Miscellaneous Thoughts on a Friday (the 13th)

No big theme or topic today (the previous topic would be fairly hard to top in the "big" department). Just some tidbitted items as they cross my mind this morning:

* The best thing about being in the horse world is its sense of community, and the circle of friends you earn. With horse people, empathy is never in short supply.

* For an example of what friends and empathetic treatment can mean to someone, read Comment #20 in the Over the Bridge post. It's from a friend most of you didn't know you were helping with the comments of your own.

* Among the personal-touch treasures I will keep with Tank's halter and lock of tail hair: A handwritten sympathy card from a staff member at AQHA, who read about Tank's last day on the blog.

* The chance to know a particular horse, all the way through to the end of a long life, is one of life's great gifts. It carries a big price, but no question that it's worth it.

* Perhaps, with the state of the horse economy and market as it's become, more owners will end up getting to have that experience. I'm picking up on a big attitude shift where horses are concerned, and it involves people's seeing them in a less commoditized way than throughout the rest of the horse's domesticated history.

* When I was growing up, keeping a horse around until it died of old age was not a common thing. Prevailing attitudes about animals were different then. But, the resale value of horses--any horses--was different then, too.

* Happy birthday, Dad. You know that big red dun gelding that came loping in a week ago? Throw a saddle on him and go rope a few steers. You'll have a ball. Rick and I guarantee it.