Good Ol' Boys

It warms my heart beyond belief to post this blog. Being the OC housewife that I am, I was able to visit Danny today out at Endar in Temecula. I was on my own today with Kyla by my side as I grabbed Danny's halter and a handful of carrots and set out for his pasture. When we walked up, Danny and his pasture-mate, Guyus, were along the far fence grazing. I entered the pasture and whistled and called his name. Danny didn't quite hear me at that distance but Guyus sure did. Guyus is a 7-year-old Quarter-Thoroughbred with a wonderful personality and happy expression. Guyus followed me in the pasture as I got closer to Danny. I said to Guyus, "Hey. Go get Danny for me." Right before my eyes, Guyus trotted off towards Danny and poked him. I was left laughing out loud as Danny AND Guyus came up to me.

I pulled Danny out of the pasture and he looked great! No bite marks. No weight loss. Happy and calm. And whenever I pull him out, Guyus goes crazy, calling for his best friend to come back. It's such a happy feeling knowing that Danny is finally happy with his retired life. I talked with Guyus' owner today and she was just as happy that her horse found a friend. I laughed when I found out Guyus was only 7. It's like the young boy and the old man. But really, when you watch them together, it's like the Good Ol' Boys.

My Observations

It is through my recent observations and experiences that I have no hope for dog owners in Laguna Niguel. Do people not watch The Dog Whisperer?!? Do they think it's OK for their aggressive dog to attack me or Kyla.

By far, my worst experience was this past Monday. Nick and I took advantage of the warm weather and gave Kyla a bath in the bathtub. I decided to walk her around our apartment complex to help her dry. I was on the other side of the complex when we came face-to-face with a large blue-grey pit bull, with a collar, but no leash or owner in sight. Luckily, I scrambled fast enough to pick Kyla up in my arms as the pit bull rushed us. Now, pits are illegal in our complex and should NOT have been there. I started screaming in fear as this dog jumped on my back trying to get to Kyla. I thank God that he didn't bite me or Kyla's feet that dangled as high as I could get them. After the dog scratched my back and my panicked screams, the pit's owner came strolling around the corner in no hurry and without a care. I screamed at him to get his dog off me and he did but with little urgency. After I got out of there, I was left balling my eyes out and hyperventilating. It was by far the scariest moment of my life.

To add to my issues, each and every time I go running with Kyla, we inevitable come across a dog with their owner. On each run, I experience an aggressive dog. I'm getting better at picking them out too as we approach. The owner NEVER reels the dog's leash in but only gives them more room (and don't get me started on those stupid retractable leashes). The owner braces the ground and watches as their dog lunges, growls, and snaps at Kyla as she does her job jogging along. Of course after this happens, she gets snagged up in my feet and almost trip me. I've experienced Cockers, Rat Terriers, Chihuahuas, and any other dog.

I'm waiting for the day when dog owners need to be certified and trained before they get a dog. Come on people! Aggressive dogs are not normal!!!

Life with our little furball...

Life with the Henry's is no doubt life with Kyla. After a funny little experience with "our little girl" yesterday, I thought I'd share some of our fun antics with the Mini Aussie we consider our child.

Yesterday, while working out to the kick-butt Jillian Michaels' workout video, I heard a sound coming from the living room. I came around the corner to discover Kyla, standing on the coffee table, smelling the candles, and playing with the sea shells in our candleholder. The look on her face was the classic, "Oh! I'm so busted!" All I could do was laugh...and laugh...and laugh.

Kyla is trained to ring a bell if she needs to go outside to go potty. The funny thing is that she has US so trained that she rings the bell just to lay in front of the slider and get some fresh air...in the middle of winter!

Watching Kyla play with our ferret, Bailey, is amazing. She noses the 2-pound ferret to the point that Bailey latches onto Kyla's neck, chin, or ear with the jaws of life. Kyla then turns into a reining horse, spinning 360, until Bailey goes flying off. And then Kyla goes back for more in this endless game of dog and ferret.

Being an Aussie, she's smarter than some people. Simply from the vibrations in the road, she knows if she's driving through the neighborhood of my parents' or Nick's parents' house.

While at Nick's parents house, Kyla decided to see how well the springs on her feet work.

Without being provoked in any way, shape, or form, she jumped from a stand-still onto the pool table...and completely cleared it. It surprised us but I think it really surprised her.

We NEVER feed her table scraps but she has become the ultimate sashimi connoisseur. If you're filleting fish, she's inches from your feet.

She might be a herding dog by instinct but she's a bit of a bird dog by heart.

For whatever reason, "Hello" and "Chocolate Pretzels" get her attention from a dead sleep (and no, we've never thought of offering her chocolate pretzels).

I don't know the appeal but she thinks it's funny to take my chonies and deposit them throughout the apartment. This includes the bedroom, living room, second bedroom, AND THE PATIO. Great entertainment for the neighbors walking by!!!

Needless to say, we are never without a laugh, a lick, or a wiggling nub from "our little girl!"