Back!

Whew, we're back from Munich. And before you ask, I did not get to see Edward Gal and Totilas at Horse International Munich 2010 (with an 88,4%) (Isabell Werth got an 81,9%). We drove by but it was not on our itinerary and we could not make the time. I am happy to say I was in Munich with Totilas at the same time: )

What a drive, I'm exhausted. 600 KM should not take over 8 hours to drive (each way), but it did, due to horrendous Kirchentag traffic. However, the Prius got such nice gas mileage I was playing the Hypermiling game the whole way, coasting on battery as many miles as possible. But oh, the countryside we saw! The middlepart of Germany is amazing - so much like my home in its tall peaks! And in the south, the raps (canola) fields are bright yellow squares on the landscape.

My camera batteries died so I used my new cell phone to take pics this weekend. They look like crap but I'll get them uploaded soon.

***

I tried so hard not to worry about Baasha, I purposefully avoided thinking about him. Heck, I boarded him most of his life, and I cannot leave for 4 days without paranoia? WTH.

Friday night I dreamt I accidentally left his halter and lead rope on in his pasture, and he went running around. I turned to look and there was a mountain lion in the trees and I ran for all I'm worth and it chased. (BTW, there are no mountain lions (Puma auf Deutsch) in Germany.)

Saturday night I dreamt Lander cut his paw open and needed stiches, and the vet was criticizing my choice in cat food. I looked at the package and it said, "For Rabbits" and I freaked out. I remember saying, "Don't stitch him up without anaesthesia, he'll hate me, just let him go."

The closer we got to home the more worried I became. I startd imagining how I'd have to identify Baasha's body, or worse, body parts.



***

HOME. The house smells like fresh scent cat litter (opening windows now!) and it's cool in here. Oops, we turned the heat down a little too much. Poor Isabel!

I didn't wait to greet the cats though, my man was already on the floor cooing to them (*giggle*). I ran to the stall and it was empty. It had been cleaned today, I could tell. I ran down the hill to the ponds - the fish look OK - and to the pasture. Baasha was down there by the ponds eating grass ravenously. He looked up a bit when he saw me, and then continued eating. He could not be bothered when I approached him, he seemed really hungry. I was tempted to be worried but I know the gate was open and he still had hay in the manger. He looked scruffy in comparison with how I last saw him.

His mane was thinner from rubbing, his tail was crusty and gross, and his coat was decorated with dried mud with hair clumps falling off. His eyes looked great, but his entire face was dusty in the way that spoke to "Once or twice per day dust bathing."

Thanks Baasha, now I'm covered in your dirt. I spent a half hour currying him and I must say, he enjoyed some of it cuz of his itchiness. I checked him for ticks and no-see-ums and he's clean. He had not been rubbing his tail cuz I poured baby oil on it before we left. That always seems to help. (And attract dirt.)

***

Now the cats are running thru the house, after their evening meal, and Mercer is bolder than before. She actually ran at Lander and the last few strides, she hopped up onto her rear legs only and walked at him like a Grizzly. Weird! She must be happy huh? Normally he torments her.

***

My man just sat down at the piano and started playing Billy Joel very loud, and Mercer did not run away. In fact, she lay down on the couch in Lander's spot.

Baasha ate his rose-shaped-carrot without noticing the intricacy of the carving. Hmph.




Lander was sitting still watching me as I cooked us dinner. As long as he doesn't interfere...