An Ode to my Pony

     In these coldest days of winter, I fantasize about riding my horse on a hot, sunny day in July. Since Guinness has been at my parents' home in Wake Forest for the past year and a half, I haven't been able to ride regularly like I used to (which was at the least 4 x a week). After I started dental school, I stopped trying to be perfect while aboard my horse. Instead, I used the time as therapy and to relax after my mentally demanding days. Dental school affirmed for me that horses are wonderful becase of who they are naturally.
    Guinness is the same every day. He doesn't hide his emotions. If he is annoyed, he shows it. If he's hungry, you know it. However, those emotions are only in the moment. In the next moment, he could be happy as a clam and he will never have another thought about his feelings only five minutes ago. That is what makes him so glorious. 
     These days, sometimes I just crave going to brush my horse. Touching him just transfers his tranquility to me. When I have the chance to ride him, he just brightens my day. He is so naturally talented and I love how he remembers everything even if I haven't ridden in weeks. The moment I feel him walk underneath me, I feel closer to God and all that he created. Being around him reminds me to live in the moment and to be less critical of myself. 

 Note Billy Bob exercising himself while I exercise Guinness :-)

     Now more than ever, I realize that I don't make the horse. He is awesome because he is who he is. His stature, his awesome trot, his noisy eating of the latest meal...these are all the things that make him wonderful! Perhaps I should take some lessons from him. He doesn't spend time obsessing about his insecurities or worrying about being perfect. He lives in the moment of time we are in and then he moves on.  When I am near him, I am reminded to be a little more still and a little more at peace.  What more of a blessing could a furry (17.2 hand) friend bring!?

The Loss of a Childhood Pet

     I think the one thing that never gets any easier as we grow up is losing a pet. This past weekend, when Evan and I were in Wake Forest for Christmas, it was very apparent that Callie (one of our 15 yo boston terriers) was going downhill quickly. For those of you who read this and don't know about all the animals we have, Callie is one of our ten dogs at home. We also have a group of crazy cats and 4 horses in the backyard. To date, even with all of these animals, I've only lost only four animals (2 cats and now 2 dogs).
     It may seem to some that the loss of one animal out of that many would not be so difficult. However, I can attest that it is always as heart-wrenching. I've watched my mom in these past months clean Callie's crate every morning after she had "accidents," diaper her every few hours to prevent more accidents, and fix her special dinners of eggs in the microwave. My mom did this all out of love since Callie was still enjoying meals and laying by the fireplace. The call came the day after we got back to Asheville, that my mom was going to take her to the vet for the inevitable. Callie could no longer stand.
     As I sat thinking about Callie going to sleep to never be awakened again, I became overwhelmed with sadness (as I do now, writing this). You see I picked Callie out from a litter 15 years ago when I was 10 years old. We even went back later in the day and picked another puppy from the litter (Cassie who is still living and vibrantly at that). The loss of sweet Callie reminds me that my childhood flew by. The years between 10 and 25 seem like minutes. Not having Callie means that part of my childhood is now just a memory.
     When I look at our sweet pup, Meli, I can't imagine the thought of losing her. She, like Callie, is like a part of the family. I can't wait for our children to have sweet memories of her as I have those with Callie. I hope that the doggie heaven is connected to our heaven---as I wish to relive parts of my childhood with my beloved pets!  May Callie Rest In Peace and may she be able to eat, see, and run as much as she wants in heaven.