Did Someone Say.....

"Cookie? Peppermint? Treat for Big Red Horse?"

"Mmmmmmm!!! Mom came up with a Treat!"

Back about the middle of this month, a package arrived here at Command Central.
It was a special package, filled with treats and sweets for everyone- including the four leggeds. Well, aside from Jo the Wonder Nanny Dog, who STILL thinks that she needs to test out one of those horse treats. (She was placated with grapes off the vine that she picked herself.)

As of late, Sonny Bunz has been feeling his oats. The cooler weather, retuning soundness, and being spoiled rotten for the past month have really perked him up considerably. I walk out the door now, and he runs (yes, RUNS) to the gate, nickering and talking the entire time. It is now not unusual to see him toss his head, snort, and even break out into a canter. The past two nights, he has even been throwing in some acrobatics, throwing his heels high into the air. Once his feet touch the ground, he arches his neck, perks his ears up, and pretends he is not a mere Quarter Horse- but instead he is an Arab- prancing about with his neck arched in a high stepping trot.

All of this does not last long, since he is still not quite right. It sure is good to see though!

Once haltered and on a lead, he settles down and behaves like quite the gentleman. We venture out to graze, and he happily makes his way aboout the lawn, munching to his hearts content. He'll be groomed, fussed over, and slipped a carrot or three by Dear Husband and Johnny Reb (aka: The Carrot Man,) and eventually, we make our way back into the paddock.

As I putter about, picking the day's production of road apples, freshening his pile of hay, and watching Big Red move, I take a chance to day dream a bit about sitting on him once again.... Some day....

Big red tends to follow me around, nosing my back and pockets gently, looking with eyes bright and ears as far forward as they can be... He is trying to convince me that his life will end if I don't delve into the tack trunk and get him.... His Peppermint Treats.

Yes, my horse is an ADDICT. His night is RUINED if he does not get a Peppermint Treat. He'll stand at the gate, and nicker and cry until I relent and slip out to give him a treat... looking at me oh-so-pathetically...trying his best to make me think that he is simply going to waste away to NOTHING in the next two minutes if he does not get his treat.

It is all Jennifer's fault. Yes, our dear friend from Texas sent along the package that contained the sweets. Dear Girl, I do believe that my horse would HAPPILY follow you to the ends of the Earth for those peppermint treats, and he can not possibly thank you enough for his cookies. He stands, staring at the container they are in, with a dreamy look in his eye... and I know.... I just know... should you ever pop in for a visit and have treats, he would go home with you.... forgetting all about Carrot Man and Cub. (And me...lol)

Ah... cookies. Treats. Peppermint flavored treats... They have stolen my horse's heart!

Thank you Jen-- seeing Big Red this happy does us all more good that you possibly can know!