About DSR
Desert Sage Ranch has been my home since 2012. When I first moved in it was an adventure I didn’t think I’d make. I am not fond of the heat, and the Arizona desert is far from treed & rainy, which I love. But here I am, many years later, and trying to learn what home means.
My horse companions that moved with me were Comanche, Katie, Elli and Doodle. Also tagging on for the adventure was my beloved Sierra, the dog that will be the standard for all future dogs, my mother, and her two chihuahuas. Also joining us was the ancient Valerie cat. This cat travelled with me from kittenhood in Chico, to Sacramento, the bay area, Virginia, and a few homes in Arizona.
It has been quite the adventure. I have learned how to be home. Having moved every few years, sometimes even more often, through out my life, settling down here seemed like it would be just another place to pass through. Especially since it was the desert. However, it’s been 8 years, and I’ve wanted to move several times, and still do. I don’t think I will ever not have this home, though. I am owned by this small 3 acres. My dreams are now of being a snowbird.
In this current iteration of home I am joined by several companions. Elli is a Missouri Foxtrotter born in 1999. Elli shared with me her colt “Doodle” who has been gifted to a great family who loves him dearly. He gets to ride some endurance trails and be part of a family that is always exploring new trails. It is his happy place.
Arwen is a cattle bred AQHA mare born in 2015. She under a purchase contract to a wonderful cattle family where she’s changing their minds on owning mares. She is so special that within moments of being introduced to a wheelchair she was over it. She is that special. I will miss her every single day, but I know she found the right family.
StarFire and Dreamer are two wild/feral orphans from the Yakima reservation in Yakima, WA. I rescued them in the fall of 2020 and tamed their wild fears a bit. They are ready for a domesticated future. Dreamer is hanging out and I’ll work on saddle training him over the next couple years (2022/23). Star is off to pony camp for a bit – and hopefully to find the right home for him. He’s a little too ‘pony brained’ for me, and he’s small – so he really doesn’t fit into my program. I want what’s best for him, and unfortunately that means his next adventure awaits, away from DSR.
Along for the journey are ranch cats Jack (abandoned here) who is as crazy and psychotic as they come, Obie who was saved from a tumbleweed by a friend and Louise who was adopted from “the feedstore”. They are now all outdoor cats because they hate it so much inside. So I let them choose their happiness. Finally there are my two dogs. Apollo is a 1 year old boxer/lab/pit mix like dog. Finn is a 2017 Shepherd/Healer mix. Finally, also here is one of my mom’s remaining Chihuahuas, Pancho.
Update: Early Summer of 2022 is here and I just wanted to put in quick update. Pancho has finally found his people. I am so glad it has worked out for him. He will be spoiled until the end of his days. My mom would be happy. Arwen is being trained for her next adventure. She is going to be a horse that will need a regular daily job to stay in tune. She gets bored easily and I’ve made the hard decision that I really am not ever going to be that home. Star is ready for his next home, and I’m looking for the right landing for him now that he’s gentled and ready to be trained. Dreamer so far may have a future here at DSR. He has injured his pastern so he will have the summer off. Joining us in September will be a beautiful almost fully black Gypsy Vanner filly named Dark Tyche. I cannot wait for her to arrive so we can start our life long adventure together. If things go as planned, she will be the first of my Breeding program for my retirement side hustle. Shucky Darns, I’ll have to pet and train horses all day! Woe, whoa, is me! Until next time – stay tuned to the other pages for ongoing updates.
Update: Late Summer of 2022: I can smell fall on the wind. The summer was pretty eventful. Arwen found a great home. Star is getting ready for one. Elli is healthy. Tyche will be here soon 🙂 Dreamer starts his saddle training in September, too. Apollo has hypothyroidism in addition to his Valley Fever, and is on the path to healing from a severe outbreak of hives and allergy related trauma. Finn is getting more neurotic so I’m going to try some Cannabis treats with him. The cats are the cats and the ranch is the ranch. I really need to just say it – I love my home. Looking forward to the near future – I’ve started house shopping for real. I want to build a site built house on the south end of the property. I’ve found a few floor plans that I really like. I need to finish paying off some debt and then start talking to builders. I’m hoping to engage those conversations at the beginning of 2023.