We made it to Hump Day once again, how has your week been so far? Yesterday I wrote this “Today I will have more fun, learn something new, accomplish a big task that has been alluding me, and spend time with friends”. So did I accomplish all that?

I had some fun. I learned some new things about what is going on in the Evergreen Chamber, I did accomplish uploading some videos, and I did get to spend some time with my friends Oliver, Rhoen, and the rest of the herd. Mostly mission accomplished although not maybe what I was hoping for when I wrote it.

That’s how it goes though, isn’t it? Be careful what you wish for, because you don’t know what you don’t know. The more open you are, the more flexible, the less fixed in expectation, the easier it is to go with the flow, and adapt and thrive in changing circumstances. So next time you are finding yourself stuck, fixed, noticing that something is draining your joy and seems to have a hold on you, the best thing you can do is bend away from it and move towards what brings you joy. And if that seems bleak, then at least find some gratitude, for it’s the threshold to the house of happiness.

When I reflect back on my day yesterday, the best part probably was spending time with the horses. I am so lucky and grateful for that. I made a short live video of all of them standing around just wanting to be close to us. It’s so interesting how so many people who advocate for animal rights, often so much want the animals to ‘be free’ to do their own thing, and we should not ‘use’ them for our purposes. Yet, these horses roam free on 10 acres with unlimited access to hay and fresh water, and they spend most of their day loitering around the house hoping someone will come and ‘use’ them! But of course that is not every situation. It is here because we use positive reinforcement, the only way any of us should train any of our animals for the rest of our lives (and how we should treat each other). R+ or Positive Reinforcement really gives you everything you need to know about how to live life, and it’s a great framework for children to be able to use in all areas of their lives, not just around horses. Listening. Asking. Giving. Ignoring negative things that could bring you down and focusing always on the positive. Are these not all of the things we wish to teach our children to do more of? And that we wish everyone around us would do more of? Isn’t that the makings a kinder, more beautiful and happy world? The key to all of that, lies in understanding the principles of positive reinforcement and using them correctly.

So if this sounds of interest to you, or for a horse crazy kid you love, then be sure to make it out to one of our Trailblazers classes on a Thursday night. The signup is here https://www.resqranch.org/trailblazers-a

​And I know no one wants to think about it, but embrace the fact Christmas is only a few short weeks away! Now is the time to make those plans, decide on gifts, budget, shop….all the things, the sooner you start the less stress you will have! One thing you can mark off your list right now is signing up for our Pet Pictures with Santa happening the first weekend in December at Aspen Park Vet Hospital in Conifer, and happening Sunday at the ranch in Evergreen. And if your lucky you might just get to experience the power of a Donkey hug! The sign up for that is here https://www.resqranch.org/pet-pics-with-santa-signup and remember it’s FREE! Although we will have several handmade gifts, including soaps and socks made especially for us by some senior ladies who love our cause and this is the best they can contribute. Along with handmade jewelry, and Promise the Pony stuffies, and other ResqRanch merchandise like tote bags everyone can use and every little bit helps us. Thank you for helping us, create this unique facility, and for helping us rescue these animals who without us might have ended up at the slaughterhouse. And for allowing me to have a place where I can share this place and these animals freely with others, to enrich their lives, and hopefully help make the world a kinder, gentler, more compassionate place for us all. I am grateful for it all (the animals, the place, the supporters, the hay, the newly chipped wood bedding for the barn), and for you, Animal Loving Angel, for being here.

Feeling down? Be kind to yourself, look in the mirror and just smile, because your life has a purpose and meaning, or you would not have woken up today. God bless!

​Check out my YouTube channel for a daily "Good Morning!" from the rescues and lots of free tips and training resources. https://www.youtube.com/@the1drq