Today I woke up to about a foot of snow that I was not expecting. You would think after living in Colorado since 1995 I would know better than to get caught unexpectedly by a deep snow storm. But alas, I can start my day by forgiving myself for yesterday’s mistakes, including, not prioritizing the weather forecast. And, regardless of what it means for travel today, I am grateful to see this beautiful blanket of snow. It just makes me take a deep breath, and feels so comforting, quiet, soft, beautiful and clean. Snow gently coats everything in newness, and invites playfulness. I love the snow.

Yesterday I feel like we accomplished a lot, by recording the new Clicker and Target training miniclass that my daughter and I created over the Thanksgiving holiday. I am grateful to her for her help, and I am grateful we got it recorded. It took over an hour just to get set up for filming, and then another 45 minutes to take all the lights down when we were finished. The amount of time and effort it takes to bring good videos forward, might just take more work than you ever really thought about. So today, if you have found a creator on YouTube that makes videos you truly enjoy, take a moment to let them know that all of their hard work was appreciated.

Although we have a lot of snow today, I am grateful I have done everything I can to help make sure the horses survive it as comfortably as I can make it for them. Sugar continues to do well, and I am thankful for that. We have additional shelter we did not have last year. And, we were able to rent a wood chipper and make a lot of wood ships to fill the barn and corral with, in order to give the animals a cushion from the cold icy ground. I truly wish we had a big barn with stalls for all of the animals, though, especially the older ones who it is all much tougher on. Right now, we keep Dixie in a stall at night and she loves it! Every evening she whinnies loudly and marches over to us whenever we appear, demanding to be let into her comfortable stall. She is so funny! I am grateful for Dixie, she has been a true blessing to have here. We love her a lot. She brings a smile to my face every day. But Oliver and Sugar might both benefit from being in stalls at night, as well as maybe Chilli and Natalia. Emblaze, on the other hand, does not like being in a stall so I think no matter the weather, she would probably prefer being outside.

When we first moved here, we tried to keep all the horses in stalls inside the barn at night. But Emblaze never wanted to go in. And in the morning she would rear in her stall wanting to get out. She can be kind of scary like that at times. And Cesar, that little fuzzy monster likes being pampered, so I know he would love a stall at night. And Donkey? As long as he is near Rhoen, he is happy. And she is another one that sometimes wants in, sometimes out. She, like Emblaze, really enjoys her freedom and would probably have to learn to like being inside. The age old question of whether a horse needs a barn or not, is one all of us horse people struggle with. But as you can see, the answer is not so black and white, each horse may perceive being in a stall differently. For some, like Dixie, it can really make their life better. For others, like Emblaze, it would make her life possibly worse no matter how bad the weather is outside. For her, and Rhoen, when we have our big barn with the stalls in it, they will have to acclimate and learn to enjoy being in a stall. Or not. And then, we will do with them what brings them the most joy.

So today, I am visualizing and manifesting that barn. Our big indoor arena, with 20 stalls, 2 wash racks, wide clean, non slip aisleways, and an upstairs with an elevator, community kitchen, dog training space, a small Children’s Museum for Pets, and a direct view down to the indoor dustless arena below where a team of compassionate, kind animal lovers, are building relationships, skills, and physical strength with animals in a positive reinforcement, or R+ way. Can you see it? Do you want to be part of it?

How are you feeling about this new day, this gift? Are you excited to see what this day brings? I hope you find joy in everything you do today, and that all of your relationships are in harmony. Everything works out for you, because you love and accept yourself, the way you are. Do you have a goal for this day? What about this week? This month? Next year? Have you taken the time to visualize what your life will look like, in the future? Take the time to invest in yourself today. Take a moment today to be in the present, to be grateful, to forgive yourself, and to know that everything is ok, just as it is. You are enough, and you deserve all good things.

​Safe travels to you today on this snowy day, and choose to have the best day of your life. Thanks for being here you Animal Loving Angel!

Check out my YouTube channel for a daily "Good Morning!" from the rescues and lots of free tips and training resources. https://www.youtube.com/@the1drq