Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Dog Park

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! Dog Park day! Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Hurry, hurry, hurry!

Thelma, Louise! Check it out!

Let's Part-tay!

Big humans, little humans, big dogs, little dogs--oh boy!

Thelma, be polite and say "Hi!"

Awww . . . Doggie time flies. Time to go already?! Blasted!

Caesar Millan

Don't worry, I see that turtle to the back of me. He moves mighty slow; in fact, creates the illusion he is not moving at all.

Here is one of Papa's radio contests that I particularly loved and will pass it on to my readers. (Papa gave me permission to publish it as long as I credit him.)

Who am I?

I am 5'5.

I liken my work to cowboys who get stomped by bulls. You're gonna get hurt. But it's a rush that we get.

I'm seen on television--from the O'Reilly Factor to a reality show.

I rehabilitate

Who am I?

Hint: I train people and have been nominated for 2 emmy awards.

Answer: Ceasar Millan -- The Dog Whisperer. (I am literally Caesar's biggest fan.)

Weezy begged to have her picture on today's blog . . . Weezy . . . say, "Cheesey Rawhide!"

Cleaning Corrals

"Excuse me . . . pardon me, big dawg coming through . . . how's it going? Woof! Mind if I squeeze by? Bark, Bark, Bark . . . grrrr! Weezy . . . Thelma . . . over here! Weezy quit eating that horse poop!" --Just another day cleaning corrals at the Ranch. Wasn't it Robert Duval who said, "I just love the smell of horse poop in the morning!"

Papa calls the horses "hay burners." We are a "green ranch"--our horses do a great job of recycling hay.

Frankly, us ranch dogs find it all very tasty! Thelma, Louise & I do our best to "recycle the recycled hay."

Now, back to work . . . "Make room for Big Dawg!" Bark, woof! (Move please!)" Yum, that pile looks tasty . . .



Ah . . . there's Papa in his truck. He can never stay up with me; I even get better mileage. However, it is a green truck for our green ranch . . . gotta run! Eat my dust, Papa! Ouch--that rock I kicked up left a nasty pit in Papa's windshield . . . oops!

Pretty Willow

I'm always looking out for Willow.

She put on 40 pounds during her first couple of weeks, and we are hoping for another 160 or more pounds. She is still a string bean. But she sure is purty . . .

Her next adventure will be a trip to the horse dentist . . . poor thang . . .

I'm a Little Hoarse

Begin countdown:
TEN . . .
Trailer attached -- Check!
NINE . . .
Tire air levels -- Check!
EIGHT . . .
Trailer lights -- Check!
SEVEN . . .
Break lights -- Check!
SIX . . .
Big dawg navigator in back of pick up truck -- Check!

FIVE . . .
Signal turning lights functioning -- CHECK
FOUR . . .
Thelma & Weezy behaving nicely on ranch ground control-- Check!

THREE . . .
Commencing engine startup -- Check!
TWO . . .
Air conditioning turned on full blast . . .
ONE . . .
Truck & trailer inching forward out of ranch launching pad . . .
BLASTOFF . . .

Mama, papa and Dukie begin their brave and historic adventure to go to ranch unknown and pickup a horse unknown, who is desperately in need of a rescue, in order to survive.

Blastoff for a horse rescue -- horse in bad shape -- Mama, Papa, and Dukie are on their way to save a horse . . .


Horse retrieved; in bad shape; but survived her trip to her new re-hab station on our ranch. Truck and trailer circle the home arena and ease to a "Whoa!"


Mission accomplished! We now have a new little string bean by the name of Willow. Willow is a gaited horse and in need of nourishment, care for her boo-boos, and TLC.

Engines shut down--Check!
New horse in round pen--Check!
Dukie hungry--Check!
This is Dukie over & out. (I'll keep you posted.)

Someone is coming

Life is good on our Sonoran Ranch. The monsoon rains continue to come. Weeds continue to grow. I found a rattlesnake under the water trough.

Apache's stall is still sadly empty. The big news is someone is coming to the ranch. There is a horse that needs help. Another rescue.

Stay tuned . . .

The Day Mama Saved Apache From The Killer

Apache was the equivalent of over 100 human years old. He was also the Alpha leader in our ranch herd.

Before Apache assumed his ranch responsibilities with us, he had been an experienced cow-horse. Apache lived a rugged life of cows and cowboys; he had the scars and arthritis to prove it. Unfortunately, Apache was repaid for his hard work in the twilight of his career, with a trip to the auction block. However, fate nodded in Apache's direction at the horse auction, because Mama was there to save the day. That day "The Killer"--the dog food representative--was buying horses to take to the slaughter house. The bidding for Apache ended up just between Mama & The Killer. Mama and "The Killer" (dog food representative) battled it out, with Mama victorious. Mama had just given Apache a pension plan.

Apache spent his retirement years on the trail with us. When not enjoying trail rides, Apache loved spending his retirement logging many hours in his beloved arena, staring off somewhere at something, or a place, that I could never see. If there was ever a horse, deep in thought, it would be Apache looking out into someplace “nowhere.”

Apache’s 36 year-old birthday would have been July 26^th, and a great celebration was planned. Papa received a gas grill for Father’s Day, and had been making the transition from the old charcoal Weber grill, practicing up for mass hamburgers and steaks.

However, Apache somehow incurred a mortal leg injury when Mama & Papa were not around. I knew Apache was in big trouble when he could not raise up from lying on the ground. X-rays yielded a terminal prognosis, concurred by 3 veterinarians. The injury had worsened, the hoof was considerably separated, and infection had spread well into the bone. Apache’s obvious pain & suffering, even with pain medication, told the whole story.

One day, a thunderstorm symbolically blew in; rain & cloudy skies appropriately remained with us throughout the week. Mama lovingly brushed Apache. Papa cut fresh grass, from Apache’s favorite grazing spot, and he relished every bite.

Apache received scratches in spots that usually itched; as well as caresses strategically placed where horses caress each other. Importantly, Apache was next to his horse friends, who were all just inches away and focused on the attention being given to their leader & friend. Of course, they too wanted some of Apache’s food goodies. Amazingly, Apache still asserted his leadership with the other horses when they got too close to his space or had bad manners. They all respected him, and he retained his leadership.

Thelma & Louise knew to not bark and the ranch enjoyed peaceful quietude.

Surrounded by those who cared about him, under a cool gentle rain, we all said goodbye as Apache left for greener pastures.

Apache now rests beneath his beloved arena.

After Apache was gone, Dusty (the youngest) cried out frequently.

Jazz, second in command, called out for Apache into the night, and we could hear her cries inside the house. Bobby, Apache’s closest friend, was silent and kept it in.

The next day we found the muddy hoof prints of Bobby, Jazz and Dusty, imprinted circularly, around the grave. None of the horses walked over the grave.

The morning after, Bobby would just face a dark stall corner and not eat. The horses were taking the loss very hard.

Papa tried smoothing the gravesite out, harrowing the dirt with the John Deere--to make it less prominent to the horses. Bobby would leave his stall corner to occasionally go out and stare at the grave, from a distance.

Today, the horses are solemn.

I miss Apache a lot. He was a wise-old presence. Apache was a very vocal horse, who would always yell out when he spotted us on the way to the arena. Apache always made his presence known, with an affectionate and playful nudge. Now, the arena stalls are silent and that large presence is gone.

Mama had always said to Papa, “Apache will outlive us all.” Apache truly had great strength, ability to overcome physical adversity, and a strong will to live. Papa said, "It feels as if Superman died." This large, powerful, almost indestructible, companion had taken all the pain he could take.

Now, he waits with the others and Queenie in that beautiful land of dreams.

On July 26th, we think "Happy birthday, Apache!" and give thanks for the day that Mama saved Apache.

Cover Dog

Papa suggested the following human quote as a subtitle for my magazine cover image:

"Look, I know you'll think this is crazy, but, er, when the light hits me from a certain direction, I'm . . . handsome ." (Peter O'Toole in "What's New Pussycat")

Radio's Biggest Canine Personality

After my radio shift, I need to check out the pet store for some Greecian formula for dogs.

During Papa's show, I love to sing along with the music. My canine vocal renditions sound a little like Chewbaka's dialogue in Star War's.



Above, Kricket (traffic reporterette) & I are captured singing Ol' Red. Yowl!

Here's Lois Lewis (disc jockeyette) & I really getting into the Clint Black & Lisa Hartman Black's, "When I Said I Do."

Although Jazz has a lovely singing voice, she will not fit in the studio. Here she is singing a beautiful rendition of "Cattle Call."

Catching my Z's

Mama & Papa are allowed to sleep in my dog bed, as long as they leave me with enough room for a good turning radius and running in one's sleep.




Last night Queenie visited me in my dreams. We chased rabbits and released them when we caught them--catch & release. I had hold of the ear of one huge jack-rabbit, but he slipped out of my paws and got away.