The Universe Rules

It was a trying day on the ranch today. One of the horses had what we think was a seizure and another has been acting "off." These kinds of things can really drain your energy and get your heart racing.

But, sitting on the other side of the rainbow was an overflowing pot of happy gold!

Last night I was perusing the craigslist for sale listings in farm and garden (of course, what else?) and saw the heading "Missing Red Aussi/Heeler."

As you might imagine, I pulled up the listing and saw the most adorable face on the photo staring back at me. He looked just like Pinkie, my new Australian Shepherd/Heeler mix.

The family had just moved to a new home only a couple of miles from us. The dog was out playing with the kids and for some reason ran off. The kids followed him for a mile and lost him. The number on the dog's tag was their old number, not yet transferred to the new house, so they listed their cell phone numbers on the craigslist posting.

Frankly I don't know what's happening to me, but these animals are just tugging all lengths of my heart strings.

I started asking the universe, "Please bring this dog to me or send him to someone who read the same listing." I asked several times last night and again today "please" "please" "please."

I was just telling Brian, our eternal contractor, about this dog and said, "I just hope to look out and see him coming up the driveway."

Moments later, I came in the house and before I could take my coat off, Larry was telling me about this sweet dog "that looks just like Pinkie!" that our friends April and Richard have. "What dog?!" "They found a dog in their hay barn and he looks just like Pinkie."

I brought up the photo on craigslist and showed Larry, "Is this him?" "Yes, that's the dog they have."

My heart was racing, my coat still on, hat still on, and I called April and left her a message, "I know who the owner is!"

Because April was out at an appointment and Larry said there was no one at the telephone number that April called (as I explained) I just could not wait, I had to call the cell number in the posting.

Rayna was ecstatic. As it turns out Mity was only a half mile or so from his house. Rayna went to collect him an hour ago and although April had already decided she could keep this dog (along with her other 3 dogs and 5 cats and 25+ alpacas) Mity and Rayna were joyfully reunited.

Mity didn't come to me directly but he went where he knew he'd be found: April's (Informal) Animal Rescue.

You see, the universe does listen and she delivers. She rules!

Welcome Bodie! The Story.

It all happened so quickly. I went to dance class on Wednesday and then stopped by Jerri's house to "meet" this little dog who needed a new home. Next thing I knew, I was loading this timid frightened creature into the backseat of my car.

His tag has the name Zipp. He didn't respond to that name and really, a darling miniature Australian Shepherd deserves a more, well, darling name.

So, Bodie it is. (This may or may not have something to do with my enjoyment of the western Cheyenne.)

After being weaned, Bodie went from a breeder to a new home and then a few days ago was brought to Jerri's because they found him "out of control." We got an email from Jeff and Barb, our neighbors who have Nick, a dog like Bodie, saying that Jerri just needed to find a home for this dog. It said something to the effect of "if you want him you better get him fast."

I thought, well by all means we should explore this. Explore the idea. The possibility. Explore what it would mean to have a second dog. When I suggested to Jerri that I take a few pictures to show Larry, she suggested I just bring him the dog.

I was not expecting to come home with a dog. I called Larry, "Honey, I think we have a new dog." While Larry got a kennel ready for him, Bodie and I drove to the feed store to get him a cute dog dish with dog paws print and the food to go inside.

At the feed store I discovered that Bodie has difficulties with men (I so get this dog.) It was sad to see, really. He cowered and growled when Joel, Judd and Bill tried to pet him and give him cookies. When Libby came out; however, he went straight to her and let her love on him while he licked cookie crumbs from her fingers.

When we got home, I introduced Bodie and Larry. He growled at Larry and again cowered behind my legs. He even barked at him. Fortunately, Larry speaks animal. He sat on the floor, made his shoulders soft, his voice tender, he put his head and eyes down and broke up a dog cookie and let Bodie come to him and eat from his hand. By the end of the evening Bodie was letting Larry pet him and he turned his back to him while eating--a sign of trust.

Things sure have changed in a matter of days. Bodie very happily jumps up onto the man cave futon to cuddle with Larry and gives him his belly to rub for as long as Larry has time.

Now we are working on 11 year old Felon and her acceptance of 8 month old Bodie. She is warming to the idea.

The other day we introduced Bodie to the chickens. Or let's say Bodie introduced himself and all his magnificent herding dog talents. I've never seen my hens and rooster run, fly, flutter, spin, jump and flip more than in those 10 seconds. We had another 4 seconds of this and with the help of a remote control collar and a stern "No!" Bodie gets that the hens are not his charges.

Whew. Chicken soup dodged again.

Bodie is a love. He runs himself to exhaustion and then just crashes to recharge. He's great in the car and he's smarter than a whip. It's been new fun to teach him the do's and don't's of ranch life. Extremely tiring too. Most things take me twice as long as I'm either tracking him, calling him, rescuing him from Felon, petting him, schooling him, or just standing still watching him.

We have some work left to do. He is an 8 month old after all. He is a handful. A very soft fluffy innocent endearing handful.

Here's to asking the universe to help us equip our new ranch! Om. Peace. Amen.