Monday, September 10, 2012

More Better Than the Rest

We were driving down the road, Darling and I, that sunny Friday morning, when we came across a little antique shop with a sign that said 'More Better Antiques'.  We laughed, saying wouldn't the Grammar Nazi love that?  More better...

Our destination had been Ride the West, a horse fair being held in Spokane, WA.  There was a BLM adoption being held there, though it was not our intent to adopt.  They would be in Monroe two weeks later; that was much closer to us.  But we wanted to enjoy the weekend together and it never hurt our feelings to visit another adoption event.


Of course...once there, we started shopping. We couldn't help ourselves!  And the BLM staff, bless their hearts, said that if we found something we liked, they'd haul it back to Monroe if we wanted to adopt that weekend.  And so...you know how it is...we did!  

We had a short list, and among those first few picks was a tall, rangy red dun colt.  Goodness, he was a lanky thing, but he caught our eye, and Darling dubbed him "More Better", because, she said, he was more better than the rest.


We were not the only ones who the colt attracted that morning.  Not far from us on the bleachers was a young woman who'd lost the bid on another mustang, and she was determined not to lose this boy.  Darling and I didn't have much in the way of funds, so it didn't take long for us to be outbid.  We were disappointed, but someone else was made terribly happy.  And in the end?  We went home winning the bid on little Quiet Storm, which was the best possible horse for Darling to start on.

I'd been cruising the internet for a wild horse forum, but didn't find one.  I went straight to work and created one, which drew not a lot of traffic, but among the few original members was none other than Andrea...the woman who'd outbid us on that red dun gelding.  Over the past six years we've shared a love for that boy, who grew into an extremely handsome, tall, stout horse.  I was fortunate to visit with him in person a few years ago when I was in Spokane for a mustang show.  Andrea hauled him over from her Idaho home.  She'd done such a good job with that boy, who she'd named Tonka.

So many of my readers also read Andrea's blog, and by now you've undoubtedly learned that she lost this incredible gelding this weekend.  My heart aches for her, but I am so thankful that she is at peace with it all.

Andrea is not letting the grass grow under her feet.  She put the word out that she was now in need of a horse so that she and her husband could continue trail riding.  Mustang or domestic, it didn't matter, just as long as it was of decent size and had a good mind.


I messaged Andrea from facebook and asked if she wouldn't be interested in adopting from the corrals again?  It's so difficult to choose one from the photos, of course, but I sent her to my photo album of adoptable geldings from my last trip to Burns.  Low and behold, there he was...the big stout bay gelding.  He made her heart go pitter pat, she said.  So at the moment I am waiting with baited breath to hear if she's able to adopt.  I'm hoping and praying he's just as good a friend to her as Tonka!

10 comments:

Jeni said...

I see some draft influence in that bay boy. I hope she is able to adopt as well.

Shirley said...

I went over and read all her posts on what happened to Tonka... how very sad! I hope she is fortunate enough to get another "heart horse".

Anonymous said...

Nice looking horse - he's got the same profile as my Pie! I hope she's able to get him.

Paint Girl said...

I was totally devastated to hear about Tonka and it broke my heart that she had to go through that. I could never imagine the heartache.
I love this big, bay gelding! I sure hope Andrea can adopt him. I would be so happy for her!!

Andrea -Mustang Saga said...

Sure enough, I started crying as soon as I realize you were writing about my Tonka. I miss him.

Through all this I feel like I'm becoming quite a mystic. Learning to trust my feelings - I knew he wasn't going to be okay when the accident happened. I knew before that, that we did not have a long future together. Anyway, my point is, I think this is "meant to be" as stupid as that might sound to some. Thank you for being the vessel through which I found my new boy.

I'm still waiting to hear back on my application and the hauling details. I don't see why they wouldn't approve me.

Kate - Tonka had that profile too, and I love that look. Your Pie reminds me of Tonka in a lot of ways. So willing.

I know some might think it's disloyal to get another so soon. Oh well. For me, it's right. And Scout could use a new buddy to play with.

Unknown said...

Just Before I read this I was at Andrea's page, listening to Tonka's goodbye song. I have been following their plight all along with a broken heart for Andrea and tears for Tonka. Neither or whom I know in person but have enjoyed through blogging for a month or so now. When I left her page and scrolled through my reading list I click on this post. How amazing to get to hear the beginning of the beginning for them, and to see how even still, everything really is connected. There are no such things as coincidences in my book. How wonderful that you have been able to help her find a way to mend her broken heart. And just for the record, my screen is blurry again.

Keechy said...

I've been following Andrea and Tonka's journey. I'm so saddened by his loss, but I think that bay boy may just be my fave of any mustang I've ever seen! Andrea, I would never think it was disloyal to get another horse so soon. Each one fills our heart in a new way. We can love more than one horse at once, so why not love a new one while mourning the old? I hope this boy is all you deserve and will look forward to seeing you move forward together. xxx

Angela said...

The bay gelding is gorgeous! He looks VERY much like the mare #6450 on the internet adoption site, bidding for her will end tomorrow! I wish I could have her!

Christine said...

Love the bay!

Rngovvet said...

OK, you made me go check out the adoptables at the Burns corrals. There are three that I could take home any minute -- if there was room at the inn. Four mustang mares already here - if I only didn't have to work for a living...