OLD DOG AND MARE SAY THANKS
The senior dog rarely left the farm. He preferred to stay near the old brown mare in the pasture. They liked each other’s company. In the winter he stayed in the barn with her. The hot days of summer would find them both taking their ease under the shade of the oak trees. He was a dog who was agreeable with people but he liked the elderly horse more.
No one had ever ridden the mare. Many had tried only to be treated to a mouthful of dust along with an extremely sore body from being thrown onto the ground. She had produced beautiful foals every year, until she was retired.
The mare like kids, and the grizzled faced dog. She had her own ideas on how to live out her retirement. When she saw the farm kids with her friend the dog heading out for a short ten minute hike into town, she would jump the low fence to join them.
It was a strange procession. The kids strolling down the shady streets of the small town, the mare plodding along behind, followed by the dog. Right down to the Dairy Queen. The staff at the ice cream store would see them coming, and knew the order well. Large cones for the kids, a small dish for the dog, then a large dish of soft ice cream with a spoon, for the horse.
The dog lay on the ground, his dish between his paws, licking his treat, his slow wagging tail showing his pleasure. The kids would eat their cones, giggling while they fed a spoonful at a time to the mare. It was a bit messy, but who cared. She loved the stuff. When humans, dog and horse were finished, they headed for home.
But first, the mare would stand still, while the kids climbed onto her back. She knew the way home, sauntering along in the sunshine, with the dog padding along at her side.
Only on the way home, after her dish of ice cream, were the kids accepted on her back. Horses can be very polite critters, this was just her way of saying, “Thanks, I really enjoyed that, now hop up and I’ll carry you home.”
