One step closer to the Big Dream

Hi ya'll,

Life is certainly never boring.  On the way home from the Vegas conference, we were attending a canine training class in So. Cal.  Matt's sister and brother-in-law run canine cadaver and "live-find" dogs, and they also find drugs and one of them is a bomb dog for local authorities and has worked with the FBI.  They are amazing dog trainers and it was really an honor to watch them at work.  However, also at that training session was a beautiful red/brown doberman.  I asked about him and this was the answer I received.  "He is a military war dog, and his handler/soldier was killed in action.  Since then he has bounced around a couple of different places, and again was needing a home."  This dog is a war veteran (through no choice of his own), and not only has he seen action, but most likely watched his soldier die.  We need to honor each and every soldier that comes home, and mourn those that don't.  So, not only to honor "Soldier aka Scooby", but to honor his handler and one of our own, Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang now has their very own soldier.  He is one of the first steps toward fulfilling our dream.  (We still have very little background on what he did and what he was trained for, so we are being very careful and going slow with him.  We are paying close attention to the things that make him nervous or uncomfortable, and waiting for more information on this soldier.  He definitely deserves a "forever" home after all he has been through.

Now for those of you who know about the Big Dream for Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang, Equine Rescue & MORE - well, part of that dream is to find a place where we could have cabins for the returning military and/or servicewomen who have been injured or just need to decompress.  The facility would house families in a lodge so they could come and visit, so the "reunion" could be at the very best pace for the  servicemen and women and their families.  Not all soldiers are ready to just jump back into the "mainstream life" and often, if given the opportunity, would like to have a place to decompress and gradually integrate themselves back into the household.

So we are very excited to be able to step up and help one veteran to start with.  He has met all the other critters and we believe that he is settling in very well.  We took HB to the vet yesterday to get his coggins and health certificate so he can go and visit Robin's school when we pick up the donated hay shelter.  Rob told us that often times these war dogs can be so traumatized by losing their "partners" that they can really lose it.  We are very fortunate in the fact that he is transferring his affection and loyalty to us.  He is getting to know Matt, but is obviously going to always be my "protector".

The other critters are doing well, and Honey Bandit once again demonstrated how intelligent these horses are.  If you have ever seen a ballet dancer warming up on a barre, (sp), well Honey Bandit does similar exercises.  He puts his foot through the panel and then leans his ankle on it and then stretches backwards.  The first time I saw him do that I thought it was coincidence.  But then I saw him do it deliberately and over and over.  As usual, he is always entertaining.  Romeo is doing wonderfully and they are all hanging out together during the evening so "Donkey Pepe" can watch over them and chase away the bad critters.  I would hate to be someone snooping around the property or trying to sneak in.  That sweet little donk is terrifying when he is after something.  He patrols the property and makes sure all is well.  It is such a wonderful and peaceful feeling, although he still cannot figure out why the little guys boss him around.

Take care and remember, when God takes something out of your hands, it is only because He has something better for you.  Although this is a wild ride, He is definitely guiding us through each step and I know that with faith, He will not only provide, but keep us moving in the right direction.

God bless you and thank you for all your wonderful support.  I look forward to y'all coming up and meeting Donkey, and a safe trip to the Nevada school to visit Robin with Honey Bandit.