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| Joliet and Auntie Bea the elders, and the baby |
But I haven't named her. It takes time sometimes, but I do need a name. She is active, pretty fearless but not a boss mare type [yet]. She is joyful. She is a delight to watch romp and twist and I'm soaking in those moments since they don't last. I hope Opie will play with her. he is surrounded by elders and I also thought a young girl would give him some fun in coming months and years. I picked her because I loved her markings. In show world-something I am not opposed to but never had any feelings towards- I am told that due to the fact her 'belly band' is not what it should be she would get marks against her. But I love it, especially now as we face, as a nation, a crucial time in understanding our black brothers and sisters and all people of color. It should be equal, like her little body of black and white, but it isn't...yet.
And then the elder two. Well, the black one came with the name Joliet and I like that. Joliet is so sweet. She had to be nursed back to health due to rotten teeth and that is why she is quite personable. In fact on arrival, she kept by my side as introduction were made, and still does. She is not a bossy girl at all. I like her already.
The buff elder came with a name I can't even remember but did not resonate [no offense to the past names, I just feel an animal takes on a new life and for me the naming is or can be symbolic of that if needed.] This old girl bred out babies her entire 10 years. That's a lot of work for a little body like that so she gets a nice retirement now. I had picked out the name June, sine it is that month.
But then Opie came to me, quietly, away from the earshot of the others.
"Mrs. Dunn," he said, " I was thinking."
This felt like another Andy of Mayberry moment [he is named after Opie in case you missed that].
"I know this is my herd family here. But I did come from a mom. And she had a sister. Since I'm the littlest one here, and the youngest, sometimes I wish I had my mom and Auntie around," he said.
"I know that feeling, Opie," I said.
"Really? I was wondering if we could call June something else...like Mom, or Auntie?" Opie asked.
I thought for seconds. Years ago we had an old goat that fell ill, I loved her a lot, and we tried in vain to save her over a month long bought, and she fought so hard. I had named her Aunt Bea.
"How about we name her Auntie Bea?" I asked.
"Okay!" said Opie and he ran off to the barn.
I turned to go back to the house and aw the new arrivals out in the orchard, and Opie was running up to who had once been June and he said,
"Mrs. Dunn says you can be my Auntie Bea!"
