It's hard to lose a friend and this is the second one we've lost this summer.
To everything, turn, turn, turn.
There is a season, turn, turn, turn.
And a time to every purpose under heaven.
A time to be born, a time to die.
A time to plant, a time to reap.
A time to kill, a time to heal.
A time to laugh, a time to weep.
It's a comforting lyric but doesn't really ease the sadness of losing a friend who NEVER asked anything of you except pets, talk and shoulder to lean his head on. In return, we got a soft nose to stroke, a sweaty back to groom, and the nicker that says, "I know you." when you arrive at the farm even if you brought along a tube of wormer. The first ride in the spring - discovering who would be boss and finally dividing the role. Tanquery (Tanq as we called him) had arthritis and this week it got too hard to get up again. He tried -- oh he did try -- but it just hurt too much. So, for the second time this summer, we've sent someone we love to rainbow bridge. Now he's running like he used too and nothing hurts anymore ... except our hearts.
And Pokey ... this is Tanq and his buddy of 20 years and, though we're sad today, Pokey is alone for the first time in a very long time. Tonight will be very lonely and quiet for him.