I knew you for a few years
before you were mine. I was a little girl playing in the yard and Uncle Stanley
would stop the carriage you and your daughter pulled and ask, "Wanna Ride?".
Oh, how excited I would get when Mom said I could go!
When Aunt Jane came and
said you needed a good home because the people taking care of you weren't
doing a very good job, there was no doubt in my mind that you would eventually
be mine. I saved every cent I earned or begged until finally I had enough
to bring you home.
You came off the trailer
head-strong, head-shy, matted, and with hooves in the air. I'm sure you thought
the same thing as I did, "What have I gotten myself into?". You didn't trust
anyone at that point and it seemed like forever (2 weeks) before you came
to me instead of running away. You joined my pony in the pasture and quickly
showed her that you were the boss. You tormented her, and tried to steal
her grain, but also 'protected' her against the big, bad vet and/or farrier
if you thought for an instant they might hurt her. You and I mourned
her together when she died.
You didn't like thunderstorms,
but didn't mind the rain. You didn't like fireworks or the garden hose. You
hated sugar cubes and gave me 'the lip' when you got your de-wormer. You
knew every medicine trick in the book and beat me at it every time. You hated
to be out of your pasture, but did end up out quite accidentally if a couple
of boards came down.
You loved getting brushed,
stealing butterscotch cookies, apples (3 every day), corn husks (which you
insisted contained no silks or stems), and being scratched in that spot just
under your chin. You loved the freshly fallen snow and would play in it for
hours. You loved to nudge anyone who was a potential source for 'just a few
more treats'. You loved taking naps in the sun and sprawled out so far, people
thought you were dead! You loved the cats who shared your barn and tolerated
all the other animals that passed through, except for the bear. I could have
sworn you said to it, "Move along, don't hurt my girl, and there won't be
any trouble.".
For 23 years, you were my
friend and my companion. You heard all of my fears and my secrets and listened
to me cry. I gave you guidance and sat with you all day and night when you
were sick. I miss your kisses, hugs, and nuzzles. I miss your smell and being
covered with your hair. I miss your reply when I whistled or called to you
on a cold winter morning, and I miss your nicker for 'grain and apples this
instant, please'.
No more pain, no more fear,
no more blindness. I know you are now running free and waiting for me. Nighty
Night, Pretty Mare, Mommy loves you.
Sena
