Gypsy
About three months old, 18 LBS (Aug 2019) Click on image to see a larger image
| Rebel
Eight weeks old, 14 LBS (Dec 2019) Click on image to see a larger image
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I know my name now, but when I first arrived at my new permanent home on 24 August 2019, I was told my name is Gypsy, Gypsy of Rebel Ranch. However, at that time and for a few weeks thereafter, I thought my name was NO! But it could also have been drop it, leave that alone, don't touch that, Sit, Heel, or Go Potty. O-yea, I almost forgot about, Put your tongue away.
When I was about two months old, I was rescued from a Texas kill shelter by Sloppy Kisses Animal Rescue (see Links page). While my permanent home humans went through the adoption process, I spent a few weeks in a foster home in Highlands Ranch, which is West of Denver Colorado. I'm supposed to be part Collie, part retriever and something else, but no one knows exactly what I am.
When I arrived at my permanent home, I was about three months old, weighed 15 pounds and my ribs were showing. Now, as of the sixteenth of December 2019 (almost four months later), I weigh 43 pounds with no bones showing and I'm still growing! My paws are big, so I'll be a big dog when I'm fully grown.
WOW! On 10 December 2019, I got a new toy that moves and makes noise! It has four legs, a tail and floppy ears. I chase it and it chases me; we bite each other, growl and bark. This is FUN! GRRrrrrrr!!!!!! OUCH! That toy has sharp teeth!
| They tell me my name is Rebel, Rebel of Rebel Ranch, but I'm still too young to know what it is. On 16 October 2019, I was born a Sable-colored, Registered female German Sheppard Dog with greenish-colored eyes.
I was taken to my new home on 10 December 2019, the day before I turned eight weeks old. I miss my litter mates, but Gypsy and I are becoming friends. The only problem is, being several months older and much, much bigger than I am, she gets a bit rough while playing with me. She is so big; I can walk underneath her without touching, with room left over.
I know I'll be a big dog when grown, because my paws are humongous. They're bigger than Gypsy's! I'm also well on my way to being housebroken.
Gypsy and I were watching a John Wayne movie on TV the other day with Dad and Gypsy was growling at the cows and horses. Dad said to stop it and we better not do that with the ranch cattle.
When I first got here, they told me my name was Rebel. But for a while, I thought it was NO! Or it could be drop it, Sit, Heel, go Potty, or Put your teeth away. It's so confusing for a young pup!
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17 January 2020
Rebel's growing and almost as tall as I am. I won't be able to push her around for very much longer.
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3 February 2020
WOW! My little buddy is almost as big as I am! She steals my food, bones and treats, but I let her because she's my little sister. At night, I sleep by her kennel because she cries if I'm not there. I put my nose up against hers and then she goes to sleep. Is this babysitting? If it is, how much do I get paid?
| 3 February 2020
I know my name now, it's Rebel! I only had one accident in the house this week. I go to Dairy Queen once a week with Mom, Dad and Gypsy. Mom makes sure our allowance covers the ice cream. I'm growing so fast that when I get up in the morning, I don't know if I should look at my paws or my tail first, because they are so much bigger than when I went to bed. Mom fixes us a special dinner every night with puppy chow, steak and homemade beef broth. I have to go to sleep now. I just got a new bone and it's bedtime.
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13 April 2020
O'Boy, do I have a lot to tell you! There were strange people here all week and we had to stay in the house a lot. We always have to go out on our leashes; then, Sunday morning, Mom opened the door and said, "OUT." What, No leash? Rebel and I ran out and guess what? We have a two-acre fenced yard (6-foot high welded mesh) and we can run all over. There is a big pile of dirt, I run to the top and I am Queen of the hill. YIPEE! We ran around for several hours. Mom put a big dish of cold water out for us and now I am so tired, I need a nap on my bed. Bye for now. ZZZzzzzzz.
| 13 April 2020
So, Gypsy told you the news about the new yard. Here's my news: I'm bigger now. I mean, at the last weigh-in, I was 5 pounds more than Gypsy, probably more now and I'm several inches taller. After running around in the yard for several hours, we had to come in for a nap. What's this? Mom said, "Bath!" I don't remember agreeing to that. What now? I'm in the tub with baby shampoo all over me! I'm being cleaned with warm water and a towel to fluff my fur. Wait, I have to shake! OH, oh, all over mom's clean floor. After Gypsy's bath, we both got treats and new bones! I'm sleeping by the warm pellet stove after my bath. What a cool Sunday!
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11 May 2020
Way back when I was a puppy, I thought I was going to be a big dog, but now I'm disappointed! Rebel weighs more than I do, is about 6 inches taller than I am and she eats like a horse. Her bowl is filled to the top and she gulps it down, then tries to take my food. I'm a slow eater, so it takes me longer to eat half a bowl. It's also getting very difficult to push her around like I used to do. She's pushing back!
| 15 May 2020
I'm getting SO BIG; Mom and Dad say I need to be fitted for a riding and pack saddle. What is a saddle and why do I need to be fitted for one? They say I'm getting as big as a horse and that I eat like one, too! How can I be as big as a horse? I've seen horses on TV and they are very tiny! At least they look tiny on the big TV hanging on the wall.
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17 May 2020
Today is my Birthday; I'm one year old!
| 17 May 2020
Happy First Birthday Gypsy!
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6 June 2020
A huge trailer arrived today, and four black and white dogs got out of it in the pasture. At least, I think they're dogs. Two are very big and one is very small. They're speaking a foreign language that I don't understand. It sounds like they are saying, "Moo and MOOooooo." Why can't they speak dog so Rebel and I can understand and talk with them? We were told they are Belted Galloway cattle. What's a cattle?
| 8 June 2020
Gypsy and I try talking (barking) to the cattle, but every time we do, we get yelled at and told, NO! We only want to talk to them and don't know why we aren't allowed to. One of them was my size when they arrived two days ago, but it is now bigger. They are funny-looking too! They're black on each end and white around the middle. They do look like some of the animals we saw on TV, but they are very different in color. Mom and Dad are talking about one of them being due to deliver a calf any day. What's a calf?
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11 June 2020
Rebel, I was spayed at a very young age when I was taken from the kill shelter. And no, I don't know what it is, but I remember my belly being sore for a few days, too.
| 11 June 2020
I'm NOT a happy camper today! I was taken to the vet and left there most of the day by myself, without Gypsy. We go everywhere together! I don't know why, but the people there put me to sleep and spayed me. What is spayed? Now I'm told, "NO" every time I try to lick the sore spot on my belly.
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27 June 2020
Shepherd Pony, that's a good one, Rebel!!!! I once heard someone say something about a Shetland Pony being a small horse, but I never heard of a Shepherd Pony. However, Dad once said you were getting as big as a horse and that you ate like one. It sounds like he is comparing you to a Shetland...
...Ya know, now that I think about it, you are very big! Are you sure you're not a horse, a Shepherd Pony Horse?
| 27 June 2020
Gypsy! Dad just said I was big enough to be a "Shepherd Pony." What's That?
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1 August 2020
We have a new baby on the ranch! A Black & White Belted Galloway heifer calf was born yesterday morning. Mom and Dad said, "she is the first calf to be born on our new ranch."
| 1 August 2020
The new calf is smaller than I am! I heard her name was "Calamity Jane" and I wanted to play with her. But every time I try talking to her (barking), Mom and Dad tell me, "NO!" They won't let me go anywhere near her. I wonder why?
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24 August 2020
Hey Rebel! Guess what! One year ago today, I came to my forever home. I was living in a foster home in Highlands Ranch (Colorado) and my foster mom told me my forever parents are coming today. I was very nervous, but she told me they were really nice people. When they came to pick me up, the lady held me on her lap and asked me if I would like to be their forever dog and live on their ranch. I wasn't sure what living on a ranch would be like, but I decided to go home with them. They bought me a new collar, leash and toys and I'm VERY happy now! We are all going out for my anniversary and I'm sure there will be a Dairy Queen at the end of the day. I'm really turning into a ranch dog! I bark to scare away all the animals that don't belong here. What do you think of that Rebel?
| 24 August 2020
Wow Gypsy, that's quite a story! I don't remember having a home before this one. Was I adopted, too? I know I'm not old enough for an anniversary, because I haven't had a birthday yet. Do you think we can talk Mom into a SUPER BIG Dairy Queen?
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16 October 2020
Happy First Birthday Rebel!
I think we'll be going to Dairy Queen...
| 16 October 2020
Today is my FIRST Birthday! I'm One Year Old Today!!!! YIPEE!!!!! I finally caught up to you, Gypsy! O-NO, you're still a few months older than I am...
Dairy Queen, my favorite!!!! I hope I get an EXTRA-LARGE this time...
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1 January 2021
Happy New Year from ALL of us at the Rebel Ranch, both animal and human!
| 1 January 2021
We hope 2021 is a much better year than 2020!!!
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8 January 2021
Mom looked at my head and said Gypsy, your face is all swollen up! I knew it felt weird; then I heard her and Dad talking about the CORONAVITAS; I thought I might have that.
OOooooooo, my head hurts!!!!! I had a large area of swelling between my left eye and ear and I was only able to open that eye about halfway. The swelling started on 4 January as a small lump, getting larger every day. I was taken to the vet on 7 January (the first available appointment), and when the vet said he was putting me to sleep, I was really scared, cause that's what happened to my friend at the Huston kill shelter. YIKES!!! That needle was long. I was told he did an X-ray and ultrasound, then shaved the fur off that part of my head. He made a small incision and removed an abscess. I slept most of the day and evening and although my head is still sore, I feel much better! The swelling is now almost gone. He also said there was a hard substance in there, that was the cause. Everyone agrees that it was probably a small cactus thorn that worked it's way in and I have to take three pills twice a day, YUK!!!!! Rebel, take my word for it and stay away from the cactus! You don't want to have to go through this!!!
[pain pill for three days and two different antibiotics for seven days] | 8 January 2021
Gypsy, I'm glad you're feeling better and I'll try to stay away from the cactus, but they're all over. Dad is removing them, but there are so many, it will take him a long time. Now, let's go outside and play.
Tag! Your it...
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16 March 2021
You're right, Rebel, having Mom come back home was GREAT! I always knew she would come back, because she always told me I was her "Forever dog" and that she would never leave me. And yes, Mom definitely cooks better for us than Dad, because she always sneaks in extra steak and prime rib. Did you know that Puffy is coming back to visit this summer? Remember, last year, Puffy was here with Shirley and Kathy. Also, Heather and Aden are coming back to visit this summer and Mom said, if we're really good, we can go hiking with them. Right now, we have to go and feed the cattle. Wasn't the ice cream we got yesterday in Colorado Springs great? Hope we go shopping again soon.
| 16 March 2021
(23 Feb) Gypsy, I heard Mom and Dad talking last night and they said that Mom was leaving. I don't know where she's going. Do you think she's going to come back? We went to Pueblo airport and Mom said goodbye, and that she would see us in a week. Gypsy, how long is a week? We went home with Dad and got up in the morning and fed the cattle. Then, this afternoon, Dad made us dinner. He sure doesn't know how to make it like mom does! Do you think she's ever coming home?
(2 March) Today, Dad said we're going to the airport. I didn't know what an airport was. Maybe it's a big balloon, but we sat there and waited and then Dad came out and Mom was with him and she said, "Gypsy! Rebel! I missed you." And then we gave her ten face washings and Mom's back home with us. It was a very long week, but we survived Dad's cooking. However, mom always says dads cooking is good...
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8 May 2021
We knew something was going on, because Mom and Dad were packing clothing and other stuff for a trip. I was looking forward to going, but Rebel and I were taken to the KLB Boarding Kennel and left there! We NEVER stayed there overnight and didn't expect to be there for FIVE days...
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8 May 2021
I was looking forward to going too, and didn't expect to be left at the kennel! But, we had fun playing ball with the owners.
There were only two bad things about this.
1. Dad forgot to bring our treats. We were calling and calling (barking), trying to get his attention before he left. I guess he didn't hear us, because he didn't come back.
2. The worse thing that happened, we had to take a bath before going home!
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13 May 2021
Mom and Dad picked us up from the kennel and took us home. I was very happy to see them!!! When we got back to the house, I smelled something different and knew there was something in there that was never there before.
| 13 May 2021
I was happy to see Mom and Dad too!!! Yeah, I also smelled it and didn't know what it was. I've never smelled anything like that in my life.
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14 May 2021
We were introduced to that strange odor today. It was two cats! Their names are Lacey Jane and Laddie. I think I remember playing with a cat at my foster parent's house before I was adopted, but that was a very long time ago.
| 14 May 2021
Cat! What's a cat????? Whatever they are, they sure smell strange and funny.
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17 May 2021
Rebel, do you know what today is? It's my Birthday! I'm now two years old!!!
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17 May 2021
Happy Birthday Gypsy! Let's talk Mom and Dad into taking us to Dairy Queen for two extra, extra-large ice creams...
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26 May 2021
Mom got up this morning and looked at my head and said, "Gypsy, what's wrong? You have a big lump on the left side of your face." I said, "Mom, I don't feel so good and I have a really bad headache." Mom said, "I'm calling your veterinarian." And so we got into the pickup and went to the Four Mile Vet in Canyon City.
The Doctor took me into a room, scoped my face and told my folks that I had another abscess. He then put me to sleep, opened it up, washed it all out and found what looked like another piece of cactus thorn.
After about two hours, he said I could go home. I was a little bit woozy and couldn't walk in a straight line. But I managed to go to the waiting room; Mom, Dad and Rebel were there. Dad helped me into the pickup, we went home and I slept most of the day. Mom fed me sliced chicken (they called it yard-bird) and broth.
I had to take antibiotics for 10 days. But after every pill, I got a treat. Maybe we could just use this as an excuse for treats. Now my face looks perfect and my fur is growing back where it was shaved.
From now on, every time I see a cactus, I'm running the other way!
| 26 May 2021
I went with Gypsy to the vet and when they came and got her, I was really upset. I waited for two hours and finally, they brought her back. She was really sleepy and didn't want to talk to me. We took her home and she fell asleep on the hassock. I gave her my favorite toy, but she was too tired to play with it. She had to take pills for ten days and the good thing was, when she took her pills and got a treat, I got a treat, too. Now she's all better and no more extra treats.
Gypsy, could you just pretend to have a headache so I can get another treat? I'm just kidding.
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10 June 2021
Mom sat Rebel and I down this morning and told us that Shirley, Kathy and Puffy were coming to visit today. She said we better be on our best manners and behavior, OR ELSE!!! We were very good and Shirley commented on how good we were this year. We had a prime rib dinner and bones later. Puffy never had a real bone before and he was in dog heaven. I was sad to see him go.
| 10 June 2021
Yes, Gypsy, it was good to see Puffy again. But, because he got a bone, there was only one left out of the four, and since Mom said he enjoyed it so much, she sent the last one home with him for tomorrow. I was counting on that bone for a treat. O-WELL. I heard Dad say he would go to the butcher and get us some more. Mom told me I was a very, very good dog.
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16 July 2021
Dad's daughter Heather and Grandson Aden visited us for a week. We had to go to the kennel one day and the rest of the time, we got to go along, spending a lot of time riding in the truck each way. Unfortunately, we had to stay home when they went out for dinner one evening, but they brought us the leftovers. Yummy, that prime rib was GOOD!
| 16 July 2021
Yeah, we had fun at the kennel and really enjoyed going to Bishops Castle and the lake one day, then to the ghost town the next. The boring part was being crowded into the back seat of the truck with two people. I also enjoyed the prime-rib leftovers! How much ya wanna bet they went to the Texas Road House in Pueblo? I hope they take us with them next time, I wanna eat there...
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2 August 2021
I've been touching noses with both Laddie and LacyJane several times over the past few weeks.
| 2 August 2021
I've been nose-to-nose with both of them too, but LacyJane slapped my nose with her paw! It hurt and I don't know why she did that. Dawg-gon' cat...
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2 October 2021
Doctor Sara, our Vet from Four Mile Veterinary Clinic, came here four days ago, looked at the cattle and gave them all shots. Afterward, we were told there would be four new calves. The first one is due in about 40 days.
| 2 October 2021
Mom and Dad said that was good news and I can't wait to play with them. As for the shots, I'm glad it was the cattle and not me this time! Why can't the vet come here to see us, instead of us going to them?
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16 October 2021
Happy Second Birthday Rebel!
| 16 October 2021
Thank you. Let's talk Mom and Dad into taking us to Dairy Queen for two DOUBLE EXTRA LARGE ice creams!!!!! |
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1 December 2021
When we went out to feed and water the cattle this morning, there was a small black and white newborn baby heifer calf on the ground. She is smaller than I am! Her mother was licking her and her father was nose-to-nose with her (photo on the "Our Cattle" page). I heard her name was Bonnie Blue Beltie, and I wanted to play with her, but Mom and Dad wouldn't let me. So, I just rub noses with them through the fence and lick them. Since I'm not supposed to play with them, I hope I don't get caught!
| 7 December 2021
When Dad and I went to feed and water the cattle this morning, I saw a small black and white newborn heifer calf (photo on the "Our Cattle" page). Her mother was licking her and I heard her name was Jessie James.
Gypsy, I don't know why Mom and Dad won't let us play with them and you better not get caught...
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1 January 2022
Happy New Year from the Rebel Ranch.
The calves are getting really big. They are now about six times bigger than when they were born.
| 1 January 2022
Happy New Year from all of us "Critters" on the ranch.
Yes, the calves are getting bigger. Mom and Dad say they are growing like weeds....
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3 February 2022
A new heifer calf was born this morning. It's smaller than I am! I was trying to talk (bark) with her this morning, but Mom and Dad kept saying "NO!" every time I tried.
Rebel, why won't they let us talk to and play with the cattle?
| 3 February 2022
Yep and it was the coldest night of the year at 8 degrees F below zero and 9 inches of snow. The calf is completely black, with a white face and belly. Dad had to put her into the truck to warm her up when he fed this morning, and I heard she was named Sunnie. I also heard she is 1/4 Beltie (mother's side) and 3/4 Black Angus (bull's side)
I don't know why Gypsy. I guess it's just one of the great mysteries of the universe...
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22 September 2022
We've been so busy this year that we haven't had time to update our BLOG since 3 January. We traveled to Bismarck North Dakota and I didn't like the "Doggy Daycare" place we were taken to. It reminded me of the kill shelter I was in before being adopted in August 2019. When Mom found out I didn't like that Doggy Daycare place, she took us home and we didn't have to go there anymore!
On 9 May 2022, our Belted Galloway cattle herd had another new addition. A black and white bull calf was born. Mom named him Barron.
On 13 September 2022, our bull Abraham; got into a stock trailer, which drove off and he was not in it when it came back. I wonder where he is and why he didn't come back?
| 22 September 2022
Dad wanted me to dig holes for the new fencing project, but I couldn't get any farther down than he did using the auger! There are too many rocks, tree roots and clay.
I heard Mom and Dad talking the other day. Dad said in a few weeks when the flies die out, the cattle are not going to be happy campers. All but two need ear tattoos, all need shots, all need to be branded, three need ear tags, several need their hoofs trimmed and the bull calf needs to be banded. OUCH!!!!
Where Abraham went is another of those great unsolved mysteries, we will never know the answer to...
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9 October 2022
Rebel, we had a new calf born today.
| 9 October 2022
Yes, we did. It's a bull calf and Mom named him Roy Rogers. And NO Gypsy, Mom & Dad still won't let us play with it...
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16 October 2022
Happy Birthday Rebel!
| 16 October 2022
Thank you. Today is my third Birthday! Let's talk Mom and Dad into taking us to Dairy Queen for two TRIPLE XTRA LARGE ice creams!!!!! |
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5 December 2022
We had another calf born today! I still want to play with them, but Mom and Dad won't let me.
| 5 December 2022
It's a bull! He was about 15 minutes old when Dad and I found him when we went to feed this morning. Dad named him "Gabby Hayes" in keeping with their old west naming scheme!!!! |
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31 December 2022
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year, from all the critters on the Rebel Ranch
| 31 December 2022
Hopefully 2023 shall be a much better year! |
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25 February 2023
We had another heifer calf born last evening at approximately 2030 (8:30 PM) and even though she weighs the same as me, she is smaller than I am.
| 25 February 2023
Since we already have calves (steers) named Roy Rogers and Gabby Hayes, she was named Dale Evens. And no, Mom and Dad won't let us play with her, or any of the others. You better watch out, Gypsy, I think Mom and Dad have seen you licking the cattle's noses through the fence... |
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17 May 2023
Today is my 4th Birthday.
We had another heifer calf born on Friday, 12 May 2023, at approximately 7 AM.
O-yea, I almost forgot. I saw a Fox in the yard yesterday evening. The front half was red and the back half was gray. I chased it away.
| 17 May 2023
Happy Birthday Gypsy. Let's ask Mom and Dad to take us to Dairy Queen for two super large ice creams!
Mom and Dad named the new calf, Annie Oakley. She was your size when born, but now she has grown to my size. It won't be long before she is bigger than me.
I saw the fox, but the one I saw was red all over. I'm told we don't want to mess with them. |
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15 February 2024
WOW, Rebel! We've been so busy this past year, that we forgot to update our Blog!
In November last year, we had to build a new paddock in the pasture, but due to the weather, it didn't get finished till February. And, at the time, we didn't know what it was for. We know now! Tell us about it, Rebel.
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15 February 2024
Yes, we have been busy! On 12 February, we drove to Round Mountain, Texas. It was a very long and boring drive, both ways! We left here early, arrived there late, then spent the night in a hotel and picked up a new bull early in the morning. It was very late when we finally got back home! Our new bull is Red on each end, with a white belt around his middle and 14 months old. His registered name is Wildfire Texas Red.
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20 May 2024
On 15 March, Mom and Dad published a book they wrote! It's called "Buzzing Success, A Guide to Raising Honeybees for Fun and Profit." They are working on several more and Dad said he expects to publish the next book in June (2024).
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20 May 2024
Yeah! That's Awesome! Mom is writing a children's book, and guess who the main characters are? US! She is basing the book on our adventures and, uh, misadventures. I thought everything was an adventure. I didn't know we had misadventures. Hopefully, they will use the royalties to buy us more ice cream!
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17 May 2024
Today is my 5th Birthday.
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17 May 2024
Happy Fifth Birthday Gypsy! Let's ask Mom and Dad to take us to Dairy Queen for two Ultra-super large ice creams!
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4 June 2024
Mom and Dad's new book "Belted Galloway Cattle Ranching, A Comprehensive Guide to Breeding,
Nutrition and Management" was published today!
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4 June 2024
I can't read, but the color pictures are of our cattle here on the ranch. Gypsy, a picture of you and I is also in it. It's a GREAT book!
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15 June 2024
I'm mad at Dad! He just cleaned the windows of all the ranch vehicles and destroyed our beautiful and priceless NOZE art.
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15 June 2024
I'm mad too! He shouldn't have done that. Now we have to make more priceless NOZE art! If he would stop destroying it, we can sell it for lots of treats!
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Signed Gypsy
| Signed Rebel
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‣ Gypsy is fluctuating between 46 and 55 pounds.
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‣ At her last weigh-in, Rebel was 100 pounds and still growing. NONE of it is fat...
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