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By: Jim Fitzpatrick |
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Email: jim@nunica.com |
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Local Farmer in Polkton Township writes for the Coopersville Observer. |
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Along Brandy Creek By Jim Fitzpatrick
The Coopersville Observer August 29, 2011- - No. 116 |
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Dickens was the best old horse. He didn’t quite, in terms of size, measure up to the standards of a full size horse so was considered a large pony. He died a few days ago, aged somewhere beyond his 25th year. No one was sure how old he was when he came here to the farm from Doctor Roger’s place some years ago. His color was black, with the exception of a white blaze down his face and a lot of gray added as the years passed by. He was quiet, dependable; you could count on him, there would be no funny business about his actions. He was a fine horse for the kids to ride as they were growing up.
The two miniature horses, Firefly and Clover, shared the same section of pasture as Dickens. The three of them were seldom far from one other as they grazed contentedly throughout the summer months. Bo, the quarter horse, is fenced in the adjoining pasture. Dickens and Bo would sometimes stand side by side as if there were no fence between them at all; two guy horses hanging out together.
Neighbor Wade helped out by digging out the earth where Dickens was laid to rest. His comment, as a farm boy himself, was that there are two animals on the farm that you become exceptionally close to, that is your dog and your horse. Wade certainly understood how we all felt that day here on the farm. For the family and especially out there in the pasture for the other horses, things just are not the same anymore without good horse Dickens. |
