Today is blind Cash's first birthday -- Happy Birthday, Cash! He's officially a big, sort-of-grown-up yearling ... not a foal any longer. Cash arrived at the tender age of 4 weeks of age back in March last year from Alabama, a tiny little thing who was as cute as can be. In the photo above, you see what he looked like on his first day at the ranch. Now he's Mr. Full-of-Himself, a self-confident, brash fellow who likes to torment his older "sisters," blind Nikki and blind Destiny, by playing the bratty little brother.
To show you the difference a year makes, Alayne took this next photo of me with Cash this afternoon ... in the middle of a howling snowstorm:
Hard to believe it's the same boy, huh?
Mary Y., who first contacted us about Cash when he was born blind and asked if we could take him, emailed us this morning to wish him a happy birthday. Mary wrote: "I will never forget how it felt when I found Rolling Dog and heard from you. Thoughts of blind horses and having a blind foal never ever even crossed my mind. Teaching Cash to drink milk and preparing him for his trip to Montana have been the most memorable times in my life. My favorite book as a child was "The Blind Colt," I still have that book and I pulled it out when we found out Cash was blind. I held that book and cried and cried and I knew he had to live ... and we both cried when Rolling Dog made a way for this precious baby to come to Montana. Thanks again from the bottom of our hearts! Please hug your yearling for us! (Oh, by the way, I hope he is still precious, or maybe a little sweet devil like his sister!)"
Um, I think Nikki and Destiny would say he's a "little sweet devil."
Happy Belated Birthday Cash! What a handsome young man you are!!
Posted by: Candace | February 11, 2008 at 03:06 PM
Birthday greetings to the handsome boy!
Posted by: Nina | February 10, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Cash is so handsome! I love him! I'm glad he found a fantastic place to live where he is obviously a happy boy!!! I hope to visit Cash some time.
Posted by: Carisa | February 09, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Cash looks so handsome and strong! Of course, the both of you look strong with that blizzard blowing around you!
Happy Birthday devilishly sweet Cash!
Mary...you gave the wonderful gift of life to Cash. Thank you.
Posted by: Boundforglory | February 09, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Whatcha feeding that boy? Last time I saw him in Sept, he still looked like a colt. Many happy returns and a long and happy life to you, Cash.
btw - Is he named after Johnny?
Posted by: Jane Tunnicliff | February 08, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Happy Birthday Cash!!!
What a handsome boy you are!!
Thank you Rolling Dog Ranch for taking a really good care of Cash :)
God Bless everyone at RDR!!
Posted by: Lita | February 08, 2008 at 07:52 PM
Happy birthday handsome boy!
Posted by: nkmcalli | February 08, 2008 at 02:38 PM
I like that he is "Mr. Full-of-Himself." It means that through the love and kindness he has experienced with you that he knows that his life really does matter.
Posted by: Carol | February 08, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Happy Birthday, Cash. You've turned into a great looking horse.
You keep those sisters in line, that's what brother are for.
Happy Birthday, and may you have many, many more at RDR.
Posted by: Sonya Brooks | February 08, 2008 at 11:59 AM
I just made a contribution to the ranch as a birthday gift for Cash!
I hope other blog readers will consider it too.
I can't believe how much he has grown in just one year. What a handsome boy. Happy Birthday Cash!
Posted by: Lily, Berkeley and Stash the Bad Cat | February 08, 2008 at 10:24 AM
He is the sweet little devil!! But oh what a handsome boy he is turning in to be!! Thanks Steve/Alayne for getting a picture of him for everyone to see in the howling snowstorm!! Just goes to show your dedication!!
A special thanks to Mary Y. who contacted you about Cash. Without your love and devotion we never would have know him. God Bless.
Posted by: Laura | February 08, 2008 at 09:43 AM
I wish a very, very Happy First Birthday to your little sweet devil, Cash!!!
In just a short year, he has turned into such a handsome fellow!
Please give him a huge hug (and a special treat) for me, will you?
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | February 08, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Happy Birthday Cash! You've certainly done a lot of growing this past year! You must have been "eatting your wheaties!" Gosh, you have a LOT of snow! Brrrr! Guess there was plenty of "frosting" for Cash's birthday cake!
Big hugs to the birthday boy,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | February 08, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Oh My Gosh! He's beautiful!Can't wait to see him again!I think he likes that snow!
Posted by: Mary Young | February 08, 2008 at 08:14 AM
Happy Birthday you beautiful boy!!!
Posted by: Jenn | February 08, 2008 at 07:36 AM
A very, very happy birthday to Cash! The weather look a bit better a year ago too!
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | February 07, 2008 at 09:50 PM
What a handsome fellow he is!
Posted by: Kay Stemnock | February 07, 2008 at 08:20 PM