It's time to start speaking out...

I don't know if 'bloggers' go in and practically rewrite their blog, but I am making some corrections, taking some bitterness out (I can let words get somewhat harsh) and getting back to my normal thinking.

It's too bad there are people who desire to bash people they know nothing about. In reality, I'm sure I've done the same thing, many times. The language in this blog is not my usual posting, but the words of spite and negativity are not mine. Once again, when confronted with, 'how long am I going to keep this up?' - and, I should 'just let it go'..... I might not completely let it go; but I realize (thanks to friends, especially my friend that's been thru this with me from the beginning; encouraging, understanding, and mostly; helping me to keep on the right path - thanks Brit) that I need to keep my character in check.

Turn the other cheek. I still like the story where Jesus went in and tore the temple apart, upturning tables, etc. I guess there is a time and a place for everything. I wanted to confront, (well - how can one confront someone who calls themselves anonymous?) so I'll still tell my side. Here is what was written on a blog I found while google searching 3 Strikes stuff:


from: http://bustedupcowgirlblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/ok-someone-give-me-low-down.html
***

Anonymous said...
mustangtruth/vicki freiberger/satans little helper is back!What a psychotic nutbag!You don't and didn't give 2 sh*ts about the 3 strikes horses.All your broke a*s cared about was trying to steal someone elses land and life by the foulest means possible.How lovely for the Meduna family that they were able to move away from your stalking, stealing, horse killing a*s!Do the fine people of the ABR actually buy into this nutters game?Hope you rot bi**h! You and your boys!
December 3, 2009 11:13 PM



***

Wow! That one surprised me! No, it wasn't bustedupcowgirl that wrote that, she actually defended me on her blog. And I thank her for that. I can't even begin to describe how I felt when I first saw that post from anonymous. But you guys are right, when I let it get to me, they won. Probably what did me in was talking about Justin and Josh in the way she did. But that also makes sense, when someone's going to attack, they are going to attack what means the most. I thank God I have good sons. Their thoughts on this person? ....just like yours...."She's not worth it, Mom."

I am here, because I desire a chance to speak up for myself against people that slander and lie about our character and what we believe in. Even if it is just on my blog. ***Let me rephrase: it was brought to my attention that people like this probably don't have happiness in their life. I should have more feelings of pity for them than of anger. I am usually a pretty compassionate person, and usually my first reaction would be one of 'wow, this person is empty'. So I read over my blog several times, each time the conviction hit me harder and harder.


My answer to your comments: yes, I gave more than 2 poops about the 3 Strikes horses. Seeing the survivors touches my heart greatly. What anonymous needs to remember, I...nor my family did anything bad to those horses. Meduna did it himself. Had they been healthy; none of this would have happened. Anonymous mentioned the word STALKING; I imagine you got that from Meduna. For instance; the day the Dep. Sheriff came to deliver my notice for the harassment hearing, we were in our meadow looking at a cow. We had cattle next to Meduna in the pasture to the west; I had just driven along the fence line on my 4-wheeler to make sure staples were not out, etc. The Dep. Sheriff had to stop at Jason's first and talk to him before delivering my hearing notice. Jason told the Dep. Sheriff, "She was just driving back and forth by the fence again a little while ago, STALKING us." Well first of all, .....If YOU had cattle beside Jason Meduna, wouldn't YOU regularly check your fences? That seems to be a no-brainer to me!


I'm trying to figure out the 'steal someone else's land by the foulest means possible'. Jason told people I hated horses, especially mustangs, and that's why I wanted them gone. What he didn't tell people is how I went over to the place and filmed the first load of mustangs being unloaded from the semi onto his property, as a favor to Lucille; the previous owner. He didn't tell you how he used to stop me when I was in the hay field on my tractor, and I would stop and go over and visit with him. (That gives me the willies now). That was the first summer he was there. He stopped me and said, "I see that you guys are haying this meadow, so I figure it must be time to hay mine since they're connected and beside yours." I am not kidding, that's what he said. He started haying it, but broke down and never got his equipment fixed. That was the end of his haying, until he hired it put up AFTER the horses were gone.


You call ME a horse killer? Our horses are doing pretty good. Maybe since you wrote that back in December, you now feel embarrassed; but that still does not justify what you said about me or my family. Like I've said before, this neighborhood, including our family; were very welcoming to the Meduna's. It was Jason that would not reach out for help. We offered.



***

Anonymous said...
BUC you should do your research. You really should.Talk about drinking the kook-aid!I agree with Marilyn.Wishing that your life may be filled with good things.But you have VF and her boys all wrong on this one.Facts don't lie."The land is under new ownership. If the Freiberger's wanted the land, they would have bought it...dontcha think moron?"If they had the money. Which they don't.One of the first rules of responsible reporting is to confine yourself to proveable facts.And this loser believes in the truth first and foremost.I have no difficulty wishing animal killers to rot in hell.No problem at all.
December 4, 2009 10:15 AM



***

So now she calls us animal killers, and we should 'rot in hell'?
Ok, we've killed some animals, that is true. They were suffering and we had done everything we could for them; so we humanely put them out of their misery.
And the money thing, I'm pretty sure this anonymous person isn't our banker, so how do they know our money situation? I'll add this about the money; who cares.

Rot in hell, huh? I still have a problem with this statement you made, anonymous. Let me tell you why, not so much is it a problem for me, because I know where I'm going when I die; I won't be rotting in hell. It's for those that aren't sure of where they're going...but that is a whole other subject.

***

(Dena's comment)...
Well, this has taken an interesting turn.BUC I have to agree with anonymous that facts are important.Necessary actually. Especially when in reference to a situation like this.Finding out whether or not V. Freiberger or family made offer or attempt to purchase the land isn't that hard.And the answer is, yes.Now does having done my research make me a nutter too?Or, does it just mean that there is a lot more to this story than has been presented?I have no dog in this fight BUC.I just want the truth.
December 4, 2009 10:34 AM



***

(By the way, Dena; I apologize for putting on here about your problems. If this was you, I guess I shouldn't judge you...how do I know the circumstances for what you did or did not do? If you were wronged, hopefully you can rise above the situation; if you did what was public news - hopefully you've changed your life around and that is all completely behind you.)

So now we have Dena, and anonymous. At least Dena had the courage to put her name when she questioned about the Freibergers.

Big thing isn't it? The Freibergers put a bid on the land. What is this world coming to?


***

(Dena's comment)...
Okay now I am laughing. And I agree that simply making an offer isn't indicative of nefarious intent.
That said, what if you are stretched to the limit and the bank says No Way Honey?

Vic's reply: Forget what ever I said about the bank, the money we have or have not. Who cares? If you all choose to ponder about it, guess it gives you something to think about. Remember; money is the root of all evil. I'm thinking though it's the root of all evil if you make it your god.


(Dena's comment): And what if you know something about the value of the property that not everyone else does?
And what if there is strong evidence that you deliberately worked to drive down the price of said property?

Vic's reply: WE deliberately worked to drive down the price of the property? I'd say Meduna worked pretty hard on that. We were not ever on the property. We didn't rape it of it's grasses. We didn't leave bones scattered all over.



(Dena's comment): Acted in all sorts of manners to make the property seem extremely undesirable?
Like I said, I have no dog in this fight.But in being objective doesn't some of it at the very least come across as a little stalkeresque?
I read all of her posts from the beginning and they just seemed blatantly manipulative to me.
I helped place some of those Mustangs BUC. My primary concern was and is their welfare.
And many of their symptoms did jive with rumensin poisoning.
Hair loss for instance from malnutrition usually isn't evidenced until much as in almost all of the body fat has been absorbed.
And one other nagging feature for me is this.Do I know the parties involved?
No.But Mr. Reynolds has devoted much of his life to preserving the Sorraia Mustangs. Something like 210 left?
Not sure of the number.But why would this man trust Jason Meduna with what appears to be his lifes work?
And why did everyone involved grossly exaggerate the number of dead?

To be honest Vicki Freiberger reminds me a great deal of another California nut before her fall from grace. The great STFU.There has been so much shoddy work by the supposed authorities in this it reminds me of the O.J debacle.
And I am not willing to throw Marilyn under the bus because she is adament in her defense of the Meduna family.
She took the time to go there. She also took the time to go and see Rayu.And we all know how I feel about poor Rayu. That horse has been lost and found more times than a set of keys.Honestly BUC I just don't know.
People lie.
People do horrible things to each other every day.
I just know that when it comes to credible information I am not willing to eat the candy at ABR.I want facts.
Because that is where the truth will unfold and reveal itself.
And I do not want to be guilty of convicting ANY innocent party.
I don't disagree with what you said about the background check.
But I know from personal experience that not everything put in print is the gospel.
And here is what keeps running through my mind. What if? Just what if the man is not guilty?

December 4, 2009 11:14 PM

***


So many comments. For what it's worth; Dena you have the right to think anything you want about the Freibergers. You are wrong in your assumptions, but anything I say will not change your mind. The people that are our friends, and actually seeked the real truth in this whole ordeal don't have those questions - their main question is 'what would possess a person to do this to innocent animals?' I visited with Mr. Reynolds all afternoon on his court day. We had an interesting conversation. People just speculate and don't know the truth about many things. A lot because they don't want to know the truth.
The number of dead was actually probably understated. We have since then found more skeletons that what were accounted for on the property. It would be interesting to gather all of the skulls, and get a count. But the coyotes have probably drug many of the smaller ones off.

The realtor called us before the property was listed. He said he always does that to surrounding neighbors when it's in the country like this. I asked him if he had any bids on it (I knew of 2 people that had placed a bid with him) - he said he could not tell me the bid amount, unless we placed a bid ourselves. I did not at the time, because I told him we knew it was going to go for more than what we would pay. I did not place a bid until the morning I was leaving for my harrassment hearing in Bridgeport. We were simply curious as to what the land was up to, so I called and gave him an amount. We both chuckled.

*

I took this from a blog and posted it because these people are telling lies about me, and it is my right to speak up and defend myself, and my family. Accusations were being posted all over the place about what we did or didn't do. This is the first of many. I realize lies will always be told about us. That is life. The people that count know the truth. That is good.

*

What I did, was saw horses and land in trouble. Nothing more. If you say you love horses, and accuse me of doing something wrong as far as those horses go; then it is my opinion, that you don't really have a horse's best interest at heart. How can you?

*

If by chance, these 2 people realize after all of this time, and all the facts are out; that perhaps they were wrong...let this be a reminder that you should be careful of what you write about someone; before you know the facts.

*

And as far as 'anonymous' goes; you say my sons and I can rot in hell. You call me satan's little helper. I don't think you understand the judgement you have just put upon your head. Yes, you might have gotten my dander up for a short time. But that too has passed. I am just thankful that I have a life, a good husband, good kids and their families, good parents, and a bunch of wonderful friends. To have thoughts as you do, I feel sorry for your emptiness. Hopefully by now, if you even read this; your opinions have changed, your heart has softened, and the world seems a better place.

Left Behind.....

Caution: a bad word at the end... (forgive me, but I didn't write it, it's just a picture)




Left behind....





Many questions have been asked about the whole 3 Strikes ordeal. Mainly, 'what kind of person does this to so many animals?' We certainly don't have the answers, not many people do. I wonder what kind of person does this - continually? Mudna stated often in emails, 'this wasn't his first rodeo' (in talking about dealing with Vicki Freiberger to his former supporters). Seriously. I have the emails-written by Mudna, and by some others: about the Freibergers. Blows me away. It's probably what I've read in the emails, and what I had read throughout on the forums; that keep me hungry to tell the truth - or just tell. Hungry- granted; it's more like throwing cups of gas on a burning fire; every once and awhile - there's a burst of flame.

**

As I sit and ponder what pictures I should, or shouldn't include; the many thoughts circle in my mind of the lies they've told; some just purely stupid, and some a little more on the vicious side. Mudna told different people that my husband forced his dad and mom to move to town, and that he hated his dad. Now Mudna followers: do you think after living 30 years in the same yard, going up to your mom's house (my mother-in-law) for coffee nearly every morning (that's why we called it 'The Coffee Shop' - even our good neighbors new that) and we remodeled my mother-in-law's home - and this has been her family's heritage since she was born - and my husband is 4th generation (which I've probably mentioned) and our 2 sons are 5th generation to continue in this family ranch surroundings - take a breath Vic - and the decision was totally theirs to move in to town. But for Jason to say otherwise, when he didn't know squat.... and to be believed?!!! Yikes. I realize it was his way to get people to believe his lies of how bad we were because......

**

Or... how about the story that Don (my husband) got in a fight with Don (my dad) and kicked him off of the ranch! (Here's another, 'if you don't believe me; call any one of our neighbors'.) Mudna invented lies that I can't even figure out how it would have been a thought process in ones' mind, to even think of the lie to begin with. I could put a huge photo album of pics of my dad coming out here to help us. He loves to come out and help, and we love having him out here. So there's some fuel on the fire.

**

It's like a friend of ours, Pastor Jim, said to Don many, many years ago: "Don, Vic is like a mamma grizzly bear. You stay clear of her, you'll probably be alright; but mess with one of her cubs, she'll tear you up." Now really, I don't write that to sound all 'your mamma - tough stuff'; or to portray that I think I'm tough- but it is how I feel. I might go down swinging, but at least I'll be swinging. I'm really a nice, mild-mannered person!

***

The following is some of what was left behind. Someone told me they saw a moving van in the night. I guess they didn't want to be noticed.

Must have dreamed of being a 'cowboy'.

A cowboy who had saddles on fences, even one on top of the garage.

Of course when I saw this, I thought,

"Dang, that's kinda cool..why would he leave that?"

What ever.

**

This is hanging on the wall. Someone made it.

Seems a shame to leave it behind.

**

Guess since they bought land in Wyoming,

they'll be able to get a new license plate.

**

There's a lot I wanted to write, but-

**

This is my favorite 'left behind' thing.

It is a wonderful 16 x 24 photograph by Pam Nickoles.

***

The 'joke' if you want to call it that; between Dan and I:

"Oh good, at least you saved the picture,

who cares about the basement!"

*

Explanation: when I was going over every day feeding the birds, and checking on the house and trailer (remember how terribly cold it was?) - everything was fine. I removed the photograph so no one could come in and take it, or destroy it. (I'm safe-keeping it for the Greens). I always said "Wow, made it through another cold spell." after I would check all the rooms in the house and trailer for leaks, etc.

*

Nobody told me pipes break when it warms up!!!!!

**

Luckily they were there that weekend.

*

That would be the same Friday of the last day of Meduna's trial. I did make it home in time that evening to talk them into coming over for supper, (Dan didn't want to impose) so we could discuss my saving of the photo! If it would have been warmer, we could have went for a swim in their basement after our meal settled.

*****

And sadly, as everyone knows.....

left behind are the many, many animals - who perished.

***

Last, but not least:

this was in his pickup when the kids were cleaning up the big stuff.

It's probably their favorite find...

Cleaning Up

Mr. and Mrs. Green....

at last some good neighbors at the

former 3 Strikes Ranch.

Someone to once again, do justice to

Glen and Lucille Kooper's ranch.

***

The Freibergers are helping the Greens do some clean up work. Mainly going around and removing the big stuff from the land. Justin and Josh were over cleaning up some stuff a while back, and sent me out on the 4-wheeler to locate more 'big stuff' that they could haul off. This was the first time I've been on the south and west a little of X-Mudna's. This is what I found.....

Brit, this is for you. Thought you'd like to see it.
This belonged to the Koopers. Used during haying.



A nifty little bone pile Jason made.

Jason had several of these wooden works

of art around the land.

Just think, another one of those,

"if he'd only spent that much time

taking care of the horses."

For those who think his problems

had just started in 2009.

Think again.

These bones are a little too white

to be that fresh.

Will we ever stop finding bones?

As I drove up to the lake, I found this.

My heart just sank.

Frozen in the water, left as a symbol.

No horse was safe here.

And no, this was not the lake they claimed

was poisoned, or was green.

It was simply a horse,

unable to continue on with life.

The weather is good now.

Snow is expected this weekend.

I hope to get to the large bone pile before the ground is covered once again.

I don't know what Jason thinks of as he sits in his cell. I don't know if Anissa will ever come to the reality of just what happened here. I still find it hard to believe that there are people who think Jason and Anissa did no wrong. I know there are many, many people that have visions of what was seen here. I was not at the scene when they were removing the horses. I was not on the scene, when they watched the black mare, who had dug a halo around herself, finally die; or to watch horses that could not stand up; watch new borns that could not survive. Those people, I feel for.

Those people will not forget the images burned in their mind.

Mudna's Ranch Tour ...

Once all the problems came to light at 3 Strikes,

many of the lies told there - were exposed.

I was recently given the question,

"How long will you write about this person?"

***
There is something in me that desires

to expose each and every one

of the lies Jason and Anissa

have spewed from their mouths.

And yes, maybe somewhat of a desire

to make known our side of the story.

In every aspect.

***

That being the case,

I think it might be that I

should not live as long as needed;

naturally or otherwise.

***

The ranch was called '3 Strikes Mustang Outpost'

according to the sign shown above,

which was erected at the entrance

of the 3 Strikes Ranch.

***

During the onset of the

'horrible neighbors poisoning horses'

there became a great debate

(it was a great debate to me,

because I began reading on certain

Internet 'horse' forums... all the lies that were being

relayed by Jason and Anissa, about us)

The great debate was that so many

were insistent that I was just trying

to cause problems for poor Jason.

***

He allowed a few people on to the ranch,

and when they had the privilege

of touring the ranch - he took them;

and that tour consisted of

seeing what he wanted them to see.

They saw only what he allowed them to see.

***

No, I take that back....

had they truly opened their minds and eyes,

they too would have seen the truth.

But they CHOSE to believe the lie.

***

I have been on the path that their tour guide traveled.

The amazing thing, if those people

would have just ventured over the hill along the way,

anywhere along the way....

they would have discovered the bones also.

But I doubt 'venturing over the hill'

was part of the tour agenda.

***

In reality, it would have been fruitless.

I contacted a few people and tried

to get them to 'see the light' - or at

the very least, to keep an open mind and

ask some specific questions that should have

naturally sparked some doubt in ones' mind.

***

I must admit, looking back at that whole mess,

I have to chuckle at myself as to

just how naive and gullible I am,

thinking I could make people realize the truth,

when they really didn't want to know the truth,

and some of them still have that brain fizz to this day.

***

***

In the above picture, the lake and foreground belong to our good neighbors, the Gilroys. The land on the other side of the lake, and hills in the far background belonged to Meduna. The fence line came quite close to the lake. This picture was taken July 2, 2009. Keep in mind, Jason said himself that the horses were removed from this area in February of 2009 (safety reasons he claimed, so he could keep a careful eye on them, and protect them against 'the neighbors'). Consequently, no animals (besides coyotes looking for easy feed) .... I should say; no horses were on that ground for approximately 5 months, and then they were removed to the Bridgeport fair grounds.

***

***

A little closer view, the 'trail' road shows in the center of the picture. They must have merrily driven along, looking at the scenery (?), popped up over the hill and there was the beautiful lake and delightful little cabin across the way. Doesn't that just make you all tingly and your heart skip a beat?

***

***

This is a building on Gilroys' property that the following statements are about. It is almost directly across from where Meduna's tour guide road comes out on the opposite side of the lake. Fancy that. I later found out that besides Jason claiming we had Rayu in a barn, he also was suggesting that Gilroys had Rayu hidden in this 'building'. I think it was told that we were taking Rayu back and forth between our 'hiding places'. He (Mudna) even had people planted in various places, taking pictures the day the Sheriff came out to question our family and Gilroys, and search for the stolen Rayu. (Isn't FALSE REPORTING a crime?) But more about Rayu later....

***

Before you view the next pictures, keep in mind they had binoculars and high powered lens on cameras...talk about not letting your mind think for itself!!!! (Granted, some people know they were manipulated, deceived, and lied to; that's not who I'm talking about in this blog because they're now the smart ones). It's the ones that see all the evidence, and still believe everything he says.

***

***

The following is from a Jason follower....and I do mean follower, that emailed me about stuff I was putting on the board-that I should take it off to not hurt the case. And I shouldn't say anything about Mudna. The paragraph is in my words-so as not to copy her email (but I have it)..... Little had I known when we were emailing back and forth, that she was on Mudna's team the whole time! I remember why we were writing back and forth about it; she had it posted with other 3 Strikes pictures- and I was asking her if she knew that was not Jason's property........

***

There is a picture of a beautiful, serene setting......it appears to be a building nestled in some trees with a beautiful lake in front. (Anissa told her that the land belongs to the Gilroys and the picture was taken from Jason's side of the fence.) She thought it looked like such a beautiful and peaceful area that she wanted a picture of it. She said if she owned that property, she would fix up the building (if it needed it) and picnic on it every weekend. Also she would bring friends there to enjoy the place. She would also let guests stay there. She mentioned what a picture postcard perfect place it was, and that Mr. Gilroy was very lucky to own it.

***

WOW....

(I do realize, it might have all just been a joke what she said, to somehow get even with me for trying to alert the human species what was going on at 3 Strikes Ranch.)

Now I doubt anybody will be staying here....even fixed up.

Especially Rayu!

And so it goes without saying...how people can be so swayed to believe anything......if they want to. It is a dangerous thing, one wonders how much money a person can con others out of? It is pride that keeps a person from letting all the facts and the evidence in? Or just sheer desire for something else in life. Who knows.

***

In a very short time...

after all the horses were gone;

it went from...

3 Strikes Ranch Mustang Outpost

to

The Brands Ranch...

to

The Beef State

The one thing I can't help but wonder....

If he had put as much time in the horses

as he did his signs, erecting giant posts, and

hanging skulls over his fences.....

how much better would the horses have been?

Obstacle Course Training

Welcome to 3 Strike-Out

Obstacle Course

Horse Endurance Club

A picture perfect post card.

The perfect place for your horse...

***

(I wonder if the horses

Jason Meduna acquired -

after the rescue and removal

of the 'Nebraska 200'-

ever sensed the death of

those left behind?)

***

The Obstacle Course?

Here's the 3-Strikes-Your-Out

Sign-Up Requirements

***

Strike 1: (self-explanatory)

Strike 2: Arrive healthy,

preferably with good

eye sight and agility.

Strike 3: Do not run around

and play after dark.

It could be

hazzardous to your health.

I joke about the obstacle course here, but it was really no laughing matter. How many times did Ray Field, or Jim Lambley brag about Jason Meduna? Mr. Lambley fully supported Meduna throughout the trial. Lambley said he has been to 3-Strikes Ranch. I wonder if he covered the whole thing? This is the stuff left behind by Meduna, in the very pasture these horses are in.

Directly after entering the former 3 Strikes Ranch, right over the hill - where no one sees; scattered throughout the low spots in the area - are windmill parts, tires, wood, iron pieces of all sizes, wheels, sharp objects, tin, wire, etc. etc. This is not a very big pasture.

We will go back over as soon as the snow melts and walk the pasture, to make sure there aren't any small objects still sticking out of the ground. Is this how someone who thinks of the horses and their needs, before his own takes care of the very ground they run on?

Justin and Josh are helping the Greens clean up the land. The kids gathered the junk up, and with the loader - put it on trailers to remove from the pasture. Ray Field mentioned the Freibergers quite often on his web site; (calling us the Freillebergers, etc.) mentioning many times how we did not take care of our land or our animals. He claimed Jason did such a good job caring for the horses; and yet he admitted that he has never been to the 3 Strikes Ranch. For whatever reason he continued to support Jason Meduna; is beyond me. I will always question how someone can run a good rescue for horses; and fully support the Medunas.

The 3 Freiberger horses: Buck, Barney, and Buddy.

Ray Field said they were longing to go to 3 Strikes. I'm pretty sure they were smarter than that.

In fact I think they are pretty content just being where they are.

DAN (MOORE SUNBAR)

DAN,

Birth Name: MOORE SUNBAR

Born April 15, 1978

to BAR'S BABE AND MARYETTA MOORE

in Cologne, Minnesota

Occasionally, I find myself hashing

over and over in my mind,

the questions asked by Mr. Berry

at both my Deposition,

and the trial of Jason Meduna.

**********

During the Deposition on August 24, 2009,

those present were:

Mr. Berry; County Attorney, Jean Rhodes;

Cynthia Brandt, RPR; and myself.

Mr. Berry asked if one of our

horses was a Palomino.

I felt immediately he was referring to Rayu,

as told to him by Jason Meduna

that we had stolen Rayu.

I replied, "We had a Palomino."

He than asked,

"What happened to that horse?"

I'm surprised I was able

to get through the question with no tears -

"He's dead."

"How did that horse die?" he asked.

"We put him down."

Has Mr. Berry ever owned horses,

or was this just lawyerism coming through?

I'm not saying he was being

a bad man, or mean...

I just don't think he's ever had

the good fortune to have a horse,

that is loved by the family.

My mind was in a whirlpool.

He continued, "And why was that?"

My reply as best I could,

"Because he was so old.

He had ........... just age."

***********

I paused at my last answer.

Trying to find words. There weren't any.

I could have elaborated,

but I knew I would no longer be able

to hold down the lump in my throat.

I could have said that he was almost 30 years old,

had lived a life of adventure,

work - which he loved,

had lots of friends: both humans and horses.

He was an adventure to ride.

He was Don's horse.

As he got older, he was passed down to me.

I had to wait until he was older,

the bugger was hard to hold back.

He wanted to run like the wind,

and he could.

He loved to run, and my only thoughts,

besides exhilaration,

would be that he would not tumble

into a huge gopher hole as we flew!

He never did stumble,

as sure footed as he was.

He was anxious to work cattle;

when a saddle was put upon him,

pleasure riding was the

furthest thing from his mind.

It was time to find cows.

I could have told Mr. Berry all of that.

I should have said the Palomino

you're thinking of, Rayu -

has never been on our place.

I understand what Don means by wishing to have the memory of certain animals locked in his mind, and not on photos. He thinks photos can be too hard. When I found the pics of Dan for this blog, it was as if a small tsunami had suddenly rippled from the top of my head and out my toes. It is hard to see. But it's important to me for all the pictures, to pass on. He was laid to rest deep in the ground, we had a 'service' for him, said our good-byes...... he was a friend.

***

Jason Meduna told many people

that the Freibergers did not own horses.

If we had owned all of his horses,

instead of him.....

they would not have suffered.

***

DAN

April 15, 1978 - April 1, 2008

FOR THE BIRDS.....

Have I gone clucking crazy?

By the time you get to the end of this blog,

you will think I am;

or that I'm on a chicken campaign!

(Your idea, Britt!)

Actually, these are birds that

Jason Meduna left behind.

At first, I went over every day

(the Medunas were gone)

and fed the chickens, ducks, and peacocks.

These two were Don's favorites.

It took awhile before they came to me.

I've never had pet chickens!

or ducks, or peacocks.

But some were given names...

I loved the peacocks.

I never was able to get real close.

At least they quit running from me

when I brought food.

They stayed at the barn,

and the trailer.

This lone chicken liked to

hang out at the barn

with the peacocks.

Me, feeding my feathered friends.

Once and awhile, Josh or Justin

came over with me.

I had to get them over there,

so they would go along with

helping me getting them caught

to bring to our house.

Cadence, looking for birds.

"There e-is!"

Then Cadence and I would back off,

and watch them eat

the food she gave them.

They loved it when

the snow was gone.

One day, there were feathers.

Too many.

Cadence didn't realize where

all the chickens were.

I loved watching her...

out of the vehicle with delight;

she slapped her hand on her knee,

"Chick - chick- chick!"

I had a plan....

but when birds are abandoned...

in the country....

their chance of survival is slim.

So for a short time

I enjoyed having feathered friends.



Cadence will remember feeding
the 'chicks' from the stories
and the pictures.





The following link is for the birds:
the chickens, the ducks, the peacocks;
and the kitties, dogs, burros and horses.


http://dcs-inmatesearch.ne.gov/Corrections/InmateDisplayServlet?DcsId=71105&showInmateImage=true