STORIES FROM THE BARN

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on February 2013

Just to bring you up to speed if you happened to have missed last month’s story. When Joseph returned from the Exhibition, there was something that he needed to get TC to help him with. Now, let’s continue………..

TC was watching the sun as it disappeared on the horizon as she looked out the window onto the fields, wondering what it could be that Joseph needed her help with.
“TC, can we take a walk in the field before we settle down for the night?â€
“Yes, Joseph, we certainly can.â€
“Can you make sure that the others stay here at the barn?â€
“if that is what you wish Joseph, I can do that as well.â€
“I would.â€

Before leaving for the walk, TC made sure everyone had something to do, especially Annie who always wants to go everywhere with everyone.
A few minutes into the walk, Joseph stopped, looking TC directly in the face.â€
“Looking at you Joseph , I certainly can see that something is bothering you. How can I help?â€
“I am alright TC but I found out something at the Exhibition and I have to tell it to someone, which is going to make them sad, but they have the right to know. I can’t do it without you TC.â€
“Would this have anything to do with Baby?â€
“Yes, it does, TC.â€
“Would you like to share it with me Joseph?â€
“It’s going to make you sad too TC, as well as me. Baby’s brother Robin got sick. In the end the vets couldn’t do any more for him. That’s why he wasn’t at the Exhibition and now I have to tell Baby why I didn’t see his brother there. Now you see why I need your help.â€
“It’s not going to be easy but Baby needs to know.†TC whispered.
“I know but can we go to the big tree in the morning for this one TC?â€
By the time they returned to the barn they found Baby and Annie already asleep.
“Maybe it is better if we tell Baby in the morning and let everyone have a good sleep.â€
After breakfast was finished, TC waited a few minutes before calling everyone together and it also gave Joseph a few more minutes to think about it.
“Before we all go off for the day, I would like it if we could spend some time under the big tree.â€
This interested everyone, except Joseph, wondering what was the matter.
“TC, did we do something wrong?†Annie asked.
“No little Ones, you didn’t.â€
When they arrived at the big tree TC had them form a circle.
“There are times when no matter how hard you look for just the right words there are none you can find. Joseph has something that he wants to say……Joseph.â€
“Joseph, are you going some place else to live and leave us here?â€
“No, Annie. My home is here.â€
With that answered, he looked over at TC.
“Can we listen now, to Joseph?â€
Joseph raised his head and knew he had to be strong.
“You know I would protect you from anything if I could but then there are times that I can’t. Baby, I have something to tell you. I heard at the Exhibition that your brother Robin got sick.â€
“Very sick, Joseph?â€
“I am afraid so Baby. The vets did all they could for him. I am so sorry that I have to bring you this news.†Joseph said as he laid his head on Baby’s back.
“I know you are Joseph, but right now I think I just need to be alone for a few minutes.†Baby added as a single tear rolled down his cheek.
Quietly, the others laid their heads on Baby too. A few second later, Baby wandered off to the far side of the field, leaving the others under the big tree.
“Is Baby going to be alright?†asked Annie looking very concerned.
“Baby just needs to process what he has just been told and then he will be okay. Baby is strong.†answered TC.
TC allowed Baby the time that she thought he needed and then she slowly walked towards him. A few minutes later, both of them returned to the big tree. Baby looked at each one saying, “I could have stayed by myself and said nothing but it wouldn’t have been what my brother Robin would want me to do. He would have wanted me to share my memories with you. I want you all to share in my memories of my brother.†Baby said.
“all the manners I have today I got from Robin. I loved to push buttons but he never stopped teaching me manners. I remember once I pushed in front of him to get my supper first. That was the wrong move. It didn’t take Robin long letting me know I shouldn’t do that.â€
“I guess manners are important after all.â€
“Yes, Annie, they are. I wasn’t the best of students either.â€
“Even then people used to hang bags of apples on the barn door for our owner to give to us. This one day that I remember, the owner had taken the bag of apples into the barn, sitting them in the corner for a minute. It just so happened that Robin and I were playing tag in the barn when I discovered the apples. I was just a baby then and Robin was a few years older than I. Plus, I was just learning about what sharing was all about and I can tell you that sharing wasn’t on my mind when I saw those apples. I grabbed the bag in my teeth and started running down to the other end of the barn but it was too big for me to pick up. I was dragging it between my front legs. All I could think about was how good they were going to taste. Robin knew something was up when he saw me turning the corner to hide. Our owner arrived just at the same time that Robin was going to take the apples from me. Everyone got a taste of those apples that day.â€
“Oh, I guess I better share a little more.†added Annie.
“There was that time when we had just had one door to come and go through. Robin always came in first but sometimes I had to switch things up. When we would hear our owners calling for supper, we would run as fast as we could to the barn. I learned how to get there before Robin, but when he saw that I might beat him, he would toss his head from side to side.â€
“Like you do Baby?â€
“Yes, the same way Annie.†Baby answered as he smiled and continued.
“Robin would turn around and chase me back up the field thinking that he would stand a better chance. Then I would turn around as fast as I could, and run back leaving Robin wondering what had just happened because I would be in the barn and out of sight. Oh, Robin used to get some upset with me but being brothers we had to play tricks on one another.â€
Baby stopped for a minute as his eyes wandered around the field. You could tell that he was one with his memories.
“I wished Robin was here today to help me with my fear of the geese. I remember when we were at an exhibition together and our owners were taking me for a walk. I turned the corner and coming in the opposite direction were geese that had escaped. Robin sensed that something was wrong and kept yelling at me to keep me calm.â€
“I can be there for you Baby, like you are there for me when I am afraid.â€
“Annie, I would like it very much.†Baby added.
“You know how we like to play the fields? Well, Robin and I used to do the same after a snowstorm. Our owners would open the back door. We couldn’t wait to get out in the fresh fallen snow. We fell in snow over and over again. I will always remember playing in the snow with my brother. Then there were days when we couldn’t go out because of the weather and we would get into more mischief in the barn than you could ever imagine. Sometimes our owners would come in and see the mess we made. They would look from one to the other and then say, “did you do it Baby?†I would look at Robin and then they would do the same to Robin and he would look back at me. They knew they couldn’t blame one without the other because we were in it together. What Robin didn’t think of, I would and vice versa.â€
“Oh, I wished you could have seen Robin at the exhibitions. The obstacle course was his class. They would turn the corners to go around the cones, go over the bridges and stopping at the mailbox. Robin was right on cue. He would come so close to the cones that the people thought for sure he would knock the ball off the top and get a penalty. He always managed to leave the ball on top of the cones. In his early years of showing he had a young girl that showed him. They were like two peas in a pod. Then she had to leave for college and start her life. Robin got a new owner then who held the same compassion as the young girl. He left the barn then and I wouldn’t see him as much but when we did, we had a lot to talk about. From all my memories, the best one of all was that he was my brother and yes, I am going to miss him, but one good thing Robin had was a good home and a good retirement. He was with people who loved him. I will miss him but I have a lot of good memories and you always have to remember that the most important place to keep them is in your heart. I might not be able to see Robin again but I know he will keep watching over me and all of us.â€
Just then a flock of geese flew over the big tree. Baby looked up only to see a smaller group heading towards them.
“Hello down there. Do you mind if we rest here for the night?â€
“Who are you?†shouted Joseph.
“It’s Maude and my daughter, Missy. Remember us?â€
“Yes, we do, but who are the rest?â€
“I am a grandmother now and these are my grandchildren.â€
“Baby’s eyes got wider and wider.
“By all means, come and rest for the night.†TC shouted back.â€
“Baby, you are not afraid of us anymore, are you?â€
“No, Maude, my brother taught me how not to be afraid.†Baby yelled back with pride.
As they walked back to the barn TC couldn’t help but think how proud she was of Baby and the others.
“It has been a long day Little Ones and I think it is time to say good night.â€
“Can we all sleep in the same place tonight?†Baby asked.
“Can’t see why not. Good night Little Ones.â€
“Good night TC and Havier.â€
From the far corner comes……….
“When I grow up I want to be…..â€
“I know, Annie, a star.â€
“No, Baby, I want to be just like all of you because I have learned something from all of you and besides, then I can say I learned from the best when I become a star.â€
“ANNIE!!!!!â€
“I know…..good night Geese, sweet dreams.â€
All TC could do was shake her head.
Robin Hood
1998- 2011
Run free Robin, with Missy and Scout

Hi everyone. That is the end of our story. As the holidays arrive and there is someone that you love and you can’t be with them for whatever reason, remember that you have your memories stored in our heart. Stay safe and until next time….treat others like you would like to be treated.
Happy Holidays everyone. We will see you in 2012. Next time – Someone’s Been Sleeping………….â€