Help Me, I Think I'm Falling...

In Love Again!

"Wadatika"

Her eyes call you in. She's got that something special look that can't be ignored. Darling is never wrong, you know...she always picks good, and Tika was her pick at the corrals a couple weeks ago.

So far, at the ripe old, unadoptable age of seven, Tika has learned to give to pressure on her halter and leads (a bit stiffly, but forward motion is there.) She's gradually allowing my fingers to slip down her neck and quietly untangle her long mane. And just yesterday she loaded in the trailer and went for a ride.

I went to grab my camera, and when I came back I spotted her feet.

Peering through the apple trees, I saw her sniffing at the base of the trailer.

Standing at the door, wondering if she should throw me her glamour look or just climb in?

She opted for the look (top photo) and waited for me to encourage her into the box on wheels. No fighting, no panic. Just a simple assessment and acknowledgment that this is where I wanted her to be, and in she climbed. I let her settle in before driving out to the road. No jostling or turning or pawing to get out. What was the point in that? Good hay was found inside, and eating is one of Tika's favorite activities (gotta love a food motivated horse!)

Darling wants her. I wouldn't mind keeping her. But she's up for adoption on Sept. 26. No room in the barn for another horse this winter, I'm afraid. So my heart will break...but yours..well, you could fall in love...