�Now as for Brenna and yesterday... we now have 4 horses in our back neighbor's yards since you visited. We had been feeding them apples every day for the past few months after getting permission from their owners. Well, this has been going well until recently when the horses have started getting jealous of one another thinking one horse was getting more than the other?!? So yesterday we were feeding the black and the white horse when the black horse reached around and bit the white horse on the ass! The white horse spun around as if almost to bite the other one back, but they started jumping around each other. Well, Miss Brenna got all excited and shot right under the fence and started barking at them, while doing so she ran right UNDER the white horse that was trying to defend itself!!! I immediately shouted Brenna's name and she ran back to us, but how she didn't get stepped on with all that kicking around was an ABSOLUTE miracle! Michelle and I were pretty much in shock and shaken for a long time that evening as we both realized how close Brenna came to likely accidentally getting killed. Needless to say, we have both agreed that we are no longer feeding the horses. Too bad, as that was the highlight of many a day! But I can't go through another trauma like that when it can be avoided.�
And update of Buddy Briar from his parents to Brenna�s, �When John and I took Buddy to the vet for his shots, I asked if he might possibly have asthma. The vet didn't hear any sign of it, but that is not to say that it doesn't occur with extreme exertion. Then I asked about a possible reason for him seeming to be a bit stiff in the hind legs. Dr. Clemete said that his guess was that Buddy has mild hip dysplasia, but he couldn't tell for sure without an x-ray. He didn't think there was any need for one unless the symptoms progress. We are stopping by the vet to pick up some supplies tomorrow, so I'll ask if he feels that any supplements might help. Of course weight control is important. From what I've read, this problem is hereditary. John and I haven't noticed any change in Buddy's walking since we've had him, but Michigan State is not that far away if things worsen at some point. It is due to the potential for more serious medical problems, that we take our dogs to two vets (same facility) in Fort Wayne, rather than going to one in a nearby small town. They have made arrangements quickly in the past when John and I needed to take a dog to a larger facility. But this problem is a first for us, having only had one other large dog.
Buddy has been laying out in the yard in the sun rather than in the shade, as he use to. This change took place from the day you folks left. Interesting! We have no explanation. Now Peggy has company when she sunbathes.�
Pretty cumulous clouds as seen from Brenna�s backyard.
I could see right through it! It was a snake SKIN, absent of its occupant! BUT, that at least tells me that there are snakes in that park that I need to watch out for.�
�Just thought I'd share a surprise of nature's resilience with you. Our Dynamite Red Crape Myrtles were severely bit by the late April hard freeze. Follow that up with the worst drought in 50 years, and I thought they might be dud dynamites this year! Most everyone of our neighbors pulled theirs out of the ground and replaced them. I let mine be, and was PLEASANTLY surprised when I returned from my walk this morning to find the dynamite "going off"! A few little red buds have popped out.
I captured a little bee enjoying the nectar that nature has provided through this stubborn plant!�
�I've been meaning to write you the past few days as we are back from Florida wrapping up funeral and estate things for Michelle's aunt. It was nice to visit it Florida, but unfortunate for the reason why. We didn't get hardly any time to enjoy the ocean or the sun, but I made sure to give Brenna at least one trip to her favorite park, Henderson Beach State Park!"
Saturday, July 28, 2007
�We just got the word from Shelley two nights ago that her vet confirmed that Kasey probably has cancer and has 3 months to a year to live. That news, of course, comes as no surprise, because if you remember in April when Kasey was here and ate something that gave her bloody diarrhea and we had to take her to my vet, my vet told her that he didn't like the feel of her tumors. I looked up her blood results online and they also indicated the likelihood she had cancer.
I have already had the premonition that the 2008 Brenna calendar was going to be dedicated to Kasey. Also, Duke got a very bad prognosis after finally reaching one year old and getting full X-rays for his dysplasia. It was very bad at both front elbows, and one shoulder. It was considered inoperable. He is now up to 100lbs, which doesn't help, and limps after only a few minutes of play, and is never able to walk upright. His days will be numbered too. But, that's life, just the way it goes sometimes. Gotta go with the flow....�