One Winter Night
If you haven't guessed it by now I love equines, and dogs too! I much prefer their company to most humans I've known. This is an older story I wrote awhile back as a tribute to those who treat their equines as friends and equals, not beasts of burden to be used and abused. I've always liked it, and even though not Yiffy I hope it is well received.
One Winter Night
By
William W. Kelso
The old man woke up, and looking at the clock he saw it was almost midnight. He knew it was useless to try and go back to sleep, at his age it just didn't work. Slowly and achingly he rose from his bed, and put on his clothes and boots. He puttered around for awhile, but he knew where he would eventually end up. Finally he gave into the inevitable urge, and taking a lantern he left his small house and walked over to the small stable. He paused along the way at an old Elm tree, and reaching down he brushed the snow off of a small headstone standing in a row with others. "Buttons Pride, Gone but Forever Loved" the stone read in simple block letters. He stood and sadly mused for awhile, then continued on to the stable.
As he entered the barn he left the lights off as on occasions like this he preferred the dim comforting light of the lantern. The barn was quiet, there was no sound or movement, no welcoming calls or demands for attention. He passed by stalls with old bridles still hanging on the posts, and approached the last stall in the back of the stable. He reached up and took an old well born halter off its nail and entered the stall, then hung the lantern on a hook and sat down on an old bale of hay in one corner. The stall was empty, as it had been for so long. He leaned back and closed his eyes, and the faint smell of horses and mules comforted him, and helped him to remember.
He had been around horses and other equines all of his life, and couldn't remember when he hadn't been. He'd left home young and worked as a ranch hand for awhile, but had never really liked it much as he'd always thought the animals, both equine and bovine, were treated too harshly. He had seen horses and mules treated horribly by the very owners that made their living from the animals labors, and he just could not understand or condone that.
After he'd managed to save up enough money he'd bought a couple of old wagons, fixed them up, bought a good mule team, and gone into business for himself. He hauled loads, took part in parades, gave folks rides at fairs and such, and had even gone on a few trail rides as cook. Good times. And as always he had a good horse too.
He'd bought Buttons when she was a two year old, and gently broken her to the saddle and bit himself. She'd always been a good horse, intelligent and willing, and oh so gentle and beautiful. Of all the many horses he'd ridden, and though he'd loved them all, she was special. Then there had been his mule team, Buster and Bobby, and what a handful those two had been! Loyal to a fault and hard working, but also full of mischief. He never did figure out they sometimes got out of their stalls, both of them, and would raid the feed stores! He would come out to the stable to find them stuffing their faces with oats and other goodies. And he never had the heart to get mad at them, and they knew it.
He smiled as he remembered the good times, but his smile slowly faded as the bad times also came to haunt him. His beloved mules had been the first to go, taken by old age. First Bobby, and then shortly after Buster had died of a broken heart, still grieving for his missing team mate. And he'd grieved for them, missing their gentle and loving company. He had them both cremated and buried under the Elm tree so he'd always know where they were.
Then slowly Buttons had begun to feel the effects of age too, and maybe part of it was her missing her two old stable mates. But she had stayed as long as she could out of love for him, and he continued to take care of her long after she could no longer be ridden, but he would take her on walks whenever she felt up to it. And when it was time for him to let her go, to release her from her pain, he had held her for hours and cried while SHE had tried to comfort him! That dear sweet old mare had been more concerned for him then herself. He could tell she didn't want to go, but he knew it would be cruel for him to keep her with him any longer. The old Vet who used to make stable calls had waited with the final injection, his own sobs mingling with the old mans. He'd held Buttons head in his lap when the Vet gave her the shot that would set her free, and had watched as the light faded from her eyes and the last thing she saw was the grieving face of her human friend. It was the hardest thing he'd even had to do. He had to be led away by his friends hours later, almost catatonic with grief. He had her cremated as well, but he hadn't had her ashes buried yet. In his Last Will he had specified his last wishes were to be cremated and his ashes mixed with hers, and that they both be buried under the old Elm tree next to their old friends the mules.
And he remembered Buttons Pride, the only foal his mare Buttons had ever had. He had her serviced whenever she was in season because he knew she wanted and needed it, but some reason she never became pregnant. Until that last time shortly before she would have been too old. She gave birth to the most perfect and beautiful little brown filly he had ever seen, and both he and she had been so proud! One of the best moments in his life, and he smiled as he remembered, was when that little foal had opened its eyes for the first time, and he had seen its curious little soul looking up at him in wonder. So innocent and pure, so full of life!
But it had soon become obvious that something was wrong with the foal. She wasn't putting on any weight and had trouble keeping any food down, even her dam's milk. He had called in vet after vet to try and help, had spent all his money and even taken out a loan on his place, anything to try and save that precious little life he loved so much. But nothing had worked, and six months after she had entered this world the foal passed way, its dam and one human grief stricken and inconsolable. He'd cried every time he heard Buttons calling for her foal, not really understanding why it didn't answer or come. And it was one time he doubted the existence of God, he could not understand how the death of that gentle little soul served any purpose. He had taken the small wasted form and buried it under the Elm tree, the first grave in his little private cemetery. A friend had carved the stone for him, and he had been truly touched by the kind and thoughtful gift. He had few human friends, but the ones he did were special.
After Buttons had died he had never bought another horse or mule, he just couldn't stand the thought of losing another loved one. It tore at his heart, and he just not bear that kind of pain again. But he wasn't really lonely. He had gotten a job at a local ranch that specialized in caring for older horses and other equines whose masters were kind, and loved them enough, to put them out to pasture for their remaining time. Basically he worked for pocket change, but it was enough to take care of his modest needs, and he wouldn't have traded the job for anything. Whatever he had left over he spent on treats and other goodies for his friends. Despite trying not to he always became attached to the old and sick animals under his care, and would always grieve when they would finally die. But he was comforted somewhat because he knew they were the lucky ones, the ones who had someone who was with them, loved them at the end. And usually at the end their old human friends and owners would be there too, saying a final goodbye. And if that wasn't possible then he and some of the other grooms always kept watch until their friend had passed away. No equine at the Ranch ever died alone. Didn't matter if it was the meanest old mustang or mule, they never died alone.
It was after two o'clock now, and it was starting to lightly snow, and a huge full moon brightly lit the night air making the snow look like falling pieces of silver. But the old man wasn't aware of this when his heart gave out, and the old halter with the name "Buttons" embossed on it slid from his hand. He felt no pain, just quietly went into that final deep sleep.
All of a sudden he found himself standing on the edge of the pasture, and realized he had his old saddle in one hand, and Buttons bridle in his other. It was a beautiful night, the falling snow was brightly lit by the full moon and it was peaceful and quiet. Somehow he knew he was dead, but what am I doing here he thought? He recognized the pasture, it was the same one he and Buttons had always loved to ride in on bright springs days, and in the winter when the snow was falling, accompanied by their friends the mules. It had been their special private place. But why was he here, all alone?
Then in the distance he heard the sounds of a herd of horses and other equines. Whinny's, Neighs, brays, and the sound of approaching hooves. And they sounded so happy, so joyful, so free! And he longed to join them. Then all of a sudden he saw a small form dashing through the falling snow, prancing and nickering an excited greeting! And dropping the saddle and bridle he knelt down as a small form ran into his arms and began to nuzzle his face! Buttons Pride! But how, he thought! But then he no longer cared how she had come to be here as he was too busy hugging the foal to him and crying. I'm so sorry we couldn't save you little one, my precious little girl, he sobbed.
And then it was suddenly quiet, the sounds of the other equines had all stopped. And looking up he realized there were other forms in the snow, all of them silently and eagerly watching him. Staggering to his feet he stumbled towards the first one, as the foal ran back to her dam. Buttons? he said in a soft disbelieving, but hopeful, voice. BUTTTONS! IT WAS, IT WAS! And he ran up to her and threw his arms around her neck, muffling his overjoyed sobs in her sweet smelling coat, and she reached around and lipped and nuzzled him, neighing and whickering her own joy. After some time he raised head, and over her back he saw two larger forms waiting for him, and they each gave a soft whinneaws of greeting. Buster? Bobby? And at hearing their names the two mules shook their heads and snorted in pleasure. And beyond them he could see other equines with which he had
shared his life, and ones he had comforted during their last hours. But how? He thought, is
this Heaven?
And then he heard a call like a deep beautiful voice, but in his head and heart. And as he looked a great white stallion broke away from the other waiting animals and slowly approached him.
Buttons pulled away from him and bowed her head to the magnificent stallion, as did all the other equines. He hated to leave her side even for a moment, but he approached the stallion and fell to his knees and lowered his own head in a bow of his own.
"Who are you, he asked in awe?" And he looked up in awe at the impossibly beautiful horse, its pure white coat and mane, its incredible eyes the color of blue sapphires. But most of all the soft glow it emitted, a glow of pure love and caring.
The magnificent stallion spoke again in his mind and his heart, "Please rise, it said. You, of all humans need not bow to me! I am what you would call an Angel, one of the Guardians and shepherds of God's herd. I have been sent here to greet you, and make you an offer."
"You are so beautiful!" the man said in a soft voice. But then after a second he added, "But not as beautiful as Buttons."
The great being threw back it head in a snort of amusement, "From you, he said, I take that as compliment! Yes, you are special!"
Slowly the man stood up, "Please, he asked, may I touch you?"
With a soft pleased nicker the Angel lowered his head, and the man gently scratched his ears and rubbed his nose, and then gently kissed him on the cheek. The Angel softly grunted in pleasure as the sure and gentle hands of the man found his itchy spots, and it felt so good! Yes, the Angel thought to himself, he is the one!
Reluctantly the Angel pulled away from the man's wonderful touch, and addressed man again.
"I have come to make you an offer, one that is seldom given to a human soul. When an equine that was loved by a human friend dies their souls join my herd, but only until their human friend comes for them. When their human friends soul calls to them they always answer and leave the herd, and we are happy for them. But in my herd are many other equines who have never known a loving human hand. Who were mistreated or neglected, or lived free but lonely for human company. They have never had a human who loved them, so there is no one to call them, so they can never leave my herd. They live a happy joyful life free of pain and want in my herd, but they always wonder what it would be like to have a human soul love them, for our kinds have always been connected. God made equines for man, but he also made man for equines.
My offer is this, I am allowed to chose the rare special human soul to join my herd, to take care of and love the other members of my herd. But that soul must come of its own free will. It will be hard and never ending, but rewarding, work. And all I can offer in return is the love of my herd mates and myself. "
The man replied, "Will Buttons and my other friends be there too?"
"Of course!, said the Angel, they will never again leave your side for any reason."
The man looked behind the Angel at all the dim forms in the swirling snow. Slowly he walked around the great stallion and approached the first one. It was a small donkey, and as he approached it flared its nostrils to get his scent, and he knelt down to it and let it blow in his face, and returned the blow of greeting with his own. And as he gently scratched the Donkey's ears he suddenly knew its story. The Donkey had been born in Mexico, and had been brutally used as a beast of burden until it had died, never knowing anything other than pain and neglect. It looked young and healthy now, but he could tell its soul was still old, sick and neglected. With a soft sob he took the little Donkey's head and neck in his embrace, and promised it with his heart that it would never be alone and unloved again, And as he watched the Donkeys soul also became young again, and he felt joy replace the pain and sorrow, and he could feel how overjoyed the little Donkey was to have finally found someone to love it. And looking up he could see form after form waiting for him in the snow, so very many!, he thought. And he wanted to go to them all, right now. To tell them that yes, they were loved and treasured, that yes they would never be lonely again. But he also knew that would have to wait for now.
He turned and faced the Great Angel again, still hugging the Donkey, and said "Of course I'll come, I can think of nothing that would make me happier, nothing that could give me more purpose."
And the Angel and all the others threw back their heads and gave whinny's and brays of delight and welcome to their new herd mate, to the new groom who help take care of them and comfort them throughout eternity. To one who would give them the love and attention that was all they had ever wanted!
Again the man approached the Great and Beautiful Angel, and this time he hugged him around the neck, and softly said "Thank you for this!"
To which the Angel replied "NO, thank you! It is rare that a human soul accepts my offer, and it even more rarely given!"
The man walked back to his old friend and love, and mounted Buttons back in one smooth leap. He knew he no longer needed his old saddle or bridle.
The Angel stallion let out a great Whinny, and spinning on his hind legs he led the herd back into the snow, which began to glow and swirl faster and faster as they rose into the air, the man and his new friends yelling and calling in delight, as they climbed higher and higher and faded from sight.
And for awhile after they faded from view you could still hear the sound of their hooves, still hear the whinny's and nickers of joy as they welcomed their new herd member, and his own delighted laughter and joy!
In the morning the rancher he worked for found his old friend, having become worried when he hadn't shown up for work. The old man had a beautiful smile on his face, and his friend knew he hadn't suffered. He did know the animals at the farm would miss the old man's gentle attentive care, but he was also glad his old friend was finally at peace. And he knew what his friend had requested, so he would arrange for his cremation and burial with his old beloved horse.
One thing that would always puzzle him though, were the footprints in the snow leading to the old pasture, and the hoof prints of hundreds of equines in the snow. Those foot prints had gone right through the old gate, it had never been opened! And looking as hard as he could he couldn't find where any of the hoof prints had entered the field, or where any human footprints had left it. And how had that old saddle and the bridle with the name "BUTTONS" embossed on it gotten out in the middle of the field?
For years the rancher took care of the little cemetery under the old Elm tree, he did it in memory of his old friend and the other friends who had shared his life. He kept up the old house and stable as he couldn't stand to see them fall into ruin. When he became too old to run his ranch anymore he had sold it to a family he knew would take over his work.
Then he had moved into his friend's old house and kept it and the old stable in good condition, keeping an older horse for him to ride on the days he still could. And sometimes on still snowy nights he could swear he heard the faint sound of hooves and equine and human sounds of joy, and in the morning there would sometimes be the hoof prints of one horse, two mules, and a foal in the old pasture. And he didn't know it, but soon he would be getting a very special offer that would reward and fulfill his own soul.