WHAT'S IN A NAME

Well little miss Oakley's Arctic Heather finally has a barn name. Tossed about a number of choices. She is so tiny and petite looking and had an Angel looking over her when she was born, that the name SPRITE was chosen for her. Sherry brought it up to me and the more I thought about it, the more I liked it. You could also relate it to the drink theme. Her moms name is Pepsi, and she being so white could be Sprite. Play on words there. Anyhow, the little miss has a name and an attitude apparently. I guess she felt it necessary to tell her big brother what the boundaries were. I guess she is starting to explore abit on her own and follow her siblings around.. Mom is somewhat very protective so to get a picture of her by herself has been somewhat of a chore. Thanks to Sherry for taking the pictures and getting me my baby fix for the day. I couldn't see her this weekend as Friday, went with Sherry to see REBA and then Saturday we had our annual community garage sale and then Sunday went back into the city to watch Angela (DVM2012) at the River Valley Horse Show at Whitemud Equine Centre. I love watching her as she is living my dream. She and Eurus were amazing this week. Their first official show. I told Eurus today as I was tacking him up for her that he needed to jump like he had wings and I think he almost was. I did three classes in a horse show once and got two seconds and a sixth with my old mare Schiroc, whom Angela started her riding career with. She was no Eurus but boy she had try and that funny looking Appy put many big warmbloods in their place. It is so much fun and excitement to watch your children excel in what they love.

 

SHE'S GROWING SO FAST

Well little Miss Oakley (Peanut) is sure growing fast. I get out to see her at least 3 times a week and every time I see her she seems to have grown more. Peps is showing to be a real good Mom although she does like to have some "Me" time as well. I make sure that I rub her ears, brush her down and feed her tons of cookies. As I'm doing this, I'm able to sneak in a few butt scratches and pats with baby. She loves it when I get down to her level. She will put her nose right up to my face. Trying to get a picture some times is proving to be difficult. She comes right up the camera and all I get are her nostrils. Did rub her face yesterday and scratch between her ears. I could spend hours just hanging out with the mommas and babies. Even Jazzy (who normally is very standoffish) hung around for some "Me" time yesterday as well. In all these years, I have never been able to get this close to her. She can be a very sweet mare if she wants too. I'm hoping by seeing Peps and baby (still haven't decided on what her barn name will be) and spending time in with them at least twice a week, that I will be able to keep playing with her and that she will allow me to touch and play with her. If any of you have any suggestions as to her barn name, please leave them in the comments. Sherry started calling her Peanut, I have been calling her little miss, so I'm still not sure what to call her.

SHE'S HERE

Well the wait is over. She is here. A beautiful chestnut with a blanket. Peps waited till I was home from my week's vacation at least. Every morning I have been waiting for a phone call. Every time Sherry would call I was hoping for some news.  I have had three children of my own, I've had foals from other mares but this one the anticipation was killing me.

Poor little thing had a rather startling entry into this world. Not sure when she was born but thank goodness for Sherry and her sister, Heather. Heather was on her step enjoying the morning air when she heard Peps hollering and running back and forth along the dug out. She called Sherry who rushed down to the pen and found poor baby had fallen into the dug out. Now the mares have been having their foals in this pen for years and not once had one of the babies fallen in the water. This is so ironic as I had mentioned earlier to Sherry about the dugout and foals and sure enough mine is the one to be the first. Anyway, Sherry jumps into the water and goes up to her knees in mud. Scoops up baby  and then says now what, I am stuck. Tosses baby onto the shore and is still stuck. I guess Peps was thankful to her for rescuing baby as she stood and let Sherry grab her front legs and pull herself out of the mud. With some coaxing from Sherry and nuzzling from Mom, baby found breakfast and is now doing just fine.
So welcome to the world little miss, OAKLEY'S ARCTIC HEATHER, out of Arctic Frosted Pepsi by Windwalker Cactus. Arctic heather is actually a beautiful white flower that grows ironically in the Arctic,

but also she is named for Heather, who helped save her by calling Sherry. Thank you both for saving my little filly.