Best Friends

 Before leaving to head back to Quiet Time Paul and I returned Fenway to Megan's and fed the ponies lunch.  Saying good bye to pets is not so easy.  And it got me thinking about past best friends.

Buddy was our first rescue.  We came home from our honeymoon and went directly to the pound.  Back in those days (ugh I'm sounding older!) one could walk into the animal shelter and walk out with a new friend.  One quick phone call to a vet and you were good to go.  We brought our friend home and I promptly set him free in Providence in our fenced in yard.  Didn't know he could jump!   Yup he ran.  We hadn't named him and didn't know his former name.  We hollered and started calling him "Come on Buddy, come on".  He came and the name stuck.  He was an awesome dog and loved the kids especially Megan.  He even let her cut his "bangs" once. 

   Cheyenne was our next rescue.  Again, one quick call to the vet and she was ours.  She loved coffee, wine and the kids, especially Scott.  She would play hide and seek with him and hide under our bed.  She loved being in Maine, sleeping in the snow and digging up the field mice.  A perfect companion for snowshoeing and running.  We just had to shake her leash and she would come (even if she was already loose!).

Gypsy came from the pound where Megan worked.  So sweet and lovable!  She just wanted to be next to you, on your lap or your feet.  Her favorite activities were playing ball and laying in front of the fire.  She loved car rides and even better if it was a truck where she could sit up front and look out.  She gave us her whole heart every day right to the end of her best life.

Fenway was adopted with the intent to be gifted.  He wound up staying with us and he has fallen in love with Paul.  Our leaving hasn't been easy on him but we had a good weekend with him and he settled back with Megan okay.  He and Gypsy were good together and Gypsy's passing was hard on Fen.  He is cute but needs to loose the bark!  

Annie is the first "granddog".  Super sweet and well trained she is easy to watch.  She occasionally chews things likes books and boots but she has the "I'm sorry" look down.  If only she didn't poke Fenway.

Maddie our most recent rescue who lives with Kevin is lovable with enough energy for several dogs!  Strong and unaware of her strength she can knock you down.  Loves balls and frisbees (You will never get it back!).

Moon is a retired barrel racer who came to us in 2009.  She is mostly sweet but has chosen to be the redhaired *itch on occasion.  She still allows the little girls to sit on her.  She has been such a large part of our lives and a joy to watch Megan ride her and care for her.  I used to love watching her run with her tail high and mane flying.  She has slowed down but still has attitude!

Rupert is a retired thoroughbred.  I don't think he knows he is a horse.  Loves rolling around whether it is mud or snow.  Loves to give hugs and sleeps in the weirdest spots.  He would follow me around and stand so close to my wheelbarrow I wouldn't be able to move it!  

These are (or have been) our best friends in our best life.  There have been other friends - hamsters, rabbits, who have all added something to enrich our lives and teach us.  From learning to be gentle and treating each as an individual with their own unique traits to learning to let go and be compassionate.  Unlikely we will adopt anymore while living the boat life but intend to "borrow" when we come back for visits.  What's not to love about unconditional love?