We're still waiting for news from the bank that owns the mortgage on the farm we're trying to buy. It has only been two weeks and we've been told that short sales can take a long time to process, so we're trying to be patient. In the meantime, we have a ticking time bomb in the form of a pregnant mare due in April and a pregnant dog due the beginning of March.

The new place will need fenced dog yards and horse and sheep pens before we move in and we're thinking positively about working that all in and around L.D.'s work schedule. It should be lots of work, but it's a great opportunity to set a place up from scratch.

Besides the animal pens, we are planning at least one large fenced pasture, with some land left in alfalfa production for now. Also on our list of planned facilities are at least one full size arena to train and hold arena trials in, a 60-foot round pen, smaller goose arena and there is a small pasture already existing to start dogs in.

The new house includes an area separate from the living facilities that can be used as guest quarters for visiting clinicians or judges, a classroom, or meeting area. That really helps expand the possibilities.