Saturday was absolutely beautiful. Seeing as how I have been in Minnesota for almost thirteen years, that word has a new meaning. It was 38 degrees! w00t!

I apologize for getting ‘farm descriptive’ and talking horse poop, but I have been waiting for the warmer weather so I could clean out the barn. I guess we all enjoy a nice day differently. While we were in California, it had gotten very cold & the horses spent a lot of time in there. They usually don’t, no matter what the weather is doing, so it was very odd that it had gotten so bad. This would be an easier task if I didn’t have so much help. No, my daughter didn’t help & hubby was off doing Elks stuff. My help was Ringo. I have said before that I’m pretty sure he thinks he’s a dog. He didn’t quite get the fact that I needed to walk around him & empty the shovel. If I’m out there – it’s playtime! His shenanigans know no limit – this includes relieving me of my stocking cap. That’s not so bad except when it come with a a bunch of hair! I also knew every time he’d pulled my jacket off the fence. I still have a stuffed monkey in my pocket from Chicago. It screams when it is hit just right. I heard it hit the ground a few times ’till I finally just moved it out of reach.

I miss the cart I used to have that made this job easier. I had to walk about 100 shovel fulls of straw & “presents” out to a pile I started just outside the back barn door. A couple of cats & Ringo made sure I was stopped with each pass. Even Charlie was just enough in the way to get some loving, which he rarely does. Everyone must have been just a little more active with the nicer weather. Can’t really complain about that. :D

At one point – somewhere between trip 50 & 60.. I had enough of saying “Excuse me, baby boy” & hollered “Ringo Joseph!” He finally got the hint & went and stood outside out of the way. Yes, all my animals have middle names & I use it like you would on your children & yes, it works pretty much the same way. My husband’s family thinks I’m crazy. That’s just ridiculous. There are so many other reasons to call me crazy. ;)

Here’s the beasts just outside the door when they finally got the hint. Yes, That’s Ringo’s “I got the middle name?” face.
dogs

Why Joseph you ask? I have been a fan of Michael Landon since he was Little Joe in Bonanza. (Yes, this dates me, I know.) Growing up on Maui when I did, I had friends with horses in their backyard. Rules weren’t so strict then. Several years back things were zoned differently & horses were only later forced to be moved up country to stables. Some of my fondest memories are riding horses bareback on the beach down Halama Street, Summer camp at Thompson’s Ranch, and vaulting in Rodeos. I always wanted a Paint horse and I was going to name him Little Joe.

When I finally got a hobby farm of my own and found my dream Paint, he already had the name Ringo. The first time he was naughty (which was immediately), Ringo Joseph just came out naturally & it stuck. I think we were made for each other. He has just enough spitfire in him that we get along perfectly. My neighbor calls him ass biter and doesn’t like when I ride behind her (or in front of her for that matter). When my friend “Zebra” came to ride, she borrowed a friends sweet horse “Big Red”. He didn’t care for Ringo either. He kept looking behind him through the whole ride, making sure Ringo kept his proper distance.

We are both trouble and we’re okay with that. :P

My dad’s name happens to be Joseph. He was tickled. He said to my husband, “Ha. I have a horse named after me & you don’t.”
Hubby promptly said, “Yeah, but Joseph is the back half’s name.”

I’m gonna miss him. ;)

Do I stand alone? Any of you call your pets something out of the ordinary that gets their attention where just their name & a firm tone does not?