Monday, July 12, 2010

Watch what happens when devoted BLM burro moms gang up at the tattoo parlor

Many of you who read this blog also read the daily shenanigans of the burros and donkeys at Morning Bray Farm, written by my friend Justina. Obviously, we are devoted to our long-eared companions with a passion. We've always worn our love for them on our sleeves, so why not on our arm or ankle?

I recently repeated this post about George's and Alan's freezebrands, and Justina threw down the gauntlet in the comments: "If you get one [a tattoo to match the freezebrands], I'll get one." Say no more.

Since my college days, I had always wanted a tattoo but never knew what design to get. I didn't belong to any club or gang, or have any hobby that I would consider tattoo-worthy. Inking "Nikon" on my skin wasn't going to cut it. But then along came my BLM burros with a secret code on their necks – a tattoo with their brands seemed only logical.

It so happened that Justina's husband has a buddy who has a wife who is a licensed tattoo artist, and off we went Saturday morning to do the deed. Except for one momentary glitch when Justina picked up the wrong piece of paper and almost put George and Alan's brands on her arm, the appointment went off without a hitch.

I made let Justina go first. She would have her upper left arm tattooed. I chose the inside of my left ankle. Just for the record, at no point did either of us consider the left side of our neck.

These pictures show the artist carefully applying the stencils she made from our drawings:


Here she is using her tattoo machine to apply the ink:

Start to finish, I think it took about an hour for each of us. And guess what... it didn't hurt at all! Seriously, not one bit. The tattoo artist and her husband were fascinated by the freezebrands/tattoos and had never seen anything similar. That got me wondering how many other people might be walking around with BLM freezebrand tattoos. Surely Justina and I can't be the only crazies ones.

When I got home, of course I had to go show the boys.


I had hoped to have my tattoo done with white ink to match my boys' brands, but was advised against that, so I had George's brand tattooed in gray and Alan's in brown.


Be sure to head on over to Morning Bray Farm to see how Justina's turned out.

35 comments:

  1. Your series of pictures of getting the tattoo's was interesting, as was that you put a different color for each boy. It's neat that you finally found something to 'ink' on your body ... I just about lost it over your comment on inking "Nikon" on your skin! LOL

    Is Hank looking for some reference to him on you? Looks like he's pointing out the perfect spot for a Hank related tat!

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  2. Glad to hear it didn't hurt. You must have meatier ankles than I, cuz the ones on the outsides of my ankles hurt like a mutha. I have a big one across my lower back that didn't hurt as bad as a stinkin' Kanji character on each ankle.

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  3. Hank is saying I'd like you to put mine HERE.

    (Does our buddy Hank have a brand somewhere?)

    Ha-ha. Nikon lost. That one made me laugh...

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  4. Ahhhhhh! That is a much more interesting "tatoo" than a gang insignia or nikon ;-)
    signed
    Theresa in ALberta

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  5. Thats awesome and unique. For all everyone knows it could be some sort of tribal lettering ;)

    note: Verification word is saddl

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  6. Too cool. Absolutely love it.

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  7. Well, not being a fan of tattoos, I still have to say that this was a really neat idea, and much more meaningful than some of the tattoos I've seen.

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  8. I really like the idea of interesting tattoos like that - well done!

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  9. Ya'll rock!

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  10. I'm still amazed that yours didn't hurt at all. I'd say mine was a tad uncomfortable and I was glad it was over when it was over. I still love that you did gray and brown. Awesome.

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  11. You guys are too much. Tee hee. :)
    Suzanne

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  12. Aww, now poor Hank wants to know where his name is!

    Just out of interest why were you advised against the white ink?

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  13. Those are pretty cool. I'm sure they will spark some interesting comments/conversations. So glad neither of you decided to get them on your neck! Yuck... I think Hank is feelin a little left out. LOL

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  14. You and Justina absolutely, positively, completely ROCK!!!! Way to stand by your men - er, burros :)

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  15. Wow! Freeze branding. It might become a new rage at tattoo parlors. Congratulations - maybe one day I will sport a tattooed little black cat, somewhere on my person.

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  16. I think they look great! What a fun idea for a tattoo.

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  17. Seriously? It didn't hurt? On your ankle? Wow. You really are a tough cowgirl. Or, I'm really a soft city girl. *grin*

    Love them. They look like another language entirely.

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  18. They look really cool, and you make me laugh about Nikon and gangs tatoos.

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  19. That is pretty darn neat. Love the pictures. I can't believe it didn't hurt! Especially around the ankle area. Looks like it would. Congrats again! I bet the boys are very proud. :)

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  20. What a great idea! Of course with nine horses, I think I'd end up with a full blown knee sock instead of an anklet... Cool post :o)

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  21. Jeepers, I hate to be a nay-sayer but I just don't "get" the whole tattoo craze. Must be my age showing. I guess if I ever for one nano second considered getting a tattoo of any kind on any possible body part then the BLM number would be a great choice......except, I am really sorry about this cause I love you and your blog and all your animals dearly BUT it does sorta look like you have been in prison. Does this mean I never get to post a comment again? I won't mind if you just delete this one.

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  22. Love it Carson, love it. Hummm... I would be tempted to get it on my neck now that you mention that...

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  23. Terrific! And I am so glad your plan will NOT work out like a gal's at work. She is married to a cop. She, a dainty, teensy little person went to the tatt artist and told her she wanted his serial number on her arm. She got it...HUGE, horrible looking thing. Then he changed units within the department and his serial number changed (eeeck!). Then she decided she wasn't happy anymore in their marriage and she divorced him. But the ex-serial number is still there for the ride.

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  24. This is a love branding, for sure. Please remember to show us the tattoo again when it has healed and the colours has set.

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  25. You did it! Hooray! Those are some fabulous looking tattoos. I can't believe yours didn't hurt at all. Did you partake of one of your scrumptious margaritas before the appointment???

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  26. I have been tempted for YEARS to get a tattoo but chicken out over pain. Everyone I know who has gotten them say IT HURTS but do it anyway. Why did you choose inside left ankle as your site?

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  27. Part of the reason (other than being terrified of the pain) I haven't gotten a tatoo was not knowing what to get; not having anything particularly meaningful. So I think these are so cool. They are different looking and no one else will have one like them. So way cool.

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  28. I know the blogger over at shilo got his mustang, Gus' freezebrand tattoed on his back, on the shoulder (I think).

    I love it. Very fitting...

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  29. You are too freakin cool!! I just LOVE IT!! That's an absolutely perfect tattoo. I had a good laugh over you not considering the left side of your neck. No?! LOL!

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  30. Love it!!!! And what a cool idea. : )

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  31. I got my horse's freezemark tattooed on years ago (on my upper right arm). I now also have a primitive tattoo of her done in the style of the Pazyryk ice maiden's tattoo work.

    Don't listen to any naysayers who think your tattoo is lame... you have no idea how many times mine has come in handy for coggins paperwork and brand inspections! My horse is very light-colored so her brand is hard to read, even though you can see that it's there. Instead of leaving the brand inspector scratching his head, I just pull up my sleeve and let him copy it off my arm. And if my horse was ever stolen, I think I'd have little trouble proving ownership. :D

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