Dark Horse
Page 11
And then I know why I’ve come outside. The maple tree. Kat’s maple tree. I want to see it.
I need to see it.
I jog, then run, to the barn. I duck through the frame, wet and splattered with mud. My feet slip, and I go down. My hand slides through mud at the base of the barn. Something brushes against my fingertips, and I jerk my hand away. I get to my knees, then look where my hand was.
Buried beneath mud and ash is a bright red leaf—a maple leaf. I pull it out and see that it’s perfect, without a tear or spot, completely preserved. It survived. While flames leaped above it and everything around it turned black, this leaf held on.
Carefully I brush off the ash. “I’ll hold on too,” I whisper, fingering the veins of the leaf. “I’ll stay close, God.”
Suddenly I want more than ever to see that maple. The storm and wind have probably blown off all the leaves by now, and I’ll never see it the way Kat did. But I want to see it anyway.
I walk around the posts that form the corner of the new barn. When I make the turn, the sun peeks through the clouds, sending a ray, a spotlight that sets the maple on fire with reds, oranges, and yellows. Light shines through the branches, and a breeze makes the wet leaves wave. It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. And I almost missed it.
“Thank You,” I whisper.
“Far out.”
I turn toward the paddock and see Catman and Winnie, arm in arm, staring at the maple and the sunrise. They’re walking toward me, but I don’t think they’ve seen me yet.
I’m grateful that there’s someone to share this maple, this moment, with.
You’re so good to me. The thought—the prayer—comes to me as natural and real as the sunrise.
“Far out!” I shout. It feels more like prayer than “Amen” or “Hallelujah.” So I shout it again: “Far out!”
Catman hollers back, “Right on, man!”
“Far out!” Winnie agrees.
They join me, and we stand gazing at the maple for I don’t know how long, soaking up the glory of the tree, the sunrise, and the Creator, who’s closer than all of it.
“Hey, guys!” Dakota calls. When we don’t answer, she comes over to us and stares at the maple too. “Wow.”
“Yeah,” I agree.
“Far out.” Winnie and Catman say it at exactly the same instant.
“Almost forgot why I came out here,” Dakota says. “Hank, your mom says they called from the firehouse. The guys are on their way. She thought you might need us to help you with something before they get here.”
I grin at Dakota, then at Winnie and Catman. They look like they’re waiting for their work orders. There are a lot of things I can think of that we could do to get ready for the barn raising.
But there’s only one that sounds like the perfect way to begin Thanksgiving. “Let’s ride.”
In minutes, we’re on horseback. Catman doubles up with Winnie on Nickers. Dakota and Blackfire ride next to Starlight and me. I’ve missed my horse, missed the oneness I feel when we move together. But I know she forgives me for being away from her so long. The day is filled with forgiveness. And hope.
Cool wind whips around me. Catman clings to Winnie. Dakota leans forward and hugs Blackfire’s neck. I hug Starlight, inhaling her horsey scent. And together, we gallop toward the sunrise, with the whole world in front of us.
Tips on Finding the Perfect Pet
• Talk with your whole family about owning a pet. Pets require a commitment from every member of the family. Your pet should be around for years—ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, or thirty years, depending on the type of pet. Pets can be expensive, especially if they get sick or need medical care of any kind. Make sure you can afford to give your pet a good life for a long time.
• Think like your future pet. Would you be happy with the lifestyle in your house? Would you spend most of your time alone? Is there room for you in the house? If you’re considering buying a horse, what kind of life will the horse have? Will someone be able to spend enough time caring for it?
• Study breeds and characteristics of the animal you’re considering. Be prepared to spend time with your pet, bonding and training, caring and loving.
• Remember that there is no such thing as a perfect pet, just as there’s no such thing as a perfect owner. Both you and your pet will need to work to develop the best possible relationship you can have and to become lifelong best friends.
Consider Pet Adoption
• Check out animal rescue organizations, like the humane society (www.hsus.org), local shelters, SPCA (www.spca.com), 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com (PO Box 7, Redondo Beach, CA 90277), Pets911.com (great horse adoption tips), and Petfinder.com. Adopting a pet from a shelter will save that pet’s life and make room for another animal, who might also find a good home.
• Take your time. Visit the shelters and talk with the animal care handlers. Legitimate shelters will be able to provide you with documentation on the animal’s health and medical records. Find out all you can. Ask questions. Who owned the pet before? How many owners were there? Why was the pet given away? Is the pet housebroken? Does it like children?
• Consider adopting an adult pet. People tend to favor “babies,” but adopting a fully grown animal may be less risky. What you see is what you get. The personality, size, and manners are there for you to consider.
Rescuing Animals
• It’s great that you want to help every animal you meet. I wish everyone felt the same. But remember that safety has to come first. A frightened, abused animal can strike out at any time. If you find an animal that’s in trouble, call your local animal shelter. Then try to find the owner.
• The best way to help a lost pet find its home again is to ask around. Ask friends, neighbors, classmates, the newspaper deliverer, and the mail carrier. You might put a “Found Pet” ad in the paper or make flyers with the animal’s picture on it. But be sure to report the find to your local shelter because that’s where most owners will go for help in finding a lost pet.
• Report animal cruelty to your local animal shelter, to the humane society, or to organizations like Pets911 (www.pets911.com/services/animalcruelty).
Dandi Daley Mackall grew up riding horses, taking her first solo bareback ride when she was three. Her best friends were Sugar, a Pinto; Misty, probably a Morgan; and Towaco, an Appaloosa. Dandi and her husband, Joe; daughters, Jen and Katy; and son, Dan, (when forced) enjoy riding Cheyenne, their Paint. Dandi has written books for all ages, including Little Blessings books, Degrees of Guilt: Kyra’s Story, Degrees of Betrayal: Sierra’s Story, Love Rules, Maggie’s Story, and the best-selling series Winnie the Horse Gentler. Her books (about 450 titles) have sold more than 4 million copies. She writes and rides from rural Ohio.
Visit Dandi’s Web site at www.dandibooks.com