Gentlewood Farms

Good morning, Pat.  I hope you slept well.  I had a dream last night.  I dreamed that I was in the pasture, down by the pond, splashing in the water like I always did.  And you were there too.  You had that look on your face like you always did - the one that said how much you loved me and how proud of me you were.  It made me feel so loved and special. 

Then you reached up and patted me, kissed my nose, and I nuzzled you back.  I never did that when I was with you.  I always wanted to, but I was too proud and too businesslike to show you how much I loved you.  You turned and headed back up the hill, and I followed you.  We walked home together, you in the lead and me right behind you.  I even trotted a little bit!

Then I woke up.  I thought to myself, “what a wonderful dream!  It felt so real that it was just like being back home with you!”

Pat, I so love it here at the bridge.  I get to play with Josie and Bridget and watch over Isaac and Hannah.  I’ve even met some new friends, really neat horses named Barbaro and Secretariat.  Linda’s Legacy and Julie’s Bando are here too.  And Moon arrived on a lightning bolt not too long ago.  That made a tremendous impact on all of us, let me tell you.  The Bridge population is still talking about it!  I’ve even seen J.C., Katie, and Oliver the barn Kitties, and Trouble says to tell you that he and Pepper are having a great time chasing bunnies together.

It’s so good to see all my other friends again.  We run all day in the cool green grass.  Remember how I liked to run full speed into the tall grass then do a slide and stop and splash in the pond?  The ponds here are so cool and full and just wonderful.  Splashing has never been so much fun! We eat good food and drink cool water.  I still love my alfalfa hay and carrot sticks!  We doze under the shady trees and just enjoy being with each other.

But you know what the highlight of our days here is? 

It’s whenever one of our humans comes to get us.  It happened just yesterday.  It was so exciting!  A bunch of us were eating lunch when this one little horse stopped eating, looked up, and then ran really really fast over to the bridge, skidding to a stop as a figure appeared out of the mist.  You’ve never seen so much happiness!  Kisses, and tears, and pony’s tail swishing.  We were all so happy for our friend.

As they disappeared over the hill together, it made me wish for you to come get me all the more.  But take your time.  I know you have more to do before you come for me.  Your friends and family need you. 

And of course, Chantez needs you most.  She’s so elegant and beautiful.  She even looks like me - a little.  She’s taller and I’m so proud of being her mother.  Just remember to be a bit patient with her.  After all, remember how I liked to paw in the water trough when I was bored, and how silly I could be when I was more interested in the stallion than the riding lesson?  Pet her, love her, and be close to her like you were with me.  Those are my most precious memories of my time with you on earth - the love we shared with each other.

Well, Pat, it’s time to go now.  A bunch of us are going to go run over the hill and play in the tall grass before lunch.  Don’t be sad.  Keep me close to your heart until it’s your time to come get me.  I’ll be waiting!

Thanks for being my human.  I love you.  I can’t wait to see you again.

As always, your loving, huffy, silly, best boss mare ever,

Cricket

Lovingly euthanized - mauled by a pack of feral pit bulls