sight.  So I suggested they take them both for a walk. They came back smiling. I told them a little more about her and they decided to adopt her.

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As they drove away my heart felt heavy.

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I have had her for 6 months.  She followed me around every room of the house since April 1st.  She ate my flip flops and tops of my boots.  She slept at the foot of my bed every night and gave me cuddles and kisses every morning.  Fostering dogs is not easy but to think she is now doing those things with her forever family makes it all worth while.

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A Calf Runs Through It

October 12, 2015

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So the other day I look out my office window (upstairs of my house) to see people walking through my woods.  A showing was here at the same time so I popped my head out to find out if it was them.  The individuals from the showing spoke to those walking through my property.  They said a calf escaped from a neighbor’s property and was running through my farm.

I went to feed that evening to find the horses still freaked out about the intruder.  I called them for dinner and they wouldn’t  come up.

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So I walked a little closer

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They were all just staring at me. I have never had them not want to come up for dinner so I walked out to them.

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Finally Apple was like “oh hey Mom,  OK I trust you and will follow you back to the barn for dinner”

IMG_0047But Chex needed a special invitation.  I had to walk back to get him, he was getting upset everyone was leaving him but was still too freaked out to go with them.

IMG_0049They all successfully came to the barn to eat dinner but it took a little while even after that to calm down.  I had no idea they would be that upset by a little cow.

The next morning all was well on the farm and I was feeling nostalgic for the farm and realizing the beauty of it and that I was leaving it all behind.  I took these pictures of George with the morning sun coming up behind him.

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Showings = Dog walks in the park

October 12, 2015

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I have had 6 showings since the farm went on the market.  Showings this round is a lot more stressful then the first time I had the house on the market.  I have to stage the house to make it look like I don’t live here.  This includes putting down white things which must be taken up between showings because they would not stay white with 3 black dogs.  Then I have to pack me and the 3 dogs up and remove ourselves from the property.

So we go to the park, which has actually been great for all of us.  The weather is cool and the dogs enjoy the opportunity to sniff new things. The leaves are just starting to turn which make for some beautiful views.

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Golden Spike Farm is For Sale

October 6, 2015

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So this time it is for real…  I have my eye set on the goal and fate is telling me the time is now.

I am moving to just outside of San Francisco, California to be closer to my family.

I am using this amazing Equestrian Realtor located in beautiful Bucks County, PA. Margot McKenna specializes in Equestrian, Farm and Country Property.  She turned my home upside down during the staging process but the end results are amazing.

In the following pictures before is on the left and after is on the right

Bathroom B&A kitchen B&A Bedroom B&A Living Room B&A

Here is the listing description:

Nestled beneath the trees on a private 10+ acre flag lot sits the ultra-cozy log cabin at Golden Spike Farm. This 28 year young custom log home boasts a huge open great room and kitchen and dining area, 2 beds, 1 bath, and a full size partially finished basement. Stone fireplaces stretch from floor to vaulted ceiling in both the living and dining spaces. The very large, wide open floor plan is ideal for entertaining. Master bedroom is conveniently located on the first floor adjacent to a full bathroom. Descend the stairs to a partially finished basement that has been updated with built in closets and cabinets. Ideal for a work space, “man cave”, and perfectly spacious for a private extra living space for your guests. Find a wood stove in the basement as well. Ascend the beautiful open staircase to a loft landing overlooking the first floor living spaces where the second bedroom awaits. Plenty of closet and storage space flanks the cozy second bedroom that is currently operating as a home office. The covered front porch runs the length of the cabin. In the mornings, enjoy your morning coffee overlooking animals grazing just a stone’s throw away, or on a crisp fall evening have a glass of wine sitting by a roaring fire in your built in stone fire pit. Newly built 1770 sq ft garage with large second floor loft space allows for plenty of vehicle and machine parking as well as extra storage space. A wooded brick stone laid pathway leads you to the second half of this delightful property. Here you will find a newly refurbished 8 stall barn complete with feed room, extended overhang for machine storage, water, electric, huge tack and hay loft, and an opposite side overhang serving as a run out for 4 of the stalls. Separate 2 stall run in barn is located in one of the many paddocks, as well as a separate building for dedicated shavings storage, and a 180×80 outdoor riding arena. Are you interested in operating a facility? Ask us about maintaining the client’s horses that currently reside on the property. If you are looking to have your own private cabin retreat and have your horses conveniently located just steps from your back door, then look no further. This quaint gentleman’s farmette truly has it all. Visit Golden Spike Farm today, you will be enchanted. **Private showings begin 9/28/15 by appointment only.

You can view the complete listing here.

Confessions of a Canine Foster Mom

September 30, 2015

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I have had Jett for 7 months now which is a long time for a foster dog.  It maybe because because of the color of her fur.
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Black dog syndrome or big black dog syndrome is a disputed phenomenon in which black dogs are passed over for adoption in favor of lighter-colored animals.

But… I have another theory on why she is still with me

Jett’s rescue group Critter Calvary Rescue emailed me the other day to “write up a new and improved bio on this girl so we can Make a full court effort to find her a home SOON!”

This is my reply email to them:

“So I have figured it out… Why Cecelia has not found her forever home yet is because her name is not Cecelia.
I have a confession… I couldn’t call her Cecelia, she doesn’t look or act like a Cecelia.  (I think a King Charles Spaniel would be a good Cecelia.) Also my Aunt and Godmother’s name was Celia. I just couldn’t call her her that.
I kept her first adopters name Jett.  It suits her because of her beautiful jet black shiny coat and she jets off whenever she is free in the fields.  Jett is also a lot easier to say and call her back to me.
So if it is not too much trouble may I suggest a name change in her write up.
Jett is a true bundle of joy in the perfect 40 pound package.  She loves giving kisses, especially when you are not expecting it she will plant a big wet dog kiss on you. She is great with kids.  When the one year old comes over to visit she will let him crawl all over her and pull on her fur.  Never a growl or even an attempt to move away.
She loves the great outdoors.We took her on a hike at the near by the bolder park. She was a steady as a mountain lion jumping from rock to rock.  She followed us across ravine walking on the downed tree.  When given the chance she out runs all of the other dogs and always wins the game of chase.  She is great with all dogs of all shapes and sizes.  She currently lives on a horse farm and is respectful of all the animals here.  However she loves the barn cats so much that when they run she has to chase them.
In the house she is my shadow, she follows me around and is always near by. She does not need to be crated when no one is home.  She knows her manners and will sit and wait for her dinner.
Jett is a great dog waiting for the active family that will make her part of their lives.”

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Updates on the re-homed

September 30, 2015

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Cuervo is loved by his new family in NJ.  He seems to be fitting right in and doing really well.

CuervoCasey is enjoying semi-retirement, as he doesn’t have to do lessons anymore.  His new owner could not be happier with him.  He is best buddy is a grey named Ricochet. The two graze side-by-side, hang out in the same stall, and when one is taken from the other, they whinny and pace to get back together.

image1 image2Bilbo and Frodo are taking their time settling into their new home. They are being a little head strong and skittish for their new owner.  She was having trouble moving them from from one location to the next so she tried a training flag.  They flipped out when they saw it and tried to kill the flag like a dog would.  She said it was pretty funny and she had never seen anything like it. Luckily they have each other because the horses and cats on the farm are scared of them.  Hopefully they all will warm up to each other.

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Third Time’s a Charm

August 29, 2015

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So lets see if this one sticks. Today I sent the donkeys off to their third home. The first one, they changed their mind, then the next the donkeys didn’t do their job. But I have a good feeling about this one. Sounds like they will be going to a lovely farm with horses and chickens where their only job is to eat grass.

So that just leaves Apple who is spoken for when it is time for me to go. The barn cats will stay and the dogs are coming with me.

Sad but it is also kinda a relief to know I found them good homes.

Away you go Warlock

August 19, 2015

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Chex and Warlock are father and son they belong to my neighbor.

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Warlock has been with us since he was two and was broke to ride while here.  Unfortunately he is just not being utilized they way he should be so on Saturday he went to Rachael’s Rebel Ridge Farm for additional training, finishing and fine tuning his manner.  (He was getting a little pushy on the farm.)

This is what Rachael had to say about his arrival “Yesterday, Warlock was brought down to Rebel Ridge Farm. Warlock is a 4 year old Arabian Paint cross who will be trained for a few more months to get some extra miles on him.
He was first introduced to Rugar and Dalton over the fence and then they were all put out to pasture together. As you can see in the pictures, Rugar was a lot more interested then Dalton.”

Rachael thought Dalton remembered him from when Dalton used to live at GSF.

So Dad Chex is left behind.  He seems to be coping fine.  Yesterday he came over to help me and we snapped a selfie.

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