Snow. Owls. Goats. Dogs. Horses. Dad. Hills. Snow

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas!

It has been awhile since I have added anything to the story of the weed eating goat. 

I left the managing and herding of the Horned Locusts to my dad in July and have moved to Bernalillo with Kino where I have been dealing with some health issues and gotten some rest.

 I am beginning to feel more together finally after six months off and have ridden with dad and the crew a few times back on the land around SunStar. The photos here are from Tuesday, this being Friday. 

We were treated to a lovely sight- a great big Great Horned Owl.

Unfortunately I only got his wing. Here he is waving at the camera.

Dad took the opportunity to take the goats south into the rough canons and steep hills. 

There they ate some Winterfat, Sage, Grasses, Ephedra, anything that stuck above the snow.

Chopo and I sit above a deep arroyo overlooking one of the biggest Ephedra plants I know of out here.

The goats can climb hills oh so much better and faster than the horses with monkeys on their backs. But we took our time and worked our way up to the mesa top, secure in the knowledge that the herd had it's company of five Maremmas and one old Pyrenese/Akita/German Shepherd.

The little dogs travel with the herders and are a quick nose to regain a herd. 

Though today tracking the hundred or so goats is no issue in the snow.

On top of the mesa the goats circle around traveling slowly south moving from one Mistletoe tree to another and from Cholla to Cholla with dad keeping the course atop the mesa and south.

I think this is Swirly, my mom's dog, who is proving himself to be a devoted goat dog.

Alphabet and Bullwinkle check out Zuli as she makes snow dog angels.

And Swirly must go off to investigate...

Swirly has been working on making friends with Chopo.

I love how these dogs move with paws bent. So much in their element here in the cold and snow.

Without Maremmas this is a very difficult world. 

With livestock one must have safety measures- either a good tall fence. Or some good tall dogs.

Out on the range there is no replacing these big white protectors.

This is a safe herd-and the coyotes know it!

Mistletoe!

Pecos and her Buddy!

Happy dogs! 

Gentle Giants!

But not someone to cross!

Cholla buds!!

Returning home first east...

Then north down Camino Cerro Chato.

Bullwinkle. 

This is a boy in love with his goats. 

Down the big hill above SunStar.

This road looked fine when we went down with the goats, but within an hour had started icing over some vehicle tracks which had been made after the goats passed through. 

I couldn't get past a steeper part (making ice under my tires as I went) and slid back a few times. 

The third time I tried I ended up about here, where there is no bank to keep one on the road... 

I called my dad and handed the reins to him. 

He tried- experienced what I was up to- (over my head) and then backed the truck down. 

Not enough weight in the back of the truck, highway tires.

The next morning with chains on got out no problem.

Good visit, glad to see the dogs, goats and horses looking well, and happy.

No kids yet- but soon... 

Glad I didn't fall off the hill. I'd hate to be the first one to do it...

Zuli Mutt-Pups for Sale

My herding dog, Zuli, had 9 pups under a full moon in June. They are now 5 weeks old and nearing time to go to their homes. Several have been spoken for, but there are still some very nice pups for sale.

The father is half Rottweiler, and half Bordercollie/German Shepherd.

 Zuli is a full bred Australian Shepherd

These little guys are very smart and enthusiastic people lovers. 

They have already begun learning about cats.

They will make great guard dogs as they come rushing out barking and growling when you arrive, but then turn into happy greeting machines when they recognize people. 

They are not shy or mean, just full of love. And tail wags. 

They really just want to hang out with people all day. 

One male especially (in above picture getting his nose pawed in the background) enjoys a good lap nap and an investigatory adventure with two or four legged companions.

There are four with natural bob tails, the rest having full wag tails.

Little Maremma Dogs Have Big Fun

This morning dawned partly cloudy with awesome bright lightning and some sprinkles. 

Not near what the ground needs- but it is a start and it sure smells good.

The double rainbow was a nice touch.

The Maremma pups love cool mornings like this. 

Add just a little moisture and they have a great romp.

They feel rich to have their goatherd home for awhile- and with some good exercise their spirits are high.

Suddenly a a couple pups caught a scent in the air...

They resumed play, but a moment later Curly let out a warning bark calling the others to attention.

But this too was brief, and the pups were back to play.

Their puppy-goat came by to see what the dogs were up to and browsed around the edges as they played.

Swirly came out of the pen to investigate also...

And off to join the fun!

Curly was mostly aloof from the games-watching and listening...

She checked out the horses which were waiting patiently for their morning meal.

With Swirly joining in the fun started all over again.

Then Rocky came out of the goat pen and greeted his boys.

They played briefly...

And then led them off on a tour of the valley to smell the smells and mark the bushes...

Eldorado Independence Day Parade

Our Horned Locust crew was invited to participate in Eldorado's 4th of July parade this year! 

A few of our good friends helped us wrangle some of the critters. 

Here is Chauny with old Blue Duck getting ready to hit the road

And Krishan with Bucky.

We tried out different combinations to see who matched up best with each participant.

Here is Anusha with Football... the little red goat was too stubborn to walk on a lead however and had to be replaced with Louise, a white and black kid born over the winter...

We all worked on parading before the parade...

Louise took to the pace with zeal led by Jorge.

Doonie was a little surprised by a flag- but then remembered she was not so young a filly anymore...

All the excitement was fun for her though- she loves activity, people and big trucks!

Our number one fan and reason for being in Eldorado, Jean, as Eldorado Citizen of the Year, rode as Parade Marshall.

Our horses have been exposed to all type of distractions over the years. 

Dad's former Polo-Playing Pinto, Pecos, was pretty placid amongst all the excitement.

Doonie made friends with a young palomino who was celebrating his 5th birthday.

We all had a blast bringing up the rear of the parade- and the goats were a hit with the crowd.

Afterwards we met some gals who are working on promoting wild mustangs as useful mounts. 

This guy here, who hails from Nevada, looked completely at home at his first ever parade. They said he had a total of 30 rides previous to this event. Lots of groundwork set him up for success it would seem.

She encouraged us to join her non-profit in showcasing mustangs in parades and such to promote understanding and exposure of people to a fine animal which is currently much maligned in the horseworld. 

We look forward to participating in her educational events with Chopo (our little red mustang/quarterhorse) and our new Jicarilla Mustang after we get him settled and in harness so to speak. 

Then it was time for lunch. 

My niece, Sonia, joined us (as well as her parents after they returned with the cars).

After eating a great meal (prepared by Kino) it was off to the greenbelt for Kino and the goats. 

Dad saw them to the greenbelt and then took the rest of the day off, leaving Kino to work the herd on his first solo flight (he rode Doonie-so flight is the appropriate term, certainly).