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Zum refuses to be lunged on a lunge line. He just backs up or comes towards me. So now I walk him liberty and he follows me willingly. It is a game we play. I don’t want to fight Zum. I want to play with him.

I am practicing all the reining with my hands and yielding away from pressure techniques with my legs that Buddy taught me. Zum and I haven’t forgotten all the lessons we had with Buddy last January. Zum is very willing to practice with me as often as we can.

I am riding Zum in the round pen as often as I can. Putting his saddle on is still a struggle. He still panics when I carry the saddle to his back. But he is accepting the saddle a little more every day. We are both learning to have the courage to do things that make us anxious.

The May mountain air in New Mexico feels and smells so clean and fresh. This summer, Zum and I both want to avoid any kind of pain, physical or emotional. So we are motivated to ride in the round pen, safe and sound.

I have a Billy goat named Pan. He is full of himself as he races around the yard, jumps and leaps in the air and butts heads with the white goat in play. He butts me too! He is always my entertainment even when he tries to boss me around.

Sheepie has a best friend who is a white goat named Somana. Wherever Somana goes, Sheepie follows. I think the secret to a healthy and happy pet is to make sure this pet has a friendly companion.

I no longer focus on what is not working in my life. Lack is no longer my reality. Now I am appreciating how far I actually have moved towards my goal.

I have a miniature donkey named Prince Clover. He is 16 years old. He is very affectionate. He guards the sheep from intruders. He brays when there is a coyote or a snake close by. He was a gift to me when he was very young. I have had him a long time and I adore him!

Zum lets me trim his hooves while he eats. I don’t even have to put on a halter or tie him up! This is a huge improvement from last summer when I had to sedate him just to pick his feet up for any length of time. Zum is slowly accepting what he needs to do to be gentled.

I have a very old pet sheep. She is 14 years old! I rescued her as a baby lamb from a woman who had a husband who forced his wife to get rid of her pets. I will never associate with an inconsiderate bully like this woman’s husband. I rescued two pets from this sad woman…her pet rabbit and her pet sheep. My pet sheep has a nickname…Sheepie. Sheepie is an old lady now but she is going strong!