RESCUED HORSES and The Little Prince

Dusty (on the left) and Fancy posing for Pete in the field on a blustery Friday morning
If you look closely at the abodes in the background, you will see evidence of tiny home community growing ... the dandelion wagon, a tall pointed roof line to the left (Leslie and Tony's large tiny home arrived last evening); and the chicken coop now empty of any chickens is the red home closest to Dusty and Fancy.

In relation to the home and garage of our land-lady ...

"Tiny" is different and relative

We met one of the friendliest people the other day. He was dressed in a red polo shirt and red baseball cap, and through the top half of the door I saw him chatting with Pete across the field. After a bit he started heading toward the vardo. This was a first ... a visitor! I opened the door and called out (with a raspy voice) "Hi, I'm Mokihana." "I'm Ed. This is a really cute little thing. Really cute up close. Did he build this?" "Yup, he did." This was a man with an appreciate eye and a very kind disposition. By this time Pete could see this was a person who would enjoy a good bit of the brag, and within minutes the two guys were looking at the detail of our tiny home construction. This was just the kind of praise these old vardoers needed, I gotta tell you.

Ed turns out to be Ed Bartz, one of the creators of BARR Blissful Acres Rescue Reserve, here in Bend, Oregon. From the BARR Website, I found this information about the volunteer organization that cares for large animals like "Dusty" and his mom "Fancy." These two rescued ponies are our field mates, and thanks to the friendly visit with Ed Bartz we know something very special about our field mates and the folks who care for abandoned animals. Here is a snip from the BARR website with a link to the site below.

Here at Blissful Acres Rescue Reserve, we rescue abandoned, abused, and neglected large animals. BARR provides long term care & housing, with an added goal to educate the public about responsible animal stewardship. Will you partner with us to meet these goals?

Formed in 2004 by Chamber members Linda Ayling and Ed Bartz, BARR is located on 10 acres just west of the Bend Municipal Airport . As of Winter 2009 we have 21 horses, 4 goats, 4 rabbits, 3 dogs and 2 cats. (this site shows current and past).

"Many have forgotten this truth, but you must not forget it. You remain responsible, forever, for what you have tamed."
Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince

This post has taken on a life of its own. First, I wrote the story of meeting the man with the red polo shirt, red baseball hat and kind disposition. His name is Ed. We met Ed in the field where we are encamped. Ed was in the field to tend to and check on the ponies.

One thing has led to another on this blog page, and a short while ago I found a page of the BARR website entitled "Gone but not forgotten." Rescued horses who have since passed on are pictured there. Stirred by my curiosity and slowed by this cold/virus/achy body, I looked at the horses and then noticed the tiny print at the very top of the "Gone but not forgotten" page. The quote from the book (a novella actually) The Little Prince written by French aviator Antoine de Saint-Expury is written across that page. The quote touched me at such a deep place. Like medicine not found in a jar or a salve.

I know of this novella, and might have read it long, long ago. But, I must have been an adult when I last read it because it did not reach me like it is today. Something important is happening here ...

I have linked a site that includes the chapters to this very special book here: The Little Prince. There is certainly reason for us being parked here in the field with two Rescued Ponies. Meeting Ed Bartz was our first clue that there was more to this than barbed wire fencing. I have just begun to read The Little Prince. Thank you ponies!

Have you read The Little Prince? Are you an adult?


http://www.blissfulacres.com/index.html