Valentine’s Day! The one day of the year set aside to celebrate love! I hope someone today tells you how special you are and how much they love you. And that, you do the same, for another.

The past couple of days have not unfolded like I would have planned, but that is life, am I right? Things aren’t always as we expect, and sometimes that’s ok. Yesterday I had originally planned to have lunch with a friend and then spend some time, hopefully, with the kids who both didn’t have school. Instead, we ended spending most of the day just working and training with the horses, which was a most unexpected selfish joy for me.

First we worked with Cesar, who, despite our coaxing’s, only seemed interested in putting in about a 60% effort, so after about 20 minutes, we decided that was enough. He then proceeded to stand at the gate and bang wanting more attention, although we don’t reward that, silly boy, the time to put in the effort had come and gone by then! We then spent some time with Emblaze, but, we mostly just loved up on her, because she has decided she wants to be retired, and want to respect that. After a short break, we regrouped, and worked with the babies.

Zen and Chilli got to show off their cool “fence” trick, where Chilli will come from nearly anywhere where Zen calls her, and immediately line up with the fence so she can get on. It’s fun and cool to watch. And I tried something new with Natalia. I have not much practiced coming when called with her, but decided I would try it. She was way out in the front field with everyone else. I did have a pointer in my hand to increase the odds I would have success. I was either going to look foolish or it was going to work. I went out to the field and called for her. She threw her head up, look right at me, and galloped right to me! It was magical! And I was grateful I didn’t end up looking foolish!

We then saddled her (no problem) did a little trailer loading (no problem), and then did a little leading and riding but she was getting hot and fussy and tried to rear a couple of times with me but no harm done, and I am getting comfortable with what that feels like from her, and now need to figure out how I can pair it with a cue so I can get her to rear on command from the saddle so she can be a real movie horse!

I did get to spend a little time with the kids, but then the snow was coming in and we all decided to skeedaddle before the roads got bad.
Today I am grateful I got to spend quality time with horses and friends.

I am grateful our training paid off and I didn’t look foolish!

I am grateful for the little bit of snow on the ground this morning, and the fresh smell of moisture in the air.

I am grateful when all the kids were here they helped me temporarily fix my bed so we could sleep in it last night. I am grateful Zen helped me clean the house before we had company. I am grateful Bento behaved the best he has ever, so far, with all the company and commotion in the house! His training is really coming along and Zen is doing an exceptional job with him. I am grateful for the sweet Valentine’s note she left me to find this morning. I am grateful I woke up this morning. I don’t even want to imagine what life would be like for my girls, my business, and all the animals, if I had not. So although it feels a little bit like, here we go again, I am grateful I feel pretty well rested, and my ankle still seems to be behaving itself.

How about you? Did you have a super fun Friday night? What about do you have plans today to shower someone you love with adoration and appreciation, without expectation in return? Valentine’s day is a good reminder to a) first of all, expect nothing, b) remember to show love for someone you care about, even if it’s your pet or a family member and c) it’s not just a day for romantic love, and don’t let yourself get caught up in that, or feeling bad if you have not found that special someone yet, it’s a day to look around at who loves YOU, and who do you love, and selflessly shower some affection on them, expecting nothing in return. I know it’s not always the easiest, but it can be, if you just relax your expectations and give freely of yourself, and this, my friends, is how we grow.

Hoping you have the most beautiful day filled with love, joy, and appreciation (and maybe donuts) (no forget I said that, I am supposed to encourage you to make healthy food choices!) and maybe a nice, fruit tray?! Are you going to the Denver Dog Show? It’s this weekend. We usually go most years, it’s an absolutely fun event to go out and get to see all those huge varieties of dogs, dogs, dogs! It only costs $10 to get in and is running all day today and tomorrow at the National Western Complex.

​Whatever you do, make today the best day you possibly can, enjoy, and I deeply wish that when you go to sleep tonight, you feel loved and appreciated. Have the best Valentine’s Day every, you Animal Loving Angel!
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