ChrystalPaths
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- Aug 31, 2003
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Several times during the visit from this family, I'd think..get your camera...but then the voice would say no...you see it, it lives in your heart..that is enough. Yesterday afternoon...2 cars drove down my long drive. My heart began drumming a beat quicker and a bit unsure. All the doors opened and children from 17 to 9 and 3 adults came forth beaming with hopeful smiles. Introductions and laughter and I allowed the handshakes this this time..I wanted to "feel" each one. It was golden.
We walked to the barn, children restrained and polite, to the gate and out...I called, "Hallyyyyyy!" and they all 3 came running down. 10 people milling around, squeals of delight, question upon question, out came the box of brushes and some cookies. I turned off the fencer and the boy..heck young man, stepped over the divided fence to my Cappy...20 yr old Cary Grant stallion who trusts no one. Much like your Alfie Shirley.
4 girls of asst ages were brushing and walking and talking with my Halley and Maggie and I was proud of my girls. They were so good. Up and down they went with each young girl.
I looked up to see the young man on his knees in front of my Cappy scritching him and then they reached out and gave a kiss...I was a gonner. Even now seeing that picture in my mind brings tears. He stood and Cappy stayed, he snagged a finger in the halter and began to walk up the hill and Cappy went right along. They'd stop and he'd allow the boy to rub him all over. I was so touched. The mom and dad then climbed the fence and sat and Cappy came to them quiet and uncertain but they sat and talked and offered a cookie (and Captain LOVES Cookies) and then they were rubbing him and getting smootches too.
They all returned to the ladies paddock, huge smiles and in love with the one horse I feared no one would love but me. Bobbie grabbed a brush and hopped the fence...I warned him that he needed to go real slow, cuz Cappy fears anything in hand. I wasn't amazed to see Cappy walk away but then he listened and allowed this young man to brush every inch of him. He then walked away and my boy followed him for more.
The girls fussed and primped and discussed new halter colors and ribbons and who wanted who and I just smiled. Perfect I say, perfect. Look and listen to them, all getting along, all co-operating, all loving them.
Perfect family....we finally exited the barn. I presented each girl with a pair of small leather work gloves like I wear and you'd thought I gave them candy! SO tickled and how they went on and on about how they'd make a schedule about picking POOP!
I gave them a round of step in posts. they will divide the huge run in as I have for the kids. Stallion on one side, ladies the other. Wednesday they will return for the horses. I was hugged by all, told they'd send pics and video and when the chicks hatch they'll bring them out.
How silent it was when they left. I went out to my furkids and said, "what'd ya think?" and they smiled, if a horse can smile. I spent several days explaining what I was about to do and that people were coming and they would take all three home with them to a new place. I liked how they asked me to wait a few days so they improve the and make the divider.
No desire to breed, just pets. Halley will learn to drive next spring..something I've always thought she'd excell at. Cappy and Maggie tho old were so loved and will be kept by this young family til death. Excellent vet and personal references. Her best friend was along who has a 35" gelding so if the time comes the old ones die, Halley will not be alone.
Yes I do have a contract and if they cannot keep them I will be notified. They live about 45 minutes away. I am filled with mixed feelings. Thrilled the right home arrived before winter, overjoyed they love them already and will do everything they need, sad the mornings won't contain nickers and feet waiting for breakfast but..life goes on....it is time...
Thanks for the friendships made over the past 10 yrs...I'll never forget those who stayed close....I'll be round here now and again, reading..even responding now and then. Have a safe winter and wonderful foals come spring.
We walked to the barn, children restrained and polite, to the gate and out...I called, "Hallyyyyyy!" and they all 3 came running down. 10 people milling around, squeals of delight, question upon question, out came the box of brushes and some cookies. I turned off the fencer and the boy..heck young man, stepped over the divided fence to my Cappy...20 yr old Cary Grant stallion who trusts no one. Much like your Alfie Shirley.
4 girls of asst ages were brushing and walking and talking with my Halley and Maggie and I was proud of my girls. They were so good. Up and down they went with each young girl.
I looked up to see the young man on his knees in front of my Cappy scritching him and then they reached out and gave a kiss...I was a gonner. Even now seeing that picture in my mind brings tears. He stood and Cappy stayed, he snagged a finger in the halter and began to walk up the hill and Cappy went right along. They'd stop and he'd allow the boy to rub him all over. I was so touched. The mom and dad then climbed the fence and sat and Cappy came to them quiet and uncertain but they sat and talked and offered a cookie (and Captain LOVES Cookies) and then they were rubbing him and getting smootches too.
They all returned to the ladies paddock, huge smiles and in love with the one horse I feared no one would love but me. Bobbie grabbed a brush and hopped the fence...I warned him that he needed to go real slow, cuz Cappy fears anything in hand. I wasn't amazed to see Cappy walk away but then he listened and allowed this young man to brush every inch of him. He then walked away and my boy followed him for more.
The girls fussed and primped and discussed new halter colors and ribbons and who wanted who and I just smiled. Perfect I say, perfect. Look and listen to them, all getting along, all co-operating, all loving them.
Perfect family....we finally exited the barn. I presented each girl with a pair of small leather work gloves like I wear and you'd thought I gave them candy! SO tickled and how they went on and on about how they'd make a schedule about picking POOP!
I gave them a round of step in posts. they will divide the huge run in as I have for the kids. Stallion on one side, ladies the other. Wednesday they will return for the horses. I was hugged by all, told they'd send pics and video and when the chicks hatch they'll bring them out.
How silent it was when they left. I went out to my furkids and said, "what'd ya think?" and they smiled, if a horse can smile. I spent several days explaining what I was about to do and that people were coming and they would take all three home with them to a new place. I liked how they asked me to wait a few days so they improve the and make the divider.
No desire to breed, just pets. Halley will learn to drive next spring..something I've always thought she'd excell at. Cappy and Maggie tho old were so loved and will be kept by this young family til death. Excellent vet and personal references. Her best friend was along who has a 35" gelding so if the time comes the old ones die, Halley will not be alone.
Yes I do have a contract and if they cannot keep them I will be notified. They live about 45 minutes away. I am filled with mixed feelings. Thrilled the right home arrived before winter, overjoyed they love them already and will do everything they need, sad the mornings won't contain nickers and feet waiting for breakfast but..life goes on....it is time...
Thanks for the friendships made over the past 10 yrs...I'll never forget those who stayed close....I'll be round here now and again, reading..even responding now and then. Have a safe winter and wonderful foals come spring.
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