My Pets

[Booboo puppy]

Years ago our sons modified a remote control car to put a small hamster carrier on it. Then they chased the cats with the hamster "driving". It was rather amusing and didn't seem to stress out the hamster at all Kitties lost some of their interest in the hamster.

 

[Kiarra]

We have just the five horses---the sorrel Ryssa, the buckskin Shiloh, the brown Nikki, the bay Casey, and the strawberry roan, Abby. The pinto in one of the shots isn't ours...he's a boarder like Casey living at that neighbor's. I don't actually know who owns him, but it sure isn't us.

My mom and I are essentially responsible for all the pets. At 19, I am the youngest child (out of two) of the family, so there are no little kids or babies to chase around the house and worry about with the animals (unless you count my mother's grandchild, but he's only over once a week). The cats are primarily my responsibility, since one of them is TRULY mine (Kit) and the others just follow me around like they are mine (I have an entourage, it's wonderful). The dog is my mother's. The horses are a shared responsibility between my mom and I, though my dad will take care of them if either of us can't. All of the fish are mine (though I'm giving one of my Betta fry to my mother shortly). The hamster is mine. The gecko, newts, toads, frogs, snails, etc. are mine. Ryssa (the sorrel mare) is mine, but her care is in the hands of both of us since the other four horses are my mother's.

 

[BettaMomma]

Wow, you have some amazing animals. You are one lucky gal. As those are some lucky pets.

This picture is my favorite picture that I have EVER seen, I think.

It is hilarious.

 

[Kiarra]

That's one of my favorites, too. Little Cali sat there pretty much the entire photo session with the hamster. She's in several of the photos...be it the tip of her nose or the tip of her toes. She's SUCH a cute little cat.

In that one, you can actually see the terrarium where the gecko lives. Can't see the gecko, because he's hiding, but you can see a corner of his home.

 

[BettaMomma]

That photo looks like the cat is saying "Up against the wall, pipsqueak - and SPREAD EM!"

LOL!!

 

[Kiarra]

You're absolutely right! That is what it looks like!

More photos! Meet my unnamed Gecko (whom I've had for MONTHS, mind you) that I fondly refer to as "El Gecko."

And my newts, who just got their new home today, so they're still settling in and getting new decor.

And the toads...because it's spring and they do this ALL THE TIME NOW!!!!!

(Yeah, I know, technically the last two photos are of Amphibians. But they belong here, really they do!)

 

[mm_simb]

Well, they are your household pets

They are all beautiful. I love the newts though I don't know anything about them but they look so gorgeous.

 

[Kiarra]

I am quite fond of my newts. They have those bright orange bellies that are just gorgeous. I bought one, and then a week later bought another. I've had them for several weeks now, and they just moved into their new home and got those river rocks. So far, they LOVE them. They spend most of their time either in them or on them. They are Chinese Fire-Bellied Newts, if my memory serves me right.

 

[OrkyBetta]

Gorgeous horses you have there. It is no small feat to train a mustang. I give you HUGE credit on that.

I train and ride and own horses, have been doing it for about 8 years. They look like they are very happy!

Where do you live? It seemed like a suburban place, but you have horses in your back yard! hehe! I would KILL to live where you do!

cats are all gorgeous too! and the hamster!

 

[Haiku]

Absolutely beautiful pets and pictures. The mustang pictures were especially a treat. Thanks so much for sharing

 

[Kiarra]

I live in the suburbs of Salt Lake City, Utah, on a half-acre lot. We own the house next to us, so we rent out the house and part of the property and use the rest for the horses (plus our own back yard). Pretty nice setup. I am close to everything, but I can have my horses home with me.

With Mustangs, it's all about establishing that you're the boss, and that they can trust you. Once you get that down, it's just a matter of exposing them to everything they could possibly be afraid of and teaching them not to be afraid.

I've never dealt with domestic horses, so I don't know how they compare. But it's been extremely enjoyable to deal with the Mustangs, and I wouldn't give up that experience (and that little Mustang mare of mine) for anything in the world.