The following is the philosophy of recently deceased Charles Schulz, the creator of the ‘Peanuts’ comic strip.

You don’t have to actually answer the questions.

Just read straight through, and you’ll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is , none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.

These are no second-rate achievers.

They are the best in their fields.

But the applause dies..

Awards tarnish.

Achievements are forgotten.

Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!!

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson:

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials..

the most money…or the most awards.

They simply are the ones who care the most.

Technorati Tags: animals, charles schulz, comic strip, friends, peanuts, snoopy

By: Katrina

When we first moved to Tennessee, on the property we bought, were two horses. We purchased both horses and were excited about trail riding. One of the horses was a magnificent Tennessee Walking Horse.

Well about one year ago, Dick decided to be a lumberjack, cut down a tree on the property and unfortunately, the tree landed on him breaking six ribs and his right arm. His arm has never 100% healed and he absolutely cannot ride horses.

With this incident, I realized it was not fair to have the two horses and not ride them regularly. Therefore, I made the very painful decision to sell Brit. He really needed to be in a home where he was ridden regularly.

Brit is a beautiful horse and sold rather quickly to a gentleman who loves to trail ride back in the woods most weekends. Recently, we received an E-Mail from Brit’s owner and I was so touched to know that Brit was in the perfect home. Below is the E-Mail:

“I have been meaning to drop you a line & tell you about Brit .He has been the best !!! I really appreciate your honesty he is everything you said he was & more. The day after I got him we rode 25-28 miles on some of the roughest trails I have ever been on at Circle E Ranch . He was hot as a pistol in the beginning but he settled down quickly & was great! We bonded that day & he does everything I ask of him . I have ridden him 100′s of miles – every weekend that the sun shines since. He is fed oats & grain daily plus bermuda hay when in the stall & I keep a round bale of hay in the pasture constantly & he has 3 horse companions& 3 donkeys to keep him company! My friend that rode with me at Circle E & other trail rides said that it was a 1& million shot at getting a great horse like Brit the way I did & constantly tries to buy him from me but HE ISN’T FOR SALE !!!!!! Everywhere I go someone offers me more money for him but I don’t think I could find another horse like him – thank you so much if every one was as honest as you buying a horse would be easier than it is & I assure you Brit will have the best care money can buy & a  constant companion that he truly deserves . “

WOW, this sure warms my heart!

Technorati Tags: brit, Circle E Ranch, Sold Horse, tennessee walking horse

By: Katrina

I adore longears! Along with our Miniature Donkeys, we do have one Mule, Dixie. About 1/2 hour from our home, in McMinnville, TN; a special Mule by the name of “Lou” brayed and acted up to get her owner’s attention. Her owner, Jolene Solomon was inside the home eating supper on New Year’s Day.

She went outside to see why Lou was acting up, and discovered her house was on fire. Her home burned to the ground and she credits her beloved mule, Lou for saving her life.

This story is heartwarming and reminds us how special animals are in our life. When I was a child, my horses and ponies were frantically running around all night long causing a commotion. Early that morning, we had the major Sylmar earthquake in Southern California that toppled the Olive View hospital, created wide spread damage and had everyone fearful for weeks due to multiple aftershocks. Our animals seemed to know hours before the quake hit that there was to be a major event. It’s amazing how animals communicate with humans to notify us of danger.

Technorati Tags: Dixie, donkey, earthquake, fire, Lassie, Lou, McMinnville, Miniature Donkeys, mule, Sylmar

As many of you are aware of, we used to live in Southern California and a tradition every year was to watch the Rose Parade. In fact, when I was in High School (many years ago), I spent the night along the parade route with several friends and saw the event “live”. Truly, it was magical! In the past, two of Dick’s children marched in the parade representing Upland High School.

Now that I live in Tennessee, I still get excited about waking up and seeing the Rose Parade. This Rose parade was very exciting in that the parade included a team of six Miniature Donkeys. They looked Great!

Congratulations to Dunkin Acres for their fine entry of Miniature Donkeys in the Rose Parade. What a great start to the New Year! We saw these donkeys on the HGTV coverage of the Rose Parade. D

This team of six miniature donkeys traveled from Plainfield, Indiana from Dunkin Acres, owned by Ralph and Gerry Dunkin. The Dunkins worked together with the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce to raise funds for the trip out to Pasadena, CA. Indiana is sure proud of this special team!

This team has also been in the Kentucky Derby parade and the parade for the Indiana State Fair!

Again, Congratulations to the Dunkins and their wonderful team!!!!!!!!!can Acres

Technorati Tags: duncan acres, dunkin, dunkin acres, dunkin farms, miniature donkey, miniature donkey team, Miniature Donkeys, rose parade, upland high school