Posted by SierraRanch on January 24, 2010
If you live on a ranch you know that things can get a bit on the weird side sometimes. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook then you know since before Christmas (maybe even Thanksgiving) I have been tormented by a possum. Well now I get to torment it, well them.
Rick laughed because I took pictures, but you need to know the situation, because I need help getting these danged things out!
See the possum in the hole?
Overview of corner.
Now there has been a hole in the heater room since we moved in April 2003. For several years there was a cabinet sitting there blocking the hole. I moved stuff around a couple of years ago and didn’t realize that the hole went in to the heater room. Here is a view of the heater room.
View of heater room.
The door to this room always has stuff in front of it since the washer and dryer are just outside of it. We don’t store lots of things in it and I tossed some of them this morning. There was storm windows for the house, drying rack, some tables (that are ruined) and two windows to some truck that have been there since we moved in. Yeah, we are great at collecting things and not so great at tossing. LOL!
The picture above is after cleaning and spraying bleach in the area. We got to smell the bleach through out the house, but that is much better than the poo smell we had been getting a whiff of every now and then. ACK!
Last night Rick heard things moving in the garage. He had not believed me that the critters were in there, until he saw the one last night. We started looking and there were actually two possums. What fun. NOT!
We tried to get them out last night, but they got between the wall and the heater and us nor Bubba could get them to leave. So we left the door open thinking, OK they will leave since they have been found. NOT!
Silly critters did not to appear to be in there this morning. I got the old horse beet pulp soaking and started cleaning out the closet. I finally found something to put between the wall and the chest. I started moving said things above, when stuff moves. Yeah, fun. NOT! I keep pulling things out and get down to the big glass from some truck. The critters are sleeping on a towel back behind the smoked glass. Still not sure how the towel and other nesting stuff got in the room.
The possum were not so happy that I found them. I tried to shoo them out the door. Not thinking about the fact that the escape route that they were used to was the hole I blocked up so freaking well. (Sometimes it doesn’t pay to be smart!) So the smaller one moves and I am thinking “Just please don’t run up my pant leg!” and the silly thing runs into the wall and is clawing in the wall trying to get out. Dang!
The bigger one just sits there. I don’t have any thing that I could loop him with and he is not scooping well with the shovel. So I figure I will leave them alone, go feed the old horses, wait for Rick to get up, and regroup.
Where they get in...
I go out to start laundry and finish this thinking the danged things have left. Rick sees the silly critters up in the wall. So we place the auto glass between the heater and the wall. It’s pretty heavy and I don’t think they will move it. We blocked it up against the hole on the inside wall as best we could. I tried to get it tight and broke one pane. Oh well, not like we were ever going to use them. And with the coating it should not totally shatter. We will see.
I sprayed the area down really well with bleach hoping to run them out into the garage, but I think it just made them mad. I heard lots of hissing. LOL!
Later I looked the silly critters are still holed up on the wall, but I don’t think they can get back into the room. I know these guys have been eating the cat food and I think they are moving onto the dog food. So, I may have to get the food source to go away for them to actually leave. I am hoping they don’t have babies, and probably don’t yet, but they so need to leave.
And yes we have the fire power to kill them. And we have numerous ways to kill them, but I can’t do it. Even Rick was touched by their cute faces last night. Between that and running the risk of hitting the heater or TV (if it went through the wall). He is considering using the cross bow. Might sic the girl that feeds on the target. She likes killing small woodland critters, so maybe she could get them out. It’s worth a try.
If anyone has any tips on getting the silly things out of our wall I would be willing to listen. Hate the waiting game, but right now that’s the only way to do it. Hope you have enjoyed life on the ranch. Yes, some days are good ones and you get to ride a race horse. Other days you get to chase possum out of the cat food. All pays the same.
Posted by SierraRanch on January 12, 2010
These are from the Tulsa World.
This first on is about how a network to fix up hurt rodeo folks has been set up. And it’s based in OK. Is that not cool?
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Rodeo RX
By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer
Stan Williamson of Okmulgee, a two-time world rodeo champion, has been hurt plenty in his steer-wrestling career |
This one is about Remington Park changing owners for our race horse fans.
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Chickasaws begin changes at park
By RANDY ELLIS The Oklahoman
At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, a Chickasaw Nation subsidiary took over ownership of Oklahoma City’s Remington Park racetrack and casino, ushering in a new era of local control. |
Hope you enjoy. Make it a great day!
Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
Http://sierraranchok.com
http://sierraranchok.net
Posted by SierraRanch on December 12, 2009
My friend Patricia Reszetylo just released the internet’s most massive equine/equestrian digital gift giveaway ever:
http://FreeHorseGifts.sierraranchok.net
Simply sign up and get the scoop.
-tons of ebooks
-audios
-memberships
-tons of everything you’ve ever wanted
Where did all these goodies come from?
I teamed up with Patricia Reszetylo who has called in some favors from a whole bunch of top online equine/equestrian marketers and convinced them all to give you TONS of Products at no cost to you.
It is our way of saying “thank you”!
These products are worth thousands and thousands of dollars and have already made their users and their horses happier and healthier.
I just can’t hide the excitement. This is probably the most exciting news I’ve ever shared with you.
Go get it now!
http://FreeHorseGifts.sierraranchok.net
Warmly,
Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
Http://sierraranchok.com
http://sierraranchok.net
Posted by SierraRanch on September 30, 2009
Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue, Inc. located in Jones, Oklahoma, is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that strives to improve the lives of neglected, starved, and abused horses. We provide equine rescue regardless of age or disability. We promote and teach horse care and humane, natural methods of training horses.
Rescues:
Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue has had a very busy year. So far this year, we have assisted with 3 large seizures. We have taken in more horses from Animal Cruelty this year than we have any other year. From January 1 to September 27, 2009, Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue has taken in 197 horses. Since we have started our equine rescue in 2001, we have taken in a total of 502 horses and have adopted out 410 of those horses into loving, forever homes. None of this could be possible without our wonderful supporters and volunteers. With Animal Cruelty on the rise, we need your support now more than ever. Donations are needed to continue saving these wonderful horses lives.
In our last newsletter, we told you about our rescue of 52 horses from Beckham County on May 1st. Since then, we have assisted Garvin County with the rescue of 82 horses on August 24th 2009. And most recently we assisted Oklahoma County with the rescue of 6 horses on September 23, 2009 and 2 horses from Logan County on September 24, 2009. Of course, we can’t forget the countless horses received from Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Division this year as well. We have a lot of wonderful horses in our care and many of them require a lot of medical attention and care. We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to some of the horses that need your assistance. We ask that you please consider making a donation towards the horses currently in our care.
Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue is making an Urgent Plea for assistance. Any Donation, no matter the size, is very important to us. Help us continue to save so many wonderful horses lives. Remember “Success comes one bit at a time”.
TURTLE
Turtle came into our rescue program on August 20, 2009 from the Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Division. Turtle is a Beautiful, Palomino, Stud, estimated to be 20 years of age and emaciated. Turtle has bladder stones and is not able to urinate properly. Turtle is currently being treated for his stones and gaining weight nicely. Turtle is on extensive antibiotics and has to have treatments weekly to break down the stones and properly empty his bladder. He is making wonderful progress and hopefully, he will be able to urinate freely soon. Once he is healthy, he will be gelded. He is a sweetheart of a horse and tolerates everything wonderfully. Please consider making a donation towards Turtle’s ongoing medical expenses. He needs your support!
TEQUILA aka (MR. STUD MAN)
Tequila came into our rescue program on August 24, 2009 along with 81 other horses from Garvin County. Tequila is a Beautiful, Sorrel, Quarter Horse, Stud. Tequila is estimated to be 17 years of age and extremely emaciated. Tequila is one of the sweetest, well mannered Studs. He has such a wonderful personality and a strong will to survive. Tequila had not received proper hoof care in quite some time and he is going through a series of corrective trimmings. His teeth were in extremely poor condition upon arrival. Tequila is gaining weight wonderfully and once he gains his weight back and is healthy, Tequila will be gelded. Please consider making a donations towards Tequila’s rehabilitation.
MO MONEY
Mo Money came into our rescue program on August 20, 2009 from the Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Division. Mo Money is a Beautiful, Chestnut, Thoroughbred, Gelding. Mo Money is a former race horse and is extremely emaciated. Mo Money is a sweet boy that is very week. Mo Money needs your support, please consider making a donation towards his rehabilitation.
ISABEL
Isabel came into our rescue program on September 23, 2009 from Oklahoma County. Isabel is a 2 year old, Thoroughbred/Arabian Cross. She is extremely emaciated and is the size of a yearling. She is very weak and went down in the trailer while being transported to our facility. She is such a sweet girl and has already suffered so much in her short life. We pray that Isabel has the strength to pull through this. Please consider making a donation towards Isabel’s rehabilitation, she needs your support and prayers.
BOSS
Boss came into our rescue program on August 24, 2009 from Logan County. Boss is another sweet boy, that is stunted. Boss is a 2 year old, Paint, Stud Colt. He is emaciated as well, but doing very well. He has a strong will and should recover well, but will be very small. Please consider making a donation towards Boss’ rehabilitation.
Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue has many more wonderful horses in our program that need your support. We ask that you please make a donation towards any of the horses currently in our rescue program. All of them are equally important and they all need us now more than ever. Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue is currently caring for 92 rescued horses at this time. Donations can be sent to:
Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue
17667 Markita Drive
Jones, OK 73049
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support.
Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue has many wonderful horses currently available for adoption. If you or someone you know is wanting to add a horse to their family, please consider adopting a rescued horse. Rescued horses make wonderful horses, they are so eager to please and give 110% to their adoptive family. Many of them are young and ready for training. Many others are broke to ride and some would just be wonderful companion animals or pets. No matter what you are looking for, you will find that building a relationship with a rescued horse is priceless!
Take a moment to read about one of our adopters experiences and what her adopted horse means to her.
Jan Talley — Midwest City
“I have always tried to on occasion to send Blaze’s a donation for all the horses that they are saving. Little did I know that last March, I would find my best friend from Blaze’s. Upon arrival at Blaze’s I met a skinny bay gelding, Porter. He was so sweet. I adopted him and brought him home. Over the next couple of months I watched him bloom into a beautiful horse. Porter is well broke and gentle. I indeed found my diamond in the rough. It seems like he knows he has a home that cares for him and finally he is loved. We now have a trust between each other that is forever. Children love Porter to, but that feeling is mutual. Although he is a big boy at 15 hands, he will let children ride him and he never takes a wrong step. It took me years to find Porter. He is the love of my life. I don’t understand how folks could let a horse of this character go down hill. He is such an easy keeper. He has a gentle, kind spirit and I am blessed that he is mine. I can’t thank Blaze’s enough for letting me adopt Porter.”
Jan Talley & Porter
Thank you!
Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue, Inc. would like to thank all the wonderful volunteers that assisted us during the 2009 Oklahoma State Fair. Without your dedicated support, we would not have been able to successfully run 3 concession stands this year. Thank you Desiree Walling, Brian Walling, Roger Fees, Lisa Calder, John Brown, Leslie Brown, Tim Spears, Melissa Spears, Kathy Morris, Judi Leonard, Tammy Zeman, Brooke Bradley, Jeff Mead, Krysdyl Evans, Jananne Risenhoover, and Debbie. You all are amazing volunteers and supporters! Thank you so much for your continued support
I reprint the Blaze’s newsletter whenever I get it. As you all know we have adopted horses from them in the past. We have 20 horses on our pasture to support and fully understand what it takes to make these horses whole again. Please support Blaze’s with anything you can.
Thanks,
Posted by SierraRanch on September 3, 2009
These are things people both new to horses and those that have had them for a while need to remember.
1. My life is likely to last 20 or more years. Any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that before you take me home.
2. Give me time to understand what you want from me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial to my well being.
4. Don’t be angry with me for long. Don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I have only you.
5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when it is speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I’ll never forget it.
7. Remember before you hit me that I am powerful enough to hurt you, but choose not to.
8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I have a problem that you are not yet aware of.
9. Take care of me when I am old. You too will be old one day.
10. Go with me on the last journey. Never say “I can’t bear to watch or let it happen in my absence.” Everything is easier for me if you are there.
Remember that I love you. Here is something to pamper your horse with:
$10 off orders of $100 or more at Horse.com (some restrictions apply)
Deb Stowers
Sierra Ranch, LLC
Http://sierraranchok.com
http://sierraranchok.net
