COMING HOME - cont'd from last month

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on October 2016

Hello everyone. Let’s get caught up on our adventure from last month. Our neighbour’s horses came home after being gone for a bit. Annie was so excited to have girls around again that she was nervous to talk to them just in case they didn’t like her. So, let’s pick up from there.

Havier and Jake had been watching and listening as Baby told Annie that it was going to be alright.
“Hi Havier and Jake. I was just trying to comfort Annie here as she wants to meet the new horses.â€
“Annie, you were always the one that was out there telling everyone about us. Now you can’t say hi to them?â€
“I know Jake, but I am afraid that they may not like me.â€
“Annie, that is just in your mind. Of course they will like you!. Who wouldn’t want to have you for a friend? You are very cute, too.†smiled Joseph.
“Awwwww, Joseph, you do have a soft spot after all.†Havier replied.
“I know it must be pretty hard for you sometimes being here with all us boys. I have an idea Annie! Why don’t we all go over together and do all the introductions? That way, Annie, you won’t feel alone or afraid.†Jake said.
“Why didn’t I think about that.†said Baby.
“Let’s go before Annie has a chance to think too long about it.â€
“Good idea Baby! Let’s do it.†shouted Joseph as he made his way out the back door.
Even though everyone was with Annie, she still felt the butterflies in her belly. Not a word was said as they approached the fence. Annie edged closer and closer to Baby for comfort.
The two bigger horses turned and gave them a quick glance and went back to their eating. Someone has to say something soon before Annie takes flight and heads for the barn. Just then Havier looked at one of the girls………..
“Hey, I think I know you.â€
“Maybe†was the answer.
“Yes, I remember now, but I can’t remember your name. Isn’t that awful?â€
“And you are Havier, aren’t you?â€
Havier almost fell over. He couldn’t believe it.
“WOW! I am impressed.†whispered Havier.
“I am not sure if you remember me or not but I am Joseph and this is Annie. She is afraid to say anything because she
is nervous that you won’t like her.â€
“JOSEPH!!!!!!â€
“What? Someone had to break the ice as to why we came!â€
“Oh, if only there was something that I could crawl into right now!â€
“That won’t be necessary. Did I hear that you were Annie?â€
“Yes, I am.†replied Annie in a small voice.
“Nice to meet you Annie. I am Holly and this is my baby Zelda. She was born in April.â€
Annie widened her eyes, took a deep breathe……..
“Nice to meet you. This is your baby? Oh! She is very pretty. I have been told I talk too much and please, if I do, just tell me please. Hi Zelda my birthday is in June.â€
“Excuse me please, but can I ask you something Holly?â€
“You certainly can.â€
“Do you remember us.?â€
“Yes, I do. You are Baby and that is Jake. Sorry, I didn’t
mean not to tell you I did.â€
“No worries at all. We are just happy to see Annie back to herself again. She was so nervous.†answered Baby.
“Now, before I forget, let me introduce you to my family. This is Princess and Cody, he is a boy.â€
In the minutes that followed it seemed as if they had known each other for years. Even the owners had to shake the food bowl to get their attention for supper.
“Tomorrow is another day and we will visit again.†shouted Joseph as he ran for the barn.
That evening, Annie was so tired that she nestled in for sleep before the others.
During the next week the pattern stayed more or less the same – spending their time by the fence..
Annie couldn’t get over Zelda and how busy she was.
“Baby, why is Zelda’s mom doing that to her?â€
“Well, Annie, she is so young that there are things she has to learn. Just the same as we had to be taught certain things.â€
“But she bit her bum, Baby!â€
“Well, Annie, it wasn’t nice what Zelda did to her mom either. I guess you didn’t see that.â€
“I guess I didn’t Baby. What was it?â€
“Zelda got too excited and bit her mom on the back of her leg. Not once but twice!â€
“Ouch! That would have hurt for sure.â€
“It would if you did it more than once like Zelda did.†replied Baby.
“Now I understand. I would have done the same thing if I had a baby that did that to me.â€
Baby looked at Joseph and they both knew that Annie was starting to grow up.
Just then, Zelda came running over.
“Annie, want to play with me? Can I ask you a question too?â€
“Sure, Zelda and I would love to play with you.â€
“What are you?â€
“Well, I am a miniature donkey and being a girl I am also a jenny. Like you are a filly.â€
“No, I am Zelda.â€
“I know, but being a girl you are filly too.â€
“Momma, Annie said I am a filly but I am Zelda!â€
“Oh! I see it is about time for some things to be explained. Who wants to have the honour of explaining things?†asked Joseph.
“I think the boss mare should. Don’t you Holly?â€
“I can if you wish.â€
“But, momma is not boss mare. She is my momma.â€
“Zelda, I will explain later. Now you go and have some play time with Annie.â€
“Ok Momma.â€
“Wow! I am not the only one that gets that line about explaining things later.†shouted Annie as she ran off to play.
As the weeks passed by everyone found their place in the combined herd. Then one morning…………
“Everyone, everyone wake up! You got to see this!!!!!â€
“Oh Annie, I hope it is good after waking me up in the middle of the night.â€
“It is not the middle of the night. The sun has already taken over from the moon.â€
“There is someone else in the field with Zelda and her family.â€
“Are you sure?†asked Baby.
Yes, I am. Look over there in the corner.â€
Sure enough, there was another filly in the far corner away from the rest and about the same size as Zelda. She didn’t look at all happy.
Zelda came over to the fence to see Annie.
“Who is your new friend?†asked Annie.â€
“I don’t know who she is. She came last night.â€
“You haven’t spoken to her to find out anything?â€
“Nope.â€
“I think we need a group meeting.â€
“What is that Annie?â€
“You will see Zelda.â€
“Havier, can you get everyone together for a minute? I have something to do and I am the only one that can do it. I will be right back.â€
“Ok Annie, but I am not sure why.â€
“You will see.â€
Annie put her big girl walk on and started toward the corner of the field.
“Hi! I am Annie. What is your name?â€
“Hi and I don’t have a name. I was never given one.â€
“Where did you come from?â€
“All I know is that I travelled a long time on a big trailer with other horses.â€
“Was your mother with you?â€
“No, she stayed behind. Now I am here and I don’t know what to do. I don’t think the other ones like me.â€
“I have something to tell you and I know everything is going to be alright.â€
Annie then continued to tell her story and how she felt meeting the new horses.
“Now, I think it is time to meet the rest if us.â€
“Are you sure, Annie?â€
“As sure as the sun will go to bed and the moon will come out.â€
“Ok, then I am ready - I think.â€
As they approached the others…………
“Hi everyone! I would like you to meet……I forgot, she doesn’t have a name yet.â€
“No name!!!â€
“No worries Joseph. I know she will have a name soon.â€
For a while it was like listening to a beehive.
“I think maybe I am going to like it here.â€
“We know you will and I am sorry for not talking to you this morning but I was afraid to.â€
“That is alright Zelda. I understand.â€
“Oh! I have just one more thing to tell you. My momma is a boss mare, whatever that means, and when she explains to me I will make sure you are there too.â€
Nobody could hold back their laughter.
The day unfolded so fast that before they knew it…………
“It’s that time and tomorrow is another day and supper will be soon. Time to make our way to our barns.†Holly said.
As they made their way home…..suddenly
“I JUST GOT MY NAME AND IT IS LUNA!!!!!!
What a perfect way to end a day knowing Luna has a name.
“See you tomorrow Luna and everyone.†yelled Annie.

Hi Everyone, Now you have the whole story. We hope that if you see someone like Luna, you will do the same as Annie. Remembrance Day is coming and that is when we remember all of those who have lost their lives so we could keep ours. Don’t forget to honour all our vets. See you next month
Baby, Joseph, Havier, Jake, Annie and all.