Several of the animals that live at the ranch, where all the excitement was on Sunday, would like to share their view of what they were seeing and feeling. The cast of characters: Banner Bucket - a very friendly Great Pyrenees, Blue - a mixed breed and visiting friend to Banner and Pip, Pip- a Welsh Corgi and shadow to my friend who owns the ranch.
As all humans do, we reacted when Helen fell. Pillows were brought outside and Helen was never without a hand being held and comforted. The animals watched in silence as we all waited for the ambulance to arrive. Zoe, the one-eyed cat, came to make sure Helen knew she was close. The ranch is about 25 miles outside of the nearest town with an ambulance. It took a little while to arrive. As the EMT’s that arrived first began to check, Helen’s vital signs, the animals began to show their concern, and no longer worried in silence. Banner, who is large even for his breed, came over and stood over Helen lying on the ground ensuring he was there should her require his help. I asked him to move so as not to harm Helen’s leg as he tried to carry out his task. He complied, but reluctantly standing just a few feet away as I reassured him the gentleman would do no harm, he let me know that was from my perspective. Blue kept a few feet away, his eyes always on Helen or his human. Pip wandered over to me from her usual spot in the yard and wanted reassurance as to what was going on, her own vulnerability showing in her eyes. I held onto Banner and petted Pip. It was not enough, her world was being shaken, she wandered into the flower garden and lay staring with pain in her heart and showing in her eyes. I motioned to my friend that Pip was in distress. She went to her best friend and attempted to reassure her. Pip needed to know nothing would happen to her human. Pip loves Helen, but my friend is her world. The sadness in her heart could be felt very strongly. As the ambulance arrived, Pip stayed in her spot, but Banner and Blue, both generally very friendly guys to all whom they meet, showed concern. I was asked to bring them in the house. Banner needed coaxing but finally went in. Blue wanted nothing to do with leaving his human, he showed me a glimpse of having lost someone before and never wanted to lose someone again, that wound went deep and it was privately his own. Blue had been found on the side of the road several years ago. He kept his past to himself. I gently guided him to the house, he planted his feet and asked to stay, unfortunately I could not comply with his wish, he could have been to easily hurt with all the vehicles in the yard. His other human whom he loves as well was coaxing him from inside. He finally gave in. As the EMT’s tried their best to not cause Helen more pain, she screamed in agony as she was rolled on the air mattress and buckled in for her trip. We all felt her ordeal, including all the animals. Banner had been right. They hurt Helen, from his perspective. I too in my concern failed to tell them that leaving with these strangers was for the best. That one of her daughters would go with her. Just as we humans had our inner feelings brought up, so too did each of these wonderful beings. Their concerns have been addressed by their humans.
Yesterday, I was asked to go and help a friend on her ranch. I have been blessed to meet and become friends with this wonderful group of people who help and support each other in all ways. It is a group effort in many tasks, when we are asked to come and help. When we all head back to our lives and our homes we are all full inside, and when in season, our cars are also full of fresh vegetables. Our hearts always know the true blessing of it all. We eat like kings and queens when there, always coming away having savored the experience, for its more than just eating.
While there yesterday the matriarch of us all, at 92 fell and broke her hip. She had previously been shooting chickens with her squirt gun to keep them away from the flower bed, a task she told her daughter she needed a bigger gun for. We all fell into a bit of shock to feel how quickly it all changed. All having other experiences of our own that mirrored the change in that families lives. Our hearts and emotions came together to support and send our prayers to “mom” who underwent surgery last night. I am reminding myself to remember and see the beauty in this wonderful ladies journey, that has now taken a turn. I am not embracing the sadness, just honoring it.
Heart of my heart, that is my Morgan horse Brandy. Time has dimmed the times I thought she forgot I was on her back and let out a hee haw with a twist of her body. Today she is 20 yrs old, but to me she is forever four. I met this precocious Morgan 16 yrs ago. Were as my first born horse Chris, an Appaloosa, took care of me, Brandy always said hang on we are out for an adventure. I am not a bold rider but I know this horse inside and out. We have been through so much together. Having survived a life threatening illness twelve yrs ago when she was eight, I keep close tabs on my girl and knew what the look in her eye meant. Then she began curling her lip, a definite sign she had a tummy ache. All sign that sends terror through anyone who lives with horses. I brought out my arsenal of stethoscope to listen for gut noises, essence of dill, reported to help with colic, Rescue Remedy, prayer and healing to surround her with. God, Brandy, and I headed out for a walk to keep her intestines moving. You never know how deeply you can love until you look into the eyes of a soul that is all heart. Every horse owner knows that the passing of manure at a time like this is to be celebrated, we celebrated. She is standing peacefully in her paddock, so I can keep an eye on her, her best friend Butternut by her side. I can breath again. I hear a voice telling me she will be fine.
She will get a little extra scratching when I go back outside
. 
In the work that I do as a communicator/healer, I work with many guide dogs. I am using the term to describe all our canine companions. I recently had the opportunity to work with one dog in particular that changed the lives of a family, consisting of three adults. She brought joy, love, and challenges to them all. Ultimately from the spirit world, after she died, she gave them each a message that was touching and poignant. She is continuing to support them and encourage them, in the world they now face without her. Now is the time they can choose to go deeper into the lessons and love she brought them. She was/is very evolved in her understanding of self, and of her family. They are a remarkable group of people who are carrying on her lesson of love, from hearts she helped cultivate with her spirit.
Our animals so selflessly reflect parts of us in their behavior . Tonight I choose to learn from their unconditional love and to begin to cultivate it in me.
Well I actually went into town , big day. I didn’t go to the dump though, just the post office. I want to save that excitement for another time. I should explain that the closest town is 6 miles away and that the town is the size of a Wal-Mart. I love it here. It is a wonderful community. Our closest neighbor on one side is a 1/2 mile and on the other 4 miles. Billings is 50 miles away, so needless to say, we don’t go often.
The sense of community and family that I feel here, reminds me of when I was growing up. The ranchers are a hardy lot, honest hard working people. Everyone waves and my first “Howdy Mam” is still fondly remembered. It is a different lifestyle and would drive many crazy. My husband and I do not have a tv by choice. My sister wanted to know how I could stand that, I told her “easy, we have an ever changing view of the mountains, cattle, deer, antelope and coyote.” When the cattle are in the pasture next to us they can be found watching us when we are outside. They particularly like it when we play frisbee with the dogs. I am sure they find it odd behavior. They are a warm relaxing presence. This may sound incredibly boring to some, but to me it is incredibly peaceful. I have learned to know myself here.
This is one eastern transplant who is right where she is suppose to be.
