Rafer Johnson's 7th birthday portrait, with his best buddy Redford

Home!! and a good day's harvest

I was at Weymouth as writer-in-residence for the past 10 days but am home now, very happy with the editing I got done, and equally happy to be back with my November Hill herd, which includes horses, pony, donkeys, Corgis, cats, husband, and daughter. 

The garden is going mad - this is today's harvest:

What is everyone else up to? I'm ready for cooler weather and an end to summer bugs! 

Happy 4th - please hold the fireworks!

If you're considering having your very own fireworks show this evening, I encourage you to stop and think about:

neighborhood pets, including dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, chickens, ducks, etc. They will likely be frightened by the noise. Some may try to escape the sounds and will be lost and/or injured.

wildlife, who will also be frightened. I have read studies that songbirds in the vicinity of fireworks fall dead from the trees due to fright.

fire hazard, which is increased if your area has not had recent and prolific rainfall.

stray fireworks, if you use the kind that go up really high and are often actually illegal for home use. I have had these land in my pastures while I was sitting out with my horses. 

combat veterans, who may suffer from PTSD. Fireworks sound like explosives and rapid gunfire and may trigger flashbacks and other symptoms.

Most towns and cities put on firework shows. Why not go see the display there?

If you still intend to have your own show, please be courteous and let your neighbors know so they can protect their animals. 

For those who live with animals:

Keep cats and dogs inside for the night. Equines need to be assessed individually. I don't lock mine in stalls but I do give them access to their stalls, turn on the fans so the sounds of fireworks are muted, and give them the safest space I can to run around so they can work out their anxiety. I give Rescue Rmedy to all concerned, including myself.

A true celebration of independence respects the rights of the people and animals nearby. 

Happy 4th of July, all!

we have a winner!

Congratulations to Caryn Myers! I hope you and your horse enjoy the bitless bridle from Two Horse Tack! And thanks to Janet Roper and Talk2theAnimals for a terrific site and host for my Thoughts From The Barn.

Stay tuned, camera-obscura readers - a new giveaway is in the works and will happen right here!

Last Day To Enter: TWO HORSE TACK BRIDLE GIVEAWAY!

This is just one example of the bitless bridle you might design and win if you enter at my June column on Talk2TheAnimals - but today is the last day to enter - drawing will happen after midnight tonight.

To enter, GO HERE: http://talk2theanimals.net/anchoring/

You can read my column, follow the link to the giveaway, and there is NO requirement to be on Facebook to get the winning announcement - I'll contact you and announce in the comments here and at my Thoughts From The Barn column. 

Hope to see you there today, June 30th, for the last chance to enter and win!