STORIES FROM THE BARN - Away From Home

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on February 2013

AWAY FROM HOME

The morning started off at the break of dawn with a family of peasants searching for their breakfast. For whatever reason, they seem to be louder than normal.
“Can someone turn the volume down, I need my beauty sleep.†Joseph shouted from the corner.
“Someone is off on the wrong foot this morning.†Annie whispered to Baby.
“When it comes to sleep and Joseph, it can be a nightmare if he doesn’t get what he needs. Let’s just get breakfast. He can be just like the weather, wait five minutes and it will change.

Havier was just in time to hear what was being said as he was coming to check on the Little Ones.
“Havier, can the weather change that fast?â€
“Baby is right for sure.â€
Annie turned around only to see Joseph walking toward them.
“Good morning Joseph. I see you have decided to join us for breakfast after all.â€
“Well, let’s put it this way Annie, I was forced!â€
“Now Joseph, no one forces you into doing anything.â€
“When you can’t sleep in your own bed because of whatever, then I say that is being forced out, wouldn’t you Baby?â€
“I think this is going to be one of those days when white is black and black is white regardless.â€
“On days like this I wish I had some place to go.†Annie answered.
“Be careful what you wish for.â€
“Baby, where are we going? There is nothing going on. Hello!!!â€
“I guess you are right Annie.â€
This day had the makings of being lazy as no one felt like doing anything.
“What was that sound? Do you know Joseph? Baby asked.
“Sounded like the trailer moving.â€
“But why would our owners be moving it now when everything is over for the season?â€
“My reasoning is that they are putting it in a better place before the snow comes.â€
“That makes sense to me Joseph.â€
Moments later, one of the owners walked through the barn carrying a halter.
“It looks like someone is going to be fitted for a new halter.†said Joseph.
“Then I have to go and see who.†said Baby as he followed the owner from a distance - just in case it might have been for him.
“As long as it’s not for me I’m alright right here.†Joseph shouted as he stretched out to relax.
What seemed to be just a second and Baby was back telling him it was for Annie.
“Joseph, you have got to see this!â€
“You want me to come with you and leave this cozy spot?â€
“I swear it will be worth every minute. I thought you were bad enough when you didn’t want to do something.â€
“Oh really!? Then let’s go.†Joseph replied as he got to his feet.
When they arrived all they could see was Annie with the halter on lying down and the owner saying, “Come on girl you got to get upâ€, as he was gently pulling on the lead line. There was no way she was moving. A few minutes later, the owner realized this wasn’t working so he bent down pulling her front feet out from under her. Annie had to get up now. Just then she saw the others.
“I don’t believe this! I am the only one that had to be disturbed. Don’t laugh either.†Her face told it all.
“I know when my lips need to stay shut.†Joseph whispered as Baby gave him a poke.
“Where are you going Annie?â€
“I imagine down the road like I always do.â€
Annie was so busy talking that she didn’t see the trailer in front of her.
“Oops! I guess I am going to practice on this instead….NOT!
Just as Annie got inside the owner tied her to a ring on the trailer. Suddenly, the ramp was going up and Annie heard a snap. For a minute she was in total shock as to what was happening.
“SOMEONE HELP ME!!! SOMEONE PLEASE!â€
She had never been in the trailer before with the ramp up.
“Annie, it looks like you are going somewhere.â€
“I don’t want to go anywhere BABY!!!. I want to go back into the BARN!!!! Can you get TC!â€
“I am right here Annie.â€
“I want to get out TC.â€
“You will be alright Annie.â€
“I might not come back!â€
“You will, Annie.â€
“Promise, TC?â€
“Yes, Annie, you will come home.â€
Just then the truck started pulling away. With the motion, it was all Annie could do to steady herself on her feet. As the trailer rolled down the road a tear rolled down her cheek. For the first time since she could remember she was completely alone. It didn’t feel good either.
A short time later the truck came to a stop. Then came this strange voice asking if it was Annie in the trailer and she started to wonder who wanted to know. The ramp went down and Annie walked off into unfamiliar surroundings. Suddenly, a dog came from nowhere.
“Hi! I’m Blue. What’s your name?†Blue said as he circled around her.
“I’m Annie and no, I am not a dog, but a donkey!â€
“Oh! I see that because you have a strange tail.â€
“My tail might be different, but I can kick in any direction.â€
“Still nice to meet you, Annie. When do you kick?â€
“It’s when something gets in my space, mostly.â€
“Am I in your space?â€
“Not anymore.â€
“Am I glad of that! I bark when something gets in my space.â€
“Nice to meet you Blue.â€
“Likewise Annie. I think my owner is going to put a line on me because sometimes I get so excited that I am in the way. By doing this I can see everything that is going on and stay out of trouble.
Then came this other voice. She gently patted Annie on the back.
“Let’s see how she does inside.â€
“Inside of what?†Annie thought to herself but she didn’t have to wait long. The big doors opened on a huge space.
“I’ll go in with her as well.â€
“Maybe this is not going to be so bad after all. These gentle hands comfort me.†Annie muttered.
Inside, all Annie could do was look around and smell the ground. There were smells there she didn’t know. They walked around the arena several times and then Annie heard…
“Let’s hook her up to the cart and see how she does.†said the owner.
Walking around was alright but now that she was in harness the feeling was different. One thing with the blinders on - she could only see what was in front of her and not to the sides. This meant that she had to put her trust in her owner. That wouldn’t have mattered on the road at home but here there were big shadows both on the ground and the sides of the building. Some looked like big holes. Annie thought long and hard - she wanted to go home being proud of herself. She brought her mind to something that TC had told them once......I can accept failure as everyone fails at something, but I can’t accept not trying. With her best foot forward she followed the lady with the gentle hands around the arena, being careful with every step. The holes were the reflection of the sun on the sand. To Annie, they still looked like holes.
After a bit, the doors opened and off they went for a short ride. The air had an odour of other horses but she didn’t see any. After finishing, the fear returned when the owner put her in a round pen and walked away. Annie could only stand and watch the owner leave. She didn’t hear when he said he would be back in a few minutes for her. She couldn’t find a corner to hide her head as the pen was round. All she wanted was to go home. The tears returned.
What seemed like forever, the owner returned. Annie was so excited, but a bit concerned, as well. The gate opened and she was out back by her owner’s side. As she got back into the trailer Blue came to say goodbye and hoped that she would return again sometime. Both women came to say good bye as well. Annie knew she would never forget her gentle hands.
As they got closer to home the familiar smells entered her nose. Without missing a beat she let out the biggest bray of her life. As the trailer opened everyone was waiting for her.
“Annie, we are so glad to see that you came back and all is well. We missed you!†Baby added.
“Oh! That makes me feel all warm inside.â€
“TC, can we have circle time so I can tell you all about my adventure?â€
“Annie, I think we are all excited to hear where you were and what you did.â€
For the next hour Annie had the floor telling everyone her story.
“Wow Annie! Maybe we will get to go there sometime.†Baby said.
“Yes, I would like to meet this Blue and give him the 101 on donkeys.â€
“Blue is a nice dog, Joseph.â€
“I have to say Annie ,you do have a good sense of when dogs are nice.â€
“I agree Baby.†TC added.
“What has been going on here while I was gone?†asked Annie
“First, let’s get something to eat and settle down for the night and I will tell you all something special.†TC offered.

After Supper…….
“TC, we are ready now.â€
“You all know it is almost that time of the year called Christmas. While one of our owners was with you Annie, the other was talking with a family that does something very special for Christmas.â€
“What is that TC?†asked Joseph.
“Well, there was a time when they weren’t going to put up Christmas lights and the children were upset. That was when they decided to do something different and start the Connors’ Christmas Light display for The Children’s Wish Foundation.
“What is that?†asked Annie with a strange look.
“It is where people stop by to view the musical Christmas light display and leave a donation to help children who are suffering from some form of illness to help their wishes come true. Disney is a place a lot of children want to go. It is so magical there and they can just be children for a while â€
“How do the Connors do that?â€
“It is through music and lights Havier.â€
As you watch and listen , the music plays and the Christmas lights dance to the beat.
“Wow!â€
“That is a mild word Joseph for all the work that goes into it.†Havier said.
“To help children have their wishes come true……PRICELESS!!! Joseph added as he looked at everyone.
“For a day that started to be lazy, it has taught us a lot and I know I am ready for some sleep.â€
“Would part of that be from worrying about me, TC?â€
“When someone leaves for whatever reason I do worry until they come back. We are family and when one is not here there is a void.â€
“I was so happy to get home again. It was an awful feeling being alone without any of you. I realized how important family is to me. I am not with my mother and father anymore and that is okay because I have you.†Annie whispered.
“Good Night Little Onesâ€
“Good Night TC and Havierâ€
“What are you doing Annie?â€
“I am just telling my bed how pleased I am that it is here.â€
“Annie!!â€
　
Hi Everyone, I hope you enjoyed our story. We learned a lot and this is our last story for this year and what a better way to close this year off than going to see the

Connors’ Christmas Lights and help them beat the amount collected last year. Enjoy all the things that are.... Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays…. especially your family. There are some families that won’t have everyone home for whatever reason. Keep them in your thoughts. Stay safe and we will see you in 2013.

Baby, Annie, Joseph,
TC, Havier and Murphy the cat.