The Sanchez Herd Fights City Hall!

As I said, last week, I appeared in a newspaper article in the Toledo Blade on Easter Sunday 2011, in an article praising the Backyard Hen movement.  I was asked by the gentleman who gifted me my girls and I was proud to be interviewed because I believe in the place of animal companions in our lives and rural and urban areas.  I believe fully in the backyard hen movement.  But shortly afterwards, the then-Code Enforcement Officer of Bowling Green, told me that the Director of City Planning had seen the article and decided to cite me.  I received a warning letter on a Saturday in mid-May and on that Monday morning, I was in her office, trying to keep my hens.

She told me that I'd mis-read our town ordinances and that hens were agricultural animals.  It turns out that my town talks about hens in three separate ordinances.  I looked in two.  The first ordinance describes prohibited animals and includes gamecocks, but not hens.  And the second ordinance openly discusses how homeowners can keep poultry, but must confine them like their cats and dogs -- a leash law, if you will, for backyard hens.  These laws were old and part of our city for a long time.  In 1975, I guess, my city decided to draft an agricultural ordinance defining poultry as only permitted in agricultural not residential zones.

The Director of City Planning told me that the City Prosecutor wanted to see me, so I went immediately to his office and he told me that he wanted me to draft an ordinance proposal for the city to consider for backyard hens.  He and I discussed how that would be easy to do since SO MANY cities around the United States were accepting hens as part of urban animal companions.  I told him I would be happy to do so, it would be an honor.

So, I researched the issue and spoke to the alderman who drafted Madison, Wisconsin's ordinance and in July 2011, I delivered a friendly respectful letter to my city council, Mayor, and Director of City Planning with my draft proposal which laid out a nice backyard hen ordinance and suggested that they drop the word poultry from their agricultural ordinance.  And thus began the nightmare!

I Love My Beautiful Girls!

I got Thelma and Louise as pullets in August 2009.  And I surrendered them to dear friends in November 2012.  So, I only had my girls for a little over three years.  I lost them because of a heartless city administration which I found unbelievably cruel and unkind about the fact that they were requiring me to give up my living loving animal companions.  But that's a story that I'll tell you about next week! For now, let me say on this beautiful Sunday, that these girls were lovely, kind, funny, sweet, hilarious, playful, courteous, generous.  I thoroughly absolutely enjoyed my time with them!

We Work on Our Urban Farm!

This Spring and Summer, I enjoyed working in my garden and expanding it.  I'm trying to develop more butterfly garden space and produce more of my own food.  Anyway, the hens were allowed to explore the yard whenever I was home.  And I'd so enjoy sitting in my garden and working in the rows and I'd look up and the girls would be along the fenceline with me, looking at me, preening, digging, eating bugs.  We had so much fun together.  I can say from the bottom of my heart that there's nothing quite as nice as having a few hens and your dog in your yard as you work on your garden.  It makes life so sweet!

We're All Better!

Here are some early Fall photos of my healthy girls, after a summer of medicine, gardening, and loving!

Louise Gets Sick!

In the middle of the summer, after Thelma got sick, Louise got sick too.  So, I ended up having an extended summer of tending to hens.  But we recovered and got well.  And as I said, the experience brought me and the hens closer.  They learned how to be held close and take their medicine.  They learned the routine of care. And they learned that I wanted them to feel good and well.  It was weird to be going through the experience of caring for sick hens as I knew that I was fighting city hall for the right to try and keep them.

Thelma Gets Sick!

I have many things to write about my beautiful hens.  We've had a very eventful two years.  In April of 2011, I appeared in a newspaper article, talking about how wonderful backyard hens are.  The director of city planning in my town saw the article and pulled me into a nightmare.  She had the Code Enforcement Officer cite me in May.  My little Easter article put my girls in danger.  The Saturday that I received that article, I knew that my days with my hens were numbered.  But the next posts over the next few weeks will tell about our adventures together and the friends who came into our lives.  Anyway, this summer, we had a very hot summer and Thelma ended up getting bumblefoot and a belly problem.  So, I took her to an exotic animal and bird wellness center staffed by one of the world's best avian veterinarians and a vet who used to serve the Toledo Zoo.  The avian vet is also the animal welfare veterinarian for research animals at BGSU.  So, that was an adventure in and of itself.

This summer I learned how to take good care of my girls.  Every day, four times a day, for over 30 days, I had to give my girls pills and syringes and rub ointment on their feet.  We learned how to trust and love each other even more through that work.  I love my girls!

Growing Up

I spend many hours praying and thinking about this time in my life and the consequences.  May I find rest from the confusion and pain.  I have learned a great deal.

Baby Orangeina with her Yarn Fish

Here's my baby girl in 2008 before Renny was even here.  And she's calmly enjoying a moment of relaxation in my living room, playing with her little yarn fish!

Cutest Little Show Pony!

Here's a June Lieway photo of my handsome sweet pony!

Round Stretchy Buddy

He's just so wonderful.  He's a loyal faithful talented friend.  He's my hero.

Good Samaritan Day!

Today is Good Samaritan Day!  And I want to thank my good samaritan, Paula Newton, for the goodness she brought into my life and the life of my herd.  It's been two years since I made the mistake of misplacing my trust.  My error in judgement resulted in this beautiful mare, Hailee, ending up starved, abused, and drugged in a kill pen with over 100 other animals at some livestock auction in Tennessee.  Paula visited that kill pen that day and saw Hailee.  She saw her and rescued her.  And she wrote to me to say that she'd found my mare and wanted me to know that she was safe and loved and in her forever home.  And she let me visit Hailee and meet Paula and her family and her herd.  She opened her home and told me stories about her love of horses and family.  She opened my home so I could say my regrets and apologies to Hailee.  Paula befriended me and my herd.  I believe that G*d sent Paula to that kill pen to protect Hailee and my family.

I received that letter which changed my life the day before Thanksgiving.  And so, I consider the day before Thanksgiving to be Good Samaritan Day!  May we all have the courage and love of people like Paula Newton.  May we all aspire to be earthbound angels.

To celebrate this day, I thought I would post a little video of Hailee with her first foal, my Renny, in the first few days of his life.  You can see my radiant lovely happy gorgeaus plump beloved Hailee relaxed and content.  In this past year, she's had her second foal, a filly, with Paula's Paint stallion.  Hailee threw color -- a beautiful cherry and white filly.  Every single day, I am grateful for the blessings G*d pours onto me, my family, and my herd.  Every single day, I am grateful for Paula Newton. Prayers of blessings for the Good Samaritans!

My Bareback Buddy!

Great Jumper!

Here's an August 3rd photo and video of my round obedient talented pony.  I'm writing this entry on Sunday, November 4th.  This past week has been amazing.  Last Saturday, I rode my pony by ourselves on a windy cold day in the outdoor arena.  He was so sweet and quiet.  He was so sweet that afterwards, I took off his saddle and put him by the mounting block and did a little Karate Kid pose over him.  I'd stand on one leg and drape my other leg over him and pummel him with my leg.  He just stood there calmly and turned and looked at me, as if to say, "It's okay."  But I was nervous because this summer, he'd always enjoyed scooting away from me as I would try to mount him bareback.  But then by the end of this week, on Wednesday, I just got on him.  And after I got on him bareback, he stood stock still at the mounting block and then turned his head around and gently nuzzled my toes.  He's the sweetest little guy!

My Sweetest Violet!

My Sweetest Violet!

Here she is, working hard and learning how to be round.  This photo and video are from July 29th.  I'm writing this entry in early November.  Violet and I are on a path to being a team.  I want to use stretching, massage, and accupressure to help her get over her stiffness and tightness and keep on trying to improve our teamsmanship.  What's been really cool this week is that I rode her several times bareback.  She was so good!  She wanted to be very careful with me.  And we were even closer than usual because she could feel every little request with my weight and seat!

Jumping!!

Thinking about the Gate

Here's my beautiful mare, working with Kelsey this summer.  She's a hard-working obedient intelligent soft girl who wants to please and join her team.  But she also wants to think about those gates!

My Happy Corner

Here's a photo from July 27th.  My beautiful mare is working hard to please me and Kelsey.  I'm writing this entry on Sunday, November 4th and I've just returned from a work trip to Phoenix.  I flew from Chicago to John Wayne Airport in Orange County where the Santa Anita racetrack is.  While I was in Chicago, I sat next to four men who were a combination of racehorse owners and trainers on their way to the Breeders Cup.  I had such a good time listening to them talking about their opinions about trainers -- they said that one famous trainer had so many horses in his stable that he didn't know which ones he had, hadn't met all of them, and lost horses because owners didn't like how he handled their business.  Too too interesting!  And then they praised another for taking his time with the horses, bringing them on slowly, and racing them with their best interests in mind!

Massage and Relaxation for Violet

I'm writing this entry on Sunday, November 4th and this photo of my fast-moving long-leaping mare is from July 27th, as she took a lesson from Kelsey.  She's moving long and swift and fleet!  Today I got back from Phoenix for the NCFR meetings and I was super tired.  So, I went to the barn to hang out.  Todd and Jackie were there.  Betsy showed up. Andi and Kassie.  It was all so nice.  Violet and Renny had their hooves trimmed.  And then Violet had a massage.  Jackie said that Violet was fit and healthy and that she was tight, but felt good.  She didn't have any displacement of her hips. And she had nice fat deposits over her muscles.  She said that even her pelvic girdle had really good conformation.  Violet ate the massage up with a spoon. She'd lean right into her hands and thumbs and just get the happiest expression on her face.  Afterwards, I gave her treats and then took her to her pasture to relax!

Violet Leaps for Joy!

Here's a great photo of my gorgeaus mare taken on July 31st, as she learns how to be a hunter.  You can see her moving with confidence and grace toward her vertical!

Relaxed Hunter Pony

Here's a July 31st photo of my happy relaxed pony sweetly and roundly jumping for his best girl, Kelsey. And you can see that he's jumping higher than the lowest hole.  He just is a fearless sweet calm hunter pony!

Sunset Pony

Here's my happy talented light-footed pony.  I've been with him since he was a teeny tiny little bundle who used to love to sleep in the straw at his mama's feet.  And I knew him as a young pony who worked hard to please us for his video.  And I know him now, as a strong athletic loyal pony!

Beautiful Show Pony!

Here are some more Lieway photos from this June.  Look at that elegant hunter pony!  Namaste

Pony Winter Coats

Here are some winter photos from last year in that icky part of the winter when the coats are dirty and stink.  This fall (2012), I was teased at the barn because Violet had a lovely black and gold rain wind jacket, a insulated rain coat, a big puffy blue suburban housewife coat two matching hoods, a green medium weight coat, and a blue checked barn sheet.  And Renny has one totally flea bitten blanket he got when he was a yearling and beat up medium blanket.  People asked me why she has so many and he has so few and we all laughed when I said it's because I like her better.  But the real reason is that he gets his winter coat almost overnight and really doesn't need much.  But my beautiful diva thoroughbred with her thin skin and fine hair needs the help!  Look at my beautiful creatures!

Jackie

Here's a January 26, 2008 photo of my beloved Jackass, hiding in the laundry.  He's sitting in the bedroom right now as I type this entry in late October 2012, a full 4 Plus years later.  And he is giving me the occasional meow, just to let me know he is large and in charge!  I do love this cat!

Relaxed Obedient Show Pony!

Here's another June photo of Renny's only show of the year.  He had to please Kelsey, Sarah, and me and he was pleased to do it.  He was such a professional and agreeable and trustworthy little guy.  Nothing bothered him!  I was so proud!

Good Manners

Here's a portrait of a mannerly gentlemanly hunter horse with his hunter clip for the winter.  You can see his intelligent expression and patience and calm.  I want to treat my horses in all respects, so that they feel calm and happy and sure of themselves.  I want them to enjoy their lives and their work.  Namaste.

My Little Orange Firecracker

Here is a photo taken on January 4, 2008 of my little baby Rory who we eventually renamed as Orangeina.  She was a bellowing demanding hungry scared kitten who was sort of hiding in a barn on the corner and very cold in the snow.  She was so loud early on a dark morning when I was walking Zelia.  It took me the day to catch her and then I kept her overnight in my bathroom.  You can see her in that bathroom, giving me an imperious look.  I took her to the Humane Society the next morning, but I felt they just wouldn't know how to keep her, so I snatched her from the attendant's hands and brought her home.  Because that's how we roll in the Sanchez home, as we're waiting on our first foal to be born!!!

So Sweet!

Here again is a photo take in April 2008 in the days before Hailee delivered Renny.  You can see her sweet peaceful happy face  And here she is with her beautiful mane trimmed.  She's going to be a gorgeaus healthy mother when she welcomes her baby into the world.  And she will take such good care of her baby.  But on this sunny afternoon, we're just enjoying our time together!

Baby So Tired!

I've been so blessed by this little guy!

Emily and Violet at Thanksgiving in 2011

Here is a little photo and video footage taken almost a year ago at Thanksgiving 2011.  Emily is putting a training ride on my beautiful sweet girl!!  

Heading to Work!

Here's my sick little buddy, heading cheerfully off to work with his girlfriend.  He just loves to be where the action is!  He wants to train to be a show pony!

Smart-Jumping Pony!

Smart-Jumping Pony!

Here's my happy pony in early June, having a lovely sunset ride with his girlfriend, Kelsey.  He just loved showing off for her and jumping smartly for her!

Jumping with My Girl!

Here are some very early June photos of me jumping my sweet athletic loving thoroughbred!  We've really gone backwards since these photos were taken by our friend, Lizz.  But you can see here that we are sort of together.  I am clearly looking where I'm going, Violet is getting to the base of jumps.  But you can also see that I'm not quite sure where to put my body and that my heels are not down to make them more stable!  We have lots of work! But our work is fun and happy.  We do love each other!

My Elegant Girl!

My Elegant Girl!

Here's a July 29th photo and video of beautiful Violet with her trainer, Kelsey.  You can tell that she's tired after a tough workout!  I was so proud of my sweet girl this summer.  She worked hard to please this summer.  And she demonstrated that she has lots of hidden talents -- like lead changes, leg yields, shoulder ins, and haunches in.  She was just such a great little student!

Sweet Brave Pony!

Sweet Brave Pony!

Here's an August photo of my sweet light balanced quiet obedient handy athletic pony with his best girl.  He really enjoyed his time with Kelsey.  And he really enjoys being sweet and true!

My Sweet Trying Girl!

We've had a rough month, Violet and I.  We got a new trainer and she's been shaking things up by requiring tougher technical rides.  So, my sweet mare feels as though I'm mad at her and she gets all worked up. So, I took her out of lessons for a month, so we could work on bonding and getting soft and communicating better. And I think it's working!  We've spent time long-lining, pessoa-ing, lunging, Parelli work, and flat work and jumping.  And I've been practicing being patient and soft with her and that's been helpful.  I can really tell that Violet is working hard to please.  She wants to enjoy her work and her time with me.  This past Friday, she and I had a little riding fun with another friend at the barn and we jumped for the first time in a long while.  And she was just sweet and happy and obliging.  I do love my sweet mare!

My Darling Athlete!

Here's a photo from a lovely evening in July of my beautiful handsome relaxed Renny, jumping the box for the first time.  I'm writing this entry on October 27, a Saturday, and I had such a great day.  I went to an IHSA show with Lexi and Sandy and we enjoyed watching young college kids competing with bravery and skill.  And then we went for a wonderful lunch and talked horses.  And then I went to the barn and had a great relaxed ride on my pony.  We rode by ourselves in the sunlight and practiced lead changes and then practiced bare back!  He is just the funnest sweetest pony!

Happy August Pony

I'm writing this entry on Friday, October 26th.  And these photos are from August 3rd when my happy little pony, Renny, was enjoying his training time with Kelsey.  This week has been kind of fun.  I took Violet out of lessons because she was getting so upset and wound up.  And so, she and I spent a week lunging, long-lining, Pessoaing, relaxed flatting, and even jumping!!!  Today she and I jumped with Betsy and Merlin.  She was full of vinegar and kept blowing, but she was obedient.  She wanted to please.  She's been working so hard lately, so she's fit and strong and keen and intelligent and sensitive.  So, I'm working on really learning how to be quiet and trusting and faithful to her -- soft but strong.  It's been a fun week.  Renny and I had that week too.  So, finally, after a fitful few weeks, I jumped both my sweet creatures this week!

Mellow Show Pony!

Here's a photo of my little guy, not feeling really well, with a case of diarrhea, and not drinking, but still being an obedient show pony, working out with his new little rider, trainer, and Grama.  He's the best!

Beautiful Intelligent Girl!

My Thoroughbred!

I'm writing this entry on Wednesday, October 24th, and this photo and video are from late July.  Violet has so many friends because she's a gracious kind funny sweet playful girl.  She would have been an excellent comedienne or maybe Southern belle.  She's definitely a big flirt.  Here's an example. There's a mom at the barn, Dawn, who brings her child for riding lessons.  This really nice lady really likes Violet. She always pours compliments and kind words on her and pets her and lets her know that she's a very nice girl.  Violet loves her for it.  Anyway, I like this photo because you can see my beautiful girl just relaxed and waiting and quiet.  And looking radiantly gorgeaus!  Casually beautiful!

Beautiful, Hard-Working Violet!

Here's a picture taken on July 27th, of one of Violet's  last training sessions with Kelsey.  I've been having some troubles with her lately because she gets so wound up about doing her best.  She gets in a tiny anxiety fit about doing things as fast as possible and rushing around and being strong.  So, I've been slowing down our own work and trying to break things up -- we've done lots more longing, long-lining, Pessoa-ing, Parelli work, and just plain old "on the buckle" relaxed riding, just to give her permission to loosen up her mind and spirits.  And it's working.  We are working to a better understanding of our communication together!  I'm very pleased!