Saturday, June 21, 2014

In other news

So a couple of days ago I took Yada and a girl from the barn rode Stitch on a short trail ride. I was happy to see that Stitch did very well! He even overcame his fear of bicycles. Those big scary things with two wheels that could jump out and bite you at any moment! We would have gone farther but both horses started acting like jerks because of the bugs and wouldn't go too far from the barn so we eventually had to turn back because it was useless to force them further. Next time, we'll go with some other horses as well to boost their confidence and have a good time.

I also hear that someone, unknown to me, drove by Coldbrook Equestrian Center on a 70 degree day and saw a horse with a rain sheet on (though Jill never puts rain sheets on her horses, let alone when it's that hot out) and you could still see the bones of the horse's back and hips. That's disgusting that this happened and she's calling herself a rescue since this is the very horse I went to New Hampshire with Jill to get two years ago! She wasn't that skinny then and we thought she was thin when we got her. 

Word travels quickly, Jill Schnedler and people are watching. I wish the State or Town would step up and do something but only time will tell, I suppose. Karma's a bitch and she's waiting, I'm sure. I'll just sit back and wait it out.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Scammed her way out?

It appears as if Jill Schnedler has scammed her way out of foreclosure on her property... for now. How long can she really keep this up? She hasn't paid on her mortgage since May 2012! Keep that in mind if you ever want to go to Coldbrook Equestrian Center, or Manes Danes & Everything Maine, or Manes and Danes Equine Rescue. She's only a "rescue" to receive state funding to feed her animals, I'm sure, because she doesn't have the money herself.

In other news, a woman called the Animal Control Officer on my barn owner. She claimed the cows and horses were ALL skinny. Well, being a responsible owner and knowing the horses aren't skinny at my barn, I called the Town Office and filed a complaint against the ACO. The State came by the farm and even said some of the horses were FAT! Imagine that. Apparently we aren't the first to complain about this ACO and "the State is going to deal with [her] on their end". Good. She obviously has no knowledge of large animals.

I also started working at Acadia Woods Kennel in Bar Harbor as the office manager. Yay! I have been bathing dogs and helping the groomer there on Fridays since mid-January and the former office manager submitted his notice and the owner needed someone to fill the position so I was offered the job! The job comes with a free apartment above the kennel so I no longer have to drive to work, I get two days off a week, I work only 10 hours over the weekend total, and I can kennel my dog here for free. All pluses, especially the kenneling because my dog has separation anxiety and doesn't fair well in the apartment alone, hence why he's never lived in apartments with me. We tried for one month and that was disastrous.

Another great perk about this job: I get to have Chase regularly groomed! I don't have to travel anywhere and the groomer here (who is fantastic) doesn't have to feel rushed when grooming an 83-lb Rough Coat Collie. Nothing is worse than when someone brings in a dog with tons of hair and wonders why he/she won't be done until 5pm. Sorry, but it takes HOURS to completely dry a dog with that much hair... and collies dry quickly in comparison to dogs like Newfoundlands and German Shepherds because their hair doesn't hold the water in. Poodles also dry quickly but they also require a lot of brushing and clipping. Luckily, Collies don't require clipping and I hate groomers who clip Collies unless it is 100% necessary or specifically requested by the owner. Chase has left 4 groomers over the years due to their decision to clip him after we clearly stated "Do not clip him anywhere unless there is a mat you cannot remove."

Gosh being a groomer is tough! I try to help out when I can, even when it's my day off and I have nowhere better to be.

There is just one disadvantage to living and working in Bar Harbor: I'm 45 minutes away from my horse (as long as tourist traffic doesn't make it worse). At least I only work until 5pm and I have some days off. That means I do have time to visit Yada at least a few times a week! I'm going to start planning it out better so I can see her a minimum of 4 times a week and we're going to really get into the work-out routine for her to build up more muscle, start taking some lessons with Carrie Dixon, and get her in shape! I do love living in this area so far and on weekends I'm going to start going out and enjoying the island more! Adventuring Acadia, hiking, and whatnot. It's going to be fun!