Once again, it’s time for Thankful Thursday!  I hope this post inspires you to consider the things in your life that you are grateful for.  If you have a blog, consider posting about it there and link back here.  If you don’t have a blog, please feel welcome to comment here on what you are grateful for in your own life.  If you don’t feel comfortable sharing, then just take a few moments to reflect on all that you have.  If you’d like to tag other bloggers that participate, feel free to do that.

Continuing on from last week, next up is the 90’s.  More than any other decade in my life, the 90’s represents the Appaloosa.  Almost every meaningful thing that took place in my life during these years somehow related back to my involvement with horses.  Here are some of my top reasons to be thankful for the 90’s:

• In 1991, I got my very first dog, Davy.  He was all mine – I researched which breed I wanted and chose him carefully, and once he arrived I trained and raised him.  He was, and still remains, the best memory of my youth.  He was a black Lab/collie mix and he was one of the smartest dogs I’d ever seen.  He was naughty, and used up most of his lives before he hit two, but he was the most loyal dog anyone could ask for.  I learned responsibility with him and we had a tremendous bond together.  He traveled all over the country to horse shows with me and he protected me when we moved to the big city to go to college.  He patiently tolerated me sobbing into his fur during my years of teen angst, and always offered a kiss and a cuddle whenever I needed it.   At the age of 8 he was diagnosed with cancer, while we were in Oklahoma City at the National Show.  Tough dog that he was, he survived it and went on to live another 8 healthy, happy years.  I lost Davy in 2007, when he was 16 years old.  I think of  him every day and I am so very thankful for the years we had together.  He was the best thing that happened to me at that time.

• In 1998, Otis joined our little group.  Otis was a colorful character who wore out his welcome in my hometown neighborhood.  Always a sucker for a sweet face, I agreed to take him in when his former owners discarded him.  I’d admired him when I saw him roaming the streets and it took me years to learn that he was a Neapolitan mastiff.  Otis was challenging – he’d been neglected and had no training, and was fearful of everything.  He was pure and had a heart of gold.  He truly was our “Sunshine Boy.”  I lost Otie in 2004 at the age of 11, quite a feat for a mastiff, especially one with a rough start.  He had such a profound impact on me and encouraged me to learn about dog behavior and rescue work.  I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to take him in and show him how to be loved.

• My horse showing adventures peaked in the 90’s – we traveled from Pennsylvania to Florida, Michigan to Texas and everywhere in between.  Those years meant so much to me and the memories flow freely.  Friendships with people of all ages blossomed, fed by our common love for riding.  Horse shows were a chance to visit, laugh, and enjoy life with people that understood me.  I remember driving along in those dark hours before the sun rose, alone with my anticipation of the upcoming show.  One of my favorite shows was actually held here in Florida.  A large group of our friends from PA and Ohio would group up in Venice, Fl every December for a week long show.  On days off, we’d visit the beach to feed gulls or trail ride our horses around the vast showground.  Although not all the memories are as sweet, I wouldn’t trade one minute of those years for anything.  It was a time when my family was close – we did everything together.  It was also a time when I learned so much about myself and what my capabilities are.  These were some of the best years of my life.

• There are so many things I have to be thankful for from these years.  I could go on for ages, but mostly I’m just thankful to have had the opportunities that I’ve had.  I know that my parents made great sacrifices so that my sister and I could have it all.  I got to go to the college I’d dreamed of, without having to give up my horses like so many of my peers did.  They supported my college education and they continued to haul us to horse shows most weekends of each summer.  When my sister and I decided to move to Florida to continue our educations, the folks sold their properties and followed us down here, so we could continue our riding adventures.  Without them, I never EVER would have had the experiences that I’ve appreciated so much.  So Thanks Guys!  I love you!

Happy Thursday to all and please visit these other sites that frequently participate in Thankful Thursday:

Akal Ranch, Enlightened Horsemanship Through Touch, and Tired Dog Ranch.