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Description
Animals:
Phoenix
Merciful
Leech
Rider/Handler: Noah Scott
Show: A Trek Across Namibia
Story:
The third day of their trek dragged on. Phoenix was exhausted. She dragged her feet and stumbled over even the smallest branches in their path. She began to lag behind, her head drooping almost to the ground. Thankfully, Mercy had learned the Phoenix's commands and was much better about steering than when they first started, but Noah was beginning to worry about Phoenix. She wasn't acting like herself.
The coyote was still leeching off his food supply and was now following them relentlessly. It made him miss working with dogs, even if he'd never had one to call his own. When he was a kid his dream had been to have a dog of his own but as his career as a canine behavioralist progressed, he had less and less time to himself. He was so busy with client dogs he didn't have time to take care of another. Perhaps it was for the best, after all, he couldn't afford to play favorites.
Noah shook his head. He hadn't thought about his old job in months. Being alone in the desert with his horses was giving him too much time to think. He realized with a jolt that he didn't miss it. Of course he loved working with dogs, he loved helping previously abused dogs learn to trust again and he loved that feeling of triumph when a client took the final step towards recovery, but it no longer felt rewarding. He no longer felt like he was making a difference. He was tired hearing the same story over and over again. Tired of seeing dogs that he'd worked with for years get put back in shelters because their owners didn't want the responsibility of a "problem" dog. Nothing ever changed. He was setting them up for failure and it wasn't the fault of him or the dog, it was simply the way the world worked. Nothing he did could ever change that.
As a dog trainer he worked with minor training problems. He worked with the owners more than the animals, teaching them how to better handle their furry companions. At least he wouldn't see many of his current clients in a shelter. He looked behind him. Phoenix was steadily falling behind. There was an overhang up ahead that would make a good resting place for the night. It was barely midday but his mare needed a good long rest. It would set them behind a day but he was willing to risk hunger over his horse's well being.
Word Count: 420

Artist Note: I really like the concept of this piece so maybe I'll finish it... eventually...

TheRanchRegistry points
Phoenix: 16
Mercy: 16
Leech: 16

References:
Warmblood stock 17
First Bareback Ride
Walk away
Spindly trees

Description
Animals:
Phoenix
Merciful
Leech
Rider/Handler: Noah Scott
Show: A Trek Across Namibia
Story:
The third day of their trek dragged on. Phoenix was exhausted. She dragged her feet and stumbled over even the smallest branches in their path. She began to lag behind, her head drooping almost to the ground. Thankfully, Mercy had learned the Phoenix's commands and was much better about steering than when they first started, but Noah was beginning to worry about Phoenix. She wasn't acting like herself.
The coyote was still leeching off his food supply and was now following them relentlessly. It made him miss working with dogs, even if he'd never had one to call his own. When he was a kid his dream had been to have a dog of his own but as his career as a canine behavioralist progressed, he had less and less time to himself. He was so busy with client dogs he didn't have time to take care of another. Perhaps it was for the best, after all, he couldn't afford to play favorites.
Noah shook his head. He hadn't thought about his old job in months. Being alone in the desert with his horses was giving him too much time to think. He realized with a jolt that he didn't miss it. Of course he loved working with dogs, he loved helping previously abused dogs learn to trust again and he loved that feeling of triumph when a client took the final step towards recovery, but it no longer felt rewarding. He no longer felt like he was making a difference. He was tired hearing the same story over and over again. Tired of seeing dogs that he'd worked with for years get put back in shelters because their owners didn't want the responsibility of a "problem" dog. Nothing ever changed. He was setting them up for failure and it wasn't the fault of him or the dog, it was simply the way the world worked. Nothing he did could ever change that.
As a dog trainer he worked with minor training problems. He worked with the owners more than the animals, teaching them how to better handle their furry companions. At least he wouldn't see many of his current clients in a shelter. He looked behind him. Phoenix was steadily falling behind. There was an overhang up ahead that would make a good resting place for the night. It was barely midday but his mare needed a good long rest. It would set them behind a day but he was willing to risk hunger over his horse's well being.
Word Count: 420

Artist Note: I really like the concept of this piece so maybe I'll finish it... eventually...

TheRanchRegistry points
Phoenix: 16
Mercy: 16
Leech: 16

References:
Warmblood stock 17
First Bareback Ride
Walk away
Spindly trees