Bakersfield Dressage
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List

Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Midnight Alarm

12/15/2016

 
This is only marginally equine related as it is an attempt to explain why I won't be writing about Speedy and my efforts at schooling the turn on the haunches or the collected canter. I am simply too tired.

I love having dogs, really I do, but nothing will snap you fully awake faster than the sound of barfing. Especially when it's coming from 90 pounds of black lab who is notorious for NOT making it outside.
Picture
You gotta love 'em!
A late night canine-yak wouldn't have been so bad except that we had our home alarm system reinstalled last night. No, I am not going there, but you can see how this story could have been so much worse. The reason the system is not usually armed at night is just for barfing emergencies. We've been down that path many times.

No, what made the night so long was that the installation took more than seven hours, twice what was planned. In fact, the technician didn't leave our house until nearly 8:00 p.m. By the time he left, I was dead on my feet. I had cooked dinner while he was here, but we had to let it sit on the stove until he finally left. Once the dishes were done, it was way past my normal bedtime. Hey, don't judge; I get up at 4:30 a.m. 
Picture
Cute when they're not barfing. Yellow dog is now a 1 year old.
So at 1:30 a.m. when Tobi started yakking, I was ripped out of a very sound sleep. But like I said, nothing gets you fully awake faster than that particular sound. There's even a meme floating around on Facebook that shares the sentiment. Fortunately, most of the floors in our new house are hardwood or tile, but that doesn't make it any more pleasant to clean up.

As I shuffled both dogs outside, I reached for the paper towels and Bye-Bye Odor. "Clean up on aisle 4!" happens so frequently at my house that we keep supplies close at hand. After my first trip to the trash can, it took three, I heard a very unwelcome CHIRP come from the alarm system's control panel.

After the next trip to the trash can, my husband was furiously pushing buttons trying to mute the chirp. His faculties were not quite as sharp as mine though so all that was achieved was freezing the screen. The sound of barfing doesn't usually get him out of bed as quickly as it does me. 
Picture
Black dog is handsome, but he's also the midnight barfer.
Once the clean up was completed, I looked at the alarm's screen and simply pushed the home button. The chirping stopped. All four of us, including the barfer, made our way back to bed. I of course lay there tensely waiting for either another round of dog yakking or further squawks from the alarm system. Neither came, but when 4:30 a.m. rolled around, I didn't get up nearly as quickly as I had three hours before. ​

​It is mornings like these when I wish I was a coffee drinker ...
jenj
12/15/2016 06:43:43 am

I hate coffee, so I'm a confirmed chai addict. It has a leeeetle caffeine in it... enough to get me moving in the morning.

Give it a try! It's basically the nectar of the gods.

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/23/2016 07:46:56 am

I actually LOVE coffee, but I gave it up a few years ago. Most of the time, I feel great without it, but there are those occasional days. :0)

Tracy link
12/15/2016 07:31:16 am

I hate cleaning up puke -- it's the worst.

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/23/2016 07:47:33 am

yeah ... gross!

Appydoesdressage
12/15/2016 09:34:43 am

The yakking....and the dread when you wake up and the dog is downstairs. She is only ever downstairs in the AM if she had diarrhea and didn't wake me up. The walk of dread is never fun.

As a non-coffee drinker myself, Bigelow Extra Caffeine tea is my go-to.

lytha
12/15/2016 09:47:51 am

THREE trips to the garbage can? OH MY.

Cats rule....

Lori Bertolucci
12/15/2016 12:24:22 pm

My mom's cats almost daily leave me a number of barf areas in the cattery to clean up...often tracked thru by the other cats before I get in there to find it...sigh...long haired cats do not rule!!

draftmare link
12/15/2016 02:36:14 pm

Nighttime sicks are the worst!

Sarah B
12/20/2016 04:32:53 am

My bedroom was on the second floor, and my dog was an occasional midnight barfer. Because I always had a bag in my trash can I would simply hold her head over it. She would never do it on her own, but she was perfectly ok to calmy barf into the can if pointed at it.

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/23/2016 07:45:42 am

It happened again on Wednesday night - same reason actually, and I glanced over at my trash can and thought about grabbing it, but I couldn't get to it in time. Not only that, it's a smallish can and he's a pretty big dog (around 90 pounds), but I love your idea!


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
    Picture
    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
    Picture
    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    About Izzy

    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
    Picture
    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

    Picture
    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
    Picture
    My favorite breeches!
    Picture
    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
    Picture
    I love her stuff!
    Picture
    Watercolor Artist and Friend

    National Rider Awards

    Picture
    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
    Picture
    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
    Picture
    USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
    Picture
    USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

    State Rider Awards
    Picture
    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

    State Horse Awards
    Picture
    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    Picture
    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

    Working Towards:

    CDS Sapphire Rider Award
    Third Level: 63.514%
    Third Level: 62.105%
    Fourth Level:
    Fourth Level:

    2023 Show Season

    Show Rating
    (***) CDS/USDF/USEF 
    (*) CDS
    (s) Schooling
    (c) Clinic
    (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic
    2023 Show Schedule
    TBD

    ​2023 Completed …
    Pending

    2023 Qualifying Scores 

    Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC)  
    Qualifying Training Level
    3 Scores/2 Judges/60%:
    Score 1:
    Score 2:
    Score 3:

    Archives
    ​By Topic

    All
    Abscess
    Art
    Arthritis
    Awards
    Books
    Cabin
    California Barn Life
    Captain Awesome
    CDL Class A License
    Centerlinescores
    Championships
    Chiropractor
    Clinics
    Clothing
    Cushing's Disease
    Defeating The Demon
    DIY
    Dogs
    Double Bridle
    Dressage On The Trail
    EHV-1
    Endurance Photos
    Farrier
    Find Your Joy
    First Level
    Fluphenazine
    Flying Changes
    Fourth Level
    Fox Hunting
    Freedom Feeder
    Frustration
    Gizmos
    Grooming
    Half Pass
    Headshaking
    Horse Maintenance
    Horses Are Expensive
    Horses Are Expensive 3.0
    Horses Are Expensive II
    Hunter/jumper Stuff
    Imperioso
    Introductory Level
    Izzys Leg
    Just For Fun
    Lessons With Chemaine
    Lessons With Lois
    Lessons With STC Dressage
    Local Stuff
    M.A.R.E.
    Memberships
    Micklem Bridle
    Mt. Self Doubt
    Musings
    My 5 Things
    My Horses
    Nesting
    On The Levels
    Photos
    Pivo Pod
    Platinum Performance
    Poles
    Polls
    Pulley Rein
    Raac
    Retirement?
    Rider Fitness
    Riding Figures
    Right Lead Canter
    Road ID
    Saddle Fitting
    Schooling
    Score Sheets
    Second Level
    Shopping
    Show Costs
    Showing
    Sitting Trot
    Sliding Side Reins
    Soldier
    Speedy's Leg
    Tack
    The Elephants
    The Jar
    The Warm Up Ring
    Third
    Third Level
    Tips From A Pro
    Toys
    Trailering
    Training
    Travel
    Ulcers
    Vet Care
    Video
    Videos
    Weird But True
    Year In Review


    Archives
    ​By Date

    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011


Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List