Sweet, Sweet Memories

We went to Hoosier Park last night with our good friends Frank and Sherry Payne.  The evening brought back so many memories. 

I was one of the first females to obtain a Thoroughbred trainer's license in Indiana.  I'm sure I wasn't THE first but I was ONE OF THE FIRST.  We started going to the track at the very beginning when it was just a place to run your horses and get a quick bit to eat - Pizza Hut Personal Pan Pizzas, Hot Dogs, Nachos, Chicken Tenders - those are a few of my old favs.  The main event was definitely the horse racing. 

Today that is just a side note.  They offer a nice buffet every day of the week but on Friday and Saturday nights they offer one that boasts seafood and prime rib... all you can eat of any of the fare that is offered for a rather reasonable price.   Most times there is a long line to endure before tasting the bounty, but it is worth the wait.  On Sunday, for brunch, they include many of the seafood items as well.  They want you to go to the Casino full and content.

In the days gone by I remember hanging out on the apron in front of the Club House.  I wanted to be up close and personal to the horses coming over to the paddock to be saddled.  I had a number of friends that would be racing on any given night - if we weren't racing our selves - and I wanted to root them on.  It's a tough game and knowing that your peers are there for you is a pretty awesome feeling, at least it was for me.  There was NO WAY you would catch me sitting at a table in the Club House..... NO WAY.

If we had a horse running I would spend the entire time - up until race time - on the Backside, and be more than happy to do exactly that.  There is something special about the Backside of a racetrack.  That is where it all comes together.  Of all the places on a racetrack where a person can spend time, the Backside is definitely my favorite.  I love the way it smells, I love the way it sounds, and I love the way it looks.  Call me crazy...... but that is God's Honest Truth.

Now Hoosier Park just runs Standardbred races and they don't even use the paddock.  I am not allowed entry on the Backside because I don't have a current license.  Times change..... and I guess I will just have to be content watching the races from the Club House and eating the scrumptious food.  I'd still rather be on the Backside smelling all the smells that go with racing - liniments, straw, hay, sweat, shampoo, and yes.... even the horse pooh. Yeah, call me crazy.... such sweet memories..... I think I will go to the barn.

Rescue Two

One of the things I am known for around our community is my love of animals.  I consider that a good trait and am happy to be known for this and hope that it's a legacy that I leave behind for friends and family to cherish when I'm gone.

Three years ago I received a call from a friend who said someone had dropped three puppies off in their fenced-in yard.  She wanted to know if we could take them until she found homes for them.  We had four dogs of our own and sure didn't need more but I could NOT say no to puppies in need.  We had an empty stall to put them in so I told her to bring them on out.  I quickly readied the stall and waited...... oh, they were just too cute!  All wiggly and bouncy, full of puppy kisses.

John was golfing that evening and I couldn't wait for him to come home and see the little ones.  While he doesn't share my total love for ALL animals he does like the dogs and especially puppies.  I had no doubt that he would be okay with my actions and he was.  He took over the feeding of them just like they were his own and while they were in good condition when they came to us they thrived under John's care.

 

 

The pups had been with us a little over a week when our friend called to tell us she had found a family that would take all three puppies.  I think they planned to keep two and find a home for the third one.  Oh no.... so soon?!?!  We were totally enjoying these little girls (all three were female) and there was one in particular that we were partial to.  She was short legged and had a dorsal stripe.  We were pretty sure she was going to be dachshund-like and John had always wanted a Dachshund...... I know you can see where this is headed....

 

 

The afternoon the family was scheduled to come and get the pups we were both going to be at work.  John and I talked about putting the "little one" up in the house that morning but we didn't. As I said earlier, we had four dogs already and felt we probably didn't need to add another one..... but she was just so darn precious!  We talked again on the phone while at work deciding that we should keep the little one.  The plan was that John would go home at noon and put her in a kennel in the house..... if she wasn't in the barn when they came they couldn't take her.  I called after lunch to make sure he was able to get away and go home but he told me that he didn't.  Oh how my heart sunk!  I was ready to bolt and leave work immediately before the family got there and took them all.  I was frantic until John finally told me that he had been playing with me and yes, he made it home and the little one was safe inside.  My reaction told me that we were doing the right thing.  I was heartbroken at the thought of loosing her.... but we didn't and we named her Crickett.

 

 

Please don't be fooled into thinking that in order to be a good pet that the dog must be purebred and registered.  That is very far from the truth.  People use to ask us what kind of dog we thought Crickett was because she has a long back and little short, squatty legs.  My reply was always "a lucky dog".   But the truth of the matter is that WE are the lucky ones.  She brings so much love and laughter to the house that I can't imagine what it would have been like had we not kept her.  I've never had a dog with as much emotion.  She smiles showing her pearly whites and her bottom lip quivers when she gets in trouble.  What a joy she is!  Don't be afraid to rescue a "little one" of your own.  I know there are many out there just needing an opportunity to show you their love.

Rescue One

This is our first Rescue Dog.....

 

 

Seriously.  John found this little guy in the dumpster at his work.... and no, I don't think he was dumpster diving...... but walking by he saw this guy and I guess he thought of me so he brought him home to me.  That was probably four or five years ago and every Spring I can't wait to fill him with flowers so that he can watch over them.  During the colder weather he sits on a corner of the deck railing watching over his home.

 

Just goes to show that the old adage is true..... One man's trash is another man's treasure.  I do treasure this pup - partly because he is so darn cute.  But mostly because John thought of me when he saw him and brought him home for me to take care of.  He knew that I would enjoy him and look after him.

 

He has become my symbol of hope for the lost or discarded.