Happy 34th Birthday, Ben Welch! We Love You!

Today has been a really great day! First off, I want to wish Ben Welch, our dear friend, a Happy 34th Birthday! We love you Ben and we hope that you are having the best birthday ever! And as Kinky likes to often say, "Enjoy it. Trust me it only gets worse."

Early this morning I walked six more miles with Leslie Sansone in the big room and I am proud to say that I have walked over one-hundred and thirty miles since January 1st!

Around nine-thirty Lisa and Meghan came out to help Tony, and to walk our dogs. My good friend Sheryl came out around ten-thirty to bring me some more pages from my book that she has edited for me, then she went outside and helped walk our dogs! Thank you Lisa, Meghan and Sheryl! Our dogs love y'all as much as we do!

This afternoon after lunch Buttermilk took Tone, Kirby and me to Kerrville so we could get Kirby all of his shots. When we got back to the rescue ranch Carlton had five new messages for us to listen to and the last one literally made my day and made me smile! "Tony, Nancy, this is Carol. James and I wanted to invite y'all over to ride horses with us. Call me. Bye."

I picked up the phone and punched in Carol's phone number as fast as I could and told her that we couldn't wait to ride with them and that we would be over there in fifteen minutes because I needed two minutes to put on "my cowgirl outfit."

After I had put on my pink bandana and cowgirl hat, Tone grabbed our cameras and we took off in Buttermilk. I was so excited about seeing James and Carol and getting to go horseback riding with them! On our way over there T. told me that he wasn't going to ride because his back was aching but he volunteered to be the official photographer for the soon to be fun event. Here are a few of the pictures he took of us having fun. This one is of Carol and me visiting at the corral with her horse, Mya, as James saddled up the other horses in the barn.

This picture is of me on James' horse, Drifter. Isn't he a beautiful Buckskin! I instantly fell in love with him!

This is a picture of the three of us saddled up in the corral. Carol is on Mya, James is riding his horse, Chance without a bridle and I'm sittin' on Drifter! After Tony took this picture of us we left the corral to ride their horses.

This one is of me talking too much as usual and the big black dog is Carol's sweet Labrador, Scout. Please notice that James only has a rope slung around Chance's neck and there is no bridle. James has trained his horses so well that he can ride them without using bridles. I was impressed!

And this is a very short video clip that Tony took of us riding the range and having a fun time. 

We rode all over the ranch for about an hour and I had such a fun time, and I think they did, too. After we got off of the horses Carol and I went up to the house so she could check her email and I could read an article written about James and his horses, while James unsaddled the horses and brushed them down, while visiting with Tony. 

I was in shock after I read the article about James and his magnificent horses, Drifter and Chance. It was a great article and guess what? James and his horses are famous! And I had just ridden Drifter!

In 2000 James retired. He sold his house and all of his worldly possessions except for Drifter and Chase, the loves of his life. Then he bought a fancy horse trailer and then set out to live his dream. He spent over four years traveling to horse events all over Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and California, with his horses and he slept in the horse trailer with them. 

His well equipped horse trailer provided James with a queen sized bed, kitchenette and a satellite dish so James could follow and keep up with the horse events on his computer. "Everyone that I met while traveling around were the best of people," James told me when he and Tone came up to the house. We had a long talk about it, and so I don't get it wrong I am going to ask Carol to please let me scan the article so y'all can read about him and his horses.

After we talked about James' travel adventures with Chance and Drifter, we downloaded Tony's camera and mine into Carol's computer so they could have the pictures and videos that Tone had taken, then while James and Tony talked about photography Carol and I visited in the kitchen. She told me that she has never been this happy in all of her life and I loved it. I am so happy for her and James. 

On our way back home I checked my camera to look at the pictures and videos that T. had taken and was disappointed that all of my pictures and videos had been accidentally deleted. When we got back to the rescue ranch, we stopped at the barn so I could take a couple of pictures of Tony's and my old saddles, because my brother, Ronnie, is going to make me two saddle stools, and then we came home. 

As soon as we came inside the trailer I called Carol and told her what had happened and I asked her to please email me the video so I could post it tonight and she said that she would do it immediately. Then I sat down at the kitchen table to download the pictures of our saddles into my laptop. When I opened up the door to pull out my memory stick it fell out. When I inserted it back into the camera I discovered that I had all of my pictures and videos that Tone had taken today! So I called Carol back and told her the good news and thanked her and James again for letting me go horseback riding with them today.

Y'all have a great evening!

I'm Sorry Nance!

This morning, my really old friend, Bess, who is ninety years old, called at five-forty-five, and left a message for me to call her. Bless Bess, she is so sweet. I have known her for over ten years. We met because she loves animals, and our rescue ranch. Bess usually calls me about two to five times a day, to tell me that she is doing fine, and she sends her love to all of us.

When I heard her message, I got out of bed, and returned her call. Bess was fine. She just wanted to say hi. I was wide awake, so I fed our animals, then I did a little paperwork, before Tony took off for Medina.

At ten minutes till eight the phone rang. I figured it was Bess again, and was going to let the machine take the call. "Nancy, this is Carol. Are you there?"

"Hi Carol! It's me! What's up?"

"I'm heading to Bandera to ride horses with a friend, and I just saw a beautiful peacock, on the side of the road on 16—between your cut off and Benton Creek! I just wanted to let you know. I was thinking that it might have been one of your newly rescued peacocks."

"Carol, thanks for letting me know. Tony isn't here, but as soon as he gets home..."

"I will stop at the Old Timer and tell him about it. I'm nearly there."

"Great! Please tell Tony I said 'hi." We laughed. Then I asked Carol for some advice about my knee being sore. Carol told me that I should always take one day off a week from exercise, so my body could rest. I thanked her for her advise, and then we hung up on each other.

When Tony came home he said, "Nance, I didn't see any peacocks, but I did see an old wild turkey. I got a great picture of him, too." Then he picked up the phone, and punched in our neighbor's phone number. "Hi Sherry. I was callling about the peacocks. Do y'all still have the six new ones? Our friend, saw one on 16 this morning." There was a pause. "Great. Bye." After T. put the phone back into the cradle, he said, "It wasn't one of theirs, and Sherry said the birds were doing fine."

"That's good news," I said.

"Are we not eating breakfast this morning?" T. asked.

"We're not eating breakfast here," I said. "We're going to The Save Inn for breakfast. How does that sound? Carol told me that I should always take one day off a week from exercise, and I think that we need a break in our daily routine. Let's go to Kerrville and let Aaron and Josh take care of the chores today."

We arrived at Randy and Lisa's Save Inn Restaurant, a little before ten, and the two of us really had an enjoyable breakfast there! As always, the waitresses were friendly and fun, and our meals were delicious! And, the best part was—Tony talked to me about him starting up a walking program! I was thrilled!

After breakfast, Buttermilk took us to H.E.B., so we could pick up a few more groceries, then she brought us home.

This afternoon, I made Carol's pumpkin bread recipe, because my dear friend, Cindy P., was coming over for a visit. Cindy arrived about four-thirty. Right after she had gotten here—Kinky called. "Nance, we need to talk about..." Kinky was on a roll and had a lot of information to share with me!

"Kink, listen. I've got company over here right now, and this is not a..."

"I'm sorry, Nance," Kinky said. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I couldn't, because you wouldn't let me get a word in edgewise, Kink." We both started laughing.

After Cindy left the ranch, Tony and I went out to the garden, to cover up the plants, because we might have a light frost in the morning, even though the San Antonio weatherman, last week, swore that we were done with anymore freezes! And, he is now predicting another freeze for Tuesday morning, too! I hope not, and for the first time—I'm hoping he is wrong!

Y'all have a great evening!

Saddle Sore And Wore!

This morning, before breakfast, I fed our dogs, cleaned the trailer, and washed a load of clothes! After breakfast with Tone, I did my brisk two mile walk, caught up with my paperwork, returned all phone calls, while our great Kerrville volunteers: June, Ellen and Jim were outside walking our dogs! I loved it and I know our dogs loved it more! Thank you Jim, June and Ellen—we love you!

At noon, I got ready to go horseback riding with my good friend Cindy, and Jeannie—Bandera's favorite cowgirl! I couldn't wait to go ride, even though the forecast today, said it was going to be ninety degrees outside! At twelve-thirty, Buttermilk and I left the rescue ranch for Bandera, so I could meet up with Cindy, and then ride with her to the park.

"Cindy! Tony is coming to video us for my blog!" I said with excitement!

"That's great!" Cindy remarked. "Nance, he is so sweet."

When we arrived at the park, Jeannie was already there, waiting on us! Yee Haw! As Jeannie unloaded her terrific horses, Tony showed up with my camera and one of his—so he could shoot us! In no time flat, we were all in our saddles and took off for our two hour ride in the beautiful Texas Hill Country!

Our trail ride was so much fun—but rather hot! When we three returned from our ride, the horses were as wore out (please note, we say wore instead of worn) as us. Ater watering down the horses, Cindy climbed off of Davy Crockett first, and began feeding him Fig Newtons, as Jeannie held Black Jack Cadillac next to a tall rock, and Tone helped me climb off of his back.

When my feet finally reached the ground, Tony remarked, "Nance, you are so bowlegged right now—you look like you've been riding a barrel!" Then he started laughing.

After a short visit with Cindy, Tony and Jeannie, a friendly Park Ranger, known as 'Shorty' came over to visit with her friend Jeannie and us. Halfway through our visit with her, she asked me, "Are you wearing pink Justin Gypsy cowgirl boots?"

"Yes," I said, excited that she knew! "And I love them!"

"Me, too!" Shorty said, wearing a smile, as she lifted up her jeans to show me her pink ones—that were just like mine! She and I had a fun conversation about how much we loved our boots, and then it was time for us to leave.

I have posted two short video clips that T. took of us today. I hope that you will enjoy watching them. And please note, on the video 'The End Of The Trail' Jeannie is talking to us about horses. So you'll know—during our ride, I had let Black Jack Cadillac get to close to Davy's rear end, and Davy didn't like it and he stopped! He was thinking about kicking BJC, but thankfully he didn't. Here is a photo of me and BJC before going on our ride. I'm pooped and truly saddle sore. Y'all have a great evening! I'm hitting the hay! Good Night!

Boy, Was I Wrong!

This morning, Buttermilk took Tony, Hannah Montana and me to Kerrville, to do The Harley Show live web cast! We arrived at The Rose around 7:35. When we went to go into the building—the door was locked! I tapped gently on the window, and five seconds later, Harley opened the door. After handshakes and hugs Harley said, "Your friend, Rick, the friendly Lighthouse keeper, has already called in this morning about y'all doing the show." Then we stepped into the studio with Harley.

It was a lot of fun, and little Hannah was great, considering she had never done live radio or a live web cast! Near the end of the Utopia segment, I remembered to tell Harley about our two, new rescued Border Collie pups, and five Catahoula pups that a lady has, who is trying to find homes for. My last words were, "Bye Harley—we're heading over to Randy and Lisa's Save Inn for breakfast!" Which was sort of a lie.

We actually stopped off first at Hoegemeyer's Animal Clinic, to drop off precious Hannah, so she could get her nails done—then we went a few blocks down Sidney Baker, and pulled into The Save Inn's parking lot. When we entered the place, it was packed full, as always! "Hi Cousin Nancy and Tony," Lisa said. "A woman named George just called here, and she needs for you to call her." Then she hands me a slip of paper with George's phone number written on it. "Her husband heard you this morning on the radio, and I think they want to adopt one of your Border Collie pups!"

I thanked Lisa, and then Tony and I found one of the last empty tables, and sat down."Tone, I think I had better go outside and call George," I said. "Let's wait until Aaron arrives to order our breakfast. I'll be right back."

I went outside, to the front steps and punched in George's phone number. This was a first for me, because I've never talked to a woman named George—it reminded me of Johnny Cash's hit song, 'A Boy Named Sue.' which I also have on my iPod. "Hello, this is Nancy from the rescue ranch," I said. "Lisa, at The Save Inn just gave me your phone number."

"Oh Cousin Nancy, thank you so much for calling me! I'm Georgieanna. My husband heard you on The Harley Show this morning and we are very interested in adopting one of your Border Collies! When he heard you tell Harley that y'all were headed to The Save Inn—I called hoping to catch you there."

"Well Georgieanna," I said. "You caught me. Let me tell you about the puppies. We just rescued them, the other day and we just had them spayed and neutered, wormed and given all of their shots. We are planning to pick them up, at Hoegemeyers, as soon as we eat breakfast. If y'all want to go by the clinic and check them out, it would be fine with me. We should be over there in about forty minutes or so." Before hanging up, I asked her several important questions, about having a fenced yard, etc. to make sure they were good people. Then I went back inside and sat down with Tony and told him about my conversation with Georgieanna, as we waited for Aaron to arrive.

Tony picked up my cell phone and punched in Hoegemeyer's number. "Hello Susan, this is Tony. Some people might adopt one of our Border pups, and they are coming by to check them out." There was a pause. "Try to talk them into taking both." There was another pause and then Tony laughed out loud! "We'll be over there in about forty minutes. Thanks, bye." Then Tony punched in another set of numbers, "Aaron where are you, man?" There was a brief pause. "It's me Tony." And yes—another pause. "Okay, but hurry—I'm starving." Then Tone returned my phone to me. "He said he is just down the road."

"He's here, I said, as Aaron pulled into the parking lot. As soon as Aaron sat down at our table—Lisa showed up to take our orders, and then she disappeared into the kitchen. As always, our breakfast was delicious and the conversation fun!

When the three of us arrived at Hoegemeyers we went inside and said hello to Susan. We love Susan—she should get the 'Best Receptionist Award in Kerr County,' but unfortunately they don't give out awards like that. A woman who was sitting on their bench next to her beautiful baby then stands up and puts her hand out for me to shake. "Cousin Nancy—I'm Georgieanna." We shook hands. "My husband and I want to adopt the female puppy—Ginger Rogers! What do we need to do?" We talked for several minutes.

Wow! Tony and I were so impressed with Georgieanna, we didn't hesitate for a second, to tell her she could adopt our Ginger! And, she was delighted!

"We live on two acres, the fence is going up this weekend, but we want her to be an inside dog. My husband can't wait to adopt her, and I am going doggie shopping as soon as we leave here. Susan, my husband wants to pick her up after work. Will that be okay?" Susan smiled and nodded yes. "My son is going to be so thrilled!" We talked for a few more minutes, then we left Hoegemeyers with Fred Astaire. Fred rode back to the ranch with Aaron, and Hannah rode back with us. The whole twenty-two miles back to the rescue ranch, Tony and I talked about how happy we were for Ginger finding such a super home! I was on cloud nine about it! Today was going to be great, I thought! But boy, was I wrong!

After returning a few phone calls, Tony walks into the kitchen, wearing a frown. "Nance something is really wrong with my computer. Can you please help me fix it?" An hour later, after being on the phone with an Apple tech, he discovered what the problem was, and told me that Apple would ship us out some software, today, at no cost—to fix Tone's laptop! I love the people at Apple, they are absolutely the best!

My friend Leisa, of Port A. fame, just called and she thinks that she might have found a home for Fred! It's not a done deal, but we've got our fingers crossed! Here is a picture of Fred Astaire, that Tony took!

Well, It's time for Mari and me to do another two miles to complete our daily four mile walks. Y'all have a great evening! And please wish me luck tomorrow, because Cindy and I are going horseback riding again—for two hours! Black Jack Cadillac—here I come!

Karen C.—I Love It! Thank You, So Much!

Today has been a great day for me! I am nearly caught up with all of my paperwork, and I should be able to finish it up before ten o’clock, tomorrow morning, which would be fantastic, because if weather permitting, my friend, Cindy P. and I are planning to go horseback riding—tomorrow afternoon! I have my fingers crossed, that the weatherman’s forecast will be way off—as it usually is!

You know, I think that weather forecasters should be held responsible for their weather predictions, and should have to apologize for every time, that they are wrong with our weather. Like, “To all of our station’s loyal viewers, I have to admit, that I really blew yesterday’s forecast I was way off—and I truly apologize. Now let’s take a look at today’s weather map...” A simple apology, would make me feel a lot better, and it might encourage them to work a little bit harder at forecasting. It’s just a thought—not really a big deal.

This morning, I went over to the Lodge to visit with Kinky, and to discuss some ranch business. I enjoyed our business meeting, in his kitchen, and I really enjoyed a more fun visit, outside by the Friedman Family Bone Orchard, as he threw tennis balls for Goo! Now it is time for me to catch y’all up on the past few days.

Monday, when our good friends, Rick and Leisa, arrived—they came bearing gifts—fine cheese and expensive breads! After they had settled into my writing cabin, we went into Outer Space and caught up with each other’s news. We talked about Tony’s garden, my roping post, old friends, and laughed way too much!

Tuesday morning, after breakfast, Rick and Leisa offered to walk our dogs for us, while I did my three mile brisk walk, inside the trailer! Tony asked them to please walk our new dog, Tom Landry and Bob Dylan, so they could get to know each other, before we put them into a new pen—to be roommates.

As I walked, marched, did knee-lifts, and kicked, while using my beautiful lavender colored, two pound weights, and matching stretch band, Dylan and Landry made friends! Here is a picture of Rick and Leisa returning to the rescue ranch, after walking them—ready to introduce them into their new pen—up close, near the feed barn!

Later in the afternoon, I received a surprise package—from my friend, Karen C., up in Massachusetts! I love her and her husband, Herb, which I unfortunately, always mispronounce as Erb, because of my public schooling in Fort Worth. “The ‘H’ is silent, and is pronounced as Erb,” Miss Millican, my second grade teacher, said to me and my classmates. I was a good student at South Hills Elementary—unfortunately. Anyway, Karen made me this beautiful necklace, and I absolutely love it! In fact—I love it so much, I wore it today! Thank you Karen—I received so many compliments on it today! And, when I showed it off to Kinky this morning—he loved it, too, and told me that it was beautiful!

In Karen’s sweet note to me, she told me that the round and square beads are green opal, and the white and brown beads are carnelian Tibetan prayer beads! She said the beads reminder her of a turtle shell, and she knows how much I love turtles, so she added the ceramic turtle pendant! OMG! How perfect is that?! Here is a picture of it:

Cindy P. just called to discuss the weather and horseback riding tomorrow, and we got to talking. I have run out of time, now. Here are a couple of pictures of Leisa and me competing in my roping contest! Enjoy!


To Be Continued...(Mari, this one is for you, again, of course!)....Y’all have a great evening!

Just Tilling Time!

This morning was way too fun! I got up early, did my paperwork, fed our fur friends, and then I did Harley’s radio show, at The Rose, 99.9—sponsored by Randy and Lisa’s Save Inn Restaurant. Maggie was Harley’s ‘Pet of the Week!’ It was a good show, and there was much laughing as always!

After the show, I started cooking breakfast for Tony, Aaron, Ben and me—before they got here. I chopped up some organic potatoes, onion and garlic, and cooked them in olive oil, in my cast iron skillet. As that cooked, I poured organic orange juice into my Vita-Mix machine, followed by organic ginger, an apple, blue berries, raw honey, carrots, radishes, flaxseed, almonds, banana, and several cinnamon sticks! Then I pulverized it! Talk about a power-trip!

Tony was the first to arrive, and he was hungry! Aaron was second to arrive, and he arrived on time. Since the guys were hungry, I emptied the skillet into a corningware dish, and put it into the oven to keep the potatoes warm.

Then I added a little more olive oil to the skillet, cracked open six organic eggs—whipped them up and poured them into the skillet. As the eggs began cooking, I made up some hot pico de gallo (tomatoes, jalapenos, and onion), then I grated some organic cheddar cheese. When the eggs were nearly cooked, I piled on the cheese and pico de gallo—and then watched the cheese melt. Then I flipped one side over, to make one giant omelet!

Before serving the giant omelet for four, I cut up an avocado, added some sour cream and more pico—mixed it up, and then spread it over the top of the Texas sized omelet. “Breakfast is ready.”

The breakfast turned out great and we left plenty for Ben to eat! Tone and Aaron loved my Southwest omelet! During breakfast, I told Aaron about the fake deer head that Tony has in his office. “We bought it several years ago, at Walmart, and this deer head looks really real, and it sings, talks, and it has a microphone that you can use, too. It is pretty funny.”

So, after breakfast, Tony took Aaron into his office to show him his faux deer head. As the deer moved his ears, and head, while singing, ‘On the Road Again,’ I took this picture of Tony and Aaron laughing, as they watched the deer in action!


Then Ben arrived!I heated up Ben’s breakfast, as we talked, and laughed about Tone’s talking deer head. Ben liked my omelet, and he cleaned his plate, then Ben and Aaron went outside to feed our dogs and clean their pens, while Tony took off for Bandera to rent a tiller for his garden and to pick up Josh to help them.

With the trailer empty, I did my three mile brisk walk, using my two pound weights, and my lavender colored stretchy band. After that, I cleaned up my kitchen, and then I returned some phone calls and e-mails.

Around eleven o’clock, Tony returned to the rescue ranch with the rented tiller, and Josh. Tony and Josh unloaded the tiller, and pushed it to our new giant garden—just outside our bedroom! Five minutes later, I could hear the tiller—tilling away! So, I grabbed my camera, went outside, and took these pictures of T.—tilling up a storm of dust and dirt!


As Tony tilled, Aaron, Ben and Josh added more compost, hay, cow patties and ashes from Kinky’s fireplace to the soil. Then Josh took over Tony’s job. While Josh tilled the soil, I raked up leaves to add to the soil mix. Aaron tilled our garden next, and his job was really hard, because Ben and Josh kept adding more compost to the garden to be.

When the guys were done moving the dirt around, while taking a break, I said, “Do y’all want to have a roping contest with me?”

“No,” they echoed, one after the other. Hmmmmmmm! I waited about twenty minutes, and then asked them the same question, again. “Nance,” Tone said. “Not today. We’re tired.” So I went inside, and called my good friend Cindy P., to see if she wanted to go horseback riding tomorrow. I got her machine. Hmmmmmmm!

Later Cindy called me back, she got my machine, and told me that Jeanie was out of town, and we could do it next week. Darn! So, I decided to do some more paperwork, and that was when I realized that Mercury will be in Retrograde on the eleventh! Now everything made sense to me!

The guys have promised me, that tomorrow they will erect a new roping post, and they will have a roping contest with me! I hope so! Y’all have a great evening!

Not A Happy Camper!

Last night, Tony and I really enjoyed watching Helen Mirren, in ‘The Queen.’ That movie was really good. Many friends of ours, had told us to watch it, and I am glad that we finally did! My advice to all is: If you haven’t seen it—rent it and watch it. If you have seen it—watch it again! It’s worth a double-take.

This morning, after talking to Kinky, I reached out—and touched someone, Tara to be exact. Tara had called last night, and had left a message on the machine, about some questions she needed answered, for donating to our rescue ranch, while ‘The Queen’ was on the phone, talking to Tony Blair, about Princess Diana’s funeral—and Elizabeth wasn’t a real happy camper about it.

“Hello Tara, this is Nancy, from the Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch, returning your call.” Tara and I talked for about five minutes, and I answered all of her questions concerning pen sponsorship. She was a delight to talk to. When she told me that she and her friends, follow my blog, and giving me a couple of other compliments—I gave her my e-mail address.

For lunch today, I made my famous (just kidding) Tortilla soup—and Tony loved it! While he and I were sipping our soup away, I asked T. if he would go horseback riding with Cindy P. and me, later this week. “Nance, I can’t,” Tony said. “I would love to, but my back just couldn’t take it. I would love to ride with you, but I can’t. No way.”

Slurp, slurp, “Okay Tone, I understand. Maybe I can talk my sister Cindy, Ben and Aaron to go riding with Cindy and me? You could go too, and take pictures of us riding? That would be a blast! How about that?”

“Nance, that’s a great idea, but what am I going to be doing for two hours while y’all ride?”

“You could take your laptop and get some work done, or play games on your iPod Touch.”

“We’ll see,” Tony said.

Then somehow, our conversation went from that to this. “Tony I need a roping post. Remember when we used to have roping contests, over at my little ranch in Utopia—they were so much fun!”

“Yes, Nance, they were a lot of fun, but you never won—ever.” Tony teased, and then he started laughing!

“That’s not true Tony,” I said. “I’m a good post roper, and you know it! I’m going to ask Ben or Aaron to build me a roping post, out by the Space Ship. Okay?” Tony laughed, and then he went outside to check on the dogs.

Today, I received a surprise in the mail—from Mari of the infamous Kerrville NoMads! Mari sent me a really cute card, and a peace sign decal for my future VW bus—totally sixties! I love it, and may put it on the little refrigerator in the Space Ship! Thank you Mari—it made me smile and laugh today!

Well, I’m fixin’ to watch ‘The Queen’ one more time, but T. isn’t. Y’all have a great evening!

P.S. Tara, thank you and your friends, for helping our dogs at the rescue ranch!