Friends

Today I want to celebrate friends both human and furry. It's a topic that's been on my mind a lot lately. It all started with a day out at the barn when I discovered Syd laying down in his stall taking his afternoon nap. Instead of getting up immediately in search of a treat (like he usually does,) he just laid there as I slowly walked in, knelt next to him and began to pet him like a dog as he just dosed away, content to let me do so. I mentioned this to a friend of mine a few days later who pointed out to me the amount of trust Syd must have in me to have let me do that. She said, "Think about it. He's a flight animal in a confined space in his most vulnerable position. He felt totally at peace and at ease or he would have stood up immediately." Wow! I never really thought about it that way. I was just enjoying those quiet moments with my beloved Sydder. For me, more than anything else, what I do, riding and eventing, I mean, has always been first and foremost about the relationship between myself and my horse. Without that, really, what is the point? And how can I expect my horse to take care of me around a cross country course and give him my all if I don't do the same? A lot of people tease me because of the time I spend pampering and grooming my big, bay beast. But you know what? I have the time, and it has paid off. I take care of him, and he takes care of me, and isn't that what friends are supposed to do for one another?!

Which brings me to my next group of "friends." This past weekend I got to hang out for two days at the Fletcher's farm. They brought Heather Morris in from Texas to teach an eventing clinic. I didn't ride, but instead took advantage of a gathering of horsey-type folks and set my tack store up to sell some goods. I've gotta say that it was a great weekend. Why? Because the more I'm around the eventing crowd, the more I like 'em. As the saying goes, "they're just good people!" It's true! They are! Eventers would give you the shirt off their back or the girth off their saddle if you need it. Now don't misunderstand me; we're a competitive, adrenaline junkie-type, group of folks. Just take a look at what we do! "Crazy!" is a pretty commonly used descriptive word for us, but we're good people nonetheless. And I had such a great time hangin' with friends old and new. And if you aren't enjoying what you're doing and who you're with, well, really, what is the point? I enjoy everything about this crazy sport I'm competing in, and I enjoy the people most of all!

Which brings me to one last group of friends (at least for the purpose of this discussion.) My dogs. Hence, the photo. I almost didn't include it. No matter how many times I look at it, I start to weep. However, it is one of those pictures that is a heartwrenching example of the phrase, "a picture is worth a thousand words." It was taken at the funeral of Navy Seal John Tumilson, one of the Seals that died in Afghanistan. Lying next to his coffin is his beloved dog Hawkeye. I don't even know what else to say about that except this, "Animals love unconditionally." Maybe if we as humans would begin to take our cues a bit more from them, we wouldn't have Navy Seals in coffins at all. I have never stepped a foot in my home when I wasn't greeted by wagging bottoms (not just tails) and smiling faces. No matter how bad my day has been or how exhausted I might be, my Pyr dogs are there to cheer me up just because they are so genuinely glad to have me home. And isn't that what being a friend is all about, really?! So, go home and hug whatever furry or non-furry friend you have!!! I'm headed to do that myself right now!
And the Road to the AEC's continues!