The sun had peeked its wary head over the horizon, gazing out across the lightly wooded pasture with sleepy eyes. As the gently breeze swept across the yellowed grass, the sound of sobbing echoed in the silence, only to eventually fade to nothingness. As she lay, clinging to her lifelong friend, the warmth that had once occupied the mass had deserted, leaving a cold and lifelessness in its wake, his soft amber eyes no longer alight with his affection for her. She pressed against the familiar frame, arms encirling as she hunched over him, whispering her apologies for not being with him when he had lost the fight for his life. Softly pleading with him to breath, to wake up, even if only long enough to say goodbye. She trailed her fingers along his jaw, as she had always done, and wished silently that his large, amber eyes would open, holding all the life they once had. He was gone, and there was nothing that could be done. She leaned against him, her face buried in his thick winter coat, she continued to sob even though her tears had long since run dry. Her hands, red with the biting cold, combed through his well groomed mane, twirling it in her fingers as she talked to him of old times, whispered goodbye to him, and her appologies for not being able to save him. She tied her bandana around his face, fighting off the urge to fall apart as another series of sobs wracked her frame. She could not help but think of never riding him again, never being able to sneak out and give him an apple or a carrot, never again getting to turn that last barrel and run home with all he had. She touched his nose one last time before kissing his cold cheek, wiping away the tears as she stood and turned away. She could not stand to see him buried.

Dedicated to my best friend, who will forever remain in my heart. Rag Town Tuff, my barrel horse who died at age 17, far too young. I love you, Tuffy. (this Happened last year, just felt due time I posted a little note for him.)